Anfield stalemate as City miss late penalty

Riyad Mahrez missed a late penalty as Premier League title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City fought out a goalless draw at Anfield yesterday.

City’s record signing Mahrez blazed over his 85th-minute spotkick after Virgil van Dijk had upended substitute Leroy Sane with a rash challenge.

The biggest game of the season struggled to live up to its prematch hype in the first half as the sides cancelled each other out and chances were at a premium.

But City might have had a 20th-minute penalty when Dejan Lovren clumsily challenged Sergio Aguero from behind.

With Liverpool’s strike trio, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, feeding on scraps, City carried the greater attacking threat as the game wore on.

There was another City claim for a penalty when Van Dijk handled from a corner, but Fernandinho was penalised for a foul on the Dutch defender.

Mahrez fired wide and forced a good save from Alisson Becker before the Algerian’s big moment arrived with usual penalty taker Aguero having been substituted.

But Mahrez sent his kick high into the stand to deny City a first Anfield win since 2003.

Chelsea moved level with City and Liverpool on 20 points after their comfortable 3-0 win at Southampton.

Eden Hazard continued his sensational scoring form as his seventh goal of the season took Chelsea into second spot on goal difference.

Ross Barkley poked home to double the advantage in the second half and Southampton, for whom Danny Ings and Ryan Bertrand missed inviting chances, conceded a third in stoppage time when Hazard freed substitute Alvaro Morata.

Arsenal coasted to a 5-1 success at Fulham to move above London rivals Tottenham and into fourth place, two points behind the top three.

This was Arsenal’s ninth consecutive win in all competitions, their best winning streak in 11 years.

Alexandre Lacazette fired Arsenal ahead before Andre Schurrle equalised against the run of play before half-time.

But it was one-way traffic after the break as Lacazette restored Arsenal’s lead, Aaron Ramsey scored with a flick and PierreEmerick Aubameyang struck twice late on.

On Saturday, Manchester United fought back from 2-0 down to beat Newcastle 3-2 at Old Trafford with a late goal from Alexis Sanchez.

With Jose Mourinho’s position under scrutiny following a run of poor performances, Newcastle raced into a two-goal lead through Kenedy and Yoshinori Muto, but, following the expected half-time dressing down from Mourinho, United finally produced a response.

Mata gave United hope with 20 minutes left when he clipped in a free-kick.

Anthony Martial hauled Mourinho’s team level on 76 minutes and substitute Sanchez headed in the winner as Mourinho’s name rang out again.

Tottenham bounced back from their Champions League defeat by Barcelona with a 1-0 win over 10-man Cardiff while Huddersfield hauled themselves off the bottom after a 1-1 draw at Burnley.

Bournemouth are up to fifth after cruising to a 4-0 victory at Watford and Wolves maintained their momentum after a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Everton won 2-1 at Leicester, who finished with 10 men.

Former England and Chelsea captain John Terry last night announced his retirement from playing football.

Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez fires his penalty over the bar.