LIVERPOOL BOOST TOP FOUR HOPES
Liverpool thrash West Ham 4-0, Spurs say goodbye to Lane with victory over Man United
LIVERPOOL are on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League after Philippe Coutinho inspired a 4-0 rout of West Ham, while Tottenham said a fitting farewell to White Hart Lane with a 2-1 win against Manchester United yesterday.
In contrast to Liverpool’s jubilation and Tottenham’s celebratory send-off, there was only misery for Hull as they were relegated after a 4-0 thrashing at Crystal Palace.
It was a day of high emotion as the Premier League’s remaining issues at the top and bottom of were played out in dramatic fashion.
At the London Stadium, Liverpool took the lead when Coutinho’s sublime pass was converted by Daniel Sturridge early in the first half.
Coutinho stole the spotlight again in the second half with a superb solo strike and a cool finish to put Jurgen Klopp’s side three goals ahead, before Divock Origi netted to cap the Reds’ swaggering display.
Liverpool moved one point above Manchester City into third place.
Although City and fifth-placed Arsenal both have a game in hand, Klopp’s men will be guaranteed a Champions League berth if they beat relegated Middlesbrough at Anfield on Sunday.
In the unlikely event Arsenal lose at home to relegated Sunderland tomorrow, then Liverpool will clinch a top four spot without playing.
Playing their last game at White Hart Lane after 118 years, second-placed Tottenham responded to the end of their title dreams by stylishly bringing down the curtain on 118 years at the famous north London stadium.
Chelsea were crowned champions after their win at West Bromwich Albion on Friday, but Tottenham had the ideal occasion to forget that frustration as they prepare to temporarily play at Wembley while the Lane is demolished to make way for a new arena.
With numerous Tottenham legends watching from the stands, Kenya midfielder Victor Wanyama put the hosts ahead in the sixth minute. Harry Kane doubled Tottenham’s lead in the 48th minute with his 28th goal of the season.
United’s Wayne Rooney had the distinction of scoring the last goal at the Lane with a closerange finish in the 71st minute.
On Saturday, Manchester City enjoyed a huge let-off in their quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League, while Arsenal maintained their late challenge with a classy 4-1 victory at Stoke City.
A freakish penalty “miss” by Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez at the Etihad Stadium allowed Manchester City to squeeze out a 2-1 victory.
Mahrez beat Willy Caballero with 13 minutes remaining, but had slipped in his run-up and inadvertently struck the ball twice, once with each foot.
Eagle-eyed referee Robert Madley correctly applied the law and City breathed deeply.