EPL: Liverpool Stretches Lead in Title Race with Victory Over Man City; Newcastle Go Fifth with Victory Over Forest
Liverpool took a significant stride towards securing the Premier League title with a commanding 2-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The victory allows Liverpool to extend their lead at the top of the table to 11 points, further solidifying their position as title favorites.
Talisman Mohamed Salah was once again the hero for Liverpool, scoring the opening goal and setting up Dominik Szoboszlai for the second. With this win, Liverpool now sits at 64 points from 27 matches, while second-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand, trails behind.
Salah struck early in the 14th minute, firing a powerful shot from near the edge of the box that deflected off City defender Nathan Ake, leaving goalkeeper Ederson with no chance. This goal marked Salah’s 25th of the season, reaffirming his status as the league’s leading scorer.
The Reds doubled their lead shortly before halftime when Szoboszlai capitalized on a defensive lapse from City. Salah found the unmarked Hungarian in the box, allowing him to slot the ball home easily, much to the dismay of the home crowd, which was further dampened by the relentless rain.
As the game progressed, City struggled to convert their possession into meaningful chances, dominating the ball with 66% compared to Liverpool’s 34%. This marked Liverpool’s lowest possession percentage in a winning performance since possession statistics were first tracked 20 years ago. Despite having five shots on target to Liverpool’s four, City was unable to find the back of the net.
City’s Omar Marmoush, who recently scored a hat-trick against Newcastle, thought he had equalized with a stunning effort, only to be denied by an offside flag. The frustration for City continued when Curtis Jones appeared to score in the second half, but VAR intervened to rule the goal offside.
Liverpool fans celebrated their victory, chanting, “We’re going to win the league,” as thousands left the stadium before the final whistle. This win marks a significant achievement for Liverpool, as it is the first time they have beaten Manchester City home and away since the 2015-16 season.
With City now in fourth place on 44 points, their ambitions for a fifth consecutive title have shifted to securing a Champions League berth.
Newcastle United climbed to fifth place in the Premier League after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park, highlighted by Alexander Isak’s milestone 50th Premier League goal.
The match started with a surprising twist as Nottingham Forest took an early lead through Callum Hudson-Odoi. However, Newcastle quickly turned the tide, scoring four goals in a stunning 11-minute spell that left the visitors reeling.
Lewis Miley and Jacob Murphy struck in rapid succession to level the game and then take the lead. Isak, in fine form, added to the tally with two goals in just two minutes, marking his 19th of the season. With this brace, Isak reached the impressive milestone of 50 goals in just 76 Premier League appearances, a feat accomplished faster than all but six players in league history.
Forest managed to pull one back through Nikola Milenkovic, who capitalized on a lapse in Newcastle’s defense. The match became tense when substitute Ryan Yates scored a close-range goal in the 90th minute, setting up a nail-biting finish as Forest sought an equalizer.
Despite the late surge from Forest, Newcastle held on for the win, which not only secures crucial points but also positions them within three points of third-placed Forest. The victory enhances Newcastle’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season and continues their impressive form this campaign.
As the final whistle blew, the home crowd erupted in celebration, pleased with their team’s resilience and attacking prowess in a match that showcased the excitement of Premier League football.
