Liverpool surged four points ahead at the summit of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah’s brilliance led to a notable 6-3 victory over Tottenham, while Manchester United suffered a disheartening 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth on Sunday. Salah showcased an outstanding display with two goals and two assists as Arne Slot’s team dominated in north London. The 32-year-old is now Liverpool’s all-time fourth leading scorer with 229 goals. Salah’s two goals moved him ahead of Billy Liddell, leaving only Ian Rush (346), Roger Hunt (285), and Gordon Hodgson (241) in front of him.
The dominant Reds have achieved victory in 21 out of their 25 games across all competitions under Slot and have an extra match to play against Chelsea to enhance their advantage in the title pursuit.
This was an impressive exhibition of Liverpool’s attacking strength as Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister found the net to take the lead.
Dominik Szoboszlai scored Liverpool’s third, while Egypt’s Salah stepped up in the second half before Diaz struck once more.
“For an hour, we accomplished everything needed, feeling at ease and performing well with the ball.” “The important aspect is that we put in a lot of effort,” Slot remarked.
“However, you need to perform at your best throughout the entire game, and we failed to achieve that.”
Consequences of Ange Postecoglou’s determination to maintain his high defensive line led to Tottenham conceding six goals in a home league match for the first time since 1997.
James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke netted goals for Tottenham, but an eighth league loss this season keeps them stuck in 11th position as the pressure builds on Postecoglou.
“If you wish to overlook that we’re lacking a goalkeeper, two centre-backs, and a left-back, and that this absence hasn’t aligned with our performance…” “I’m at a loss for words,” Postecoglou remarked regarding his critics.
United manager Ruben Amorim, who omitted Marcus Rashford from his squad once more, is destined for a bleak Christmas after suffering the worst result of his short tenure.
Currently sitting in 13th place, United has experienced four losses in nine games across all competitions since Amorim joined from Sporting Lisbon in November to take over for the dismissed Erik ten Hag.
United’s second consecutive defeat following their League Cup elimination at Tottenham on Thursday emphasized Amorim’s conviction that their journey back to the pinnacle will be lengthy and challenging.
Man Utd ‘endures’
United, who have let in the opening goal in their last six matches, were jeered off at half-time, while the final whistle was met with additional boos from the remaining fans who endured until the end.
“This game was difficult for us.” We struggled once more with set-pieces and were somewhat anxious. “I sensed it in the arena,” Amorim remarked.
“We must endure once more, but we will strive for victory.”
Amorim’s choice to have Rashford absent for the third straight match will undergo new scrutiny following United’s poor display.
Once more, United were vulnerable during set-pieces in the 29th minute as Bournemouth’s young defender Dean Huijsen capitalized on inadequate marking at a free-kick to steer a header past goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Things took a turn for the worse for Amorim in the second half when Justin Kluivert increased fifth-placed Bournemouth’s lead with a penalty in the 61st minute after Noussair Mazraoui fouled him.
Antoine Semenyo added to United’s woes two minutes later with a composed finish from Dango Ouattara’s assist.
Had Chelsea won at Everton, they would have temporarily climbed to the top of the table, while Liverpool played in the late match on Sunday.
However, Enzo Maresca’s team had to accept a scoreless draw that halted their five-game winning streak in the league.
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira had an excellent debut as his team triumphed 3-0 against relegation contenders Leicester.
Taking over for the dismissed Gary O’Neil, Pereira quickly made an impression after departing from his position at Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League, aided by goals from Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes, and Matheus Cunha.
The Wolves, in third-bottom place, are just two points behind Leicester, who are fourth-bottom.
Bottom-of-the-table Southampton secured a 0-0 draw at Fulham while new manager Ivan Juric observed from the stands prior to officially assuming control.
