LIVERPOOL, Nov 28: Liverpool turned up the pressure on English Premier League leader Chelsea by coasting to a second successive 4-0 victory at Anfield, with Southampton the overpowered team this time.
Southampton was dispatched on Saturday as comfortably as Arsenal was a week ago as Jurgen Klopp’s side moved within a point of Chelsea, in the process becoming the first top-flight team to score two or more goals for 17 straight matches in all competitions since Sunderland in 1927.
Jota added a couple to his tally from a combined distance of seven yards, midfielder Thiago Alcantara made it two in two games shortly before halftime, and Virgil van Dijk killed off any fanciful hopes of a Southampton comeback just after the break.
The returning Andy Robertson combined with Mane down the left to get to the byline and pull back a cross for Jota to score from close range.
Mane’s header from Robertson’s free kick was ruled out for offside while Salah curled a shot wide of the far post after robbing Mohammed Salisu on the edge of the area.
After Jordan Henderson ballooned over a good chance, Jota doubled his tally in the 32nd minute with the 700th goal of Klopp’s tenure after Southampton was cut open down its right side this time.
Thiago’s ambitious cross-field pass was recovered by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who fed Salah. He collected a clever return pass from Henderson and slid a low cross which Jota could not miss.
Shortly after halftime, the fourth goal duly arrived courtesy of a low volley by Van Dijk from Alexander-Arnold’s right-wing corner.
Norwich City vs Wolves
Norwich squandered good scoring chances in a 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Saves by goalkeeper José Sá from Teemu Pukki in the 71st minute and Lukas Rupp 10 minutes later salvaged a point for Wolves at Carrow Road.
In the first half, Pukki found Josh Sargent alone at the top of the box but the forward sent his curling shot over the crossbar.
Sá later made a good save from right back Max Aarons, who played a one-two with Rupp and shaved the outside of the post.
Wolves had a good opportunity just before the break when Norwich tried to pass the ball out from the back under pressure from Raul Jimenez. Canaries goalkeeper Tim Krul’s awkward clearance went to João Moutinho, whose shot was low and hard but straight at Krul.
Brighton vs Leeds United
Neal Maupay was the biggest culprit in the 0-0 draw at home to Leeds in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Lamptey is back fit after nine months out injured and the former Chelsea right back was a constant danger, creating five opportunities in the first half alone at Amex Stadium.
Maupay squandered two of them, shooting over from inside the six-yard box with the goal at his mercy and then volleying wide at the near post. The French striker was starting after three straight games on the bench but trudged off after being substituted in the 68th.
Burnley v Tottenham
Burnley’s Premier League match against Tottenham was postponed on Sunday after heavy snow and freezing conditions in northern England.
Man City vs West Ham
Champions Manchester City overcame heavy snow and a battling West Ham side to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the Premier League on Sunday.
Ilkay Gundogan tapped home after 33 minutes and Fernandinho added a late second at the Etihad Stadium as the champions kept up the pressure at the top of the Premier League.
West Ham pulled one back through Manuel Lanzini in stoppage time as a consolation.
Leicester vs Watford
James Maddison inspired Leicester to a 4-2 win over Watford to ruin Claudio Ranieri’s return on Sunday.
The England international grabbed a goal and provided two assists for Jamie Vardy.
Ademola Lookman’s strike also helped Leicester claim just a third win in 10 league games. (AP)
