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Tag: title rivals

  • ‘F***ing insane’: PL fairytale the real deal as Reds silenced; 10-min disaster rocks City — Wrap

    ‘F***ing insane’: PL fairytale the real deal as Reds silenced; 10-min disaster rocks City — Wrap

    Nottingham Forest’s fairytale Premier League season took another big step on Tuesday when the former European champions secured a draw over league leaders Liverpool at home.

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    Liverpool dominated the night at the City Ground but was still forced to come from behind to settle for a draw after New Zealand striker Chris Wood put Forest in front after eight minutes.

    His strike came against the run of play and took his remarkable season tally to 13 goals in 21 games.

    Forest still dreamt of clinching a miraculous win well into the second half, until Diogo Jota — who had been on the field for just 22 seconds — nodded home for Liverpool from a corner.

    Jota continued to make an impact, and Liverpool kept Forest under siege, but the underdogs escaped with a point to delight the home crowd.

    Liverpool remains six points clear of anyone on the Premier League table.

    The result also keeps Forest in second-place after 21 games, one point ahead of Arsenal, and three ahead of Chelsea, who needed a 95th minute goal from Reece James to save a draw at home to Bournemouth.

    Title rivals Manchester City, meanwhile, missed the major opportunity to close the gap by coughing up a 2-0 lead to Brentford, who stunned the champions late with 82nd and 92nd goals from Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard.

    ‘Calamitous’ Perth Glory own goal | 01:06

    The biggest result of the night, however, belonged to Forest whose redemption in England’s top flight continues to gather steam.

    Their fairytale run has been spearheaded by a career year from striker Wood, the 33-year-old Kiwi who has been among the Premier League’s most prolific goal scorers this season.

    Sky Sports’ Paul Merson noted that the City Ground “erupted” when Wood scored against the run of play.

    “Forest hadn’t been out of their half in the first eight minutes. I cannot believe they are 1-0 up. They had been ripped to shreds,” he noted.

    Clinton Morrison, former Republic of Ireland striker, said on the BBC: “This is why Forest are good. You don’t see them for the first five minutes and then they hit.”

    Forest’s remarkable run of six successive league wins prior to Liverpool’s visit had sparked claims they could emulate Leicester’s fairytale title triumph in 2016.

    This impressive performance suggested that dream should not be completely discounted, even if Liverpool remain firm favourites.

    Earlier this month, Forest marked the 50th anniversary of Brian Clough’s appointment, which triggered the club’s incredible rise from the second tier to English champions in 1978 and European Cup winners in 1979 and 1980.

    – Inspired Sels –

    Back then, Forest and Liverpool were England’s pre-eminent forces, jousting for domestic and continental silverware on a regular basis.

    For the first time since 1979, Liverpool and Forest were meeting with both teams in the top three and the retro feel was palpable on the banks of the River Trent.

    Forest fans, red and white scarves twirling in the raucous atmosphere, had barely finished a stirring pre-match rendition of Mull of Kintyre before their team delivered a statement of intent that could easily have come from the Clough era.

    Forest have proved lethal on the counter-attack this season and they caught Liverpool with a punishing sucker-punch from their first attack in the eighth minute.

    Anthony Elanga’s pin-point pass caught Virgil van Dijk flat-footed as Wood ran in behind the Liverpool defender.

    Keeping his composure, Wood slotted a clinical finish under Alisson Becker. Slot’s men dominated possession after that but struggled to break down a resolute Forest defence well marshalled by Serbian centre-back Nikola Milenkovic.

    Milenkovic and Murillo had stopped Liverpool mustering a shot on target in the first half as Mohamed Salah was held in check.

    Forest and Liverpool battled to a 1-1 draw.Source: AFP

    Liverpool drew level after a rare slip from Nuno’s defence in the 66th minute. Kostas Tsimikas’s corner looped into penalty area and Jota, one of the smallest players on the pitch, was given space to glance his header past Sels from five yards.

    It was an inspired substitution from Slot, who had sent on Jota and Tsimikas just 22 seconds earlier.

    Jota almost struck again, weaving through the Forest defence before Sels made a fine save to deny the Portugal forward.

    Sels produced an even better stop moments later, throwing himself in front of Jota’s powerful close-range strike.

    In a frantic finale, Dominik Szoboszlai’s blast forced another good save from Sels, while Salah’s curler was tipped over by the inspired Forest keeper.

    There was nearly a dramatic winner for Liverpool but Salah’s shot was cleared off the line by Ola Aina before Sels clawed Cody Gakpo’s shot to safety.

    MAN CITY BLOW LATE LEAD AT BRENTFORD, CHELSEA HELD BY BOURNEMOUTH

    Manchester City’s upturn came undone as Brentford hit back to draw 2-2 on Tuesday, while Chelsea were also held by the same scoreline at home by Bournemouth.

    Phil Foden’s double had City on course for a fourth consecutive win after a run of just one victory in 13 games.

    However, the English champions’ defending was not convincing all night and they were punished as Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard struck in the final 10 minutes to earn Brentford a point.

    Foden’s return to the form that saw him crowned Premier League player of the year last season was the one positive for City.

    But Pep Guardiola will reflect on a missed opportunity to make up ground on the top four.

    A point leaves City still down in sixth.

