Liverpool's Cody Gakpo (R) is challenged by Manchester City's Bernardo Silva during the English Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City in Liverpool, Britain, on Dec. 1, 2024. (Xinhua)
LONDON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Liverpool moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League on Sunday after a 2-0 win at home to Manchester City, who slips to fifth in the table after suffering four consecutive league defeats for the first time since 2008.
Mohamed Salah set up Cody Gakpo for the opening goal in the 12th minute with a cross that evaded everyone for the Dutch forward to finish at the far post.
Liverpool had less of the ball but looked far more dangerous than its rival, with twice as many shots and three times more attempts on target, but it wasn't until the 78th minute that it doubled its lead.
Luis Diaz got clear between Kyle Walker and Stefan Ortega and after the goalkeeper brought Diaz down, Salah made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Chelsea continues to impress under Enzo Maresca with a 3-0 win at home to Aston Villa who looks to be running on empty.
Nicolas Jackson put Chelsea ahead in the seventh minute with a first-time finish from Marc Cucurella's pass, and Enzo Fernandez doubled the lead with a powerful half volley past his Argentinean teammate Emiliano Martinez.
Cole Palmer then assured the win in the closing minutes with a wonderful shot into the top-corner of the net.
Ruben Amorim got off to an exceptional winning start in his first Premier League match in charge at Old Trafford, as his side crushed Everton 4-0 with two goals each from Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee.
Bruno Fernandes also impressed with two assists as his side scored two goals in each half to leave Everton mired in the relegation dogfight.
Tottenham's up-and-down season continued as Tom Cairney's 67th-minute effort saw Fulham claim a 1-1 draw at the Tottenham Stadium after Brennan Johnson's 54th-minute goal had put Spurs ahead.
Cairney's afternoon was spoiled seven minutes from time when he was shown a red card after a VAR decision, but Spurs were unable to take advantage of the extra man.
Arsenal gave a magnificent first-half performance to win 5-2 away to West Ham United on Saturday, with Bukayo Saka assisting Gabriel Magalhaes and Leandro Trossard, before scoring a penalty.
Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz also scored with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson scoring consolation goals for West Ham, who takes a big step backward with the defeat.
Chris Wood's 49th-minute gave Nottingham Forest a narrow 1-0 win at home to Ipswich after Sammie Szmodics had fouled Jota Silva early in the second half.
Daniel Munoz's 94th-minute header saved a point for Crystal Palace at home to Newcastle, who took the lead after a free kick took a deflection off England defender Marc Guehi.
Justin Kluivert scored a hat-trick of penalties as Bournemouth won 4-2 away to Wolverhampton, with Milos Kerkez also finding the net for Bournemouth, while Jorgen Strand Larsen netted twice for Wolves.
New Leicester City coach Ruud van Nistelrooy saw the extent of the task ahead of him as it lost 4-1 away to Brentford despite Facundo Buonanotte's 21st-minute opener.
Brentford responded with goals from Yoane Wissa and Kevin Schade after 25 and 29 minutes, with Schade making it 3-1 on the stroke of halftime, before he finished his hat-trick just before the hour.
Brighton and Southampton drew 1-1 on Friday with Kaoru Mitoma scoring in the first half for Brighton, and Flynn Downes leveling before the hour. Southampton was unlucky to see a goal ruled out for a tight offside following a four-minute VAR check. ■
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai (C) vies with Manchester City's Phil Foden (R) during the English Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City in Liverpool, Britain, on Dec. 1, 2024. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's Darwin Nunez (front L) vies with Manchester City's Jeremy Doku (front R) during the English Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City in Liverpool, Britain, on Dec. 1, 2024. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo (1st L) scores the first goal during the English Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City in Liverpool, Britain, on Dec. 1, 2024. (Xinhua)
Manchester City's Phil Foden prepares to kick the ball during the English Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City in Liverpool, Britain, on Dec. 1, 2024. (Xinhua)
Manchester City's Erling Haaland (C) is challenged by Liverpool's Joe Gomez (L) during the English Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City in Liverpool, Britain, on Dec. 1, 2024. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's Luis Diaz (R) is challenged by Manchester City's Nathan Ake during the English Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City in Liverpool, Britain, on Dec. 1, 2024. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (Top) challenges Manchester City's Rico Lewis during the English Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City in Liverpool, Britain, on Dec. 1, 2024. (Xinhua)
