LONDON: Liverpool equalled a club record of 63 league games unbeaten at Anfield and in the process moved back to the top of the Premier League after a 2-1 comeback victory over West Ham.
Substitute Diogo Jota grabbed the winner for a lacklustre Liverpool five minutes from time, just moments after having another goal ruled out by VAR, to inflicted West Ham’s first defeat in four games and leave them still searching for just their second win at Anfield in 56 years.
Pablo Fornals gave the visitors a shock lead, pouncing on a poor Joe Gomez clearance to fire past Alisson from the edge of the box early on, before Mohamed Salah levelled from the penalty spot just before the interval.
A dull game, where Liverpool lacked cutting edge and West Ham looked happy to defend and stay in their own half, was eventually decided as fellow sub Xherdan Shaqiri slipped a superb through-ball to Jota who smashed home.
The result moved Jurgen Klopp’s side to top of the table on 16 points, but they will be replaced by former leaders Everton, should the Toffees win at Newcastle on Sunday.
City win away
A dominate performance, if not scoreline, saw Manchester City ease to three points at still winless Sheffield United, thanks to a 1-0 victory.
Kyle Walker, both a former Sheffield United player and ballboy, claimed the only goal of the game, to give City their third league win of the campaign to move onto 11 points, eight days before they host champions Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s side dominated the first half in heavy rain at Bramall Lane, with Ferran Torres, Aymeric Laporte and Rodrigo all going close in the first quarter, before Walker’s 30-yard pile driver flashed passed a stranded Aaron Ramsdale.
The Blades keeper was arguably man of the match, making seven fine saves as City peppered his goal throughout the contest.
City were slower and less creative in the second period, which allowed the home side to briefly rally midway through, but they never truly threaten an equalising goal, mustering just one shot on target in the 90 minutes, compared to the visitors’ 12 in total and eight on target.
This latest defeat condemns the Blades to their worst start to a season since 1975, while Chris Wilder’s men have not tasted victory since July 11, 11 league games ago, when they turned over Chelsea 3-0.
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