Premier League round-up: Darwin Nunez strikes late for Liverpool at Brentford, wins for Crystal Palace and Fulham
Published 18/01/2025 at 17:52 GMT
Darwin Nunez was the hero at the Gtech Community Stadium, as Liverpool left it late to overcome a dogged Brentford side. Elsewhere, Leicester City succumbed to another defeat, this time at the hands of Fulham to increase their relegation fears. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace sealed a 2-0 win of their own against a lacklustre West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Highlights: Kluivert hat-trick helps Bournemouth crush Newcastle
Video credit: TNT Sports
A stoppage-time brace from Liverpool's Darwin Nunez secured a dramatic 2-0 win over Brentford, serving as a late blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes.
Arne Slot’s league leaders further proved their title credentials as the Uruguayan scored twice in the dying moments to send his side seven points clear at the top of the table, before The Gunners clash with Aston Villa later on Saturday.
Dominik Szoboszlai rattled the crossbar before Cody Gakpo went close in the pick of the first-half chances.
The league leaders continued to apply the pressure after the break, with Mark Flekken forced into a fine save to deny Luis Diaz.
Further opportunities fell to substitute Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister, but neither could find the target.
Chances were few and far between for Brentford, but Alisson was called into action to deny Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade as the hosts looked for a potential sucker-punch.
But after registering more than 30 shots, it looked like Liverpool would be forced to settle for a share of the spoils in west London.
That is when Nunez entered the fray, scoring his first when Trent Alexander-Arnold found him with a cross, which he clinically dispatched past Flekken.
Then, as the hosts chased an equaliser, Nunez smashed in a ferocious strike from Harvey Elliott's pass to seal a potentially crucial three points.
Defeat for Brentford, only their third at home in the league this season, leaves Thomas Frank’s men still in 11th place.
Palace win at West Ham
Crystal Palace sealed a 2-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta's brace.
It was a dismal afternoon for Graham Potter's side, who failed to register a single attempt on target.
Mateta broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half when he took Eberechi Eze's brilliant ball into his stride before rifling a finish past Lukasz Fabianski.
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The Hammers were then reduced to ten men when Konstantinos Mavropanos received a second yellow card for grappling with Mateta and then directing a high boot towards the Frenchman's face.
Mateta had the last laugh when he sealed the points from the penalty spot after Eddie Nketiah was brought down in the box by Fabianski.
Palace go up to 12th, while West Ham remain 14th.
Fulham inflict more misery on Leicester
Fulham inflicted further misery on Leicester City with a 2-0 victory at the King Power Stadium, consigning the hosts to a seventh consecutive Premier League defeat.
Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore secured victory for the visitors, who moved up to ninth.
Smith Rowe marked his 100th Premier League appearance with a diving header in the 48th minute after Sasa Lukic flicked on Harry Wilson's cross.
Traore wrapped up the win in the 68th minute with a fine volley past Jakub Stolarczyk, condemning Leicester to another loss and leaving them in danger in the bottom three.
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