Analysis: Jones Maintains Liverpool’s Lead While Man City Secures Contentious Last-Minute Victory in Premier League

In a thrilling encounter, Liverpool narrowly edged out Chelsea with a 2-1 victory, maintaining their slender lead atop the Premier League. Curtis Jones, who truly stole the show with a standout performance, had a big role in securing this win. By clinching this victory, Liverpool managed to hold a one-point lead over Manchester City and surged four points clear of both Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Despite facing a sprightly Chelsea squad, Liverpool found it challenging to string together cohesive plays. However, Jones was instrumental in earning a penalty during the first half, which allowed Mohamed Salah to calmly slot it in and take the initial lead.

Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson leveled the playing field in the 48th minute, but Jones wasn’t finished yet. Just minutes later, he was at the right place at the right time to poke in Salah’s cross near the far post, scoring what turned out to be the match-winner.

Chelsea hustled for another equalizer, but Liverpool’s defense held firm, mixed with a pinch of fortune, to seize the win.

Elsewhere, a contentious stoppage-time goal by John Stones saw Manchester City clinch a 2-1 comeback victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves were fuming, claiming that City’s Bernardo Silva, positioned offside, disrupted goalkeeper Jose Sa’s attempt to stop Stones’ header.

Despite languishing at the bottom of the league, Wolves had taken the lead early, courtesy of Jorgen Strand Larsen’s splendid strike. They seemed unyielding until Josko Gvardiol’s curler drew City level. Up until the late-adjudged controversial goal, they defended stoutly and looked destined for a draw.

On Saturday, Arsenal stumbled, suffering a 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth. The game’s dynamics changed when William Saliba received a red card for a professional last-man foul in the 30th minute.

Ryan Christie put Bournemouth ahead from a corner in the 70th minute, while Justin Kluivert sealed the win with a 79th-minute penalty after a foul by Arsenal’s keeper, David Raya.

Aston Villa enjoyed a 3-1 triumph over a beleaguered Fulham, who initially seized the advantage through Raul Jimenez’s early goal.

Morgan Rogers equalized for Villa with a deflected strike. Fulham had a golden opportunity to regain the lead, but Emilio Martinez saved Andreas Pereira’s tepid penalty. Ollie Watkins’ commanding header put Villa in front, compounded by Fulham’s troubles as Joachim Andersen saw red. Issa Diop’s own goal capped Villa’s third.

Tottenham demolished West Ham with a second-half blitzkrieg, securing a 4-1 win. Mohammed Kudus initially gave West Ham the lead but was later dismissed. Spurs equalized with Dejan Kulusevski’s effort before halftime.

After the break, Yves Bissouma’s strike turned the tide for Spurs. A West Ham defensive calamity led to own goals by Alphonse Areola and Jean-Clair Todibo. Son Heung-min added the final blow on the hour mark.

Manchester United clinched a thrilling 2-1 home win over Brentford with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund overcoming the visitors’ lead set by Ethan Pinnock’s header in stoppage time of the first half.

Just before halftime, Danny Welbeck bagged his fifth goal of the season, handing Brighton a narrow 1-0 victory away at Newcastle. The hosts were left ruing multiple missed opportunities that could have altered the outcome.

Southampton seemed to be cruising against Leicester City, with early strikes from Cameron Archer and Joe Aribo, taking a 2-0 lead at St. Mary’s. However, the game swung when Facundo Buonanotte pulled one back, sparking a response from the visitors.

Jamie Vardy converted a spot-kick ten minutes later, and Jordan Ayew completed Leicester’s dramatic comeback deep into injury time.

Everton’s resurgence continued with a solid 2-0 win away against an unimpressive Ipswich Town. Iliman Ndiaye and Michael Keane were on the scoresheet in the first half, easing Everton’s path to victory over the still-winless Ipswich.

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

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