    Manchester City’s upturn came undone as Brentford hit back to draw 2-2 on Tuesday.Source: Getty Images

    Erling Haaland and Savinho struck the woodwork for City either side of half-time.

    However, Brentford were a constant threat on the counter-attack and only a brilliant last ditch tackle from Josko Gvardiol denied Wissa the opener for the home side.

    Moments later, Foden produced a brilliant deft touch from Kevin De Bruyne’s inviting delivery to score for just the third time in the Premier League this season.

    Brentford then saw a host of chances to level come and go before City punished them with a sucker punch.

    Savinho’s powerful effort was parried by Mark Flekken into the path of Foden, who smashed in his fourth goal in five league games.

    Brentford did finally get some reward for their attacking endeavour when Wissa slotted in from Mads Roerslev’s cross to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League.

    And they completed the comeback in stoppage time when Norgaard’s header had too much power for Stefan Ortega.

    – Reece rescues Chelsea –

    Chelsea’s miserable run extended to five league games without a win but they were grateful for captain Reece James’ stoppage-time equaliser salvaging a point for them against the Cherries.

    Cole Palmer’s cool finish from Nicolas Jackson’s through ball had given Chelsea the perfect start.

    But Bournemouth hit back despite losing both their strikers Evanilson and Enes Unal to long-term injuries.

    Chelsea’s miserable run extended to five league games without a win but they were grateful for captain Reece James’ stoppage-time equaliser.Source: Getty Images

    Justin Kluivert levelled from the penalty spot, before Antoine Semenyo’s blistering near-post effort put the visitors in front.

    James has endured another injury-hit season but showed the quality he possesses by curling home a free-kick at the death.

    West Ham boss Graham Potter enjoyed a winning home debut as Fulham were beaten 3-2 at the London Stadium.

    The Hammers shrugged off an injury crisis in attacking areas to score twice in two first-half minutes.

    Carlos Soler pounced on a wayward pass by Andreas Pereira to sweep in the opener before Tomas Soucek fired in from Aaron Wan Bissaka’s cross.

    Alex Iwobi’s intended cross evaded everyone on its way in at the start of the second half to give Fulham hope.

    Lucas Paqueta restored West Ham’s two-goal cushion to take Potter’s men above Manchester United and Tottenham into 12th.

    Iwobi pulled another goal back for Fulham, but defeat leaves them still in ninth.

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  • Reds run rampant to extend lead; City bounce back to mark Pep’s major milestone – PL Wrap

    Reds run rampant to extend lead; City bounce back to mark Pep’s major milestone – PL Wrap

    Liverpool moved a step closer to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title as a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

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    Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota were on target for the rampant Reds in east London as they ended the year as huge favourites to deliver just a second league title in 35 years.

    Nottingham Forest are the surprise closest challengers in second, but Arsenal and Chelsea can close the gap when they are in action later in the week.

    Arne Slot has repeatedly stressed nothing can be won yet with Liverpool still one game shy of the halfway mark in the Premier League.

    But the Dutchman’s succession of Jurgen Klopp continues to look flawless after a 23rd win in 27 matches in all competitions.

    Slot was able to recall Diaz, who had been rested for the 3-1 win over Leicester on Boxing Day, and it was the Colombian who opened the floodgates on 30 minutes at the London Stadium.

    Diaz’s intended pass into Curtis Jones rebounded back into his path off a West Ham defender and he dispatched his shot low into the corner.

    Mohammed Kudus was inches away from an equaliser when his effort came back off the post.

    Spurs blow golden chance to down Wolves | 00:49

    But another heavy home defeat puts Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui back under pressure after a four-game unbeaten run.

    Two goals in four minutes just before half-time killed the game as a contest. Salah’s delightful turn helped tee up Gakpo to roll in his ninth goal in 14 games.

    The Egyptian then curled in at Alphonse Areola’s near post, with some help from the West Ham goalkeeper, to hit the 20-goal mark for the eighth consecutive season since joining Liverpool in 2017.

    Speculation over Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s futures has not derailed Liverpool’s flying start under Slot.

    All three could discuss a move to a foreign club on a free transfer next season within days, but remain focused for the moment on winning a second Premier League title together.

    Rumours over Alexander-Arnold’s potential move to Real Madrid have resurfaced again in the Spanish media over the past week and the England international showed why he is a man in demand with a thunderous strike that deflected in off Max Kilman.

    Jota’s appearance as a substitute was further evidence of the extra firepower Liverpool enjoy over their title rivals.

    The Portuguese set the seal on a dominant win with the finish for the fifth goal, but had another sumptuous Salah assist to thank for it.

    Salah jinked his way beyond three West Ham defenders before laying the ball to Jota for his 13th Premier League assist of the season to go with 17 goals in 18 games.

    EPL powerhouses fail to fire | 02:11

    ‘JUST RELIEF’ FOR PEP

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said relief was his overriding emotion after a 2-0 victory at Leicester secured just a second win in 14 games for the crisis-hit English champions on Sunday.

    Savinho and Erling Haaland struck either side of half-time as City ended a run of eight away games without a win.

    The performance was still far from the standards that Guardiola’s side have set in winning an unprecedented four consecutive English top-flight titles.

    But the effusive celebrations of Haaland’s header 16 minutes from time showed that three points was all that mattered for the visitors to at least temporarily halt their remarkable slump in Guardiola’s 500th game in charge “It is not enjoyable right now, it is just relief. We have done incredible things for many years,” said Guardiola.

