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Liverpool rout Everton as Chelsea, City grind out wins


By AFP
Published : 02 Dec 2021 07:24 PM

Liverpool thrashed local rivals Everton 4-1 to pile the pressure on former Reds boss Rafael Benitez Wednesday, while victories for Chelsea and Manchester City ensured the Premier League top three remain separated by just two points.

Leaders Chelsea were made to work hard for a 2-1 win at Watford in one of two games held up by lengthy delays to allow treatment for an ill supporter in the crowd.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could not do his old club a favor as his 100% start as Aston Villa manager was ended by a 2-1 defeat to City.

Liverpool had won only once in their last nine visits to Goodison Park, but the gulf in class between the sides currently was obvious as Mohamed Salah produced two more stunning finishes to take his tally for the season to 19 goals in 19 games.

Jordan Henderson opened the scoring before Salah curled the first of his double into the top corner.

Demarai Gray's strike briefly gave Everton hope heading into half-time, but further strikes from Salah and Diogo Jota gave the scoreline the reflection it deserved from a one-sided contest.

Chelsea needed Hakim Ziyech to come off the bench and score the winner 18 minutes from time at Vicarage Road to hold off City and Liverpool at the top of the table.

After a half an hour hold up early in the match as a fan was attended to by emergency services, Mason Mount gave the European champions the lead.

Emmanuel Dennis hit back for Watford on the stroke of half-time and for a while it looked like Chelsea could drop points for the third time in four league games.

But Ziyech's powerful finish from Mount's cross maintained their slender one-point advantage over City.