Saturday’s Premier League action produced potentially big results for Liverpool at the top of the table, and Cardiff and Burnley at the bottom end of the table. Here is what happened on a goal-filled day of top-flight action:
Liverpool record a comfortable win over Bournemouth
Liverpool recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over travel sick Bournemouth at Anfield to return to the top of the Premier League table.
The Reds started the game in slightly nervous fashion but took the lead on 24 minutes. Sadio Mane smashed home from a James Milner cross to ease the nerves of everybody of a Liverpool persuasion.
Mohamed Salah missed a glorious chance to double the Reds lead before the Merseysiders were two up on 34 minutes. Georginio Wijnaldum powered into the Cherries box before producing a sublime lob over the helpless Artur Boruc in the visitor’s goal.
Liverpool secured the points just three minutes into the second period, as Roberto Firmino found Salah with a superb flicked pass and the Egyptian curled home his 20th goal of the season.
The victory moved Jurgen Klopp’s team three points clear at the top of the table. Despite the win, the Reds are still second favourites to Manchester City to win the Premier League. Bournemouth remain 11th place after this eighth straight away defeat in the top-flight.
Bluebirds snatch last gasp win at Southampton
Cardiff pulled off a last-gasp 2-1 win at Southampton to move above the Saints and out of the Premier League relegation zone.
It took until the 69th minute for the deadlock to be broken. Callum Paterson headed on a corner kick to the back post and centre-back Sol Bamba slotted home before running into the away section.
Southampton looked to have snatched a point when Jack Stephens scored at the far post from a James Ward-Prowse corner kick in the first minute of stoppage-time. However, Cardiff roared back, as Victor Camarasa laid the ball off to Kenneth Zohore and the striker fired an effort through crowded penalty area and into the bottom corner of the net.
The goal was a massive one in the context of Premier League survival, as it moved Cardiff up to 16th place in the table, while Southampton dropped into the relegation zone by virtue of inferior goal difference to 17th place Newcastle.
Burnley boost survival hopes with a win on the south coast
Burnley boosted their survival hopes by recording a 3-1 win at Brighton in the league’s late kick-off.
The Clarets took the lead on 26 minutes, as Chris Wood was put through on goal courtesy of a slip by Brighton centre-back and fired high into the top of the net. Wood added his second goal just after the hour mark, as Dwight McNeil broke forward and teed up the striker, who fired into the bottom corner of the net.
Sean Dyche’s team clinched victory on 74 minutes, as Mat Ryan brought down Ashley Barnes in the penalty area. The striker got up and dusted himself down to score with the spot-kick. Brighton scored a consolation goal with 14 minutes left on the clock through a Shane Duffy header. However, the goal made very little difference to the result.
The result moved Burnley level on points with the home side. Neither team are clear of the relegation dogfight, though, as both are just three points clear of the drop zone.
Saturday’s other results
Fulham 0-3 Manchester United
Crystal Palace 1-1 West Ham
Huddersfield 1-2 Arsenal
Watford 1-0 Everton
Who produced the most important result of Saturday in the Premier League?
