Liverpool extend lead, Arsenal slip at West Ham

Jan 13, 2019 11:16 am

Liverpool opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the English Premier League with a 1-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, while Arsenal’s poor away form continued with a 1-0 defeat at West Ham United.

With nearest challengers Manchester City not playing until Tuesday morning (Singapore time), Liverpool went into their clash at Brighton on the back of two successive defeats in all competitions and were made to work hard for the three points.

Neither side had a single shot on target in the first half, with the match settled by a Mohamed Salah penalty in the second half. Liverpool’s 50th clean sheet under Juergen Klopp carried them home.

Fourth-placed Chelsea opened up a six-point gap over Arsenal in fifth with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United in the late match.

Arsenal’s defeat means they have now won just one of their last seven matches on the road in the EPL. If Manchester United beat third-placed Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Monday morning, they can draw level on 41 points with Arsenal.

There was no such slip-up from Liverpool, even if Brighton did not make it easy for the league leaders.

Roberto Firmino came close to giving his side the lead early in the first half, but could not connect with Andy Robertson’s low cross.

For all their possession, though, they struggled to create any meaningful chances. Pascal Gross’ clumsy challenge on Salah earned Liverpool the penalty which the Egyptian converted with aplomb.

Once again, Liverpool’s defence stood firm as they saw out the win. Liverpool have conceded just 10 goals in their 22 league matches this season; only Chelsea in 2004-05 had conceded fewer after 22 matches in an English top-flight season.

“You have to work hard if you want to be successful and we were ready for it,” said Klopp. “Be ready for the defending, be ready for the counter-press and be ready to make solutions.

“I think it was the most mature performance we have made so far. We take all the points. That’s the situation. It’s cool but we know that the difference tomorrow and Monday night could be different. We can only concentrate on ourselves.”

ARSENAL’S STRUGGLES CONTINUE

After their 22-match unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end at Southampton in mid-December, Arsenal have struggled to find their form, with their away performances of particular concern.

On Saturday, mustering just two shots on target against West Ham at the London Stadium, Arsenal’s decline continued.

West Ham comfortably held on after Declan Rice got his first goal for the side – becoming the first teenager to score an EPL goal for them in almost 10 years.

“It’s a bad result for us,” Arsenal manager Unai Emery said. “It’s concerning because we need to be competitive at home and away. At home, we feel good but away we are not getting the results we want.”

Pedro came in for Bayern Munich target Callum Hudson-Odoi for Chelsea against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge, with the Spaniard opening the scoring in the ninth minute before Ciaran Clark levelled for Newcastle five minutes before half-time.

Willian was the match winner for Chelsea as he brilliantly curled the ball into the net to score his first league goal since the end of October to secure the points for Chelsea.

“I think it’s always difficult in the Premier League,” Willian said. “We have to be more clinical.

“I think the character was good and the most important (thing) is to win the game. I scored a good goal. I found the space and put the ball exactly where I wanted.”

At the bottom, Southampton continued their fine away form as they earned a hard-fought 2-1 win at Leicester City, despite having played half of the match with 10 men.

Burnley’s fourth win in a row lifted them to 15th in the table after they came from behind to earn a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Fulham, while bottom side Huddersfield Town were held to a 0-0 draw at Cardiff City. – REUTERS