Liverpool moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah scored twice in a 2-0 win against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Arne Slot’s leaders became the first team to beat the Cherries in the league since November 23, but were given a stern test en route to ending an 11-match unbeaten run for Andoni Iraola’s side.
The league’s top scorer Salah, as so often during this dominant Liverpool season, was the difference. He scored a penalty in the first half and added a brilliant solo goal in the second to secure his team’s 17th win in 23 league games.
Salah, whose future remains unclear with his contract up at the end of the season, said he was only focused on winning the league for a second time as a Liverpool player.
"We need to stay humble and take each game at a time," he told Sky Sports. “It feels good scoring goals and the team winning.
"My main target is to win the Premier League with the team. We are going in the right direction."
Arsenal host Manchester City on Sunday and will look to trim the gap to Liverpool back down to six points.
Elsewhere, Nuno Espirito Santo said Nottingham Forest’s 7-0 victory over Brighton was beyond his expectations as they bounced back from last week’s heavy defeat to Bournemouth and get their European hopes back on track.
Morgan Gibbs-White was a class above in the first period and his ball into the box was turned into his own goal by Lewis Dunk to get the rout under way.
The hosts had two more before the break. Gibbs-White turned from creator to provider to nod home Anthony Elanga’s corner before Chris Wood inevitably got himself on the scoresheet and gave them a 3-0 lead at the halfway point.
Wood scored twice in five second-half minutes for his third Premier League hat-trick and Brighton’s miserable afternoon was completed when Neco Williams and Jota Silva added goals late on. It was Forest’s biggest top flight win in 34 years.
Nuno said: “We were looking for a response and our responsibility to do much better. Last week was not good enough and the response of the players was beyond our expectations. I’m always looking forward to what I have and I’m hoping it continues. You cannot judge whether it’s the best one or not.
“They were ruthless in their desire, they wanted to show their talent. Morgan (Gibbs-White) was good, Anthony (Elanga) amazing with three assists so overall very good all the players.”
Everton striker Beto stepped up for his team and scored a double in their 4-0 win over Leicester City at Goodison Park. Abdoulaye Doucoure - after just 10 seconds - and Iliman Ndiaye also scored as the hosts moved 10 points clear of relegation trouble.
Beto dedicated his brace to freshly injured duo Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Orel Mangala, and Dwight McNeil who underwent knee surgery this week.
He said: "It couldn't have gone much better for me. Unfortunately for Dom, Manga, Dwight, I want to say this victory is for them. We are happy to give them this joy.
"I was just running free and saw the space. My teammates know me, I like to run behind. They know. I knew it was the best moments for me. It wasn't easy, we made it easy. We knew this game, we needed to win. They want to come here to beat us because we're fighting for the place. I'm really happy for the boys.
"We just keep working and keep improvng. We have a lot to improve. I have a lot to improve. We need to keep going. We can handle the criticism. We will work for the next week to beat Bournemouth."
Substitute Rodrigo Muniz condemned Newcastle boss Eddie Howe to defeat in his 700th game as a manger as Fulham came from behind to edge to a win at St James’ Park.
The Magpies went ahead when Jacob Murphy marked his 200th appearance for the club with his fourth goal of the season, but the lead was always precarious and Raul Jimenez’s 11th of the campaign set up Muniz to snatch victory, eight minutes from time.
Meanwhile, Paul Onuachu scored a late winner as Southampton won for the first time since November at fellow strugglers Ipswich.
Saints remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just nine points, but handed boss Ivan Juric a first win since he was appointed manager on December 21.
The visitors opened the scoring in the first half through Joe Aribo but Liam Delap levelled for the hosts before Onuachu's late decider.
