Liverpool extend lead as Salah penalties sink Southampton
Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 16 points with a 3-1 victory over Southampton at Anfield on Saturday, courtesy of two Mohamed Salah penalties. Nottingham Forest also boosted their Champions League hopes with a 1-0 win over Manchester City.
Despite a sluggish first half, Liverpool overcame a shock opener from Will Smallbone, who capitalized on a mix-up between Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk in first-half stoppage time. The visitors, rooted to the bottom of the table, briefly threatened an upset before Arne Slot’s halftime changes swung the match in Liverpool’s favour.
Harvey Elliott, Alexis Mac Allister, and Andy Robertson were introduced after the break, sparking an immediate turnaround. Darwin Núñez equalized in the 54th minute, finishing sharply at the near post from Luis Díaz’s cross. Three minutes later, Núñez was fouled in the area, allowing Salah to put Liverpool ahead from the spot. The Egyptian forward sealed the victory with a second penalty in the 88th minute, taking his season’s tally to 32 goals.
Second-placed Arsenal, with two games in hand, face Manchester United on Sunday, but Liverpool’s dominant position makes a second league title in 35 years look inevitable.
Forest stun City to strengthen top-four bid
Nottingham Forest moved four points clear of Manchester City in third place after Callum Hudson-Odoi’s 83rd-minute strike secured a historic 1-0 win at the City Ground.
The former Chelsea winger finished clinically from Morgan Gibbs-White’s assist, handing Forest their first victory over City since 1997. The win brings Forest closer to their first Champions League appearance since 1980, with England’s strong European performances likely ensuring a top-five finish secures qualification.
“We are not here to joke,” Hudson-Odoi posted on social media. “Goal, MOTM (man of the match), three points!”
City, now fourth, could slip further if Chelsea beat Leicester on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace overcame the loss of top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta to a serious ear injury to edge Ipswich 1-0, with Ismaïla Sarr scoring the winner. Brighton kept their Champions League hopes alive, climbing to sixth after Joao Pedro’s 98th-minute penalty sealed a 2-1 win over Fulham.
(Source: AFP)
