London (AFP) – Liverpool moved a step closer to setting a new Premier League points record as the champions won 3-1 at Brighton, while Manchester City bounced back to form with 5-0 rout of Newcastle on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are hoping to break the 100-point record established by Manchester City in 2018 and they remain on course after securing their first away win since February.
Liverpool have 92 points and need nine more from their remaining four games against Burnley, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle to clinch the new record.
Mohamed Salah punished poor defending in the sixth minute, grabbing his 22nd goal of the season and Liverpool’s first away from home since February.
Jordan Henderson increased Liverpool’s advantage with a curling finish from the edge of the area three minutes later.
Leandro Trossard got one back with a powerful strike in first half stoppage-time.
But Salah’s 76th minute header from Andrew Robertson’s corner ensured Liverpool’s five-match winless run on their travels came to an end.
Second placed City lost for the ninth time in the league this season at Southampton on Sunday despite dominating possession and chances in a recurring theme of their season.
But Pep Guardiola’s men have also shown what they are capable of when at their best since football’s restart last month, winning all four games at the Etihad by a combined score of 17-0.
Gabriel Jesus was one of the main culprits when it came to missed chances at St Mary’s, but the Brazilian needed just 10 minutes to score against Newcastle as he steered David Silva’s cross into the far corner.
Kevin De Bruyne then picked out Riyad Mahrez for a simple finish.
There was more than a hint of fortune to City’s third as Matt Ritchie’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Federico Fernandez into his own net.
Silva’s appearances at the Etihad are running out, with the Spaniard ending his 10-year stay in Manchester when City’s season finishes in August.
He left another reminder of why he will be so missed with a sumptuous free-kick to make it four.
And Silva turned provider again in stoppage time for Raheem Sterling to round off the scoring.
“His performance today and in the last games, the level he is having is the best of the season,” Guardiola said.
“Ok the fans are not here but he is coming back to make the farewell game in front of all the fans.”
from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/3gDMC05
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