(SPORT) EPL: SALAH DOUBLE DOWNS 10-MAN EVERTON, SENDS LIVERPOOL TOP
Read Time:2 Minute, 46 Second
Liverpool maintained their dominant position over Everton, their local rivals, to top the Premier League on Saturday. However, luck was on their side, as Mohamed Salah’s double sealed a 2-0 victory at Anfield.
Ashley Young was sent off for two bookable offences seven minutes before halftime, while Ibrahima Konate avoided a second caution in the second half when the scores were still tied, leaving Everton incensed with referee Craig Pawson’s inconsistent call.
Liverpool struggled to use their man advantage, but 15 minutes from time, Salah’s penalty kick, following Michael Keane’s handling, gave them the lead.
Seven minutes into stoppage time, Darwin Nunez set Salah up to secure the points.
With the win, Jurgen Klopp’s team moves up to the top of the standings on goal differential, ahead of both Tottenham and Arsenal.
The Reds have been unbeaten against Everton at Anfield in front of fans since 1999 and have only lost one of their previous 29 Merseyside derbies.
In the Premier League’s history, no match has seen as many red cards as this one between these two, and another sending-off proved to be crucial.
Before the 38-year-old Young showed his age rather than his experience by leaping in to chop down Luis Diaz and receive a second yellow card, Everton had vexed the hosts and posed a threat themselves.
In the past, Young had made an incredible last-ditch challenge to keep Diaz from scoring a certain goal.
On the opposite end, Alisson Becker was unable to stop an early header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Shortly after some of his players returned from playing for their nations in South American World Cup qualifying, Klopp voiced his annoyance at not being picked for the Saturday midday kickoff.
Nunez was brought off the bench following his spectacular performance in Uruguay’s 2-0 victory over Brazil in the middle of the week, while Diaz of Colombia and Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina started.
Despite having an extra man in the second half, Liverpool were tired.
To the chagrin of the home crowd, Everton manager Sean Dyche switched to a back five at halftime and brought on Keane. The visitors limited Liverpool to a few clean chances.
The Toffees were then stunned that Konate was not also given his marching orders as he pulled down Beto after being shown a yellow card.
To rub salt in Everton wounds, Klopp immediately replaced the Frenchman with Joel Matip and Dyche saw a yellow card for taking his protests too far.
Liverpool have had their own troubles with officials of late after Diaz had a goal in their only defeat of the season at Tottenham last month wrongly ruled out following VAR confusion.
However, this time VAR came to their rescue as Diaz’s cross struck Keane’s outstretched arm.
After a pitch-side review, the referee pointed to the spot and Salah scored his seventh goal of the season to muted celebrations.
The Egyptian posted an emotional video on his social media channels on Wednesday calling for an end to “massacres” in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
As Everton pushed forward in search of an equaliser, they were caught on the counter-attack deep into stoppage time as Nunez timed his pass to Salah perfectly for a simple finish.
AFP
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0