Liverpool Secure 5-2 Win Against West Ham, Manchester City Minus Haaland Prepare for Leeds Clash
Liverpool advanced to the Premier Leagues top five positions following a 5-2 triumph against beleaguered West Ham on Saturday, while Manchester City looked to increase the pressure on Arsenal within the title contention.
Three goals during the opening period, each stemming from set piece plays, courtesy of Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexis Mac Allister, positioned Arne Slots team for their fourth successive success across all tournaments.
The Dutch pair Cody Gakpo and Jeremie Frimpong contributed further strikes post interval, yet despite the final tally, it remained an unconvincing display from the reigning English title holders.
This loss further hampers the Hammers aspirations for staying up, leaving them two points below the relegation cutoff.
Nonetheless, they responded with two goals in the latter half via Tomas Soucek and Valentin Castellanos, and might have added more at Anfield.
Achieving a spot in the top five virtually guarantees participation in Champions League fixtures next term, given the impressive performances of English clubs in European fixtures this campaign.
Liverpool now lead sixth placed Chelsea by three points, with the Blues facing a challenging away fixture against Arsenal on Sunday.
City lag behind the Gunners by five points atop the standings, though they hold an additional match to play.
Pep Guardiolas squad must cope without their leading marksman Erling Haaland, sidelined by a knee problem for the journey to his hometown.
City confront a demanding challenge to claim a sixth straight victory versus a Leeds outfit that has suffered defeat just twice across 16 outings in various competitions.
Brentford Snatch Narrow Win Over Burnley in Exciting Encounter
Burnleys faint prospects of avoiding the drop suffered yet another setback in a heartbreaking 4-3 home loss to Brentford.
The Bees appeared set for a comfortable success and just two points shy of Chelsea when strikes by Mikkel Damsgaard, Igor Thiago, and Kevin Schade established a 3-0 advantage within the first 34 minutes at Turf Moor.
An own goal from Michael Kayode offered the Clarets a glimmer of optimism before the break, and they equalised through Jaidon Anthony and Zian Flemming.
Flemming believed he had orchestrated a stunning turnaround, but a VAR check disallowed the effort for offside.
Rather, Brentford turned the tide to grab the win at the death as Damsgaard claimed his brace in added time.
There remained opportunity for one more VAR intervention to strip Burnley of a share of the spoils when Ashley Barnes was penalised for handling prior to netting a leveller in the 98th minute.
Everton claimed yet another strong result on the road to sustain their ambitions for continental action next season via a 3-2 success at Newcastle.
Thrice the Toffees took the lead at St James Park with efforts from Jarrod Branthwaite, Beto, and Thierno Barry.
Newcastle drop to 12th place, their campaigns achievements now hinging on standout displays in the Champions League versus Barcelona and Manchester City in the FA Cup fifth round over the upcoming weekend.
Everton have found it tough settling into their fresh venue at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, yet solely Arsenal have gathered more away points as David Moyes side rises to eighth.
Bournemouth extended their undefeated streak in the league to eight matches after recovering from a deficit to earn a 1-1 stalemate hosting Sunderland in the early afternoon fixture.
Evanilson levelled the scores by nullifying Eliezer Mayendas initial goal for the Black Cats.