Egyptian star Salah maintains goal streak

PARIS: Egypt sharpshooter Mohamed Salah continued a hot scoring streak by putting Liverpool ahead in a 1-1 English Premier League draw with Chelsea at the weekend. The 25year-old, who spent two unsuccessful years at Chelsea before his career took off in Italy at AS Roma, has scored six goals in his last five matches. Salah is among 30 nominees for the CAF African Footballer of the Year award and one of five BBC African Footballer of the Year finalists.

ENGLAND MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

The winger haunted former club Chelsea with a goal in a 1-1 draw at Anfield. Since joining Liverpool in the close season from Roma, Salah has maintained fine form and struck after 65 minutes against Chelsea. Finishing from close-range after poor defending, Salah scored his 15th goal for the Reds this season.

MOHAMED DIAME (Newcastle)

The Senegal midfielder was back in the starting line-up against Watford, but could not stop his side slipping to a dismal 3-0 defeat. Diame played for 69 minutes at St James’ Park before being taken off with Newcastle three goals down.

SPAIN

CEDRIC BAKAMBU (Villarreal) Bakambu continued excellent form with his 12th goal of the season by firing Villarreal into a first-half lead against Sevilla. The Democratic Republic of Congo striker is now La Liga’s second top scorer behind Lionel Messi, but his opener counted for little as Sevilla roared back from two goals down to win 3-2.

THOMAS PARTEY (Atletico Madrid)

The Ghanaian showed the importance of his versatility for Atletico by lining up at right-back as Diego Simeone’s men registered a fourth consecutive clean sheet as they thrashed Levante 5-0.

ITALY

KHOUMA BABACAR (Fiorentina) Senegal striker Babacar’s last-gasp penalty grabbed a 1-1 draw for Fiorentina against Lazio in Rome. The controversial penalty call was awarded in the 93rd minute using VAR (video assistant referee) with Babacar making no mistake from the spot.—AFP