Liverpool maintained their commanding six-point lead atop the Premier League with a resounding 4-1 victory over Ipswich at Anfield. The Reds, in pursuit of their first league title since 2020, orchestrated a dominant first-half performance, effectively ending the contest before the break. Dominik Szoboszlai initiated the scoring spree, his powerful strike finding the back of the net in the 11th minute. Mohamed Salah then etched his name into Anfield folklore, netting his 100th Premier League goal at the iconic stadium, a fierce finish in the 35th minute that further extended Liverpool’s advantage. Cody Gakpo added two more goals, one just before halftime and another in the second half, capitalizing on both a rebound and a pinpoint cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Ipswich’s late consolation goal from Jacob Greaves did little to mask their defensive frailties, having conceded a total of 10 goals in their last two league outings. Liverpool’s victory, their 16th in 22 league games, keeps them firmly on course for the coveted title.
Arsenal, facing a stern test against Wolves, managed to secure a crucial 1-0 victory despite a controversial red card. The Gunners, playing without their captain Martin Odegaard due to illness, found themselves a man down in the 43rd minute when Myles Lewis-Skelly was dismissed for tripping Matt Doherty to prevent a Wolves counter-attack. While the challenge was undoubtedly cynical, Arsenal vehemently protested the decision, arguing that the tackle occurred too far from goal to warrant a red card. The Premier League Match Centre later confirmed the dismissal was for “serious foul play.” The numerical disadvantage did not deter Arsenal, however, and their resilience was rewarded when Riccardo Calafiori struck a half-volley that deflected off the far post and into the net in the 74th minute. Wolves were also reduced to 10 men later in the game, leveling the playing field, but Arsenal held on to secure the hard-fought victory, keeping them within touching distance of league leaders Liverpool.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Bournemouth produced a stunning 5-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest, extending their club-record unbeaten run to 11 games. Dango Ouattara was the star of the show, netting a hat-trick to propel Bournemouth to their biggest victory of the season. Justin Kluivert continued his impressive scoring streak, adding another goal to his tally, while Antoine Semenyo capped off the rout with a late strike. The victory propelled Bournemouth to sixth place in the league table, while Forest’s impressive run of eight unbeaten games came to an abrupt end.
Newcastle United also enjoyed a successful outing, defeating bottom-of-the-table Southampton 3-1. Alexander Isak was the catalyst for Newcastle’s victory, scoring twice to take his tally to 11 goals in his last eight games. Despite falling behind to an early Southampton goal, Newcastle responded emphatically with Isak’s brace and a further goal from Sandro Tonali securing all three points. The victory lifted Newcastle into the coveted fourth place, solidifying their Champions League aspirations.
Everton manager David Moyes reached a significant milestone, becoming only the third manager to reach 700 Premier League games, and marked the occasion with a crucial 1-0 victory over Brighton. Iliman Ndiaye converted a penalty just before halftime, securing Everton’s second consecutive victory and moving them seven points clear of the relegation zone. The win was a testament to Moyes’ experience and tactical acumen, highlighting his enduring presence in the English top flight.
The Premier League weekend also saw other significant matches taking place, including a clash between champions Manchester City and top-four rivals Chelsea. Manchester City entered the game looking for a victory that would propel them into fourth place, adding another layer of intrigue to the already compelling narrative of the Premier League season. The results of this match, alongside the performances of other teams vying for European qualification and battling against relegation, continued to shape the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the Premier League.
