Liverpool regained their footing with a 3-1 win at home to Crystal Palace, moving up to fourth at Chelsea's expense. Chelsea lost 1-0 at Sunderland yesterday in round ten of the English Premier League. Brighton are now runners-up behind leaders and reigning champions Arsenal.
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Liverpool came into the match on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal the previous round, followed by a surprise 3-2 loss in Istanbul to Turkey's Fenerbahçe in the Champions League.
However, the team led by Spanish coach Andoni Iraola, who face Manchester United at Anfield after the international break, took advantage of the difficult situation at Palace. They entered the match in 19th place, just above the bottom, having won only once. Liverpool secured their fifth win of the season.
Liverpool led at half-time through a header by Argentine Alexis Mac Allister, from a free kick taken by Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai (40). They extended their lead in the second half when German Florian Wirtz finished powerfully into the net after a cross from French winger Bradley Barcola (54).
Liverpool sealed the three points when Swedish striker Alexander Isak added a third, after Wirtz found him on the left side of the box (89). Palace pulled one back from a penalty conceded by Hungarian defender Milos Kerkez, which Eddie Nketiah converted (90+5).
Iraola expressed his delight at the win, but made no secret of his frustration at a penalty awarded against his side in the closing minutes.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Iraola said: "It was an important win for us before the international break, especially after the week we've had. We got back from Turkey very late on Thursday evening, and I know Crystal Palace also played, but it was essential to end this period with a win."
He added: "We struggled a little defensively in the first half, but after that we managed the game well, although I'm still a little annoyed about that late penalty."
The Liverpool coach spoke about the importance of the first goal: "It was a crucial moment in the game. We deserved to score from set pieces in previous matches this season. Alexis Mac Allister is good at moving towards the near post for these balls. The goal came at a time when both teams were creating chances, and the game was very evenly balanced."
He continued: "Going into the dressing room 1-0 up was extremely important."
Iraola praised Florian Wirtz: "I'm very happy with what he did. He did a fantastic job today. He scored a beautiful goal, and Alexander Isak's run was important in creating space behind the defence to finish the move, as well as Bradley's assist. It was a great finish and I'm happy for him."
With the win, Liverpool moved into fourth on 18 points, two ahead of Chelsea. Chelsea suffered their fourth defeat of the season at Sunderland, a result decided by a penalty taken by French midfielder Enzo Fernández in the 36th minute after Levi Colwill fouled Dutch striker Brian Brobbey inside the area.
Sunderland, who won at Fulham 1-0 in round two, earned only their second win of the season. Their total of 8 points lifted them off the bottom, a place now occupied by Crystal Palace.
Brighton continued their good form with a seventh win of the season, moving up to second at the expense of Manchester City, who lost 3-1 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Brighton beat visitors Brentford 2-0, with goals from Paraguayan Diego Gómez (15) and German Pascal Groß (42, penalty). Brentford had been down to ten men since the 23rd minute, after Brazilian Igor Thiago was sent off.
Bournemouth returned from Ipswich with a 2-1 win, their fourth of the season. That lifts them to 14 points in seventh place, while their opponents Ipswich remain 14th on 11 points.
Serie A
Napoli halted the winning run of visitors Lazio, the league leaders, with a 1-1 draw at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Sunday, in the top match of round eleven of the Italian league.
Lazio, the only team still unbeaten after 11 rounds, were on course for a seventh straight win and their tenth of the season, having taken control of the first half and finished it ahead. Their lead came in the 28th minute, when midfielder Davide Frattesi, the Italian international, scored from a pass by Dutch winger Tijjani Noslin. It was his fourth goal of the season.
The hosts came out fighting in the second half and created many chances, but converted only one, an own goal in the 48th minute when substitute Spanish defender Alfonso Pedraza diverted a cross into his own net.
Veteran Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne then missed a golden chance to put Napoli ahead. He was through on goal after a long ball from Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić, but Moroccan midfielder Reda Belahyane of Lazio cleared the ball before it crossed the line (59).
Napoli were under huge pressure to get a positive result after defeats at home to Juventus and in the Champions League against Portugal's Porto. The losses prompted the squad to go into a closed training camp in an attempt to recover their declining form.
However, the southern club could only take a point from a Gennaro Gattuso side that remains unbeaten this season. Lazio extended their lead at the top to 29 points, two ahead of their city rivals Roma, who beat Sassuolo 3-0 the day before. They are four points clear of Inter, the former joint leaders and defending champions, who host fourth-placed Como in the second big match of the round later on. Lazio are 14 points ahead of Napoli, who are tenth.
Lazio failed to win away from home in the league for the first time this season.
The draw satisfied neither Massimiliano Allegri, who remains under pressure, nor Napoli's angry fans. The runners-up from last season left the pitch to whistles of disapproval from their supporters.
Napoli, who are visibly struggling with a crisis of confidence, remain stuck in the middle of the table in tenth place on 15 points. The team gives the impression of being on the brink of collapse, with players finding it hard to hide their frustration and criticism of their coach growing.
Allegri took over at Napoli this summer, succeeding Antonio Conte. Although he is likely to remain in his post during the international break, his room for manoeuvre has become very limited. Napoli have lost seven of their 15 matches this season, have fallen behind in the title race and face a difficult situation in the Champions League.
The former Juventus and Milan coach told DAZN: "We didn't play a good first half." He added: "We must hold on to what we produced after the break and build on that, especially as the break will allow us to get back several players who are currently injured."
He continued: "There are always difficult moments during a season, but I remain confident and feel good. When you are at sea in a storm, you always manage to bring the ship to safe harbour."
