Wednesday night’s Premier League produced a number of big results, as Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal recorded potentially massive victories. Here is what happened in those potentially vital matches:
Liverpool hit Watford for five
League leaders Liverpool recorded a 5-0 win over Watford at Anfield, to maintain their one-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The Merseysiders opened the scoring on nine minutes, as Sadio Mane headed home from a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross. The Senegalese forward added his second goal of the game on 20 minutes, controlling another Alexander Arnold cross before producing a sublime backheel that bounced over Ben Foster in the visitor’s goal.
The Reds made it three on 66 minutes, as Divock Origi cut in from the wing and beat Ben Foster at his near post with a low strike. Centre-back Virgil van Dijk grabbed a brace in the last ten minutes, heading home from an Alexander-Arnold free-kick before adding his second headed goal of the game from an Andy Robertson centre.
The victory was just the tonic Jurgen Klopp’s side needed after three draws in their last four league outings. Despite the win, Liverpool are still second favourites to win the Premier League title. Watford drops to eighth place in the table due to an inferior goal difference to seventh place Wolves.
Manchester City record narrow win over West Ham
Reigning champions Manchester City recorded a narrow 1-0 win over midtable West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.
The Hammers produced a disciplined display and Andy Carroll came close to breaking the deadlock early in the second half, only for City goalkeeper Ederson to produce a superb save from point-blank range.
City eventually took the lead just before the hour mark. Brazilian playmaker Felipe Anderson bought Bernardo Silva down in the penalty area and striker Sergio Aguero dispatched the resulting spot-kick. The Citizens then controlled the rest of the second half without much trouble. However, everybody connected with City will be hoping to avoid such narrow victories in the future.
Chelsea win London derby against Spurs
Chelsea recorded a 2-0 win against London rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge to stay in touch with the teams in the top-four.
Both teams hit the woodwork in the first period with Chelsea Gonzalo Higuain and Harry Winks both coming close to breaking the deadlock. It took until the 57th minute for the opening goal, as Spanish winger Pedro cut in from the right and fired an effort through the legs of Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from a tight angle.
The Blues doubled their lead with just six minutes left on the clock as Spurs full-back Kieran Trippier managed to somehow beat his own outrushing goalkeeper Lloris with a backpass.
The result means that Chelsea are still three points behind fourth-place Arsenal, but the Blues have a game in hand on the north London club. Tottenham remain in third, four points clear of arch-rivals Arsenal in the race for the Champions League spots. They are now also nine points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Other Premier League results from Wednesday night
Arsenal 5-1 Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester United
Southampton 2-0 Fulham
Who recorded the victory of the night in Wednesday’s Premier League matches?
