Liverpool 3 - 0 Bournemouth
Liverpool have at times suffered from playing mid week games leading them to drop points in their following league game, but that never felt like it was on the cards today. Liverpool pretty much cruised to an easy victory to add a cherry on top of the cake in what was a fantastic week for them.
It was a bright start for Liverpool as Henderson played a ball into the box to Mané who found himself in loads of space and headed it towards goal. Begovic saved it but only temporarily as Mané followed up to take advantage of the loose ball to smash it in and put Liverpool ahead inside 10 minutes.
Source Mané with an early goal
In the second half Liverpool got a second goal from a very familiar source. The incredible Mo Salah was on target yet again to score his 30th of the season! It wasn't all about Salah though, the goal was a brilliant one largely down to the cross by young right back Trent Alexander Arnold. He played a perfectly placed ball in that Salah was able to run onto and flick it over the keeper.
Alexander Arnold had a really great game and seems to have grown confidence with the way he handled Leroy Sane over 2 legs in the Champions League. He was the clear man of the match which was impressive given van Dijk, Henderson, Oxlade Chamberlain and of course the 3 goalscorers all put in excellent performances.
Source Man of the match TAA
Liverpool had ample opportunity to score more goals and eventually found a third after Oxlade Chamberlain made a run forward with the ball. He played it to Firmino on the left side of the box who took a touch then smashed it through a defenders legs and into the net.
The result doesn't do much damage to Bournemouth who should be safe with the 38 points they already had but it will be a huge boost to Liverpool securing a top 4 finish and puts a little pressure on Man United who are just 1 point ahead in 2nd but having played 2 games less. Up next Liverpool take on bottom side West Bromwich Albion next weekend which may be the ideal game ahead of the Champions League semi final game with Roma while Bournemouth host Manchester United on Wednesday.
Source Liverpool's goal heroes Salah, Mané & Firmino
Rest of Saturdays action!
It was a great day for entertainment in the Premier League and the day began with a thrilling match between Southampton and Chelsea. The Saints are desperate to get points after dropping into the bottom 3 and seemed like they were on for a great result when they went 2-0 ahead. A great run from Bertrand who played the ball in for Tadic to finish opened the scoring before Bednarek doubled the lead on the hour mark. But Chelsea fought back and 2 Giroud goals either síde of one for Hazard gave them a 2-3 victory to keep their hunt for a top 4 place alive and leave Southampton in trouble at the bottom end of the league.
Source Chelsea's match winner Giroud
In the latest game of the day Manchester City put a disastrous week behind them and got back to winning ways with a 1-3 away victory over Tottenham. The scoring opened around 20 minutes in after a long ball from Kompany sent Gabriel Jesus through who had no problems finishing. A couple of minutes later they controversially got awarded a penalty for a foul by Lloris which was actually outside of the box. The penalty was given though and Gundogan smashed it home. Spurs got a goal after Eriksen was sent through, his shot deflected off Laporte then back to him and into the goal. City may have been worried they were about to throw a lead away yet again but Spurs weren't able to find another goal when they had momentum. City created more chances in the 2nd half but Sterling seemed to be having an off day as he blew a few golden opportunities. He eventually got the ball in the net after tapping in a rebound off of a Jesus shot at goal. The result means City can now become champions in the next game or sooner if United don't defeat West Brom tomorrow.
Source Sterling persistence pays off
Crystal Palace picked up a much needed victory after a crazy 5 goal first half as they beat Brighton 3-2 pulling them away from the drop zone. Huddersfield also picked up a victory to edge them away from danger with a last minute goal to snatch a 1-0 win against Watford. Those results mean Swansea dropped down to 17th after they drew 1-1 with Everton. While Burnley may have secured at least 7th place with a 2-1 win over Leicester.
Sunday sees 2 games with the first being Arsenal hosting Newcastle at 13:30. Arsenal's main priority will have switched to the Europa League but will be keen to get a victory as they will be feeling the heat from Burnley who are just 2 points behind them. While finishing outside the top 4 represents a bad season for the Gunners slipping to 7th would surely see the end of Wenger at the Emirates.
Newcastle may feel like their work is done for the season after last week's win over Leicester putting them on 38 points. 3 more would remove any doubt though and may see this as a good opportunity to get a rare win against Arsenal who were not too impressive on Thursday.
The second game sees bottom side West Bromwich Albion visit 2nd placed Manchester United in the 16:00 kick off. United are in excellent form. They will not beat their neighbours City to the title but defeated them in their last game and will be keen to keep their win streak going.
West Brom are bottom of the league and will need a miracle if they want to escape the drop, they are running out of time and Old Trafford is not the greatest place to visit when you haven't won away for 15 games in a row.
Predictions
Arsenal Vs Newcastle 2-2
Man United Vs West Brom 3-0