A sensational trademark strike from Mohamed Salah earned Liverpool a 2-1 comeback victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night, a win that moved Arne Slot’s team two points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Brighton started brightly on an Anfield ground where they have a good recent record, taking a deserved lead in the 14th minute after Turkey international Ferdi Kadioglu rifled a stunning effort into the far corner.
Liverpool struggled to create any openings of note in the first half but came flying out the traps after the break, dragging themselves level in the 69th minute through Cody Gakpo, before Salah completed the turnaround three minutes later.
With their two main title rivals, Arsenal and Manchester City, both losing, Liverpool overtook the champions to climb to the summit, six clear of Nottingham Forest in third and seven ahead of Arsenal.
At Vitality Stadium, Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson got on the scoresheet as Bournemouth held on for a shock 2-1 victory over champions City, ending mighty City’s unbeaten streak in the Premier League at 32 games.
The loss dropped Pep Guardiola’s City to second in the table with 23 points after 10 matches, two points behind Liverpool, while the Cherries, who had lost to City in their 14 previous league meetings by a combined score of 45-7, climbed to eighth spot.
Bournemouth were rewarded for their strong start with Semenyo’s ninth-minute goal. Evanilson doubled the home side’s lead in the 64th minute when he latched on to Kerkez’s cross and slotted it home.
But City created a nervy finish after pulling a goal back in the 82nd minute, when Josko Gvardiol leapt to meet Ilkay Gundogan’s cross, his looping header pushed in off the bar by Mark Travers. Erling Haaland hit the post from close range deep in injury time.
At St. James’ Park, Alexander Isak headed home in the 12th minute in Newcastle’s first win in six league games, leaving Arsenal in fourth, seven points below Liverpool and five behind City.
At City ground, Nottingham Forest made the most of the sending-off of West Ham United’s Edson Alvarez with a rip-roaring 3-0 win that lifted them into third spot, with Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina getting the goals.
West Ham’s chances of a comeback were dealt a severe blow when Alvarez picked up two quick bookings late in the first half, resulting in a red card.
Forest moved to third in the table on 19 points, six behind leaders Liverpool and four behind second-placed City, while West Ham are 14th on 11 points.
At Portman Road, Leicester City denied 10-man Ipswich Town their first win of the Premier League season when a stunning second-half volley from left-back Leif Davis was cancelled out by a late Jordan Ayew goal for the visitors.
The result leaves Ipswich — who had Kalvin Phillips sent off in the second half — in the relegation zone in 18th with five points while Leicester remain in 15th place with 10.
At St Mary’s, promoted Southampton finally got to celebrate a first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Everton thanks to a late Adam Armstrong goal.
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