Premier League: Darwin Nunez double earns Liverpool last-gasp win at Brentford as Leicester lose again

Merseysiders move seven points clear at top as pressure mounts on Van Nistelrooy after seventh loss in row

Darwin Nunez celebrates after scoring his, and Liverpool's, second goal against Brentford. AP

A last-gasp double salvo from substitute Darwin Nunez earned Premier League leaders Liverpool all three points at Brentford on Saturday.

Liverpool looked set for a third draw in a row which would have given the chasing pack hope that the Merseysiders were stumbling at a crucial stage in the title race.

But the much-maligned Nunez, who had scored only four goals this season broke the deadlock in the 91st minute when he stabbed home from close range.

Two minutes later, it was two when Harvey Elliott picked out Nunez who took a touch before blasting past goalkeeper Mark Flekken at the GTech Community Stadium.

On Friday, manager Arne Slot said Liverpool had failed to bring the best of Nunez this season in which the Uruguayan had started only 14 of their 31 matches.

And it looked like his frustrations would continue when he blasted one wild shot way over the bar, to clear frustration of his teammates who were waiting for a pass.

But Nunez found his shooting boots when it mattered and his two goals means Liverpool's lead at the top of the table is up to seven points, with second-place Arsenal taking on Aston Villa later on Saturday.

There will be some concern for manager Slot that his team managed 37 attempts on goal in the match with only two finding the back of the net.

“It was a lot of hard work,” said captain Virgil van Dijk. “Brentford away is a difficult place to come. The way they press high, eventually going to a low block and the quality they have on the break.

“We did well. We kept working, kept trying. Eventually Darwin made a difference with the two goals.

“We've experienced it two games in a row – especially the second half against Forest. It's also quality from Brentford that they want you to try to force it a bit because they'll get you on the break. We did well and limited them.

“Darwin since the day he came in he brings a lot of energy. As a striker you're judged by your goals. Maybe it's tougher than ever. He's working hard and learning. Today he had a massive part of the victory. It was well deserved.

“Today was a small piece of the puzzle. We have to keep going.”

Hostile Leicester fans turn on Van Nistelrooy

Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore struck in the second half as Fulham beat Leicester 2-0, inflicting a seventh successive Premier League defeat on the hosts.

The Foxes provided another solid first-half showing but ultimately paid the price for a lack of quality and failed to learn their lessons from their midweek second-half collapse to Crystal Palace in a similar showing in front of their own fans.

The hosts' defensive fragility showed after the interval and they conceded early for the second time in the space of a week courtesy of Smith-Rowe's fourth goal of the campaign.

A hostile home atmosphere did not improve Leicester's performance and the Cottagers ensured a return to winning ways as substituted Traore handed Ruud van Nistelrooy's relegation-threatened team a seventh loss from his first 10 games in all competitions.

The Leicester manager was also the target of negative chants from the home stands just a few weeks after goalkeeper Danny Ward had received the same treatment from his own fans.

The Foxes remain second bottom, two points from safety while Fulham moved up to ninth.

“We deserved to be beat, Fulham were the better team,” said van Nistelrooy. “It was disappointing in all aspects of the game. We weren't good enough in all aspects. This is the first game I've felt like this.

“In the other games I felt there was enough aspects to get a result and today there wasn't.

“It is up to us as players and me as a manager to bring this forward. It is clear we need to bring hope back for the fans and that starts with us. It is our responsibility to work on and do better and move on from there.”

Mateta brace seals Palace points

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice to condemn West Ham United manager Graham Potter to a first Premier League defeat as Crystal Palace sealed a 2-0 win.

The French striker made it four goals in his last three matches as Oliver Glasner's Eagles secured back-to-back away victories.

The Hammers also had defender Konstantinos Mavropanos sent off towards the end of a miserable afternoon for Potter.

England manager Thomas Tuchel was in attendance at the London Stadium, casting his eye over Palace pair Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, among others.