The inconstant Liverpool lost pitifully at the red lantern Bournemouth (1-0), which benefits Tottenham, victorious (3-1) from Nottingham, in the race for direct qualification in the Champions League.
City stay tuned
Uninspired offensively against well-grouped Eagles, the Citizens had to wait until the last quarter of an hour to secure their three points at Selhurst Park, after a trailing sole from Olise on the foot of Gündogan, then a penalty converted by the Norwegian colossus (1-0, 78th).
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If they had absolutely never been endangered since the start of the match by a formation of Crystal Palace which has not framed a single shot for almost five hours, the men of Pep Guardiola had not either created a lot of chances, apart from a shot from Haaland above (28th), a powerful free kick from Foden repelled by Guaita (58th) and a good individual action from Julian Alvarez concluded with a shot too removed, just after coming into play (60th).
The defending champions did not shine but continue to put pressure on rivals Arsenal, who will try to regain a five-point lead at Fulham on Sunday.
Unpredictable Liverpool
Jürgen Klopp’s players are definitely having a disconcerting season.
The breathtaking victory obtained against Manchester United (7-0) last Sunday could thus suggest that this trip to Bournemouth, last in the standings and beaten 9-0 last August, would only be a formality.
On the contrary, the Reds completely missed their subject, like this missed penalty from Mohamed Salah in the second half, which saw the ball pass one meter from Leto’s cage.
However, they had time to react after conceding a goal from Philip Billing in the 28th minute.
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“We were never really in the game,” admitted Jürgen Klopp at the microphone of BT Sport. “Coming here we knew Bournemouth were fighting to stay in the top flight. Their results haven’t been favorable in recent months but the performances have been good and today they deserve the three points, that’s a fact.”
While they seemed poised to join the fight for fourth qualifying place for the next C1, the vice-champions of Europe 2022, current fifth in the standings, are losing ground to their two main rivals, Newcastle, which counts a point behind and three games more to play, and Tottenham, who are six points clear with one game less to play.
Tottenham smiles again
Three days after being eliminated from the Champions League by AC Milan (1-0 in aggregate score), the Spurs rightly consoled their public with an easy victory against Nottingham Forest (3-1).
The Londoners remained on three matches without scoring at Sheffield United in the FA Cup (1-0), at Wolverhampton (1-0) and ahead of Milan (0-0).
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A double from Harry Kane (19th, 35th on penalty), a goal from Son Heung-min (62nd) and the leading role of Richarlison each time allowed Antonio Conte’s players to get back on track.
Chelsea confirm
Also note Chelsea’s victory at Leicester (3-1), four days after a convincing qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League obtained against Borussia Dortmund (2-0).
A qualification with the taste of deliverance for Chelsea
The goals were scored by Chilwell (11th), Havertz (45+6) and Kovacic (78th). Daka briefly equalized (39th).
This victory, however, leaves the Blues in tenth position, 11 points behind Tottenham.