Liverpool sink Chelsea, Haaland returns for Man City
Premier League leaders Liverpool stepped up their title bid with a 4-1 rout of Chelsea, while Erling Haaland made his Manchester City comeback as the champions beat Burnley 3-1 on Wednesday. Jurgen Klopp's shock revelation that he will step down as Liverpool boss at the end of the season has done nothing to stop the momentum of a team challenging for silverware in four competitions. First-half goals from Diogo Jota and Conor Bradley put Liverpool in control. Dominik Szoboszlai scored Liverpool's third and, although Christopher Nkunku replied for overwhelmed Chelsea, Luis Diaz capped the hosts' dominant display. Haaland had been sidelined for nearly two months by a foot injury, but City barely missed the presence of the Norwegian as they won nine and drew one of the 10 games when he was absent. Julian Alvarez again stepped up in Haaland's absence as the Argentine struck twice on his 24th birthday to effectively end the game at the Etihad as a contest inside 22 minutes. Rodri made it 3-0 inside the first minute of the second half, but Pep Guardiola made the expectant home crowd wait until 19 minutes from time for Haaland's introduction. Rather than a goalscoring return from last season's Golden Boot winner, it was the Clarets who struck next to end a run of 22 consecutive City goals in league meetings between the sides. In Wednesday's other game, Tottenham climbed into the top four with a 3-2 win over Brentford. Neal Maupay gave the Bees a deserved half-time lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But Ange Postecoglou's side hit back with three goals in the first 11 minutes of the second period, through Destiny Udogie, Breannan Johnson and Richarlison. An error from Udogie teed up Ivan Toney to score his second goal in as many games since returning from an eight-month gambling ban. Spurs held on through seven minutes of added time to edge above Aston Villa on goals scored into fourth as the battle for a place in next season's Champions League hots up. (AFP)