Reds rout Foxes Liverpool lash out Leicester, go 13 points clear
London, Dec. 27: Liverpool stretched their Premier League lead to 13 points by outclassing second-placed Leicester in a 4-0 win on Boxing Day as Manchester United cut the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta got off to an underwhelming start as Arsenal manager with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, but Carlo Ancelotti had a more positive impact on his Everton bow as Dominic CalvertLewin’s brilliant diving header earned a 1-0 win over Burnley.
Chelsea beat Tottenham in a big win for Frank Lampard over Jose Mourinho on Sunday, but the gap between the two is back down to three points as the Blues lost 0-2 at home to Southampton.
United moved just a point further back in seventh as they too overturned a poor start to thrash Newcastle 4-1 with Anthony Martial scoring twice.
Liverpool’s trip to their closest challengers was the top billing of a busy Boxing Day card, but there was no contest as the world champions showed their class.
Roberto Firmino’s header was scant reward for a dominant first half display as Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah wasted big chances. However, three goals in seven minutes in the final quarter ensured the scoreline fairly reflected their control.
Milner doubled the visitors’ lead before Firmino’s classy finish made it 3-0.
Trent Alexander-Arnold helped set up all of his side’s first three goals and rounded off a stunning individual display by drilling home the fourth from outside the box.
SAINTS GIVE CHELSEA
THE BLUES
After the highs of Sunday, Chelsea again struggled when faced with breaking down stubborn defensive opponents in Southampton.
The Blues have now lost to West Ham, Bournemouth and the Saints in their last four home league games.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl’s decision to rest Danny Ings paid off as his replacement Michael Obafemi scored. The visitors then secured a second straight win to move up to 14th when Nathan Redmond prodded past the onrushing Kepa Arrizabalaga 17 minutes from time.
Arteta got an early lesson in the flaws that have blighted Arsenal’s season as they were caught out trying to play from the back to concede the opening goal when Dan Gosling put Bournemouth in front.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang again rode to the Gunners’ rescue to equalise just after the hour mark, but a point leaves Arsenal still down in 11th. Sheffield United are sixth, behind Tottenham only on goal difference, as they missed the chance to close to within a point of Chelsea in a 1-1 draw with Watford.
MARTIAL LEADS UNITED’S VICTORY United were also beaten 02 at bottom-of-the-table Watford on Sunday and another frustrating evening seemingly beckoned when Matty Longstaff scored his second Premier League goal both of which have come against the Red Devils.
However, unlike when the Magpies beat Ole Solskajer’s men 1-0, the response from United was emphatic.
Martial fired in at the near post with the help of Newcastle ‘keeper Martin Dubravka before a thundering finish from Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford’s header made it 3-1 before the break.
Another defensive error then teed up Martial to dink over Dubravka for the fourth early in the second half.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace climbed up to eighth thanks to Jordan Ayew’s brilliant individual run and finish a minute from time to beat West Ham 2-1. —