Liverpool and Chelsea’s hopes of a top-four end took successful because the duo performed out a lackluster 0-0 draw within the Premier League on Saturday, whereas Everton’s issues of relegation intensified after a 2-0 defeat at West Ham United.
Only Southampton are beneath Everton – on purpose distinction alone – after the underside facet misplaced 1-0 at dwelling to Aston Villa, whereas West Ham’s win meant Bournemouth changed them within the backside three regardless of incomes some extent of their 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle United stretched their unbeaten Premier League run to a club-record 15 matches and crept up into third place regardless of being held to a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace.
On Jurgen Klopp’s 1,000th recreation in administration, Liverpool appeared shorn of confidence as they regarded to keep away from three straight league defeats, solely creating half probabilities with Cody Gakpo lacking the perfect of them within the opening interval at Anfield.
The guests launched big-money January signing Mykhailo Mudryk within the second half however, whereas he regarded vigorous, the Ukrainian was unable to raise the Blues, who earned a single level that leaves them tenth, stage on 29 factors with Liverpool in eighth and Brentford ninth.
All three sides are 9 factors off the highest 4, with Chelsea having performed 20 video games to Liverpool and Brentford’s 19 apiece.
Liverpool have didn’t win any of their final three league video games and it’s the first time they’ve failed to attain in consecutive matches within the competitors since March 2021.
Chelsea are actually and not using a win of their final six league video games on the street, their longest comparable run within the competitors since September-December 2015.
“We have to be ready for little steps and this is a little step,” Klopp stated. “A clear sheet in opposition to Chelsea, we did not create lots of probabilities and so they had some as effectively.
“We defended in the second half with passion and clear organization, but we were too deep in these moments. In the end, I’m OK with 0-0 because you have to accept these steps.”
Everton distress goes on
Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton have been an ever-present within the high flight since 1954-55, however relegation stays an actual chance this time period after one other uninspiring show at West Ham.
The defeat – Everton’s sixth of their final seven league video games – will add to the stress on supervisor Frank Lampard, whereas for West Ham boss David Moyes’ victory might be a candy aid after his facet took only one level from the final 21 out there.
Jarrod Bowen scored each targets in a seven-minute first-half spell, the primary netting from shut vary on the top of Emerson Palmieri’s cross, earlier than being arrange for his second by good work by Michail Antonio.
Everton provided little in assault, with away supporters once more calling for the membership’s board to resign all through the conflict. They have collected simply 15 factors from their 20 leagues this season – their fewest factors received after 20 video games of any league marketing campaign of their historical past.
“Pressure is nothing new to us, we were in the same situation last season,” Everton’s Alex Iwobi advised Sky Sports. “We have a break developing and we have now to regroup.
“It is not just the manager who takes responsibility, the players are fighting for him and the club.”
Newcastle stored a sixth successive Premier League clear sheet however have been left annoyed at Palace.
They have 39 factors and are third on purpose distinction forward of Manchester United, who play leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
Second-placed Manchester City, who host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, have 42 factors with Arsenal on 47.
Southampton suffered a blow of their bid to keep away from relegation as they misplaced to Villa in a match disrupted by a rogue drone.
Ollie Watkins struck Villa’s winner within the 77th minute off a free kick by Douglas Luiz shortly after Saints had been controversially denied the opening purpose by VAR.
Forest’s Sam Surridge fired a late equalizer in opposition to his former membership to earn his facet some extent at Bournemouth, leaving Gary O’Neil’s facet within the backside three, whereas teenage striker Evan Ferguson rescued a 2-2 draw for Brighton & Hove Albion at Leicester City.
