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Liverpool’s charge towards the Premier League title was halted by stubborn Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw between the top two on Tuesday as Manchester City’s resurgence came undone in a 2-2 draw at Brentford.
Chris Wood fired Forest in front early on at a raucous City Ground, but Liverpool dominated almost the entire 97 minutes and got back on level terms thanks to substitute Diogo Jota’s goal with his first touch.
Only a brilliant goalkeeping performance from Matz Sels denied the leaders victory, but the point maintained a six-point cushion over Forest for Arne Slot’s men, who also have a game in hand.
Forest had won their last seven games in all competitions to raise the possibility of matching Leicester’s incredible title win of 2015/16.
The in-form Wood had the home fans believing after just eight minutes when he slotted in Anthony Elanga’s pass.
Liverpool enjoyed over 70 percent possession and had 23 shots on goal but only posed a serious threat in front of goal after the break.
Jota had only been on the field a matter of seconds when he nodded in Kostas Tsimikas’ corner.
Sels then made incredible saves to deny Jota, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo a winner, while Salah also had a goalbound effort cleared off the line.
Liverpool had to settle for a second consecutive league draw, allowing Arsenal the chance to cut the gap at the top to four points when they host Tottenham in the north London derby on Wednesday.
-Chelsea stumble –
Fourth-placed Chelsea’s miserable run extended to five league games without a win but they were grateful for captain Reece James’ stoppage-time equaliser salvaging a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth.
Cole Palmer’s cool finish from Nicolas Jackson’s through ball had given Chelsea the perfect start.
But Bournemouth hit back through Justin Kluivert’s penalty, before Antoine Semenyo’s blistering near-post effort put the visitors in front.
James has endured another injury-hit season but showed his quality by curling home a free-kick at the death.
West Ham boss Graham Potter enjoyed a winning home debut as Fulham were beaten 3-2 at the London Stadium.
Carlos Soler, Tomas Soucek, and Lucas Paqueta were on target for the Hammers to take Potter’s men above Manchester United and Tottenham into 12th.
AFP
