Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (right) fights for the ball with Leeds United's Luke Ayling during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Leeds United at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Feb 23, 2022. (JON SUPER / AP)
LONDON - Liverpool narrowed the gap with Premier League leaders Manchester City to just three points behind after a thumping 6-0 win at home to Leeds United on Wednesday night.
Two penalties from Mohamed Salah and a close-range finish from Joel Matip put Liverpool 3-0 up at the break against a rival that, as usual, looked lively in attack and vulnerable in defense.
Sadio Mane netted a fourth for Liverpool in the 80th minute after Salah and Jordan Henderson combined to give the Senegalese forward an open goal
Sadio Mane netted a fourth for Liverpool in the 80th minute after Salah and Jordan Henderson combined to give the Senegalese forward an open goal.
There was still time for two more goals, as Mane netted his second and Liverpool's fifth in the 90th minute from close range. Virgil van Dijk then added a sixth with a powerful header from a corner as his side sounded out a warning to Pep Guardiola's side,
Watford coach Roy Hodgson had an unhappy reunion with his former club as Crystal Palace won 4-1 at Vicarage Road to deepen Watford's relegation worries.
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Although Moussa Sissoko quickly canceled out Jean-Phillipe Matete's 15th minute opener for the visitors, Conor Gallagher continued his excellent form with a 42nd-minute effort to restore Palace's lead and two late goals from Wilfried Zaha gave the final score a sheen that flattered the visitors.
Burnley gave their survival hopes a huge boost at the expense of Tottenham's European ambitions, thanks to Ben Mee's powerful header which gave them a 1-0 win at home to Antonio Conte's side. The win is only Burnley's third of the season but their second in two games, and leaves them just two points behind Newcastle United and Everton and three behind Leeds, who have played two more games.
