Nunez’s late brace propels Liverpool to vital win over Brentford

Darwin Nunez scored twice in stoppage time to secure Liverpool a dramatic 2-0 victory at Brentford on Saturday, extending their Premier League lead to seven points.

Liverpool seemed set for a frustrating draw until the Uruguayan forward, who hadn’t scored in the league since November, broke the deadlock. Nunez first swept home a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold before firing a second past Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken, ensuring a crucial win in the title race.

The result leaves Arsenal under pressure ahead of their clash with Aston Villa later in the day, as Liverpool bounced back from their midweek 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Kluivert Hat-Trick Stuns Newcastle

At St. James’ Park, Bournemouth ended Newcastle’s nine-game winning streak with a stunning 4-1 triumph. Dutch winger Justin Kluivert delivered a hat-trick of clinical finishes, propelling the Cherries to sixth place and within a point of Newcastle in fourth.

Milos Kerkez capped the dominant performance with a stoppage-time goal, while Newcastle struggled to contain a rampant Bournemouth side now unbeaten in 11 games.

“We’re dreaming big,” Kluivert said after the game, as Bournemouth look to secure their first-ever European qualification.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Fulham handed Leicester their seventh consecutive defeat, winning 2-0 at the King Power Stadium with goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore. The result leaves Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester in deep relegation trouble.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace climbed to 12th with a 2-0 victory over West Ham. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice, including a late penalty, after Konstantinos Mavropanos’ red card left the Hammers short-handed.

Liverpool now sit firmly at the top, but the weekend’s results have left the race for European places and the relegation battle wide open.

(Source: AFP)