Liverpool survive sending off to win again
Liverpool survived the last 15 minutes with 10 men as they beat Brighton 2-1 yesterday to go 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk scored both goals and Juergen Klopp’s side held on in a nervy finale after goalkeeper Alisson Becker was sent off to claim their 14th straight league victory and extend their unbeaten run to a club-record 31 games.
Champions Manchester City lost further ground as they could only draw 2-2 at Newcastle while Chelsea lost 1-0 at home to West
Ham and Tottenham moved fifth with a 3-2 win over Brighton.
Van Dijk headed hosts
Liverpool in front from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner on 22 minutes and the fullback then floated in a freekick for the Dutchman to double their lead six minutes later.
Klopp’s side was coasting but Becker gave Brighton a lifeline when he handled the ball outside of his area. Quick thinking from Lewis Dunk saw him rifle in a freekick as the Liverpool defence switched off.
Although substitute goalkeeper Adrian had to make a couple of saves in the closing minutes, Liverpool held on to extend their lead at the top.
City manager Pep Guardiola was left to rue missed chances as his side slipped up with a draw at Newcastle.
Raheem Sterling put City in front on 22 minutes before Jetro Willems equalised but Kevin De Bruyne looked like he had won it when he smashed in a second off the underside of the bar eight minutes from time.
But Jonjo Shelvey swept in the equaliser six minutes later and Newcastle held out for a vital point.
‘‘The way we played was really good, we created good chances,’’ Guardiola said.
‘‘We only conceded two shots but unfortunately conceded two goals. We should have avoided the freekick we conceded and
Shelvey made the difference.’’
Aaron Cresswell was the unlikely hero as West Ham won at Chelsea to climb to 13th, pulling well away from trouble and inflicting a second straight league defeat on Chelsea.
Dele Alli scored twice as Tottenham, seemingly revived by new manager Jose Mourinho, beat Bournemouth 3-2, though they were holding on at the end after two Harry Wilson goals for the visitors.
Wilfried Zaha scored his second goal in two games as Crystal Palace won 2-0 at Burnley.
Second-bottom Southampton beat bottom side Watford 2-1 in the day’s late match.