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Liverpool Ends the Year with a Five-Goal Triumph Over West Ham

Liverpool ended 2024 in the best way possible, securing a huge 5-0 victory over hosts West Ham United in the 19th round of the English Premier League.

This commanding win marked Liverpool’s third consecutive victory and 14th of the season, rising their lead at the top of the table to 45 points, eight ahead of their new runner-up Nottingham Forest, who also defeated Everton 2-0 away.

Arne Slot’s team faces a challenging start to 2025, beginning with a clash against arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday in the next round, followed by a visit to Tottenham Hotspur three days later in the League Cup semi-finals, and then a trip to Nottingham Forest on the 14th in the 21st round.

Liverpool opened the scoring through Colombian Luis Díaz, who attempted a pass that deflected off the defense and landed perfectly for him to strike past French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola (30).

West Ham came close to equalizing, but Ghanaian Mohammed Kudus’ shot was denied by the post (38). Liverpool responded quickly, doubling their lead through Dutchman Cody Gakpo after a right-flank run by Díaz and an individual effort capped off with a pass from Egyptian star Mohamed Salah (40).

Salah made sure to leave his mark on the scoresheet before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive error and a pass from Curtis Jones (44), raising his tally as the league’s top scorer to 17 goals.

With this feat, Salah became the first player in Premier League history to both score and assist in eight matches in a single season, surpassing notable players like Bruno Fernandes (2020-2021), Harry Kane (2020-2021), Robin van Persie (2011-2012), Thierry Henry (2002-2003), and Alan Shearer (1994-1995), all of whom achieved this in seven matches during a season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered the decisive blow to West Ham early in the second half with a long-range strike deflected by defender Max Kilman, deceiving Areola (54). Substitute Diogo Jota capped off the festival with a curling shot into the top-left corner after an individual effort and another assist from Salah, his 13th of the season (84).

Guardiola’s 500th Match Celebration

At King Power Stadium, Manchester City celebrated Pep Guardiola’s 500th match as manager with a second win in 14 games, defeating Leicester City 2-0.

This victory marked City’s ninth league win of the season, lifting them to 31 points and fifth place temporarily.

City finished the first half ahead thanks to Brazilian Savinho’s first goal for the club, tapping in after a long-range shot by Phil Foden was parried by Polish goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk (21).

In the second half, after four games without scoring, Erling Haaland finally found the net, calming the fans and his coach with a header from a Savinho cross (74), bringing his league tally to 14 goals, second only to Mohamed Salah’s 17.

Nottingham Forest maintained their best season start since 1994-1995, when they finished third, by securing their fifth consecutive victory, a 2-0 triumph over Everton.

Goals from New Zealander Chris Wood (15) and Morgan Gibbs-White (61) lifted Nuno Espírito Santo’s team to 37 points, placing them second temporarily ahead of Chelsea (35 points), who face Ipswich Town on Monday, and Arsenal (36), who play Brentford on Wednesday.

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