Liverpool’s pursuit of the Premier League title suffered a minor setback after they have been held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, whereas Manchester City faltered with a 2-2 draw at Brentford.
Chris Wood fired Forest in entrance early on at a raucous City Ground, however Liverpool dominated nearly the whole 97 minutes and acquired again on stage phrases because of substitute Diogo Jota’s purpose together with his first contact.
Only a superb goalkeeping efficiency from Matz Sels denied the leaders victory, however the level maintained a six-point cushion over Forest for Arne Slot’s males, who even have a recreation in hand.
Forest had gained their final seven video games in all competitions to lift the potential for matching Leicester’s unimaginable title win of 2015/16.
The in-form Wood had the house followers believing after simply eight minutes when he slotted in Anthony Elanga’s move.
Liverpool loved over 70% possession and had 23 photographs on purpose however solely posed a critical risk in entrance of purpose after the break.
Jota had solely been on the sector a matter of seconds when he nodded in Kostas Tsimikas’ nook.
Sels then made unimaginable saves to disclaim Jota, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo a winner, whereas Salah additionally had a goalbound effort cleared off the road.
“I could not have asked for more,” mentioned Slot. “Second half was excellent.
“There are not many teams that can create so many chances against an opponent so defensively strong. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a second.”
Liverpool’s second consecutive league draw opens the door for Arsenal to chop the hole on the high to 4 factors after they host Tottenham within the north London derby on Wednesday.
City, Chelsea stumble
Any suggestion City may get themselves again within the title race was led to a late collapse in west London as Brentford struck twice within the last 10 minutes for a deserved level.
Phil Foden’s double had City on the right track for a fourth consecutive win after a run of only one victory in 13 video games.
However, the English champions’ defending was not convincing all night time and so they have been punished as Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard netted for the Bees.
Foden’s return to the shape that noticed him topped Premier League participant of the yr final season was the one optimistic for City.
But Pep Guardiola will replicate on a missed alternative to make up floor on the highest 4 as City stay down in sixth, 12 factors off the highest.
Foden produced a superb deft contact from Kevin De Bruyne’s inviting supply after which smashed in a rebound for his fourth purpose in 5 league video games.
Brentford wasted a number of probabilities earlier than conceding however lastly acquired some reward for his or her attacking endeavour when Wissa slotted in from Mads Roerslev’s cross to turn out to be the membership’s all-time main goalscorer within the Premier League.
They accomplished the comeback in stoppage time when Norgaard’s header had an excessive amount of energy for Stefan Ortega.
“We are not (at our best) and we didn’t take the right decisions,” mentioned Guardiola. “It’s fine, it’s not a good place to come. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win.”
Fourth-placed Chelsea’s depressing run prolonged to 5 league video games with out a win however they have been grateful for captain Reece James’ stoppage-time equalizer salvaging a degree in a 2-2 draw at residence to Bournemouth.
Cole Palmer’s cool end from Nicolas Jackson’s by ball had given Chelsea the proper begin.
But Bournemouth hit again by Justin Kluivert’s penalty, earlier than Antoine Semenyo’s blistering near-post effort put the guests in entrance.
James has endured one other injury-hit season however confirmed his high quality by curling residence a free-kick on the demise.
West Ham boss Graham Potter loved a successful residence debut as Fulham have been crushed 3-2 on the London Stadium.
Carlos Soler, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta have been on track for the Hammers to take Potter’s males above Manchester United and Tottenham into twelfth.
Source: www.dailysabah.com