    Arsenal keep pressure on Liverpool | 01:27

    “We have done a lot of things that will be in the memory forever and maybe this period, which feels like a 100 months, will make us realise how nice it was and hopefully we can come back, maybe not be what we were but more close than now.” “Today we won and this is what we needed for our minds and souls.” Victory lifts City up to fifth but they are still 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

    After a bright start to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s reign, Leicester have lost their last four to fall into the bottom three.

    The Foxes were left to rue not taking their chances to inflict more misery on a City side still showing a clear lack of confidence.

    Any time the home side crossed into City territory in the first half they appeared a major threat.

    Jamie Vardy would surely have won a penalty had he not strayed offside before being brought down by Stefan Ortega, while James Justin’s header hit the post after a goalmouth scramble.

    City, though, got the crucial opening goal on 21 minutes.

    Jakub Stolarczyk should have done better than to parry Phil Foden’s long-range effort into the path of Savinho, who swept the rebound into the roof of the net for his first City goal.

    Chances continued to come and go for Leicester early in the second half. Justin should have levelled but his mishit finish from close range allowed Manuel Akanji to clear off the line.

    Vardy then had the biggest chance to level when he prodded over Stephy Mavididi’s brilliant in-swinging cross.

    “We created those moments in a great way, there was some excitement going on,” said Van Nistelrooy, himself a prolific goalscorer in his playing days.

    “As a striker, you know you need a bit of luck in taking those chances, but that is where the game is decided.” However, Leicester were hit by a City sucker punch to end the defending champions’ miserable run on the road.

    Savinho was the creator this time as his cross perfectly picked out Haaland who powered home his 19th of the season, ending a four-game goal drought for the Norwegian.

    “It’s always a relief when you score, it was an important goal to go 2-0 up,” said Haaland.

    “It’s been a difficult time, now it’s New Year’s — five or six days till the next game. It’s the longest time in a long period so we can rest a little bit.”

    FOREST MOVE TO SECOND, SPURS DRAW

    Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest beat Everton to win their fifth straight Premier League match, leapfrogging Chelsea and Arsenal.

    Chris Wood chipped over Jordan Pickford for the opening goal in the 15th minute after being set up by Anthony Elanga.

    Wood turned provider for Forest’s second, which came just after the hour mark when Morgan Gibbs-White lashed home to make it 2-0.

    Nuno refused to get carried away, saying: “We are enjoying it, we are especially enjoying because our fans are enjoying with us.

    “Nothing changes, we cannot change. We have to realise we didn’t achieve anything.”

    Injury-hit Spurs were on track to end a torrid December on a high after first-half goals by Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson cancelled out Hwang Hee-chan’s brilliant opener for Wolves.

    Tottenham captain Son Heung-min also squandered a 43rd-minute penalty, but it did not appear to be too costly until substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen smashed home in the 87th minute.

    “I’m the person in charge, so of course it hurts,” said Postecoglou, whose team have won just one of their past seven Premier League matches.

    “When I see how hard they are trying, it hurts even more because you want them to get a reward and I think today they deserved a reward for their efforts.”

    New Wolves manager Vitor Pereira remains unbeaten, with two wins and a draw in his first three matches in charge.

    Crystal Palace won just their second home league game of the season, seeing off bottom club Southampton 2-1, thanks to goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Eberechi Eze.

    Dango Ouattara scored an 89th-minute leveller as Bournemouth drew 2-2 at Fulham. Chelsea and Manchester United are in action on Monday, with Arsenal travelling to Brentford on Wednesday.

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  • PL’s title race was inevitable. One call will spark rivals’ ‘special’ overhaul — and it’s getting close

    PL’s title race was inevitable. One call will spark rivals’ ‘special’ overhaul — and it’s getting close

    It took just 78 seconds to spark ecstasy in Manchester and agony some 207 miles away in north London.

    Phil Foden’s thumping opener against West Ham United was the goal notification Arsenal fans had dreaded, knowing a Manchester City victory would secure the Premier League title for a fourth consecutive season.

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    Foden added a second in the 18th minute, twisting the knife even further into Arsenal as they watched Everton’s Idrissa Gueye score a deflected free-kick to take a shock lead at the Emirates Stadium.

    Although Arsenal would come back to win, it was all in vain as City marched on to secure a 3-1 victory over the Hammers.

    The win meant City became the first team to win four-straight league titles and their sixth in their last seven seasons.

    But this latest triumph is made all the more remarkable by the fact they spent just three games on top of the ladder from November 12.

    It followed a trend from last season in which Pep Guardiola’s side sat second for 30 of the first 32 games before leapfrogging Arsenal into first with just six matches remaining.

    If it wasn’t evident before, it certainly is now: City are, quite simply, inevitable.

    City players URGE fans to hold off | 01:21

    MORE COVERAGE

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    Another element to City’s title charge is how they once again finished top of the pile after winning the treble last season, including their first Champions League.

    Speaking on Sky Sports, Manchester United legend Gary Neville said his “most difficult season” was the one after the Red Devils claimed the treble because it “took so much out” of him.

    “What is City’s cause this year?” Neville asked.

    “They have achieved utopia. They cannot do any more.

