In a display that warmed the souls of their steadfast fans, Liverpool dispatched Ipswich Town with a resounding 4-1 triumph at Anfield. This victory solidified their six-point cushion over Arsenal in the upper echelons of the Premier League standings.
The atmosphere was electric as Liverpool glided past a hapless Ipswich squad, who were still licking their wounds from a brutal 6-0 drubbing by Manchester City only a week ago. The floodgates opened in the mere 11th minute courtesy of Dominik Szoboszlai’s low drive.
Mohamed Salah, like a craftsman, doubled the advantage with a thunderous half-volley from an angle tighter than grandma’s hugs, and Cody Gakpo piled on the misery with a clinical finish following a saved shot from Szoboszlai.
Gakpo wasn’t done yet. He notched his second of the afternoon, connecting beautifully with a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 67th minute. Ipswich’s Jacob Greaves managed a late header, more a consolation than a celebration.
Arsenal, however, weren’t going to let Liverpool gallop ahead in the title race without a fight, as they eked out a gritty 1-0 victory at Wolves. The match was a tale of resilience after defender Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent packing with a red card for an ill-timed trip that sent Matt Doherty tumbling.
With both teams reduced to ten men, following Joao Gomes’ double booking and expulsion, Riccardo Calafiori emerged as the hero. A cool finish, validated by a dramatic VAR check, secured the win for the Gunners, keeping them just within touching distance.
Meanwhile, Manchester City brushed off the shadow of their midweek Champions League setback to Paris Saint-Germain by outplaying Chelsea 3-1 at home. Coach Pep Guardiola, perhaps rolling the dice, handed debuts to fresh faces Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov. But fortune didn’t smile early as Khusanov’s blunder practically handed Chelsea’s Noni Madueke an opening goal.
City flirted with danger but finally found their rhythm. Josko Gvardiol brought parity just before the break with a thunderous header. Erling Haaland, never one to shy from the limelight, took matters into his own capable feet, scorching past the keeper with an inch-perfect strike. To seal the deal, Haaland turned architect, setting up Phil Foden for a third as City cruised comfortably.
Bournemouth gave their fellow league contenders a jaw-dropping display of attacking prowess by demolishing Nottingham Forest 5-0, thus ensnaring Forest’s eight-game unbeaten streak in a merciless net. Under Andoni Iraola’s savvy leadership, the team dazzled with quick passes and deft maneuvers. Justin Kluivert struck first, swiftly followed by Dango Ouattara bagging a mesmerizing second-half hat-trick with goals at 55, 61, and 87 minutes.
Antonio Semenyo finalized the rout with a late goal, perpetuating Bournemouth’s remarkable unbeaten record for the season.
Newcastle reveled in their return to form against a beleaguered Southampton, who haven’t seen a single point since Ivan Juric took the helm. Jan Bednarek temporarily lifted Saints’ spirits with an early goal, but Newcastle retaliated, thanks to a penalty coolly converted by Alexander Isak.
Not one to rest on laurels, Isak claimed another with gusto mere moments later, and Sandro Tonali made it three just after the restart. Southampton thought they’d clawed back into contention, but VAR rained on their parade, ruling out Mateus Fernandes’ effort.
In another part of the football cosmos, Everton’s resurgence under David Moyes shows no signs of slowing. Iliman Ndiaye’s spot-kick in the 42nd minute proved decisive against Brighton, whose relentless attacks were expertly thwarted by Everton’s disciplined defense.
Peace, prosperity, and power all in one round of football, each team chasing dreams, defying odds, or sometimes merely nursing their wounds. The Premier League saga continues to thrill, one match at a time.
Report by Axadle.
