Liverpool blunts Spurs

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool kickstarted its year and damaged Tottenham’s slender English Premier League title hopes as Sadio Mane struck both goals in a 20 victory at Anfield yesterday.

Tottenham could have cut leader Chelsea’s lead to six points before its trip to Burnley this morning, but it was swept aside before halftime by a vibrant Liverpool side which had failed to win in the league in 2017.

Mane, whose absence at the Africa Cup of Nations coincided with Liverpool’s slump, scored in the 16th and 18th minutes and only Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris prevented the Senegalese completing a firsthalf hat trick as the visitor buckled.

Victory lifted Liverpool back into fourth spot with 49 points from 25 games, one behind secondplaced Tottenham.

Elsewhere, Manchester United beat Watford 20, as Anthony Martial impressed for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Martial set up Juan Mata’s opener before wrapping up the win with a smart 60thminute goal.

Arsenal outclassed Hull 20, thanks to a double from Alexis Sanchez.

Stoke inflicted more pain on Crystal Palace with a 10 win while Middlesbrough and Everton played out a scoreless draw, West Ham and West Brom drew 22 and Southampton thumped Sunderland 40, leaving the Saints rooted to the bottom of the ladder. — AAP