    “When you have fought so long and hard to win a Champions League like they have and won the treble, there has got to be that little bit of a sigh of relief.”

    Perhaps the cause of making history once more was the key motivational factor for Guardiola.

    But City are not done rewriting the record books just yet because victory in the FA Cup final would make Guardiola’s side the first to win consecutive Premier League titles and FA Cup finals.

    Given City’s sheer dominance since Guardiola’s arrival in the Premier League, one must wonder what more his title rivals can do to knock the heavyweights off the throne.

    Jurgen Klopp couldn’t keep up the fight, conceding he was “running out of energy” when he announced he’d leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

    Given how close Arsenal came last season, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta had hoped the big money signings of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz would be the boost needed to pip City to the post.

    Guardiola guided Manchester City to an unprecedented fourth-straight Premier League title. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Yet an improved Premier League season across the board was still not enough, sparking former Premier League veteran Clinton Morrison to claim Arsenal will never win the league until Guardiola decides to throw in the towel.

    “They are not far away,” Morrison said on BBC Radio’s Friday Football Social.

    “They need Pep to go and when he goes they will win the title. It’s as plain and simple as that.

    “Arsenal have been fantastic and any other season, or if Manchester City weren’t in the league, they win the Premier League because they have been fantastic under Mikel Arteta.”

    Well, by Guardiola’s admission, it doesn’t seem like Arsenal will need to wait much longer.

    “The reality is I’m closer to leaving than to staying,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.

    “It’s eight years, will be nine. Right now my feeling is I want to stay next season. We talked with the club, we have time to talk next season because I have to see the players as well, if they follow me, they follow us.

    “I want to stay next season. During the season, we will talk. But after eight, nine years …”

    Even if Guardiola decides to stay a little longer and continually find new causes to spur his star-studded squad on even further, Arsenal will be ready to pounce on any slip-ups.

    The Gunners possess one of the youngest squads in the league and, most importantly, have now had two experiences of what’s required in a title race.

    Arsenal came agonisingly close to the title yet again. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Gabriel and William Saliba have developed into one of the best centre back pairings in the league while the midfield triumvirate of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey is one teams across Europe view with envy.

    Throw in attacking options like Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, it’s easy to see why Arsenal fans are so optimistic about the future.

    As the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel wrote, “any sense of disappointment was quickly replaced by an impression of pride” once it was confirmed Arsenal had finished second once again.

    “The Emirates Stadium was at its loudest as Michael Oliver blew for full time,” Mokbel said.

    “They know their team is on the cusp of something special.

    “Indeed, in a few weeks time, as the battle scars of another failure have healed, those dreams will burn brightly once again.

    “They are so close and the reaction of the supporters to a heartbreaking disappointment suggests they believe they’ll eventually reach the promised land.”

    The Times’ James Gheerbrant echoed the sentiment.

    “It will still hurt that their name will not be engraved on the trophy, that their wait for a title will stretch into a 21st year, that as Manchester City’s supremacy hardens into dynasty, theirs recedes further into memory,” Gheerbrant wrote.

    “But this felt, by the end, like an uplifting occasion, not a funereal one; not a day to mourn how close this young team had come, but instead to celebrate how far.”

    Although City remained the dominant force for yet another season, the scenes in sunny north London showed that this Arsenal team are inching ever closer towards a breakthrough title and everyone at the club knows it.

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  • Gunners send huge PL title statement in biggest-ever win over dismal Blues

    Gunners send huge PL title statement in biggest-ever win over dismal Blues

    Kai Havertz and Ben White scored twice as Arsenal thrashed Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday to surge ahead in the Premier League title race and ramp up the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City.

    Leandro Trossard was also on target for the Gunners, who move three points clear of Liverpool and four of Manchester City.

    The destiny of the title remains in City’s hands as the defending champions have two games in hand.

    Liverpool have also played one fewer game than Arsenal and are in action at Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.

    However, Mikel Arteta’s men’s goal difference advantage now looks unassailable should it become decisive in the title race.

    Chelsea and Arsenal’s title rivals were dealt a huge blow before kick-off as the Blues’ danger man Cole Palmer was ruled out due to illness.

    Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Chelsea, looks dejected during the Premier League match.Source: Getty Images

    Palmer has scored or assisted nearly 50 per cent of Chelsea’s Premier League goals this season and his presence was badly missed by the visitors.

    Despite enduring a disappointing first season under Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea had been unbeaten in eight consecutive league games prior to their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.

    But they were blown away by an Arsenal side keen to reaffirm their title credentials after losing their last home game to Aston Villa.

    The hosts flew out of the blocks and were in front inside five minutes. Trossard only ended up at the Emirates after Arsenal were gazumped by Chelsea in the battle to sign Mykhailo Mudryk in January 2023.

    The Belgian has proved to be a far more productive signing and smashed in his 15th goal of the season at Djordje Petrovic’s near post.

    Arsenal celebrate their huge win.Source: AFP

    – Jackson avoids red –

    Chelsea were lucky to not have their bad start compounded by a red card when Nicolas Jackson escaped unpunished for a studs-up challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu.

    Petrovic redeemed himself for fault at the opening goal with two brilliant saves to turn away Havertz’s low effort and a deflected shot by Trossard to keep his side in the game before halftime.

    Chelsea did, though, have chances to level before the break. Jackson spurned three huge chances against City at Wembley at the weekend and was equally wasteful when he headed a huge opportunity into his own hand.

