Liverpool vs Watford LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction after Diogo Jota and Fabinho goals
Liverpool 2-0 Watford: Diogo Jota and Fabinho scored as the Reds eased to victory at Anfield
Liverpool leapfrogged champions Manchester City to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win over Watford at Anfield on Saturday thanks to a first-half header by Diogo Jota and a late Fabinho penalty.
The hosts grabbed the lead moments after goalkeeper Alisson Becker denied Watford’s Juraj Kucka with a sharp save, as Jota timed his run to perfection at the other end and nodded in a cross from Joe Gomez in the 22nd minute.
It was Portuguese forward Jota’s 14th league goal and 20th in all competitions this season, and the 25-year-old could have added to his tally shortly afterwards but for goalkeeper Ben Foster, who saved his effort from close range.
Substitute Fabinho made sure of the three points in the 89th minute by blasting his spot kick into the top corner after the Video Assistant Referee spotted a foul by Kucka on Jota in the penalty area.
The result meant Liverpool have 72 points from 30 matches, two points more than City ahead of the two sides’ blockbuster clash next weekend. Pep Guardiola’s men can reclaim their lead and a one-point advantage if they beat Burnley later on Saturday.
Former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson’s relegation-threatened Watford pushed for an equaliser in the second half but could not prevent the home side from wrapping up a 10th straight league victory. Watford remain 18th with 22 points.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Leicester
12 mins: Harvey Barnes looks keen today. Twice now he’s cut inside from the left and received the ball in a central area. Both his shots have come from just outside the box and both efforts have been pulled wide of David De Gea’s goal.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Leicester
9 mins: Anthony Elanga makes a decent run in behind and darts into the middle as Fred attempts to thread a pass through Leicester’s back line and set up a chance for the youngster. Nampalys Mendy sticks out a leg and intercepts the ball before kick starting Leicester into an attack of their own.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Leicester
6 mins: Luke Shaw picks up the first yellow card of the game for a late tackle on Manchester United’s left side. James Maddison curls the free kick into the middle of the box but Bruno Fernandes is back to complete his defensive duties and clear the ball up to Jadon Sancho.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Leicester
3 mins: The Leicester free kick is whipped into the box and headed safely onto the roof of David De Gea’s goal.
The United keeper puts the ball back in play and the home side work it nicely down the right side. Paul Pogba comes across to help out Diogo Dalot and Anthony Elanga and when Bruno Fernandes joins the party they sweep down the wing.
Kick off: Man Utd 0 - 0 Leicester
Man Utd get the game underway and win a free kick as Bruno Fernandes is closed down quickly just inside his own half. Diogo Dalot attempts to thread the ball down the right side and gives it away to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. He slides the ball across to Harvey Barnes and the winger drives the ball down the line. He takes on the Manchester United right-back and wins a free kick for Leicester.
Manchester United vs Leicester
The players make their way out onto the pitch. This is a big game for Manchester United. Top four is the only remaining target for them and three points tonight will keep the pressure on Arsenal and Tottenham ahead of them.
Kick off is next.
Manchester United vs Leicester
Manchester United have a difficult run of games that they will need to win if they want to finish in the Champions League spots at the end of the season.
Ralf Rangnick says that they will take it one game at a time but understands that United’s fate isn’t in their hands. He said:
"It’s one game at a time but obviously we cannot afford to drop points anymore. To start with [against Leicester], we have to try everything to win the game tomorrow but even if we do so, it’s not only in our own hands because Arsenal are four points ahead, have one game in hand against Chelsea, but we also have some difficult games.
“Our focus is on the next game, which is Leicester. Not an easy game, they had a good run recently with three wins out of the last four games and a few injured players coming back so we are fully aware that this is a good opponent but we are also aware that if we perform well that we can beat them, quite like West Ham or Tottenham."
Manchester United vs Leicester
James Maddison has scored 13 goals and been directly involved in 20 in all competitions, which are both more than any other Leicester player this season.
Manchester United vs Leicester
Only three teams have a worse Premier League away record this season than Leicester, who have picked up just 12 points on their travels with three wins, three draws and seven defeats.
Leicester have kept just one clean sheet away from home in this season’s Premier League.
Manchester United vs Leicester
Manchester United have scored a league-high 10 goals via substitutes this season, with Marcus Rashford netting a league-high four of those goals.
But, they could fail to score in six different Premier League home matches in a season for only the third time.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments