Premier League leaders Liverpool opened up an eight-point hole between themselves and second-placed Manchester Metropolis after they got here from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 in a Tremendous Sunday thriller at St Mary’s.
Objectives from Adam Armstrong and Matheus Fernandes had seen Saints cancel out Dominik Szoboszlai’s opener – however Mohamed Salah’s double did the trick for Arne Slot’s facet in moist and windy circumstances on the south coast.
It was virtually the right begin for Southampton. With seven minutes on the clock, Armstrong chopped inside Ibrahima Konate and went to floor contained in the field. The house followers have been incensed, sure a penalty ought to comply with, however neither referee Sam Barrott nor VAR Michael Oliver agreed.
Liverpool began in lacklustre vogue however examined Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy – beginning within the Premier League for the primary time in three months – on a handful of events, till they have been gifted the lead.
McCarthy rolled the ball to Fernandes below intense strain, Flynn Downes tried and did not hook the ball clear, which allowed Szoboszlai to arrow a shot into the top-left nook. It was the seventh error resulting in a purpose from Russell Martin’s facet this season – probably the most within the Premier League.
However, simply earlier than the break, Saints acquired themselves degree. A prolonged VAR assessment confirmed Tyler Dibling was clattered by Andy Robertson simply contained in the field and, although Caoimhin Kelleher saved Armstrong’s preliminary effort, the ahead tucked away the rebound.
Earlier than the hour mark, the comeback was full. Dibling received the ball in a good area close to the midway line and lifted a marvellous cross into the trail of Armstrong. He held the ball up, turned and squared for Fernandes to certain in and sweep house.
Then the momentum swung once more. Ryan Gravenberch hoisted the ball ahead for Salah, whose nonchalant end caught McCarthy – who had been prompted to come back racing off his line – chilly, with the ball trickling previous him and into the unguarded web.
And there was no method again for the hosts as soon as Salah rattled a penalty previous McCarthy after Yukinari Sugawara had dealt with when misreading a cross to the again submit, which confirmed the groups would keep of their respective positions on the high and backside of the Premier League desk.
VOTE: Ought to Lallana have seen pink?
Previous to his substitution, Southampton’s Adam Lallana was booked for a foul on Gravenberch.
“He’s not in control, he’s not even looking at the ball,” stated Sky Sports activities‘ Roy Keane.
“They’ve looked at the character of the player, he’s not really a nasty type. Southampton have got away with one there. The more I look at it the worse it gets.”
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