Arsenal disarmed by rampant Salah
Liverpool soared clear at the top of the Premier League by sweeping aside Arsenal 3-1 at Anfield thanks to a Mohamed Salah double on Saturday.
Both sides started with the only 100 per cent records left in England’s top-flight, but Jurgen Klopp’s men demonstrated the chasm that exists behind them and reigning champions Manchester City with a dominant display.
Joel Matip’s towering header opened the floodgates just before half-time and Salah killed the game from the spot before adding a second with a wonderful run and finish.
Liverpool open up a three-point lead at the top with Arsenal still in second, but City and Tottenham can move to within two points when they are in action on Sunday.
Liverpool cranked up the pressure before the break and got the breakthrough on 41 minutes when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner was met powerful by Matip’s head.
Once in front, the Reds showed their class to roll through the gears in the second-half and hand Arsenal another Anfield beating.
Arsenal’s deadline day signing, centreback David Luiz, showed why Chelsea were not desperate to keep hold on him as he hauled back Salah to concede a soft penalty, which the Egyptian emphatically converted.
Nine minutes later, Arsenal’s new centre-back was embarrassed once more as Salah raced onto Fabinho’s pass and easily beyond Luiz before curling home clinically.
UNITED’S PENALTY WOES GO ON
Manchester United suffered fresh penalty woes as Marcus Rashford missed from the spot in their shock 2-1 home defeat against Crystal Palace.
Jordan Ayew put the visitors ahead at Old Trafford, but United’s new signing Daniel James looked to have done enough for a point with an expertly-taken goal in the 89th minute.
However, Patrick van Aanholt’s 93rd minute goal gave Palace their first Premier League win over the Red Devils.
On Monday, United were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at Wolves after Paul Pogba’s penalty was saved.
ABRAHAM BRACE GETS LAMPARD ERA OFF THE MARK
At Carrow Road, Tammy Abraham got the Lampard era up and running as the young Chelsea striker’s double helped seal a 3-2 win over the Canaries.
Lampard had gone three games without a win in all competitions since he took over, but the Blues legend finally got off the mark thanks to his faith in Abraham.
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