    Petrovic briefly held Arsenal at bay early in the second period with saves from Declan Rice and Havertz.

    However, the floodgates opened once White curled in Arsenal’s second after Chelsea failed to clear a corner on 52 minutes.

    Havertz scored the winning goal in a Champions League final for Chelsea during his three years in west London, but he never performed consistently to the level he has found in recent months under Arteta.

    Martin Odegaard’s stunning through ball was met with the finish it deserved as Havertz smashed high past Petrovic.

    Arsenal’s German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz celebrates.Source: AFP

    His next finish was more subtle as the German international fired in off the post from Bukayo Saka’s pass for his seventh goal in his last 14 club games.

    A night for forget for Chelsea was summed up by another sitter from Jackson when he hit the side-netting with just Raya to beat.

    And fortune was also not on Pochettino’s side when White’s attempted cross flew into the top corner from another sensational Odegaard pass.

    Defeat leaves Chelsea still in ninth, three points adrift of the European places.

    Next up for Arsenal is what appears their toughest hurdle remaining away to Tottenham in Sunday’s north London derby.

    Should Arteta’s side prevail at the home of their fiercest rivals, City will likely need to be perfect in their final six games to retain the title.

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  • EPL 2024: Injury-ravaged Reds pull off epic comeback as PL title race takes another twist

    EPL 2024: Injury-ravaged Reds pull off epic comeback as PL title race takes another twist

    An injury-ravaged Liverpool fought back from a goal down to beat Luton 4-1 and open up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday.

    Chiedozie Ogbene had given the Hatters a shock first-half lead against a Liverpool side missing Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota among others.

    Dutch international duo Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo turned the game on its head in two minutes just before the hour mark before Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott secured the win.

    Victory takes Jurgen Klopp’s men four points clear of Manchester City and five ahead of third-placed Arsenal, but having played a game more than both their title rivals.

    Liverpool’s squad was already stretched by injuries prior to loss of Curtis Jones, Jota and Nunez in the first-half of Saturday’s 4-1 win at Brentford.

    Salah scored on his return from a hamstring injury at the weekend, but was forced on as a substitute earlier than planned and suffered a setback that kept him out.

    Klopp was already without Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara due to injury and the stretched Reds were forced to work harder for the three points than they would have wished just days before the League Cup final.

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    Luis Diaz of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s third goal.Source: Getty Images

    Without the first-choice front three of Salah, Jota and Nunez, there was extra responsibility on Diaz but the Colombian had a first 45 minutes to forget.

    Twice he had big chances to open the scoring in the first five minutes, but took too long to get his shot away and then fired wide.

    Luton held Liverpool 1-1 when the sides met at Kenilworth Road in November and have made a habit of ruffling the feathers of the Premier League’s elite on their return to the top flight.

    However, the visitors had barely posed a threat before they went in front on 12 minutes.

    Tahith Chong burst into the Liverpool box and when his powerful shot was parried by the legs of Caoimhin Kelleher, Ogbene headed in at the far post.

    All of Liverpool’s chances before the break continued to fall to Diaz. He just could not stretch to make a strong connection on Wataru Endo’s cross and then blazed high and wide when unmarked from the edge of the area.

    Luton Town’s Irish midfielder #07 Chiedozie Ogbene stunned the Reds with the opening goal.Source: AFP

    Klopp was whipping up the Anfield crowd at every opportunity and his side finally opened the floodgates on 56 minutes.

    Captain Van Dijk led by example as he shrugged off his marker to power in Alexis Mac Allister’s corner.

    Mac Allister was the creator again seconds later as Luton again switched off from a dead ball.

    Conor Bradley’s throw-in picked out the Argentine midfielder and his volleyed cross was headed in by Gakpo.

    Only some heroics from Thomas Kaminski denied Gakpo and Van Dijk their second goals of the night as Liverpool continued to surge forward, even with the lead.

    And an animated Klopp could finally relax 19 minutes from time when Diaz this time kept his composure to slot home his 10th goal of the season.

    Elliott then rounded off the scoring on his 100th Liverpool appearance by blasting a loose ball into the top corner.

    Liverpool’s attention now turns to securing the first of a potential quadruple of trophies to mark Klopp’s final season in charge when they face Chelsea in Sunday’s League Cup final at Wembley.

    How did he miss THAT?! | 00:22

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  • ‘Oh my word!’: Star’s ‘breathtaking’ strike stuns as Reds twist knife in Arsenal nightmare — FA Cup Wrap

    ‘Oh my word!’: Star’s ‘breathtaking’ strike stuns as Reds twist knife in Arsenal nightmare — FA Cup Wrap

    Liverpool survived an Arsenal barrage to steal a place in the FA Cup fourth round in dramatic fashion as a pair of late goals sealed their gritty 2-0 win on Sunday.

    While Kevin De Bruyne’s long-awaited return for Manchester City in the holders’ 5-0 rout of Huddersfield was a memorable moment on Sunday, it was Liverpool’s gritty victory in the blockbuster third round clash at the Emirates Stadium that stole the spotlight.

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    Jurgen Klopp’s side rode their luck for long spells as Arsenal wasted a series of chances before Polish defender Jakub Kiwior headed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick into his own net with 10 minutes left.

    Luis Diaz wrapped up the smash and grab raid in stoppage-time. Liverpool’s first FA Cup win over Arsenal since the 2001 final was a significant moment as the Premier League leaders inflicted a psychological blow on one of their main title rivals.

    Arsenal have now won only once in their last six games in all competitions, an unexpected stumble that leaves them out of the FA Cup and League Cup and five points behind Liverpool in the title race.

    No wonder Klopp celebrated with such gusto at the final whistle, pumping his fists in acknowledgment of a victory that could springboard Liverpool’s bid to win four trophies.

    The Reds, who drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the Premier League in December, face Fulham in the League Cup semi-final first leg in midweek and are also through to the Europa League last 16.

    Klopp turned to Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliot as stand-ins for Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo, who are competing at the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup respectively.

    But in the absence of ill Liverpool centre-back Virgil Van Dijk, Arsenal poured forward in the first half.

    Liverpool beat Arsenal thanks to some late heroics. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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    Martin Odegaard should have rewarded the Gunners for their vibrant start, but the midfielder blasted his shot off the bar from 12 yards.

    Arteta’s men were carving Liverpool open at will and Ben White’s thunderous strike from just inside the area forced a superb tip-over from Alisson Becker.

    By the time Havertz wasted two good opportunities in quick succession, Arteta must have feared Arsenal would pay for their profligacy.

    Arteta held his head in frustration as Bukayo Saka volleyed over from a dangerous position before Alisson made a fingertip save from Kai Havertz’s deflected cross.

    Liverpool finally came to life and Luis Diaz’s snapshot was well saved by Ramsdale, while Diogo Jota hit the woodwork.

    In the 80th minute, Alexander-Arnold’s corner was headed into his own net by Kiwior and Diaz sealed the win in final seconds of stoppage-time as he took Jota’s pass and fired home from 10 yards.

    Meanwhile, polarising striker Patrick Bamford scored what could be one of the goals of the year as Leeds United breezed past Peterborough United.

    Just two minutes into the second half, Bamford chested a long ball from defender Ethan Ampadu on the edge of the area.

    Bamford then spun around and unleashed a thumping first-time volley over the head of Peterborough goalkeeper Fynn Talley.

    The England international’s goal was joined Ampadu’s double as Leeds won 3-0.

    Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne had been sidelined since tearing his hamstring during the Premier League opener against Burnley in August.

    He finally got back in action as a 57th minute substitute in City’s emphatic victory over the Championship strugglers at the Etihad Stadium.

    De Bruyne returns with trademark assist | 00:27

    Pep Guardiola’s side were leading by goals from Phil Foden and Alvarez when the 32-year-old was introduced.

    City netted three more times through Ben Jackson’s own goal, another Foden effort and a Jeremy Doku strike on his return from injury as a second half substitute.

    Fittingly, Doku’s goal was set up by a deft lofted pass from De Bruyne. City have stayed afloat without De Bruyne, but his world-class quality in midfield will be a key factor in their bid to retain the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

    “We are incredibly delighted to have him back because Kevin helps to win games. It is so important to have him back after a long injury,” Guardiola said.

    “Of course he has a special ability and quality to do something that is difficult to find. Kevin is exceptional. He is unique.”

    Premier League strugglers Luton were held 0-0 by third tier Bolton at Kenilworth Road.

    Nottingham Forest were also given a scare by League One opponents as Nuno Espirito Santo’s men recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Blackpool.

    West Ham were held to a 1-1 draw against second tier Bristol City at the London Stadium.

    FULL FA CUP RESULTS

    West Ham United 1-1 Bristol City

    Nottingham Forest 2-2 Blackpool

    Luton Town 0-0 Bolton Wanderers

    Peterborough United 0-3 Leeds United

    Shrewsbury 0-1 Wrexham

    West Bromwich Albion 4-1 Aldershot Town

    Manchester City 5-0 Huddersfield Town

    Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool

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  • Reds lock down top spot in PL after penalty drama in bonkers six-goal thriller

    Reds lock down top spot in PL after penalty drama in bonkers six-goal thriller

    Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool stretched Newcastle’s miserable run with a 4-2 victory at Anfield to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Monday.

    Jurgen Klopp’s team should have run out even more convincing winners as Martin Dubravka saved Salah’s first-half penalty among 10 stops.

    But Salah made amends from the spot after he, Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo had netted in the second half to inflict a seventh defeat in eight games on Newcastle.

    Liverpool head into the Premier League’s winter break five points clear of title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, with Aston Villa posing an unexpected challenge in second place.

    Newcastle, by contrast, remain down in ninth and 11 points off the top four as the spotlight grows on Eddie Howe.

    The Magpies have the second worst away record in the Premier League this season and were fortunate not to be blown away by an embarrassing scoreline in stormy conditions at Anfield.

    Liverpool finished with an expected goals tally of 7.27, the highest in Premier League history.

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    Trent Alexander-Arnold had sent the first warning shot just wide inside two minutes as Liverpool flew out of the blocks.

    Dubravka has struggled to deputise for the sidelined Nick Pope as Newcastle’s form has slumped in recent weeks while battling an injury crisis.

    But the Slovakian was in top form as he denied Darwin Nunez from close range. Luis Diaz did have the ball in the net shortly afterwards, but the goal was ruled out for off-side against Nunez.

