(REUTERS) - A spectacular strike from Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool maintain their two point lead over Manchester City in the Premier League title race with a crucial 2-0Â win over Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday (April 14).Â
City won 3-1 at Crystal Palace earlier on Sunday meaning Liverpool have 85 points with four games to go and City are on 83 with an additional match to play.Â
But with Pep Guardiola’s side having to face Tottenham and Manchester United in the next 10 days and Liverpool having no more matches against top six teams, Juergen Klopp’s side have a glorious chance to end their club’s 29-year wait for a domestic league title.Â
After a fascinatingly even first half, Liverpool turned on the style after the break with a 51st minute header from Sadio Mane and then a long-range screamer from Salah two minutes later blowing Chelsea away.Â
“I’m so proud of the team, it was a fantastic performance,†said Klopp. “What a team, what a stadium, what an atmosphere. I’m so thankful I can be a part of this, it’s great. It’s just outstanding, very overwhelming at times,†said the German.Â
Although the brilliant Eden Hazard hit the post for the visitors, there was a real determination about the way Liverpool approached the second half – closing down across the field and yet still pushing forward in search of a third to totally kill the game.Â
BIGGEST OBSTACLE
That did not come but with only lowly Cardiff City, relegated Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United and Wolves remaining as hurdles, this was the biggest obstacle in Liverpool’s run in, cleared with some margin to spare.Â
Hazard, playing in a central role, had been a constant threat in the opening half while Liverpool’s cutting edge was not quite there. Mane went close with a curling effort and a Firmino toe poke forced Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga into action.Â
Chelsea had arguably had the better of the opening half but whatever Klopp said to his team at the break certainly had the desired effect.Â
The breakthrough came when Salah weaved into the area, putting the Chelsea defence on the back foot and Henderson picked out Mane at the back post with the Senegalese forward confidently heading home.Â
If that goal brought a feeling of relief, it was pure joy two minutes later when Salah scored a sensational second – the Egyptian receiving the ball on the right flank and cutting inside before unleashing an unstoppable drive from 25 metres out into the far, top corner.Â
“It blows me away,†said Klopp. “I had the best view of it. I saw earlier than most people that it would go in. What a finish, what a shot. But the whole move around it. Wow, brilliant,†he added. Â
Chelsea responded positively, though, with David Luiz picking out Hazard with a ball over the top, the Belgian beating the advancing Alisson Becker only to see his shot bounce out off the post.Â
Moments later, Becker then had to be alert to keep out a Hazard shot from a Willian cross as Chelsea searched in vain for a way back. But having been warned,Â
Liverpool were alert to the Hazard threat and they could have had a third themselves in the 89th minute with Mane forcing Arrizabalaga into a reflex save. The jubilant reaction of the crowd at the final whistle, showed the importance of these three points.Â
The pressure is on City ahead of 10 days which could determine the outcome of this fascinating title race.
Â
LONDON (REUTERS) - Watford brought West Ham United's streak of Premier League success to an abrupt halt with a surprise 2-0 win at the London Stadium on Saturday (Dec 22) thanks to a first-half
West Ham United vs. Watford - Football Match Report
Looking ahead from this European defeat, there is some hope. Now is the time for the club to, like Liverpool, invest more in the squad over the summer and bounce back again next year. The board must support Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur project, or else it will collapse and he will move on and build a new one with another club.
Hammering is best form of 'respect' Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus heading home the first of his four goals against Burton in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final. City's nine-goal
Hammering is best form of 'respect' - theworldnews.net
Real Madrid, Atletico close in on Barcelona | football
Football: Gunners have 'hell of a lot of work to do
Pochettino Loses His Cool as Spurs Slump, Huddersfield Closer to Relegation Mauricio Pochettino launched a furious rant at referee Mike Dean after Tottenham's Premier League title challenge suffered a crushing blow in a controversial 2-1 defeat against Burnley, while Huddersfield were pushed closer to relegation by their 2-0 loss at Newcastle
Pochettino loses his cool as Spurs slump, Huddersfield closer
Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to full training in February after knee injury. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is "ahead of schedule" and could
Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may return to training in
Napoli draw puts Juventus coronation on hold AFP /Milan Filed on April 8, 2019 | Last updated on April 8, 2019 at 04.47 pm The race for Champions League football next season remains tight with
Napoli draw puts Juventus coronation on hold | football
Feb 24, 2019 · James said of the inexperienced Lakers. After Laker loss to Pelicans, LeBron James frustrated with team's 'sense of urgency' Nick Nurse to become Canadian national team head coach
Lakers coach Luke Walton takes blame for Bucks loss
Mauricio Pochettino said on Tuesday that Hugo Lloris will remain in goal for Tottenham despite a series of costly errors this season. Lloris has endured fresh criticism after his fumble led to Toby Alderweireld's decisive own goal in the final minutes of Tottenham's 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday.
Pochettino gives backing to under-fire Lloris - Breitbart
Manchester United not 'satisfied' despite winning run, says De Gea. Published January 28, David de Gea Manchester United . Man Utd thrash Swansea 4-0. Usain Bolt to sign football deal.
Man United not 'satisfied' despite winning run, says De Gea
The Australian, who has scored once in six appearances for his country, is on a two-year loan at Scottish club Celtic from English Premier League champions Manchester City. Michel Sablon was the last FAS technical director, but the Belgian stepped down in December 2018, after being appointed in April 2015.
eReaders on Flipboard | Singapore, Solomon Islands, College
0 comments:
Post a Comment