LONDON – Leaders Manchester City was the beneficiaries as Chelsea and Liverpool shared the spoils in a thrilling 2-2 Premier League draw, while Leeds United pulled eight points clear of the relegation zone with a 3-1 win over Burnley.
Brighton & Hove Albion piled further pressure on Everton coach Rafael Benitez by earning a 3-2 win at Goodison Park and Brentford continued their fine first Premier League season thanks to a 2-1 victory over visitors Aston Villa.
City’s last-gasp 2-1 win at Arsenal on New Year’s Day had moved the reigning champions 11 points clear of Chelsea in second and 12 in front of third-placed Liverpool ahead of the latter pair’s meeting at Stamford Bridge.
Despite Liverpool’s coach Jurgen Klopp, goalkeeper Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip all missing the match having tested positive for Covid-19, the Reds looked set to close the gap on City to nine points after racing into a 2-0 lead.
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah put Liverpool in command inside 26 minutes with Chelsea, who left Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku out of their matchday squad following an interview in which he was critical of coach Thomas Tuchel’s tactics, all at sea.
However, a stunning strike from Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic’s powerful finish brought Chelsea level before half-time, with both sides then having chances to win a pulsating clash.
The two title chasers had to settle for a point, however, with City the real winners as they stand 10 point clear and remain firm favourites to retain their Premier League crown.
“It is a big gap (at the top),” Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk told Sky Sports according to Reuters. “They (City) have the title maybe to lose at the moment but anything can happen still. We have been there and gave it away, so anything is possible.
“We focus on ourselves, we just have to get results, play good football and win games.”
Elsewhere, Leeds’ first victory in five league games came at a crucial time, with confidence at the Yorkshire club low after they had conceded 14 goals in three successive league defeats prior to Burnley’s visit.
Leeds had not played since Dec. 18 due to coronavirus-related postponements and that additional break allowed them to get some much-needed key players back from injury.
The refreshed hosts dominated the first half and led 1-0 going into the break through Jack Harrison before Burnley substitute Maxwel Cornet pegged the hosts back nine minutes into the second half.
Stuart Dallas picked the perfect time to score his first of the season 13 minutes from time, with Daniel James’ second since signing from Manchester United in the close season making sure of the crucial win, leaving Burnley stuck in the bottom three.
“I don’t ignore the situation we are in,” Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa said. “Every week you have to prove yourself.
“Even if the performance today was a step forward, we need to maintain that level against any opponent. We showed a lot of commitment today.”
Things have not gone to plan for Everton coach Benitez since the former Liverpool manager returned to Merseyside to succeed Carlo Ancelotti in June, with Brighton twisting the knife further.
Two goals from Alexis Mac Allister either side of a Dan Burn strike earned Brighton the victory at Goodison Park that continued their fine season as they climbed to eighth on 27 points from 19 matches.
Everton is languishing in 15th, having picked up 19 points from 18 – their lowest tally at this stage since 2005-06.
Promoted Brentford gave their survival hopes a boost as Danish defender Mads Roerslev’s first goal for the club late on earned a comeback home win over Villa.
The result lifted Brentford to 12th spot on 23 points from 19 games, a point and a place ahead of Villa.
Everton manager Rafa Benitez called on his team to address their defensive frailties after they fell to a 3-2 Premier League defeat by Brighton at home.
Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister scored twice as the visitors celebrated their first-ever win at Goodison Park, while Everton suffered an eighth defeat in 12 league games.
The Merseyside club, who were greeted with a huge chorus of boos from fans after defeat, remained 15th on 19 points after 18 matches.
“The way we conceded goals makes things very difficult for us,” Benitez told the BBC.
“Then the team missed a penalty and it became more difficult for the confidence. They reacted but it is difficult when you make mistakes like we did.”
Asked if the rusty performance in the first half was linked to their return from a 17-day absence due to Covid-related match postponements, Benitez said, “I don’t like to make excuses.
“I think it’s more about that the goals we conceded are (due to) the lack of focus in the first minute and then after you play under pressure. You could see the reaction was there but it is not enough because you still make mistakes.
“We have to focus and start with the intensity everyone is expecting… I am concerned that we have to improve, especially in defence. The team pushes and works hard but we are lacking a little quality in the decisions.”
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