Watford vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today
The Reds face the Hornets in Claudio Ranieri’s first game in charge to open this weekend’s Premier League action
With a deft touch, a roll of the ball with his studs, a dummy and then a sublime finish into the bottom corner, Mohamed Salah produced another goal-of-the-season contender to headline Liverpool’s 5-0 win at Watford in the Premier League on Saturday.
On a tough day for Claudio Ranieri in his first match as Watford manager, Salah delivered almost a replica of his stunning individual goal against Manchester City before the international break to show just why many are calling him the world’s best player on current form.
It also overshadowed a hat trick scored by Roberto Firmino.Salah’s 54th-minute solo goal started just inside the area where he was surrounded by three Watford players. Salah somehow managed to extricate himself out of the situation with marvellous footwork - including the foot-roll that was a feature of the goal against City - before cutting back onto his left foot and curling into the far corner.
The Egypt winger was mobbed by his teammates after his seventh league goal of the season. He has now scored in his last eight games for Liverpool in all competitions.Liverpool was already well clear by then after an eighth-minute opener by Sadio Mane — off Salah’s exquisite pass from off the outside of his left boot — and tap-ins either side of halftime by Firmino. The Brazil striker completed his hat trick with virtually the last kick of the game.
Mane become the 31st player to score 100 Premier League goals, and the third from Africa after Didier Drogba and Salah.Liverpool started the eighth round of games in second place, a point behind Chelsea.The 69-year-old Ranieri, who was hired last week as the replacement for Xisco Munoz, will be judged on games against weaker opponents than Liverpool but this was as one-sided a game as it.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hails Mohamed Salah as the best player in the world
Mohamed Salah hits wonder goal as five-star Liverpool demolish Watford
Watford vs Liverpool: Five things we learned as Mohamed Salah scores another wonder goal in dominant win
Mohamed Salah only focused on winning at Liverpool amid contract speculation
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
60 mins: Brentford have stepped a couple of yards further up the pitch allowing them to put increased pressure on the Chelsea backline. Chalobah and Sarr, so good thus far, suddenly seem hurried and under pressure. It’s been a good response from the Bees who are sensing a way back into this game.
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
57 mins: Brentford’s corner comes swinging into the box. Loftus-Cheek heads it out but the ball is delivered back into the box. Canos collects it on the left side and looks to flick it over to Toney but Lukaku is back there and heads the ball clear.
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
54 mins: The noise level rises as Toney and Chalobah get into a tussle. The Brentford fans go nuts as Toney wins a free kick just inside Chelsea’s half. They’re encouraging their team on.
Mbeumo sends the free kick over to the right side of the box where Pinnock wins a corner. Good period for the Bees this.
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
51 mins: Chelsea aren’t toying with Brentford but they’re passing the ball around with such confidence and ease it’s a joy to watch. The goal taken all the pressure off them and they just need to be sharp enough to cut out Brentford’s counter-attack.
Whenever Toney or Mbeumo have been given the ball though, Chalobah and Sarr are on top of them immediately to close off the attack. It’s impressive from Chelsea.
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
48 mins: Werner wins Chelsea’s first corner of the second half. Chilwell delivers it into the box but Toney heads the ball out of the box. It drop to Kante who lays the ball off to Kovacic. Kovacic goes for goal but leans back on the shot and spoons it high and wide.
Second half: Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
Kick off: Brentford kick off the second half. No changes from either team. Chelsea win the ball quickly and knock it around their defence trying to draw Brentford away from their solid defensive shape.
Earlier today Jamie Vardy stunned Manchester United as Leicester snatched win in six-goal thriller
Dirty sheets, divine goals, utter chaos and the death of an English league record unbeaten away run.
Leicester swatted Manchester United 4-2 at King Power Stadium in a spectacle that was, well, pure Barclays.
Mason Greenwood and Youri Tielemans decorated it with the kind of strikes that demand Goal of the Season accolades.
Jamie Vardy stuns Man United as Leicester snatch win in six-goal thriller
Leicester 4-2 Manchester United: The defeat ends United’s 29-game unbeaten away record
Chilwell in fine form
Ben Chilwell has scored in each of his last three Premier League games for Chelsea, as many as he had in his previous 33 appearances in the competition combined.
Half-time: Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
45+3 mins: Chelsea defend a Brentford free kick and go into the break with the advantage. Ben Chilwell’s strike separates the teams at half-time to cap off a controlled first half performance from Chelsea.
Brentford will feel a touch unlucky as they’ve played well but take nothing away from Chilwell’s finish. It was glorious.
GOAL! Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea (Chilwell, 45’)⚽️
45 mins: Right on the stroke of half-time! Azpilicueta flicks a cross into the box from the right wing. Lukaku and Jansson both attempt to win the aerial ball with Lukaku taking the upper hand. He shoots and the ball hits Jansson before rebounding to Chilwell. Chilwell smokes it from just inside the area and smashes the ball into the back of the net! Fantastic strike.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments