Forty-eight hours after beating City, Liverpool had to leave two vital points to Sunderland as 10-man City beat Burnley to go just 2 points behind the Reds. New Year’s wins for Untied, Everton and West Brom.
Just 48 hours after beating City, Liverpool had to leave two points at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland came twice from behind to drew 2-2 with the Reds. A big disappointment for Klopp and his men as they threw away the game by conceding to the home side two inevitable penalties when they were in the lead.
It was Sturridge who gave the hosts the lead after 19′ play, after Mannone with great saves denied Liverpool an early advantage.
But the Black Cats fought back and equalised just 6′ later when Defoe scored from a penalty spot as Klavan tripped Ndong in the area.
Liverpool took the lead again in the 72′ with a close range finish from Sade Mane but the same player foolishly handled the ball in the area with just 6′ from the end to give the second opportunity to Defoe to equalise again from the penalty spot.
With this draw, Liverpool‘s title ambitions took a serious blow as Chelsea can extend their lead if they beat Tottenham on Wednesday.
Meantime a 10-man City recovered well and took three vital points by beating Burnley 2-1 and go momentarily third in the table just two points behind second place Liverpool.
After a disappointing first 45′ in which City were reduced to 10-man following a direct red card shown to captain Fernandinho for a two-footed challenge on Gudmundssson, the Citizens scored twice through Clichy and substitute Sergio Aguero before Burnley pulled one back from Mee.
City‘s rivals, United also kept their hopes to take a Champions League place next season when at the London Stadium they beat 10-man West Ham 2-0 with second half goals from Mata and Ibrahimovic. The Hammers had Feghouli sent off just after 15′ play. A decision which had a big effect on the West Ham game.
Just 48 hours after coming back from behind to beat Southampton, West Brom repeated themselves this time before their fans as they beat Hull 3-1 after Snodgrass in the first half scored for the Tigers.
But second half goals from Brunt, McAuley and Morrison gave all three points to the Baggies.
Everton too registered a big win as boss Ronald Koeman beat his former club Southampton 3-0 at Goodison Park.
It was substitute Enner Valencia who come on the pitch to change the game by scoring the Toffees first goal and earning a penalty which Baines converted before Lukaku sealed victory.
The only match which ended in a goalless draw was between Middlesbrough and champions Leicester.
Today Arsenal will try to take all three points when travelling to Bournemouth to regain third place and go a point behind Liverpool while Crystal Palace host bottom placed Swansea and Stoke are at home against Watford.
