Firmino shines in Liverpool win as Mourinho magic lifts Spurs

Liverpool showed once again why they are kings of the late winner at Crystal Palace on Saturday as Jose Mourinho made an instant impact as Tottenham boss, masterminding an end to the club’s dismal away record in the Premier League against rivals West Ham.

Elsewhere, second-placed Leicester beat Brighton 2-0 to stay eight points behind Jurgen Klopp’s leaders while struggling Arsenal were held 2-2 at home by Southampton.

Liverpool looked set to drop points for just the second time this season after Wilfried Zaha cancelled out Sadio Mane’s opener but Roberto Firmino poked in after a goalmouth scramble to seal a 2-1 win.

Hosts Palace were denied a shock first-half opener when James Tomkins’ header was disallowed after VAR adjudged that Jordan Ayew had fouled Dejan Lovren.

The victory, secured by Firmino’s 85th-minute winner, made it 30 league games unbeaten for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

It also reinforced their imposing ability to turn draws into victories, a habit which looks set to carry them to a first Premier League title in 30 years. Liverpool were shorn of Mohamed Salah, who started on the bench as he continues to struggle with an ankle injury, and lacked their usual fluency going forward in a first half dominated by Palace.

The half chances were falling to the home side, notably when Jordan Ayew skewed his shot wide before a Joel Ward free-kick was headed onto the top of the crossbar by Gary Cahill.

It appeared that a set-piece had given Palace the lead two minutes before half-time.

Second-half goals from Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy gave Leicester their fifth successive league win.

In the early kick-off at the London Stadium, Son Heung-min, Lucas Moura and Harry Kane were on the scoresheet for Spurs as Mourinho won his first game in charge 3-2, days after replacing the sacked Mauricio Pochettino.

The win — the club’s first away league victory since January — will help to endear Mourinho to a sceptical Spurs support, who were sad to see Pochettino dismissed just six months after leading the club to a first-ever Champions League final.

Mourinho followed Pochettino’s example in leaving out Christian Eriksen, with the Dane one of a number of Spurs players into the final months of his contract and showing no signs of agreeing a new deal.

“It was very, very important. Eleven months without music in the away dressing room, without a smile, without happiness and they did it,” said Mourinho on ending Spurs’ away-day blues.

“That’s where I belong (on the touchline), that is my natural habitat,” added Mourinho. “I just love it. When things go in your direction, winning is the best feeling.”

The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss will know he has far stiffer challenges ahead of him than a struggling West Ham, who have now lost five out of their past six Premier League matches.

Southampton took an early lead at the Emirates when Danny Ings fired them in front after Ryan Bertrand’s quick free-kick.

Alexandre Lacazette levelled in the 18th minute after strike partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s shot was blocked by Bertrand.

James Ward-Prowse scored in the 71st minute but Lacazette saved Unai Emery’s blushes with a goal deep into stoppage time.

In-form Wolves won 2-1 at 10-man Bournemouth courtesy of a Joao Moutinho free-kick and Raul Jimenez’s goal to climb to fifth in the table.

Norwich lifted themselves off bottom spot in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory away to Everton while Burnley beat struggling Watford 3-0.

But Frank Lampard’s in-form side are not the visitors Guardiola would have picked as he looks to keep Liverpool in his sights, with six league wins on the bounce for his young side.

Agence France-Presse



English Premier League results on Saturday:

Arsenal 2 (Lacazette 18, 90+6) Southampton 2 (Ings 8, Ward-Prowse 71)

Bournemouth 1 (Cook 59) Wolves 2 (Moutinho 21, Jimenez 31)

Brighton 0 Leicester 2 (Perez 64, Vardy 82-pen)

Crystal Palace 1 (Zaha 82) Liverpool 2 (Mane 49, Firmino 85)

Everton 0 Norwich 2 (Cantwell 54, Srbeny 90+2)

Watford 0 Burnley 3 (Wood 53, Barnes 82-pen, Tarkowski 88)

West Ham 2 (Antonio 73, Ogbonna 90+6) Tottenham 3 (Son 36, Moura 43, Kane 49)