EPL Roundup | Liverpool Edge Closer to Title, United in Crisis as Newcastle Run Riot
Liverpool took a significant stride toward reclaiming Premier League glory with a nail-biting 2-1 win over West Ham, while Manchester United’s unraveling season descended further into disarray following a 4-1 capitulation to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. Elsewhere, Tottenham’s top-flight status teetered dangerously after a dismal defeat, and Ipswich’s fairytale campaign continued with a gritty point against Chelsea.
Anfield’s Late Redemption: Van Dijk’s Heroics Edge Reds Closer to the Crown
Liverpool’s campaign under new boss Arne Slot now appears destined for silverware, as Virgil van Dijk’s 89th-minute header spared the Reds from a potential title-stalling draw. The captain’s towering finish from an Alexis Mac Allister corner restored Liverpool’s lead after an unfortunate own goal by Andrew Robertson had cancelled out Luis Diaz’s early opener.
But it was Mohamed Salah’s record-setting 45th goal contribution of the season, an assist to Diaz, that once again underlined the Egyptian’s pivotal role in Liverpool’s dominance. Slot reserved special praise for goalkeeper Alisson Becker, calling his performance “the best of the season,” as the Brazilian pulled off a string of crucial saves to preserve the narrow advantage.
Liverpool’s 13-point lead at the top, with six games remaining—means a win at Leicester, coupled with an Arsenal loss to Ipswich, could see the title wrapped up by April 20. The implications are historic: it would mark the first Premier League crown under Slot and their second league title in five years.
Newcastle Run Riot as Manchester United Implode
If Liverpool’s win was a triumph of composure, Newcastle’s thumping of Manchester United was a study in dominance. With manager Eddie Howe absent due to illness, his side still dismantled a frail and fragmented United team that continues to spiral.
Harvey Barnes struck twice in six minutes after the restart, turning the tide after United had drawn level through Alejandro Garnacho. Bruno Guimarães’s goal, gifted by a blunder from United’s stand-in keeper Altay Bayindir, compounded a nightmarish outing for the Red Devils.
It was Newcastle’s fifth consecutive league win, and their push for Champions League qualification is very much alive. The Magpies now sit fifth, just one point shy of third-placed Nottingham Forest. Manchester United, by contrast, have slumped to 14th, with the club now facing its lowest league finish since the early 1990s. With fan patience wearing thin and top-four ambitions all but dead, pressure mounts on embattled manager Erik ten Hag, whose tactical approach appeared rudderless on the day.
Tottenham in Free Fall as Wolves Pounce
Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-2 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux deepened concerns over the North London side’s defensive frailties and form collapse. Spurs were punished early and often by a vibrant Wolves side who made the most of sloppy marking and disjointed transitions.
The loss sees Spurs plummet to 15th place, on course to match or even eclipse their worst league finish since the 1993-94 season. A turbulent end to the season looms, with calls growing for a structural overhaul at both technical and boardroom levels.
Ipswich Resilient, Chelsea Falter Again
At Stamford Bridge, Ipswich Town stunned Chelsea with a resilient 2-2 draw, racing into a 2-0 lead before Jadon Sancho’s second-half goal salvaged a point for the Blues. The newly promoted side’s energetic pressing and organization left Chelsea’s midfield floundering, and the result further dented the Blues’ hopes of a late surge into European contention.
Ipswich’s disciplined performance continues a season of overachievement under Kieran McKenna, with the Tractor Boys sitting comfortably mid-table, defying pre-season relegation predictions.
Looking Ahead
As Liverpool prepare to face Leicester in what could be a title-clinching tie, the wider league is embroiled in a volatile scramble from European spots to relegation avoidance. Arsenal’s visit to Ipswich now bears heightened importance, not just for the Gunners’ faint title hopes but for the balance of power at the top. Meanwhile, United, Spurs, and Chelsea all face a reckoning, with institutional reforms likely in the summer.
The Premier League’s narrative may be nearing its end for the 2024/25 season, but the subplots grow ever more chaotic and captivating.
