Saturday’s Premier League action in gameweek 23 certainly did not disappoint when it comes to goals and drama. Here is what happened in the big matches:
Liverpool beat Palace in an entertaining affair
Liverpool recorded a 4-3 win over Crystal Palace at Anfield, to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The home side dominated the first half, but it was the visitors that struck first on 34 minutes. Wilfried Zaha beat James Milner before finding Andros Townsend who fired a low effort past Alisson.
Liverpool equalised just seconds into the second half, as Mohamed Salah flicked a volley home after Virgil van Dijk’s effort on goal took the big deflection. Jurgen Klopp’s team took the lead eight minutes into the second period, as Roberto Firmino’s scruffy effort beat veteran goalkeeper Julian Speroni in the visitor’s goal.
However, the Eagles were not giving up easily, as centre-back James Tomkins headed home from a corner kick on 65 minutes. Liverpool were gifted a third goal with just 15 minutes left on the clock, as Speroni flapped at the ball and Salah was on hand to score from close-range.
James Milner received a red card in stoppage-time after two poor tackles on Zaha. However, there was still time for Sadio Mane to seal the points before German midfielder Max Meyer score a consolation for the visitors.
Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table could once again be cut to four points if Manchester wins at managerless Huddersfield. The Citizens are big favourites to win in Yorkshire. Crystal Palace are now just three points above the relegation zone.
Gunners record a vital win over rivals Chelsea
In the late Premier League kick-off, Arsenal recorded a vital 2-0 victory over Chelsea, to move within three points of the fourth-place Blues in the race for the Champions League spots.
The Gunners took the lead on 14 minutes, as Alexandre Lacazette smashed an effort into the roof of the net from Sead Kolasinac’s teasing cross. The team from north London doubled their lead on 39 minutes.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ cross found Laurent Koscielny, who had beaten the offside trap. The centre-back then diverted the ball past Kepa with his shoulder. Spanish full-back Marcos Alonso headed against the post late in the first half, but that was as close as the Blues got to finding the net.
The only downside to the victory for the home side was full-back Hector Bellerin being stretchered off injured with what looked like a knee injury.
Schar scores twice to down Cardiff
Newcastle recorded a potentially crucial 3-0 win over Cardiff at St James Park, as centre-back Fabian Schar scored a brace.
The Swiss international gave the Magpies the lead on 24 minutes, driving forward out of defence into the box before producing a superb side-foot finish past Neil Etheridge in the visitor’s goal.
Schar doubled his goal tally on 64 minutes. Jamaal Lascelles met Matt Ritchie’s corner kick and the centre-back bundled the ball over the goal line. Striker Ayoze Perez sealed the win stoppage-time, scoring after good play from Salomon Rondon.
The victory moved Newcastle above Cardiff and out of the relegation zone. The defeat means that the Bluebirds slip into the drop zone.
Saturday’s other Premier League results
Wolves 4-3 Leicester
Bournemouth 2-0 West Ham
Manchester United 2-1 Brighton
Southampton 2-1 Everton
Watford 0-0 Burnley
Who got the result of the day in Saturday’s Premier League games?