    Diaz was then up-ended in the box by Sven Botman. But Dubravka bailed out the Dutch defender by denying Salah his 150th Premier League goal for Liverpool from the spot.

    The Egyptian, who was playing in his final game before heading out to the African Cup of Nations, has now missed four of his last 10 spot-kicks for the Reds.

    Salah celebrates his opening goal.Source: AFP

    Liverpool’s frustration grew as the first half wore on and they were inches away from being hit with a sucker punch.

    Dan Burn headed in at the far post, but this time the off-side flag saved the home side as Alexander Isak strayed beyond the last defender earlier in the move.

    Finally Liverpool’s pressure told early in the second period as for once Nunez showed a cool head to pick out Salah for a tap in.

    Nunez should then have put the game beyond doubt as twice Dubravka stood up and showed strong wrists to parry powerful efforts from the Uruguayan.

    And completely against the run of play, Newcastle equalised just five minutes after falling behind.

    This time Isak timed his run to perfection to latch onto Anthony Gordon’s through ball and the Swedish striker slotted confidently past the advancing Alisson Becker.

    That shock did not change the course of the game as the one-way traffic towards the Newcastle goal continued.

    There were some promising signs for Newcastle despite another defeat.Source: AFP

    Nunez’s night ended in frustration as another golden chance came and went with his final touch as he headed wide.

    Jurgen Klopp sent on Diogo Jota and Gakpo and they delivered when Nunez did not in front of goal.

    Jota teed up Jones for a tap in before Gakpo’s scuffed finish from Salah’s cross wrong-footed Dubravka.

    Botman’s header briefly brought Newcastle back within one goal. But any hope of a remarkable fightback was extinguished in controversial fashion as Jota won a second penalty despite a delayed reaction to contact from Dubravka.

    Klopp could not watch on the touchline, but this time his talisman did not disappoint to ensure the start to 2024 was a very happy new year for Liverpool.

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  • Gunners stunned again in big title twist; Ange’s Spurs back in mix — Premier League Wrap

    Gunners stunned again in big title twist; Ange’s Spurs back in mix — Premier League Wrap

    Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge has suffered another blow in a 2-1 defeat at Fulham, as Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham beat Bournemouth 3-1 to close in on their north London rivals.

    The Gunners’ high hopes of a first league title in 20 years have been rocked by two damaging defeats in four days.

    Mikel Arteta was looking for a response after losing 2-0 at home to West Ham on Thursday but was left angered by what he described as his side’s “worst performance of the season”.

    Arsenal remain in fourth, two points behind leaders Liverpool and level on 40 points with Manchester City, but having played a game more than both their title rivals.

    “If we play like today we will be nowhere near. Today was a really difficult day to swallow,” said Arteta on his side’s title aspirations.

    “It’s a really sad day today because we didn’t deserve to win the game.”

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    ANGRY ANGE: Manage restrained in heated sideline clash

    Ange in the thick of sideline fracas | 00:59

    Arsenal had started brightly at Craven Cottage as Bukayo Saka pounced to tap home his first goal in six games after Bernd Leno parried Gabriel Martinelli’s initial effort.

    But the visitors failed to build on their early advantage and Fulham hit back to snap a three-game losing run in the Premier League without even scoring a goal.

    Raul Jimenez was badly missed during his three-game ban for a red card at Newcastle and the Mexican kickstarted the Fulham fightback with his fourth goal in as many games.

    Former Arsenal winger Willian sent Tom Cairney free down the left and his dangerous low cross was swept home by Jimenez at the back post.

    Fulham were the better side in the second half and they got their reward just before the hour mark.

    Arsenal failed to clear a corner and the ball broke kindly for Bobby De Cordova-Reid to smash home from close range.

    Only a fine save from David Raya to deny Cairney and the crossbar from Andreas Pereira’s free-kick prevented Arsenal from suffering further punishment in the pouring rain in west London.

    But enough damage may have been done to their title chances over the past week.

    ANGE ‘SEEING PROGRESS’

    Arteta’s men could even be outside the top four by the time they are next in league action in three weeks’ time as Tottenham closed to within a point of the Champions League places.

    Ange Postecoglou’s men shrugged off a mounting injury crisis to inflict Bournemouth’s first defeat in eight games.

    Fifth-placed Spurs are just three points off the top with the table tantalisingly poised heading into 2024.

    “We’re three points off the top so if that is the difference between having a great season and where we are, I’ll take it,” said Postecoglou.

    “When you’re trying to build something you will undoubtedly come up against some challenges. I am seeing progress.”

    Ange claims consecutive manager awards! | 00:03

    Pape Sarr’s precise finish into the bottom corner opened the scoring after just nine minutes.

    But the Senegalese midfielder left the field in tears midway through the first half with an injury that puts his participation in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in doubt.

    Bournemouth will feel they should have been level before the break as the in-form Dominic Solanke hit the bar amid a flurry of chances.

    Instead, the visitors were picked off in the second half.

    Son Heung-min is also set to depart for a few weeks to lead South Korea at the Asian Cup.

    The Spurs captain signed off in style with a thumping finish from a narrow angle before Richarlison made it 3-0.

