There were a number of important matches taking place on Wednesday night in gameweek 15 of the Premier League. Here is the pick of the action:
Reds keep in touch with City at the top
Liverpool recorded a 3-1 win at Burnley’s Turf Moor to reduce the gap between themselves and league leaders Manchester City to two points.
After a goalless first half, the home side took the lead nine minutes into the second period, as midfielder Jack Cork home an effort from close range. The visitors equalised just after the hour mark, as Divock Origi found James Milner on the edge of the area and the midfielder fired home a powerful effort.
Liverpool took the lead on 69 minutes, as substitute Roberto Firmino scored from close-range after a good piece of play from centre-back Virgil van Dijk. The Reds secured maximum points in stoppage-time, as Mohamed Salah put Xherdan Shaqiri through on goal and the Swiss star made no mistake with his finish.
The defeat leaves Burnley in 19th position in the Premier League table after a nightmare campaign so far in the English top-flight. The Clarets are now one of the favourites to suffer relegation this season.
Tottenham hammer the Saints
Tottenham recorded a comfortable 3-1 win over Southampton at Wembley to move up to third place in the Premier League table.
England captain Harry Kane opened the scoring on nine minutes, scoring at the near post from a low Christian Eriksen cross. Southampton then looked slightly more threatening, but that threat was extinguished on 51 minutes, as Spurs doubled their lead, with Brazilian international Lucas Moura scoring with a powerful effort after reacting first to a half-cleared corner kick.
The home sides third arrived four minutes later, as Heung-Min Son forced the ball home at the far post after good work from Kane. The Saints scored a consolation goal in stoppage-time through Charlie Austin, but it meant very little in the context of the game.
The defeat leaves Southampton 18th place in the Premier League table. New head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl, who attended Wembley, will know he has a big task on his hands raising the Saints performances.
United and Gunners finish all square
Manchester United and Arsenal played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, which in truth did little to help either side’s chances of claiming a top-four spot this season.
Arsenal took the lead on 26 minutes through the unlikely source of German centre-back Shkodran Mustafi. United goalkeeper David de Gea let the centre-back’s header squirm through his hands and over his goalline.
The Red Devils equalised on the half-hour mark as Anthony Martial fired home from close-range after a centre from Ander Herrera. Replays showed that Herrera was marginally offside. Arsenal took the lead on 68 minutes. Lively substitute Alexandre Lacazette went through on goal and his effort deflected off United defender Marcos Rojo to beat De Gea in the United goal.
United’s reply was near instant, as England international Jesse Lingard nipped in to slot home after a mix up between goalkeeper Bernd Leno and Sead Kolasinac.
The result leaves Manchester United eight points outside the Champions League spots, while the visitors are out of the top-four courtesy of an inferior goal difference to fourth place Chelsea.
Wednesday’s other results
Everton 1-1 Newcastle
Fulham 1-1 Leicester
Wolves 2-1 Chelsea
Who recorded the result of the day on Wednesday in the Premier League?
