EPL: Liverpool, Chelsea keep title hopes alive as both teams pick up vital wins to close gap on leaders Manchester City
Less than 24 hours after league leaders City dropped points for the first time since October after drawing 1-1 with Southampton, Liverpool and Chelsea were up to the task as both sides were sharp and ruthless, picking up vital wins.
Liverpool boosted their hopes of catching Manchester City in the Premier League as they reduced the point gap to 9 points, mixing early class with late race to hold off Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The intensity of their press and crisp use of the ball overwhelmed Palace and Virgil van Dijk rose to deliver a bullet header for their opener before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain finished a sweeping team move for their second..
Crystal Palace broke through after missing several chances when the ever-willing Mateta raced onto Jeffrey Schlupp’s superb through ball and unselfishly squared for Odsonne Edouard to tap into an empty net.
It prompted nervy moments for Klopp’s side as Joachim Andersen drilled an effort wide and Olise went close with a late lob.
But Fabinho whipped home a penalty after Diogo Jota was felled in the box and a spot-kick was awarded after VAR suggested referee Kevin Friend should revise his initial decision not to penalise Palace.
It secured victory for Klopp’s side, who have managed to take maximum league points from the fixtures missed by key forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane while they play in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Elsewhere, two second-half goals, including a brilliant strike from Hakim Ziyech, helped Chelsea beat Tottenham for the third time in three weeks.
After a goalless first half, Ziyech scored within two minutes of the restart, superbly curling the ball into the top corner from 20 yards after a fine run from Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The hosts doubled their lead eight minutes later when defender Thiago Silva headed in from Mason Mount’s excellent free-kick delivery.
In the first half, Tottenham thought they had taken the lead as Harry Kane slotted past Kepa Arrizabalaga, but the goal was ruled out as the England striker was adjudged to have pushed Silva to the ground.
This victory follows Chelsea’s wins in both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Spurs, cruising through 3-0 on aggregate to set up a Wembley final against Liverpool.
It is Tottenham’s first defeat in the league since Antonio Conte replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in November.
Chelsea remain third and are 10 points behind leaders Manchester City, although Thomas Tuchel’s side will not play in the league again until 19 February as a result of their participation in the Fifa Club World Cup, following their Champions League success.
