Liverpool moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after surviving a scare in their 3-1 victory over Leicester, while Bruno Fernandes was sent off in Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat at Wolves. Erling Haaland missed a penalty, as crisis-torn Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Everton did not halt their poor run, but United’s struggles and Liverpool’s incredible record took center stage on Thursday.
Arne Slot’s team was stunned by Jordan Ayew’s early score at Anfield, but the leaders recovered to level just before halftime through Cody Gakpo. Curtis Jones, an England midfielder, scored the second goal just after halftime, marking his 100th Premier League game. Mohamed Salah’s 19th goal of the season secured Liverpool’s 11th win in their past 13 games in all competitions. “We created enough, but because we went down 1-0, it was a game,” Liverpool manager Slot remarked. “Then you saw how good we are and Leicester didn’t want to come back into the game.”
Liverpool’s comeback lifted them well clear of second-placed Chelsea, who were defeated 2-1 by Fulham earlier in the day.
United lost their third consecutive loss in all competitions, leaving new manager Ruben Amorim with five defeats in his first ten games. Fernandes was sent off two minutes into the second half at Molineux for a second bookable offence. United’s ten men were exposed in the 58th minute as Matheus Cunha’s corner went straight in as goalkeeper Andre Onana faltered under pressure. Hwang Hee-chan added to Amorim’s anguish when he tapped in with only seconds remaining. Losing to fourth-bottom Wolves was another stinging blow for United, who were humiliated 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford last weekend after losing 4-3 in the League Cup to Tottenham.
With his team stuck in 14th place, just eight points above the relegation zone, Amorim’s troubles may not be done, as United face in-form Newcastle on Monday before traveling to Liverpool in their first game of 2025. “It’s extremely difficult to win games in this league with 11 men. “It’s more difficult with 10 men,” Amorim explained. Champions Manchester City have just one victory in their last 13 games in all competitions as their Christmas schedule started in disappointing fashion. Bernardo Silva put City ahead early on before Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye salvaged a point. Seven minutes into the second half, Haaland had the chance to end his longest goal drought at the Etihad but Jordan Pickford denied him.
City are currently in seventh place, five points below the top four, and their astounding collapse shows no signs of slowing. “Of course, we needed results, but we didn’t receive them. Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, stated that the team performed admirably in all areas but was unable to secure victory. Chelsea is stunned. Chelsea were surprised at Stamford Bridge by Fulham’s late comeback in a thrilling west London derby. Chelsea suffered their first home defeat over Fulham since 1979. Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead after 16 minutes, blasting home from the edge of the box after weaving past Fulham’s defence in stunning fashion.
But Fulham equalised with eight minutes remaining as Harry Wilson nodded in from close range. When Rodrigo Muniz completed the turnaround in the 95th minute, the Blues were in for more trouble. Nottingham Forest moved up to third position with a 1-0 win over struggling Tottenham at the City Ground. Forest’s fourth consecutive victory was delicious retribution for manager Nuno Espirito Santo, whose old club Tottenham had Djed Spence sent off in the last stages for a second booking. Tottenham are stranded in 11th place, putting added pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou. Newcastle swatted aside 10-man Aston Villa 3-0, moving up to fifth place after winning three consecutive league games for the first time since 2023.