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Liverpool thrash Leicester to stretch lead as Tottenham, Man Utd close on
Chelsea
LONDON, Dec 27, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Liverpool stretched their Premier League
lead to 13 points by outclassing second-placed Leicester in a 4-0 win on
Boxing Day as Manchester United and Tottenham cut the gap on fourth-placed
Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta got off to an underwhelming start as Arsenal manager with a 1-
1 draw at Bournemouth, but Carlo Ancelotti had a more positive impact on his
Everton bow as Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s brilliant diving header earned a 1-0
win over Burnley.
Chelsea beat Tottenham in a big win for Frank Lampard over his former
mentor Jose Mourinho on Sunday, but the gap between the two is back down to
three points as the Blues lost 2-0 at home to lowly Southampton.
Spurs came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 thanks to goals from Harry Kane
and Dele Alli, while United moved just a point further back in seventh as
they too overturned a poor start to thrash Newcastle 4-1 with Anthony Martial
scoring twice. – Liverpool lay down a marker –
Liverpool’s trip to their closest challengers was the top billing of a busy
Boxing Day card, but there was no contest as the newly crowned world
champions showed their class.
Roberto Firmino’s header was scant reward for a dominant first half display
as Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah wasted big chances.
However, three goals in seven minutes in the final quarter ensured the
scoreline fairly reflected their control.
James Milner doubled the visitors’ lead before Firmino’s classy finish made
it 3-0.
Trent Alexander-Arnold helped set up all of his side’s first three goals
and rounded off a stunning individual display by drilling home the fourth
from outside the box. – Tottenham, Man Utd close on Chelsea –
After the highs of Sunday, Chelsea again struggled when faced with breaking
down stubborn defensive opponents in Southampton.
The Blues have now lost to West Ham, Bournemouth and the Saints in their
last four home league games.
“We are being asked a different question at home. At the moment we are not
answering them,” said a frustrated Lampard. “We do not manage to pick up that
final pass.”
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl’s decision to rest in-form talisman Danny
Ings paid off as his replacement Michael Obafemi scored just his second
Premier League goal with a calm finish into the top corner.
The visitors then secured a second straight win to move up to 14th when
Nathan Redmond prodded past the onrushing Kepa Arrizabalaga 17 minutes from
time.
Spurs were still feeling the after-effects of that Chelsea defeat with Son
Heung-min suspended and confidence low when Adam Webster headed Brighton
ahead midway through the first half.
Kane swept home at the second attempt after his first shot was saved by Mat
Ryan before Alli then delivered all three points with a delightful chipped
finish from an acute angle.
“It’s an unbelievable finish,” Kane said admiringly of Alli’s winner. “The
ball is cut back to him, comes to hit Kieran – rounds him so quickly and it’s
a kind of scoop over the goalkeeper – it’s fantastic.”
United were also beaten 2-0 at bottom-of-the-table Watford on Sunday and
another frustrating evening seemingly beckoned when Matty Longstaff scored
his second Premier League goal – both of which have come against the Red
Devils.
However, unlike when the Magpies beat Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s men 1-0 in
October, the response from United was emphatic.
Martial fired in at the near post with the help of Newcastle ‘keeper Martin
Dubravka before a thundering finish from Mason Greenwood and Marcus
Rashford’s header made it 3-1 before the break.
Another defensive error then teed up Martial to dink over Dubravka for the
fourth early in the second half. – Arteta’s slow start –
Arteta got an early lesson in the flaws that have blighted Arsenal’s season
as they were caught out trying to play from the back to concede the opening
goal when Dan Gosling put Bournemouth in front.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang again rode to the Gunners’ rescue to equalise
just after the hour mark, but a point leaves Arsenal still down in 11th.
“It was intense, I was so excited, I just wanted to pass that energy to the
players and I really enjoyed it,” said Arteta.
Sheffield United are sixth, behind Tottenham only on goal difference, as
they missed the chance to close to within a point of Chelsea in a 1-1 draw
with Watford.
Gerard Deulofeu gave the Hornets an early lead, but that was quickly
cancelled out by Oliver Norwood’s penalty.
Crystal Palace climbed up to eighth thanks to Jordan Ayew’s brilliant
individual run and finish a minute from time to beat West Ham 2-1.
Aston Villa won the battle of two of the bottom three as Conor Hourihane’s
fine strike was enough to beat Norwich 1-0.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0848 hrs