Liverpool’s hopes of an unbeaten season were shattered as a double from Ismaila Sarr and a Troy Deeney strike handed Watford a stunning victory over the league leaders.
The Reds were on a 44-game unbeaten run and the champions-elect were aiming to match Manchester City’s run of 19 consecutive wins – only to be on the wrong end of a 3-0 humbling.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are still 22-points clear at the top of the Premier League and still need just four wins to seal a first top-flight title in 30 years, while the result moves Watford out of the relegation zone.
It was a busy day at the bottom of the table following Norwich’s surprise 1-0 win over Leicester on Friday night, as most of the teams battling relegation picked up points.
Marcos Alonso bagged a brace to rescue a 2-2 draw for Chelsea at Bournemouth to keep the Blues in control of their top-four fate.
The Spaniard put the Blues ahead but they were at risk of being overtaken by Manchester United tomorrow when Jefferson Lerma and Josh King turned the tide with two quickfire goals.
However, the left-back saved the day with a late strike, and almost bagged his hat-trick in stoppage time.
It leaves Frank Lampard’s men four points ahead of fifth-place United, who travel to Everton on Sunday.
Elsewhere, West Ham capitalised on the Cherries’ draw and ended their eight-match winless streak with a much-needed 3-1 win over Southampton at the London Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen grabbed his first Hammers goal on his first start before Michael Obafemi equalised for the visitors.
But Sebastien Haller and Michail Antonio struck to move David Moyes’ side out of the relegation zone and level on points with Bournemouth.
Earlier in the day, a Jordan Ayew goal gave Crystal Palace the bragging rights over fierce rivals Brighton as the Eagles claimed a narrow 1-0 win at the Amex.
Meanwhile, Newcastle and Burnley played out a dull 0-0 draw at St James’ Park.
Liverpool’s hopes of an unbeaten season were shattered as a double from Ismaila Sarr and a Troy Deeney strike handed Watford a stunning victory over the league leaders.
The Reds were on a 44-game unbeaten run and the champions-elect were aiming to match Manchester City’s run of 19 consecutive wins – only to be on the wrong end of a 3-0 humbling.
Sarr, making his first start since returning from a hamstring injury, stole the show with two goals in six minutes before he laid on the third for captain Deeney – who bullied a Liverpool defence missing Joe Gomez through an injury precaution.
Tony Cascarino reckons some West Ham fans would choose owners leaving over Premier League survival
Premier League results
Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace
Bournemouth 2-2 Chelsea
Newcastle 0-0 Bunrley
West Ham 3-1 Southampton
Watford 3-0 Liverpool
