LONDON: Liverpoolsent out an ominous warning to the rest of the Premier League yesterday,proving they can win ugly as Harry Kane rescued 10-man Tottenham. Elsewhere,there was a first league win of the season for Wolves, against bottom clubWatford, while West Ham's draw at Bournemouth lifted them to third in thetable.
Jurgen Klopp'sLiverpool won their seventh Premier League game out of seven to pull eightpoints clear ahead of Manchester City, thanks to Georginio Wijnaldum'sfortunate strike in a 1-0 victory at Sheffield United. The European championslooked short on invention against the well-organised Blades until Wijnaldum'sshot from the edge of the box 20 minutes from time trickled between the legs ofUnited goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Liverpool, whohave won 16 consecutive league games, finished a single point behind championsManchester City in the Premier League last season but are now setting a searingpace as they chase their first top-flight title since 1990.
"For us itwas important to win, we had unbelievably big chances," Klopp told BTSport. "In the first half we hadtwo big chances and in the second one which we scored from. These games, theyare not all beauties and you have to work hard for the results."
The hosts hadtheir chances to spring a huge shock against their off-colour opponents but allof their good work was undone with one mistake when Wijnaldum pounced on aloose ball 20 yards from goal. His strike should have been easily handled byHenderson, who instead watched on in horror as the ball slipped under hisgrasp.
KANE STRIKES
Tottenham bossMauricio Pochettino recalled his big guns for the Premier League game againstSouthampton at home, making 11 changes from the side that suffered a shockLeague Cup loss at Colchester in midweek. Spurs had won just two of theiropening eight games in all competitions before and looked in deep trouble whenthey were reduced to 10 men against Brighton. Tanguy Ndombele fired the homeside ahead in the 24th minute but they suffered a blow when Serge Aurier wassent off after half an hour for two yellow cards.
Hugo Lloris thengifted Southampton an equaliser with a goalkeeping howler, Danny Ingsdispossessing the Frenchman in his six-yard box and forcing the ball homebefore Kane restored the home side's lead shortly before half-time. The winlifted Spurs into fourth place in the Premier League, one spot behind West Ham,who drew 2-2 away to Bournemouth after beating Manchester United last week.
Crystal Palacewere 2-0 winners against Norwich, thanks to a Luka Milivojevic penalty and alate Andros Townsend goal while a Matt Doherty strike and a Daryl Janmaat owngoal gave Wolves a much-needed 2-0 victory against Watford. Aston Villa's John McGinngave his side a 2-1 lead in the 79th minute but Chris Wood levelled for Burnleyjust two minutes later and the match finished level.
Pep Guardiola'sCity face a tricky-looking trip to Goodison Park to take on Everton in the latekick-off, knowing they must win to cling onto Liverpool's coat-tails, even thisearly in the season. Early team news revealed Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva andDavid Silva were all on the bench for City. High-flying Leicester hoststruggling Newcastle today while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's misfiring ManchesterUnited are at home to Arsenal tomorrow. - AFP