Liverpool surge past Newcastle, six points clear at the top

London: Liverpool moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League as the leaders eased past Newcastle 4-0 at Anfield and Manchester City were beaten for the second time in five days, 2-1 at Leicester.

Tottenham leapfrog City into second after thrashing Bournemouth 5-0.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has tried in recent days to stress that it is still far too early for his side to be talking of ending a near three-decade wait to win the title in December.

However, another routine win and a 12th clean sheet in 19 Premier League games will do little to dampen expectations ahead of a huge week for Liverpool with Arsenal visiting Anfield on Saturday before a visit to City on January 3.

After a slow start Liverpool went in front through an unlikely source when Dejan Lovren volleyed home after 12 minutes.

It was a far more familiar marksman who made the game safe when Mohamed Salah scored from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half to move into a three-way lead as the league's top scorer with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Harry Kane.

Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho's first Liverpool goal rounded off the scoring.

Meanwhile, Spurs are firing back into the title race as Mauricio Pochettino's men have now scored 11 goals in four days.

Fresh from a 6-2 hammering of Everton, Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura put Tottenham 3-0 up before half-time at Wembley.

Kane then got his goal just after the hour mark before Son recorded his second double in as many games.

Everton bounced back from their Tottenham thrashing by inflicting similar punishment on Burnley with a 5-1 victory at Turf Moor as Lucas Digne scored two free-kicks and Yerry Mina, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison all netted for the Toffees.

At the bottom Cardiff moved three points clear of the relegation zone by holding out for a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace.