LONDON: The Premier League staged a bonfire of the vanities as Brighton moved to within a point of the top six after a memorable 3-0 victory over Liverpool and champions Manchester City lost their local derby 2-1 away to United.

Brighton had two goals from Solly March to thank early into the second half against Liverpool with substitute Danny Welbeck adding a third in the final 10 minutes.

The Seagulls have scored nine goals across their last three Premier League contests and this was their first home win against Liverpool in the Premier League.

March’s double took his return across the last four games to four goals from a total of 10 shots.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said:  “I can’t remember a worse game. I honestly can’t. Brighton played very well. They deserved to win. It was a very organised team against a not very organised team.

“Of course we’re very concerned. How can you not be after a game like this?”

Manchester United saw Marcus Rashford’s remarkable scoring run continue as he struck the winner against City in the 82nd minute.

Substitute Jack Grealish had given City the lead as the game approached the hour mark – the breakthrough coming after constant pressure from the away side in the second-half.

Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser had been ruled out for offside, with Rashford running onto the ball, but his decision to leave it for the midfielder to strike ensured that the move remained within the rules.

This made it back-to-back defeats for City across all competitions, after they were stunned by Southampton in the League Cup in midweek.

Pressure continues to mount on Frank Lampard after his Everton side suffered a 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Southampton.

The Toffees can feel somewhat unfortunate not to have more points on their tally though – particularly in contests in front of their own angry supporters.

Everton’s directors were all absent, having been warned by police to stay away for fear of major trouble.

Brennan Johnson’s two goals in Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 win over Leicester moved them five points clear of the relegation zone.

Forest, who reached the League Cup semi-finals in midweek, have taken 10 points from a last possible 15.
The pre-World Cup break form has counted for very little now, as Brendan Rodgers’ men find themselves just two points above the relegation places at the halfway stage.

Wolves secured their second win in four Premier League games under Julen Lopetegui as a 1-0 victory over West Ham moved them out of the relegation zone.

Daniel Podence’s goal means that Wolves have returned seven points from a possible 12 under Lopetegui’s guidance.

Hammers’ miserable form continued, with no side returning fewer points across their last 10 Premier League games (five).

Brentford made it three Premier League wins in a row with a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth in Saturday’s late kick-off.

Ivan Toney’s first-half penalty sent them on their way, before Mathias Jensen’s strike secured the result as the game entered the final 15 minutes.

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