Liverpool hammer Saints; Villa topple Palace

Diogo Jota’s early double set Liverpool on their way to a crushing 4-0 home victory over Southampton to move up to second place in the Premier League standings on Saturday.

The Portuguese forward steered home Andrew Robertson’s cut-back to open the scoring after 97 seconds – the fastest Premier League goal this season – before his tap in following fine work from Mohamed Salah made it 2-0 inside 32 minutes.

Midfielder Thiago Alcantara added to his stunning goal against Porto in the Champions League in midweek with a third five minutes later and Virgil van Dijk helped himself to a fourth against his former club early in the second half.

Jota had a great chance to complete a hat-trick but could not connect from close range as Liverpool eased to a win that lifted them above champions Manchester City, who play West Ham United on Sunday, onto 28 points, one behind leaders Chelsea.

Southampton had their moments but could not cope defensively and the loss left them 14th on 14 points from 13 games.

“It’s always easier when you start well with a goal at home,” Jota told Sky Sports. “We knew in the past we’d been 2-0 up and not won the game but we did today and that’s important.

“I take advantage of playing for a good team. Fortunately for me I can score goals and hopefully keep doing it.”

Aston Villa continued their resurgence under new manager Steven Gerrard when they claimed a second consecutive Premier League victory by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park.

Villa took advantage of Palace’s vulnerability on set-pieces when Ashley Young’s corner in the 15th minute was delivered deep into the box, where Matt Targett controlled the ball and shot low through the crowd to score.

Villa doubled the lead late in the game when a flowing move down the left found John McGinn at the edge of the box and the midfielder curled his shot past the outstretched arms of Vicente Guaita.

Palace scored a consolation in stoppage-time when Cheikhou Kouyate’s cross to the near post found Marc Guehi, who poked the ball past Martinez, but Villa held on for the three points.

Lowly Norwich City continued their upturn in form when they held sixth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to a 0-0 draw at Carrow Road. Brighton & Hove Albion extended their winless run to eight games when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Leeds United. (Reuters)
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Last updated: 2021-11-28 HKT 04:30