Virgil van Dijk’s late winner took Liverpool nearer to the Premier League title (Paul ELLIS)
Virgil van Dijk’s late winner towards West Ham took Liverpool to the brink of the Premier League title on Sunday, whereas Manchester Metropolis wanted a Kevin De Bruyne masterclass to maintain their quest for Champions League soccer on monitor.
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A much-changed Arsenal have been held 1-1 by Brentford to present Liverpool extra respiratory house on the prime of the desk, however the Reds have been removed from convincing themselves in beating the lowly Hammers 2-1.
Metropolis responded from a gradual begin to beat Crystal Palace 5-2 on Saturday and transfer into the highest 5.
Nottingham Forest’s Champions League dream is in peril of unravelling after a 1-0 residence defeat to Everton, whereas Chelsea have been held 2-2 by Ipswich to ramp up the strain on Enzo Maresca.
AFP Sports activities seems to be at three speaking factors from the Premier League weekend.
De Bruyne exhibits what Man Metropolis will miss
At 2-0 right down to Palace after simply 20 minutes on the Etihad, Metropolis regarded in actual hazard of lacking out on the Champions League for the primary time in 15 years.
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However Pep Guardiola’s males have been rescued by a well-known determine as De Bruyne rolled again the years in his first residence look since saying he’ll go away the membership on the finish of the season.
De Bruyne’s free-kick began the Metropolis fightback earlier than he teed up Omar Marmoush and Mateo Kovacic to show the sport round both facet of half-time.
“I am a aggressive animal. I do not prefer to lose, so for me nothing adjustments,” stated De Bruyne on chasing a goal in Champions League soccer that he is not going to be round to get pleasure from.
Metropolis nonetheless have work to do however dropped factors for Forest and Chelsea have put the English champions in pole place for a top-five end.
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Torpid Liverpool just do sufficient
Liverpool may very well be topped champions on Easter Sunday after stretching their commanding lead on the prime of the desk to 13 factors with simply 18 left to play for.
Nonetheless, Arne Slot’s males are slowing up because the end line approaches after an exhausting marketing campaign for a lot of of his key gamers.
After Luis Diaz gave the house facet the lead in a quick begin at Anfield, Liverpool ran out of steam within the second half and wanted Alisson Becker to supply three excellent saves to maintain West Ham at bay.
An Andy Robertson personal purpose regarded prefer it might delay Liverpool’s title occasion, however Van Dijk headed residence a nook within the 89th minute earlier than giving the Liverpool followers much more motive to get excited.
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Recent from seeing Mohamed Salah prolong his contract for 2 extra years, Van Dijk declared his “love” for the membership and hinted that he can be subsequent to finish hypothesis over his future with a brand new deal.
Inside a number of weeks Van Dijk can be lifting the Premier League trophy regardless of a drop off that has seen Liverpool’s solely two wins of their final 5 video games come by a single purpose towards the edges sat 14th and seventeenth within the desk.
Chelsea collapse
When Chelsea travelled to Everton on December 22 they’d the prospect to go prime of the desk.
Within the 16 Premier League video games since, they’ve received simply 5 to slide right down to sixth and are in critical hazard of lacking out on the Champions League for a 3rd straight season.
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All of these 5 victories got here towards the underside six at residence, however Maresca’s males have been unable to finish the set towards Ipswich.
The Tractor Boys took benefit of some shambolic defending to go 2-0 up at Stamford Bridge.
An Axel Tuanzebe personal purpose and Jadon Sancho’s beautiful strike restored parity.
However Chelsea’s lack of a leading edge within the ultimate third value them once more as they did not make 74 p.c possession and 34 pictures at purpose depend.
The Blues now face having to make up floor throughout troublesome fixtures within the run-in.
Chelsea face 4 of the highest eight of their ultimate six video games.
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