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Rediff.com  » Sports » Liverpool strikers fail to fire at Arsenal

Liverpool strikers fail to fire at Arsenal

November 04, 2018 11:17 IST
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Arsenal

IMAGE: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool (on the ground) controls the ball as Virgil van Dijk, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal and Joe Gomez look on. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Liverpool had to be satisfied with a 1-1 Premier League draw at Arsenal on Saturday as their usually prolific attacking trio were well shackled by their improving hosts.

Liverpool had netted at least three goals in their last five games against Arsenal, but forwards Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah were kept off the scoresheet.

“Arsenal is in a very good moment... we made life a bit to easy in the first half for them,” Klopp said. “A point at Arsenal will always be an absolutely good result.”

 

Liverpool, unbeaten in the league this season, went top of the table on 27 points but Manchester City and Chelsea could both overtake them with wins on Sunday.

Despite starting brighter, Arsenal were fortunate not to go behind in the first half when Mane steered home a rebound of the post. It was ruled out for offside even though he was behind the ball when Firmino took his initial shot.

“It should have been a goal,” Klopp said, adding that changes to the rules meant it was irrelevant that Mane had been offside earlier on in the move.

“It was a brilliant attack. It’s what you do on the training ground... so it’s a pity that it didn’t count. But we made a few more mistakes tonight than the ref,” Klopp said.

Liverpool’s best chances fell to centre back Virgil van Dijk before James Milner drove home in the 61st minute after Bernd Leno tipped Mane’s cross into his path.

A well-taken equaliser by Alexandre Lacazette meant Arsenal took their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 14 games, and gave a much better showing than previous games against other top-six teams.

Arsenal lost to Manchester City and Chelsea in the first two matches of the season, and Saturday was the first opportunity for new manager Emery to prove that Arsenal could shed their reputation for struggling against major rivals.

“Today was a good test for us. We need more... But this spirit is like we want,” Emery said.

Perez header gives Newcastle first league win this season

Newcastle United finally got their season up and running by beating Watford 1-0 at St James' Park to record their first Premier League win at the 11th attempt.

Ayoze Perez flicked home a 65th-minute header from a Ki Sung-yeung free kick to claim the points and move Newcastle out of the relegation zone into 17th place.

The goal was Newcastle's first at home since a 2-1 defeat by Arsenal on Sept. 15.

"I think [the win] was important for everyone," said manager Rafa Benitez.

"To win against a good team with a lot of confidence, to win in the way that we did with everyone behind the team -- and with three players coming from the bench and making a great contribution -- was very positive."

The contrast between the teams going into the game could not have been starker with Watford enjoying their best top-flight start and Newcastle needing a win to avert their worst.

They negotiated a nervous opening when they struggled to cope with the pace of Gerard Deulofeu and Watford had several opportunities to take the lead before the interval.

Adrian Mariappa wasted Watford's best chance, dragging the ball wide of the left-hand post before Roberto Pereyra went even closer by hitting the bar.

But for all their possession, Watford only managed one shot on target.

Newcastle, who lost Yoshinori Muto, Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey to injury before the hour mark, gradually became the stronger side although they required an excellent block from Kenedy to deny Watford substitute Andre Gray an equaliser.

Richarlison at the double as Everton see off Brighton

Richarlison continued his fine form for Everton by scoring twice to give them a 3-1 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Brazilian forward now has six league goals for Everton, one more than he managed all last season for Watford, and his brace at Goodison Park left his side ninth in the standings after their fourth win in five matches.

The home side dominated possession and after 25 minutes were in front when Gylfi Sigurdsson surged forward and exchanged passes with Bernard before laying the ball off for Richarlison who scored with an angled finish.

Less than 10 minutes later, Brighton were level when Lewis Dunk rose above Kurt Zouma to power a header past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford following a high cross from Solly March.

Marco Silva's side regained their advantage shortly after halftime, however, with captain Seamus Coleman firing a low finish from the edge of the area.

Richarlison made sure of all three points with 15 minutes left by taking the ball from almost the halfway line to round the keeper and score, earning praise from his manager.

"Richarlison is a fantastic football player and he gives everything for us. He fights and enjoys the game. But it is not just him. For us to play well and score goals we need to do big work," Silva told the BBC.

"We were constant, played with quality. It was our best performance at home this season... it was a good and deserved win."

Brighton were looking for a fourth successive league victory but left Merseyside having conceded three goals in a match for the first time this season.

"We need to keep the ball better. Sometimes you have to accept you are up against quality teams. Keeping clean sheets is tough, especially three on the spin," Brighton manager Chris Hughton said.

"You kick on by accepting you are Brighton playing a second season in the Premier League. There will be ups and downs. We were playing a team who will push for the top six.

"You always have to look as a whole. We have had three really good results and then a bad result. We have to accept that and be better next time."

Anderson brace earns West Ham thrilling win over Burnley

Two goals from Felipe Anderson helped secure West Ham United their first win in four matches as they held off a spirited Burnley at the London Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors made a nervy start and were punished when centre back James Tarkowski was caught in possession on the edge of the area by West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic, who raced clear to find the net with a low finish.

West Ham went close again with a spectacular curling effort from Anderson but defender Ben Mee came to Burnley's rescue with a clearance from underneath the crossbar.

After withstanding pressure for the majority of the first half, Burnley equalised just before the break when Ashley Westwood played a through ball into the path of Johann Berg Gudmundsson, who slotted it past goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

West Ham made it 2-1 in the 68th minute when midfielder Grady Diangana played through Anderson, who fired a low drive past Joe Hart for his second league goal of the campaign.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche responded with the late introduction of forwards Robbie Brady and Chris Wood, and the pair combined for Wood to head Burnley level.

Anderson was then denied by the woodwork before putting West Ham back in front with a right-footed shot into the corner. Substitute Javier Hernandez secured the win in stoppage time with his first league goal of the season.

The victory was well-deserved for a West Ham side who had 22 attempts at goal to Burnley's six.

"For 90 minutes we dominated completely," Arnautovic said. "We could have scored more -- we had the chances.

"Overall we had an amazing game and we stayed calm when they equalised at 1-1 and 2-2. It was not easy but we deserved the win."

Burnley have now lost three consecutive games in the Premier League, conceding 13 goals in the process, yet Dyche was pleased with Burnley's response in the second half.

He said his side should have seen the game out though having equalised for the second time.

"The third goal is a real blow and we are chasing the game when they score the last one," Dyche said.

"I'm not disappointed with the mentality of the team but we can't give away the ball so cheaply. There are some details in that game that need working on."

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