Liverpool smash West Ham to go 8 points clear, Man City stop rot

LONDON: Rampant Liverpool smashed West Ham 5-0 today to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points as Manchester City returned to winning ways at troubled Leicester.

Nottingham Forest climbed to second in the table with a fifth straight win at Everton while Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham conceded late to draw 2-2 against Vitor Pereira’s rejuvenated Wolves.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool look unstoppable in their quest for a record-equalling 20th English top flight title, recording their 23rd win in 27 matches in all competitions this season.

Luis Diaz opened the scoring against Julen Lopetegui’s hapless team on the half-hour, before Mohamed Salah set up Cody Gakpo for the second with some audacious footwork.

The Egypt international then scored his 20th goal of the season shortly before halftime to put the visitors in total control.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made it 4-0 with a deflected shot from distance in the 54th minute and Diogo Jota completed the rout, courtesy of another Salah assist following a surging run.

“I enjoyed it a lot because it doesn’t happen many times that I could just sit back and enjoy,” said Slot, flying in his first season in the Anfield hotseat after replacing Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool’s striking success has come against the background of mounting speculation over the futures of Salah, Alexander-Arnold and captain Virgil van Dijk.

All three can discuss a move to a foreign club on a free transfer from Jan 1 but remain focused on winning a second Premier League title together.

“The only thing on my mind is I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of that,” Salah told Sky Sports.

“I will do my best for the team to win the trophy. There are a few other teams catching up with us and we need to stay focused and humble.”

City back to winning ways

Earlier, defending champions City travelled to relegation-threatened Leicester drained of confidence after just one win in all competitions since late October.

Their frailties over the past two months, which resulted in nine defeats in their previous 13 games, were on display again.

But Savinho’s first half goal and an Erling Haaland header after the break made it 2-0.

City’s bid for a fifth straight title looks to be over as they are 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

But the result lifts them to fifth in the table and within striking distance of fourth-placed Chelsea.

“It is not enjoyable right now, it is just relief. We have done incredible things for many years,” said City boss Pep Guardiola.

“Our mood is in a better position. It was tight in the second half, they were much better.

“We don’t have energy to sustain 90 minutes. Hopefully the new year can help us bounce back.”

Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park, leapfrogging Chelsea and Arsenal.

Chris Wood chipped over Jordan Pickford for the opening goal in the 15th minute after being set up by Anthony Elanga.

Wood turned provider for Forest’s second, which came just after the hour mark when Morgan Gibbs-White produced some neat footwork before firing home.

Injury-hit Spurs were on track to end a torrid December on a high after first-half goals by Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson cancelled out Hwang Hee-chan’s brilliant opener for Wolves.

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min also squandered a 43rd-minute penalty, but it did not appear to be too costly until substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen smashed home in the 87th minute.

“I’m the person in charge, so of course it hurts,” said Postecoglou, whose team have won just one of their past seven Premier League matches.

“When I see how hard they are trying, it hurts even more because you want them to get a reward and I think today they deserved a reward for their efforts.”

Crystal Palace won just their second home league game of the season, seeing off bottom club Southampton 2-1, thanks to goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Eberechi Eze.

Dango Ouattara scored an 89th-minute leveller as Bournemouth drew 2-2 at Fulham.

Chelsea and Manchester United are in action tomorrow, with Arsenal travelling to Brentford on Thursday.