Saturday review

Advantage Man City after Liverpool draw with Spurs

8 May 2022

Reds salvage point to go top but City can go three points clear by beating Newcastle on Sunday

Liverpool battled back to earn a point and return to the top of the table, but their 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday has handed Manchester City the opportunity to strengthen their position in the Premier League title race.

LIV

1-1

TOT

Luis Diaz brought Liverpool level with a 74th-minute strike after Son Heung-min's 20th goal of the season had threatened to earn Spurs a surprise away victory.

Liverpool are in first place on goal difference but Man City will now be looking to take full advantage of the Reds' setback by overcoming Newcastle United on Sunday and moving three points clear at the top with three matches remaining.

Michael Owen, the former Liverpool striker, says that although City are now favourites to retain the Premier League Trophy, Jurgen Klopp's side are not yet out of the running.

"Before the game Liverpool needed Man City to slip up but they could have taken a draw," he said. "Now they need them to lose one of those, or get two draws.

"They've got to go away to two tough teams in Wolves and West Ham. Newcastle are playing very well at the moment, Steven Gerrard would love to spoil the party - that's four different reasons there. They just need one slip-up and Liverpool will be there to pounce."

Spurs produced a determined performance at Anfield and will be disappointed that they were unable to hold on for the win that would have lifted them above Arsenal into fourth place.

The Gunners can move four points clear of their north London rivals, whom they visit on Thursday night, with a home victory over Leeds United on Sunday.

Man Utd humbled

One club for whom a top-four place is now no longer possible are Manchester United, who were handed a 4-0 defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion.

United's place in the top six and qualification for the UEFA Europa League would be threatened if West Ham United, a place and six points behind, win their two matches in hand, starting with their trip to Norwich City on Sunday.

Finishing seventh will earn a place in next season's UEFA Europa Conference League.

Position Pos	Club	Played Pl	GD	Points Pts
1	Manchester City MCI	38	+73	93
2	Liverpool LIV	38	+68	92
3	Chelsea CHE	38	+43	74
4	Tottenham Hotspur TOT	38	+29	71
5	Arsenal ARS	38	+13	69
6	Manchester United MUN	38	0	58
7	West Ham United WHU	38	+9	56

At the other end of the table, Burnley suffered a first defeat under interim manager Mike Jackson, going down 3-1 at home to Aston Villa that will raise fears of going down.

Goals from former Claret Danny Ings, Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins mean that Burnley can be back in the relegation zone by the end of tomorrow if Leeds United avoid defeat at Arsenal and Everton win at Leicester City on Sunday.

Watford's relegation alongside Norwich was confirmed by their 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.