Liverpool pip WBA, move back to 3rd
Firmino scores Brown off Ross County hold ‘champions’ Celtic
WEST BROMWICH, United Kingdom, April 16, (AFP): Roberto Firmino fired Liverpool to a 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday that moved Jurgen Klopp’s men back into third place in the Premier League.
Firmino settled a scrappy game with a close-range header in first half stoppage-time to condemn Albion boss Tony Pulis to his first ever home league defeat against the Reds.
The Brazilian converted a flickon from Lucas Leiva to seal a fifth win in their last seven games for Liverpool.
They are unbeaten since losing at Leicester in late February and now lead fourthplaced Manchester City by two points, although Pep Guardiola’s team have a game in hand in the race for an automatic spot in the Champions League group stage.
West Brom had the first opening when Liverpool failed to clear their lines and Matt Phillips picked up possession
Firmino Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne (left), and West Bromwich Albion’s Craig Dawson in action during their English Premier League soccer match at The
Hawthorns in West Bromwich, England on April 16. (AP)
GLASGOW, April 16, (AFP): Celtic captain Scott Brown picked up a costly late red card when tempers flared as the Scottish champions were held to a 2-2 draw at Ross County on Sunday.
Goals from Kieran Tierney and substitute Patrick Roberts, either side of a Michael Gardyne effort for the hosts, had Celtic on course for all three points in Dingwall.
But Liam Boyce scored a controversial last-minute penalty to make it 2-2 before Brown saw red for a lunge on the Northern Irishman in stoppage time.
The sending-off rules Brown out of next week’s Scottish Cup semi-final with fierce rivals Rangers as the Hoops chase down a domestic treble.
“It’s a very disappointing end to a game we dominated throughout,” fumed Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
“We had good control and then the points are taken from us by a horrendous decision. I’ve seen some bad decisions up here but that’s one of the worst.”
Despite being denied the victory, the result maintains Celtic’s unbeaten record in domestic competition this season, while County are eighth, three points clear of the relegation play-off place with five games left.
“It’s not a penalty and I can fully understand Celtic’s anger and disappointment,” admitted County boss Jim McIntyre.
“I thought we were better in the second half and we’ve picked up a great point.”
The breakthrough in Dingwall came from an unlikely source in the 34th minute. Australian international Tom Rogic squared the ball across the edge of the box for Tierney who took a touch before rifling a low shot into the bottom corner.
County had hardly been in the game but a stunning header from Gardyne, once of Celtic, had them on level terms five minutes after the break.
Ryan Dow delivered a fantastic ball from the left and Gardyne got in between two Celtic defenders to meet it near the penalty spot and bullet a header over Craig Gordon and into the net off the underside of the bar.
However, a moment of magic from substitute Roberts saw the Hoops regain the lead in the 78th minute.
The on-loan Manchester City winger played the ball through the legs of Kenny van der Weg to cut into the box, then sent a low shot through the legs of Marcus Fraser and under Scott Fox to beat the goalkeeper at his near post.
Brown