Liverpool close gap on Man City, Chelsea outclass Burnley

ENGLAND: Liverpool’s Sadio Mane sealed a 1-0 win against West Ham that moved the Premier League title-chasers within three points of leaders Manchester City, while Chelsea outclassed Burnley by 4-0 in a one-side clash, here on Saturday.

With City not in action until the derby against Manchester United on Sunday, Liverpool took the chance to increase the pressure on the champions.

Mane netted in the 27th minute at Anfield with a close-range finish from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross.

The Senegal forward’s goal survived a VAR check for offside and that was all Liverpool needed to make it seven successive league wins.

Even if City beat United, Liverpool have a game in hand to keep the leaders within touching distance as they chase an unprecedented quadruple.

“I don’t know if we will remember this game as one of the important ones,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after West Ham missed a number of chances to take a point.

“If you are not well organised you have to defend with passion and that’s what we did.”

The defeat was a blow to fifth-placed West Ham’s hopes of finishing in the top four, leaving them two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

In another contest between Chelsea and Burnley, Kai Havertz struck twice to power his side to a commanding 4-0 victory.

Reece James put them ahead in the 47th minute with a fierce finish and Havertz struck with a header five minutes later.

Havertz made it three goals in nine minutes with a close-range strike from James’ cross.

Christian Pulisic tapped in Chelsea’s fourth in the 69th minute from Saul Niguez’s deflected cross.

Chelsea’s third successive league win moved them six points clear of Manchester United.

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