English Premier League
Leeds United 1 – 6 Liverpool
Leeds United 1 – 6 Liverpool. Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota both scored twice as Liverpool claimed a first league win in five games by inflicting a second successive home hammering on Leeds, who remain mired deep in the relegation battle.
The Reds had not won since putting seven unanswered goals past Manchester United at the start of March, but after a slow start they ruthlessly dismantled hapless Leeds.
The home side claimed Trent Alexander-Arnold used an arm to control the ball but he then drove forward to set up Cody Gakpo for the opener before Salah fired in from an angle to put the visitors in control.
Leeds were given hope after the break when Luis Sinisterra dispossessed ponderous Ibrahima Konate and cleverly chipped the ball past Alisson.
However Liverpool quickly responded through Jota’s neat finish – the Portugal forward’s first goal since April 2022.
After seeing a goal ruled out for offside, Salah then slotted home at the end of a superb move to put the game to bed before Jota grabbed his own second from a Jordan Henderson cross.
Substitute Darwin Nunez completed the rout with a neat side-foot finish against a shambolic Whites side, who conceded five last weekend at home to Crystal Palace and now have the worst defensive record in the Premier League.
On an encouraging night for the visitors, there was also a return to action for Luis Diaz, making his first appearance since October as a late substitute.
Jurgen Klopp’s side remain eighth in the Premier League table, a point behind seventh-placed Brighton and two shy of Aston Villa in sixth.
Both teams will be happy to see the back of the 2022-23 season, but while Leeds’ season may still tip into the misery of relegation, Liverpool could yet salvage something from the wreckage.
There have been some highlights from their campaign – notably the seven goals scored against Manchester United – but this season has been largely a struggle, with injuries and lack of form affecting key players and new recruits familiarising themselves with the club.
Life has been especially tough on the road, with Monday’s win just their fourth away from Anfield all season.
They remain well short of the remarkable consistency they produced for numerous seasons under Klopp, but they demonstrably retain the ability to be ruthless when given a sniff of opposition weakness.
Gakpo’s opener was perhaps controversial but it was also clinical as Alexander-Arnold exploited the space left by the dispossessed Firpo and found his team-mate superbly.
They were equally quick to take advantage four minutes later, when the ball was again won in Leeds territory and Salah was teed up to fire in a superb finish.
The third, fourth and fifth goals were no less clinical thanks to some slick passing and brilliant finishing from Jota and Salah, who now has nine goals against the Whites in his Liverpool career.
The Reds had only seven shots on target in the game.
Klopp’s side are facing their first finish outside the top four in seven seasons, and with Aston Villa and Brighton in superb form above them, the very real prospect of no European football at all since 2016-17.
There is work to be done and summer signings will inevitably be made, but reports of their demise are perhaps a little exaggerated.
Leeds began this campaign with assurances from their owner Andrea Radrizzani that having come perilously close to relegation last May, a repeat 12 months later was “impossible”.
With May rapidly approaching again, here the Whites are once more, two points above the bottom three with back-to-back home embarrassments and seven stressful games to go.
Having suffered a demoralising second-half demolition at the hands of Palace in their previous game, this result could be terminal to their confidence.
For 35 minutes, their tactic to contain and counter-attack worked reasonably well but, having suffered a setback with the opener, they were unable to regather themselves.
There was a bit of fight in the second half thanks to Sinisterra’s dogged determination and cute finish but as against Palace, once the floodgates opened, they were unable to shut them again.
With all four of the sides below them in the table losing at the weekend, Leeds have not slipped any further into trouble. But their goal difference has now taken a battering thanks to the first occasion they have conceded five or more goals in successive games in their history.
A rally is needed, with upcoming fixtures against Fulham, Leicester and Bournemouth potentially the key to their fate.
Source – BBC
Aston Villa 3-2 Everton. Substitute Jhon Duran’s spectacular long-range strike secured Aston Villa a dramatic Premier League comeback victory as Everton once again faltered from a 2-0 lead, marking their second consecutive collapse.
Everton had been left stunned by a late meltdown against Bournemouth in their previous match, and on Saturday, they repeated the pattern, allowing a two-goal advantage to slip away and continuing their winless streak this season.
The game started with Villa on the front foot. Ollie Watkins had a header cleared off the line early on, but the visitors soon took the lead. Dwight McNeil seized possession from former Everton player Amadou Onana and surged forward to score with a precise finish into the far corner.
Despite their struggles, Sean Dyche’s team managed to double their lead in the 27th minute with a powerful header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, Villa responded before halftime, with former Everton full-back Lucas Digne delivering a cross for Watkins to head in his first goal of the season.
As Villa prepares for their Champions League debut on Tuesday, they showed resilience by leveling the score. Watkins scored again, converting from close range after Jack Harrison’s poor clearance.
The comeback was completed 14 minutes from time when Colombian striker Duran, picking up the ball from 25 yards out, unleashed a stunning shot that dipped and swerved into the top corner, leaving Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford helpless.
This fixture, the most played in English league history, provided a thrilling encounter, with Villa recovering impressively after initially struggling at home. Under Unai Emery, who took over in October 2022, Villa has transformed from a relegation-threatened side to a European contender, finishing fourth last season and set to compete in the Champions League.
Villa, who won the European Cup in 1982, are gearing up for their European campaign with a trip to Young Boys in three days. They struggled against Everton but managed to secure the win thanks to Watkins, who ended an eight-game goal drought with his two strikes. Although he missed a chance to complete his hat-trick, Duran’s goal was a fitting match-winner.
With this victory, Villa climbed to third in the table, their only defeat coming against title contenders Arsenal. In contrast, Everton remains at the bottom of the table after four losses, a feat not seen in 66 years.
Everton appeared poised to earn their first points of the season with McNeil and Calvert-Lewin scoring, but defensive vulnerabilities resurfaced. Dyche’s typically solid defenses have conceded 13 goals in four games this season, and the team faces a crucial clash against promoted Leicester next weekend.
Despite scoring twice away from home for the first time since December, Everton’s road woes continue, and they will need to address their issues quickly to avoid a prolonged struggle.
source – BBC
Crystal Palace 2-2 Leicester City. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s stoppage-time penalty salvaged a 2-2 draw for Crystal Palace as they battled back from two goals down against Leicester City at Selhurst Park.
In the second minute of added time, Mateta coolly converted a penalty after Conor Coady fouled Ismaila Sarr inside the area, rolling the ball past Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
Leicester took the lead midway through the first half when Jamie Vardy, receiving a pass from Wilfred Ndidi, rounded Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and slid the ball into the empty net. The Foxes doubled their advantage just 23 seconds into the second half. Ndidi capitalized on a poor clearance from Palace debutant Maxence Lacroix, setting up Stephy Mavididi, who finished confidently from close range.
Palace managed to pull one back when Mateta scored from Tyrick Mitchell’s low cross, a goal that survived a VAR review. Despite the late drama, it seemed Palace might fall short until Coady’s foul on Sarr gifted Mateta the chance to equalize.
Both teams remain winless this season, but Palace will feel more relieved, having narrowly avoided a third Premier League defeat.
Oliver Glasner’s side had hoped this match would kick-start their season after a draw at Chelsea and a strong finish to the transfer window. For much of the game, it appeared another frustrating day was on the horizon, though Palace’s second-half performance offered some solace.
Vardy’s 21st-minute goal means Palace have conceded first in all four of their league games this season. Under Glasner, they have yet to win a Premier League match after falling behind.
Palace debutant Eddie Nketiah, while not on the score sheet, showed promise with his movement. He was unlucky not to score after Mateta’s goal, with his powerful drive narrowly missing the far post.
Lacroix, in contrast, had a tough debut, his misjudged clearance leading to Leicester’s second goal. Palace captain Marc Guehi also had moments of defensive frailty in the first half, but Leicester could not capitalize fully.
Leicester, like Palace, entered the game without a league win. Jordan Ayew, back at Selhurst Park after his move from Palace to Leicester, missed a golden opportunity before Vardy’s opener. Unmarked at the far post, Ayew failed to connect properly with Mavididi’s cross after Mavididi had stolen the ball from Guehi.
Vardy, who had struggled in recent games, made no mistake here, showing great composure to score. He nearly set up another goal before halftime, but Mavididi’s effort was off target after Vardy’s assist.
Mavididi redeemed himself with a goal just after the break, but it wasn’t enough to secure Leicester’s first league win of the season. Despite a strong defensive effort in the second half, Coady’s costly tackle on Sarr allowed Palace to salvage a draw.
source – BBC
Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest. Callum Hudson-Odoi and the unbeaten Nottingham Forest delivered a shock to Liverpool at Anfield, ending Arne Slot’s perfect start as Reds boss.
Hudson-Odoi, who came on as a substitute, made a decisive impact by cutting in from the left and curling a stunning shot into the bottom corner—an effort that left goalkeeper Alisson helpless.
This victory marked Forest’s first win at Anfield in any competition since 1969.
Liverpool entered the match with high confidence, having won their previous three games without conceding a goal. They created the better chances, especially in the first half. Luis Diaz came close to scoring just before the break, chasing a ball and firing a shot against the near post from a tight angle.
Forest’s goalkeeper, Matz Sels, made a crucial save to deny an Alexis Mac Allister header and was fortunate not to concede moments later when Diaz’s effort nearly slipped into his own net.
After the break, Forest began to create more opportunities. Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga both missed chances before Hudson-Odoi’s brilliant strike.
Forest fans erupted in celebration, while Liverpool supporters tried to rally their team. Despite their efforts, Liverpool struggled to create clear-cut chances to equalize.
With this win, Forest moves up to fourth in the Premier League standings with two wins and two draws, while Liverpool sits two places and one point ahead of them. Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo deserves significant credit for their strong start to the season.
Slot, who previously managed Feyenoord, understood that the Premier League would pose challenges. His impressive early results, including a notable win against Manchester United before the international break, had drawn comparisons to Jurgen Klopp’s style.
Liverpool’s play focused on patience and build-up, but their efforts were thwarted. Diaz hit the post, several headers went off target, and Mohamed Salah had a shot well-saved by Sels.
Slot made tactical changes, bringing on Bradley, moving Trent Alexander-Arnold into midfield, and introducing Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez in search of a winning goal. However, it was Bradley who was ultimately beaten by Hudson-Odoi’s goal.
Liverpool had a late opportunity to level the score when Virgil van Dijk headed over the bar, but many fans had already begun leaving Anfield before the final whistle confirmed the end of their unbeaten run.
While much of the focus had been on Liverpool’s unbeaten start under Slot, Forest also boasted an undefeated record in the Premier League—and they have now emerged as the ones maintaining that streak.
Forest’s first-half performance was solid but unspectacular, as they frustrated Liverpool without managing a shot on target. Nuno’s decision to introduce Hudson-Odoi and Elanga in the second half proved decisive. Elanga’s assist allowed Hudson-Odoi to cut inside and score the decisive goal with a perfectly placed shot into the bottom corner.
Elanga nearly doubled Forest’s lead with a late shot that went straight at Alisson, but one goal proved sufficient. Forest’s victory at Anfield was their first since the Moon landing in 1969.
source – BBC
