Late Nunez goal puts Reds four points clear of Man City
● Darwin Nunez headed in a last-gasp winner as Premier League leaders Liverpool snatched three points with a 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at the City Ground yesterday.
Nunez’s 99th-minute goal put Liverpool four points clear of second-placed Manchester City with 63 points from 27 matches, although Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand. Forest, whose outraged staff and players surrounded the officials after the final whistle, are 17th, four points above the relegation zone.
Liverpool dominated possession, but struggled in the final third against Forest’s diligent defensive effort and the game looked destined for a draw.
Liverpool continued to press and Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels made some terrific late saves but could not stop Nunez’s heroics that had the Liverpool bench and manager Juergen Klopp leaping to their feet in celebration.
Newcastle United returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers thanks to goals from Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and a late strike from Tino Livramento.
Newcastle took the lead when Gordon initiated a counterattack and when his pass found Bruno Guimaraes bursting into the box, the Brazilian’s shot was blocked by
Maximilian Kilman, only for Isak to head the ball in as it looped up in the air.
Gordon doubled their lead when he capitalised on a mix-up after Wolves keeper Jose Sa’s effort to block a low cross saw the ball fall to the winger, who scored with aplomb.
Wolves attempted a comeback but Newcastle’s defence stood firm while goalkeeper Martin Dubravka made a string of saves before Livramento scored an unexpected solo goal in stoppage time, firing home as he fell over to seal the three points.
At Craven Cottage, Fulham eased to a 3-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, winning back-to-back Premier League games for only the second time this season. The home side were 2-0 up at half-time with Harry Wilson opening the scoring in the 21st minute and Rodrigo Muniz doubling their lead 11 minutes later.
Brighton had chances in the second half with Evan Ferguson spurning two gilt-edged opportunities but Fulham deservedly took all three points with an added time goal from
Adama Traore. Fulham remain 12th in the standings and are now on 35 points, four points behind Brighton who dropped from seventh to ninth.
Chelsea fought back to earn a point against Brentford in a 2-2 draw after defender Axel Disasi headed an 83rd-minute equaliser in the West London derby at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring in the 35th minute but Brentford looked on course for a comeback win after Mads Roerslev pounced on a loose ball in the Chelsea box in the opening minutes of the second half.
Yoane Wissa smashed a shot into the net with an acrobatic scissor kick in the 69th minute before Chelsea’s Cole Palmer crossed for Disasi to level. The draw left Chelsea’s expensively assembled team 11th in the table while Brentford are six points above the relegation zone.
West Ham United defeated a wasteful Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park to keep the home side in relegation trouble.