Liverpool Extend Lead as Forest Stun Man City in Champions League Race

Posted : 09 March 2025

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Southampton, thanks to two penalties from Mohamed Salah. Despite a sluggish first half, Arne Slot’s side managed to turn the game around after trailing at the break. Will Smallbone had given Southampton a shock lead in first-half stoppage time following a mix-up between Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk.

However, second-half substitutions made an immediate impact as Darwin Nunez equalized before winning a penalty that Salah converted, with the Egyptian adding a second spot-kick late on to seal the win.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest took a major step towards securing a Champions League spot with a dramatic 1-0 win over Manchester City. Callum Hudson-Odoi struck in the 83rd minute, finishing from a Morgan Gibbs-White pass to hand Forest a historic victory over the defending champions.

The result moves Forest four points clear of City in third, edging them closer to a top-five finish, which is likely to secure Champions League football due to English clubs’ strong European performances this season. City, now on their ninth league defeat, could slip further down the table if Chelsea win against Leicester.

Aston Villa also strengthened their European hopes with a narrow 1-0 win at Brentford, as Ollie Watkins continued his fine form against his former club. The England striker’s shot slipped through goalkeeper Mark Flekken’s legs early in the second half, marking his sixth goal in as many games against Brentford.

Meanwhile, Brighton kept their own Champions League ambitions alive with a 2-1 victory over Fulham, secured by Joao Pedro’s last-gasp penalty. Fulham had taken the lead through Raul Jimenez, but Jean Paul van Hecke’s equalizer set the stage for Pedro’s late heroics, lifting Brighton to sixth and just a point behind City.

In other matches, Crystal Palace edged past Ipswich 1-0 despite losing top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta to a serious ear injury, with Ismaila Sarr scoring the winner. Palace’s impressive form continues, with nine wins in their last 11 games propelling them to 11th in the standings.

Wolves and Everton shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, as Marshall Munetsi canceled out Jack Harrison’s opener for the visitors. The result keeps Wolves six points clear of the relegation zone, while Everton extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches.

Liverpool Extend Lead as Forest Stun Man City in Champions League Race

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