Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk both scored twice as Liverpool returned to winning ways with a dominant performance against Watford to stay top of the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were 2-0 up in 20 minutes at Anfield as Senegal forward Mane headed the first before doubling the lead with an outrageous back-heel, Trent Alexander-Arnold providing both assists.
Mohamed Salah hit the post before Divock Origi beat Ben Foster at his near post to make it 3-0.
Van Dijk scored two late headers as Liverpool eased to their biggest win of the season.
Manchester City needed a second-half Sergio Aguero penalty to see off West Ham and stay one point behind leaders Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
The defending champions had to wait for the Argentina striker’s 59th-minute spot-kick to break down the well-organised Hammers, but ultimately it was enough to secure a vital victory.
City, who are still chasing glory on three fronts after winning the Carabao Cup on Sunday, showed off that trophy before kick-off and tore into the visitors in the opening minutes.
But the closest they came to an early goal was when David Silva turned Kevin de Bruyne’s cross on to a post and West Ham soon began to frustrate them.
The Hammers did not threaten at all at the other end until Andy Carroll brought a fine save from Ederson with their first shot of the game at the start of the second half.
However they succeeded in keeping City quiet and, with Liverpool comfortably ahead against Watford, the home fans’ frustration began to show.
City were utterly dominant on the ball with more than 80% of possession but they needed the introduction of Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva off the bench to provide the spark they needed in attack.
Silva took a matter of minutes to make an impact, cutting into the box from the right and going down under pressure from Felipe Anderson, to prompt referee Stuart Atwell to point to the spot.
Aguero made no mistake, sending Lukasz Fabianski the wrong way for his 25th goal of the season
More City chances followed, with Ryan Fredericks clearing off the line from Silva and Sterling missing the target from close range, but in the end one goal was sufficient.
Romelu Lukaku scored twice to make light work of Manchester United’s injury crisis with a comfortable Premier League victory over Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils were missing eight first-team players at Selhurst Park, but extended their unbeaten league run under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to 14 games.
Belgium striker Lukaku netted in each half, curling a well-placed shot into the corner for his first and scooping over goalkeeper Vicente Guaita for his second.
Looking to respond, Palace winger Jeffrey Schlupp flicked a header wide of the far post, but Joel Ward did manage to convert a diving header from close range with 24 minutes remaining.
United were under pressure late on but Ashley Young drilled in a third for the victory as United stay fifth in the table.
Chelsea cast aside the air of crisis surrounding the club and manager Maurizio Sarri with a thoroughly deserved win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
Sarri dropped goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga following his refusal to be substituted in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City, re-asserting his authority and ensuring speculation about his future will be lifted, for now at least, after this excellent performance and victory.
Tottenham’s title hopes, already dented by defeat at Burnley on Saturday, are now surely over and they must focus on what is an increasingly competitive fight for a top-four place.
Gonzalo Higuain hit the woodwork for Chelsea and Harry Winks had similar misfortune in the first half but Sarri’s side saw their endeavour rewarded when Pedro’s wriggling run ended with a shot between Hugo Lloris’ legs at his near post after 57 minutes.
Harry Kane wasted a good chance to level for Spurs but this damaging loss was sealed in calamitous fashion when Kieran Trippier turned Olivier Giroud’s flick past Lloris into his own net with six minutes left.
This was a vital night for Sarri after Kepa’s insubordination so this was a victory of huge significance for the Italian on a night when the keeper’s replacement Willy Caballero was barely troubled. – BBC Sports.
