PA Media/dpa
London
Curtis Jones scored the winner as Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Chelsea.
The Reds midfielder capped a superb display when he struck at the back post moments after Nicolas Jackson’s 48th-minute effort had cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty at Anfield.
It was a strong response from Arne Slot’s side after champions Manchester City had won earlier on Sunday to temporarily move into first place.
Liverpool have now won 10 out of their first 11 games under their new Dutch boss and their performance and resolve in what was arguably their toughest test to date was impressive.
Their defence largely held up strongly, with back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher well protected for most of the game.
Head coach Arne Slot was delighted with the contribution from Jones at both ends of the pitch.
“He had a very good game,” Slot said. “He had a difficult job to control Cole Palmer who is an incredible player in my opinion. It is so difficult to defend him because he has so many qualities, and Curtis did that really well.
“In my opinion he controlled him for most parts of the game. It’s almost impossible to control him for 90 minutes but he was quite close to that but then also to have the impact on the other side with the goal and the two penalties he was involved in, one disallowed by VAR.
“It shows you he had a big impact on both sides of the pitch.”
This match had been built up as a major test of Liverpool’s title ambitions, but although the win was enough to move them back above Manchester City by a single point, Slot said it was only the start of a challenging period with Arsenal up next weekend after a trip to RB Leipzig.
“I think it was mostly the media that told us this was our first big test,” Slot said.
“I think if you go to Old Trafford against a very strong team like (Manchester) United, that is definitely a test.
Stones strikes at death
John Stones scored a last-gasp header, which was subject to a dramatic VAR call, to earn Manchester City a 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
City looked like failing to capitalise on Arsenal’s slip-up at Bournemouth as they were being held after Jorgen Strand Larsen’s early opener for the dogged hosts was cancelled out by Josko Gvardiol.
But Stones climbed highest in the fourth minute of added time to power home Phil Foden’s corner and spark wild scenes of celebration.
They were cut short after Bernardo Silva was eventually flagged for offside as he stood in front of goalkeeper Jose Sa, much to the delight of the Molineux crowd.
However, after referee Chris Kavanagh checked the pitchside monitor he ruled that a backtracking Silva was not interfering with play and the goal stood.
It was a get out of jail free card for City, who were well below their best, but they moved three points clear of the Gunners.
For Wolves it was heartbreak and not what they deserved after a good performance, but they have claimed just one point from the opening eight games.
English Premier League
Sunday results:
Manchester CIty 2 Wolves 1
Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1.