    Alex Scott pulled a goal back six minutes from time, but it was too little, too late for the Cherries, who remain in 12th.kca/nr

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  • Man Utd hit 93-year-low; Gunners stay top after thrilling Reds draw: PL Wrap

    Man Utd hit 93-year-low; Gunners stay top after thrilling Reds draw: PL Wrap

    Arsenal will reach Christmas atop the Premier League table after a 1-1 draw with second-placed Liverpool. Meanwhile, Manchester United crashed to a dismal 2-0 defeat at West Ham as goals from Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus piled renewed pressure on under-fire boss Erik ten Hag on Saturday.

    Elsewhere, Spurs moved up to fourth while history was made at Craven Cottage.

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    RED DEVILS FALL APART AGAIN

    Ten Hag’s side were blown away by West Ham’s late strikes at the London Stadium, condemning them to an eighth Premier League loss already this season.

    United, languishing in eighth place, have managed just one win in seven games in all competitions.

    They have lost three of their last four matches and failed to score in any of them for the first time since 1992.

    Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring.Source: Getty Images

    It has been a wretched second season for Ten Hag, whose team have been eliminated from Europe after finishing bottom of their Champions League group, while also crashing out of the League Cup.

    United have lost 13 games in all competitions this season — their most defeats before Christmas since 1930-31 when they finished bottom of the table.

    “In 2023, we won a Cup, we played the FA Cup final, we were third in the league. There were highlights but we are over-performing, but in this moment we are underperforming,” Ten Hag said.

    “There are reasons for it, we have many injuries, so the team will be better if the injured ones return.

    “We have to be calm, stick together, stick to the plan, we have to do it together.”

    REDS AND GUNNERS DRAW

    Arsenal ensured they will spent Christmas Day on top of the Premier League as they held title rivals Liverpool to a pulsating 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday.

    Mikel Arteta’s side took an early lead through Gabriel Magalhaes, but Mohamed Salah hauled Liverpool level before the interval.

    A draw was arguably the right result after both sides flexed their muscles to show why they have emerged as the leading contenders to win the title.

    Chasing a first title since 2004, Arsenal sit one point clear of second placed Liverpool heading into the festive period.

    The title race is well and truly on after a top of the table draw.Source: AFP

    The team that has topped the Premier League at Christmas has gone on to win the title in six of the past 10 seasons, but the draw on Merseyside was also a boost to the chasing pack.

    Third placed Aston Villa are level on points with Liverpool, fourth placed Tottenham are three points further back, while champions Manchester City are six points adrift of the leaders with a game in hand.

    Liverpool are unbeaten in their past 11 games against Arsenal at Anfield. However, coming a week after their goalless stalemate against Manchester United, this was another frustrating result for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

    Arsenal weren’t completely satisfied either.

    It was frustration for Liverpool as they missed the chance to get above the Gunners.Source: AFP

    Arsenal took the lead after only four minutes. Martin Odegaard delivered a perfect free-kick into the Liverpool area and Gabriel rose to thump his header past Alisson Becker from eight yards.

    Liverpool were controversially denied a penalty by VAR when Odegaard handled in the area after slipping under pressure from Salah.

    Salah took it upon himself to ensure Liverpool weren’t left to rue that debatable decision as the Egyptian conjured a superb 29th minute equaliser.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold’s raking pass picked out Salah down the right flank and he glided away from Oleksandr Zinchenko into the area before smashing a fierce strike past David Raya at his near post.

    Liverpool should have been in front in the 73rd minute when a break from an Arsenal corner climaxed with Salah teeing up Alexander-Arnold, but the ball took a slight bobble and his shot cannoned back off the crossbar with just Raya to beat, and Arsenal held on for a crucial point.

    WELCH MAKES HISTORY

    At Craven Cottage, Rebecca Welch became the first woman to referee a Premier League match as struggling Burnley won 2-0 at Fulham.

    In 2021, Welch became the first woman appointed to referee a match in the English Football League when she took charge of the fourth-tier fixture between Harrogate and Port Vale.

    Last month, the 40-year-old became the first woman to act as fourth official in a Premier League game as part of the officiating team for Fulham’s match against Manchester United.

    It was an impressive debut for Welch, who ignored boos from the Fulham fans when she booked Calvin Bassey after his arm caught Josh Brownhill.

    Wilson Odobert’s 47th minute opener for Burnley needed no intervention from Welch and her assistants, with Sander Berge’s 66th minute goal sealing just the third win this season for the second-bottom Clarets.

    Rebecca Welch made history.Source: AFP

    SPURS INTO FOURTH

    Tottenham moved up to fourth, three points behind Arsenal, with a 2-1 win against Everton in north London.

    Richarlison put Tottenham ahead against his former club in the ninth minute, slotting home from Brennan Johnson’s low cross to make it three goals in his last four games.

    Son Heung-min doubled the lead in the 18th minute and Andre Gomes’s 82nd minute reply was too late for Everton.

    Ange Postecoglou claimed a crucial win.Source: Getty Images

    Luton bolstered their bid for survival with an impressive 1-0 win against Newcastle at Kenilworth Road.

    Paying the perfect tribute to Tom Lockyer as the Hatters captain recovers from his on-pitch cardiac arrest at Bournemouth last Saturday, Andros Townsend clinched the points in the 25th minute with a close-range finish.

    Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke ruined Nuno Espirito Santo’s first match in charge of Nottingham Forest as the striker’s 94th-minute hat-trick sealed a 3-2 victory.

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