Rampant Reds break record with Roberto goal
Roberto Firmino’s firsthalf goal proved enough to give Liverpool a 1-0 victory at Tottenham, which extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 16 points.
Second-placed Leicester had earlier lost 2-1 at home to Southampton, handing Jurgen Klopp’s side the chance to further strengthen their title bid.
Spurs debutant Japhet Tanganga (20) made a key early block to deny Firmino, but the Reds made the breakthrough after 37 minutes. Mohamed Salah picked out Firmino, whose brilliant first touch gave him the space to fire a shot across Paulo Gazzaniga and into the far corner, with the goal allowed to stand after a brief VAR check for a possible handball in the build-up. Spurs were much improved in the second half, though, and missed chances to equalise through Son Heung-min and substitute Giovani Lo Celso, but Liverpool closed out their 20th win from 21 league games this season. Manchester City have the chance to close the gap when they host Aston Villa today.
Danny Ings’ late strike handed in-form Southampton victory at Leicester, who were denied a stoppage-time equaliser by VAR.
Dennis Praet put the home side ahead in the 14th minute.
However, the Saints, beaten 9-0 by the Foxes at St Mary’s Stadium earlier in the season, soon equalised through Stuart Armstrong’s deflected effort.
Saints had a penalty overturned by VAR for offside, before Ings, who had twice hit the crossbar during the first half, scored with just nine minutes left.
Leicester thought they had secured a point when Jonny Evans headed in from a free-kick, but the goal was ruled offside by VAR.
Marcus Rashford hit a brace as Manchester United returned to form with a 4-0 win over bottom club Norwich at Old Trafford. Rashford opened the scoring after 27 minutes with a back-post finish, but it needed a smart save from David De Gea to deny Norwich midfielder Todd Cantwell an equaliser.
Rashford then coolly converted a penalty after 51 minutes after Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul brought down Brandon Williams.
Anthony Martial headed in from a quick, short corner just two minutes later before substitute Mason Greenwood completed the rout in the 76th minute as United moved back up to fifth.
Daniel Farke’s struggling side suffered a 14th league defeat to stay five points adrift at the foot of the table.
Yesterday’s early match saw Crystal Palace come from behind to draw 1-1 with Arsenal, who had captain Pierre-emerick Aubameyang sent off. Aubameyang opened the scoring at Selhurst Park after 12 minutes, but Palace levelled in the 54th minute following a deflected effort from Jordan Ayew.
With 23 minutes left, Arsenal skipper Aubameyang was sent off for a foul on Max Meyer after a VAR review upgraded the initial yellow card.
Chelsea coasted past Burnley 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Jorginho put the Blues in front from the penalty spot after 27 minutes and Tammy Abraham doubled the lead after a mistake by Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Callum Hudson-odoi added a third from close range early in the second half.
Everton bounced back from their FA Cup defeat to Liverpool with a 1-0 home win over Brighton.
Richarlison fired the Toffees in front with a curling finish after 38 minutes.
Brighton went close just before the hour when Leandro Trossard’s shot hit the crossbar.
In the 77th minute, Dominic Calvert-lewin’s scrambled goal from an Everton corner was ruled out by VAR for a handball. Wolves and Newcastle played out a 1-1 draw at Molineux.
Miguel Almiron put the visitors ahead after seven minutes, but Leander Dendoncker soon levelled.