EPL: Liverpool and Man City forced to work hard for their wins

Liverpool and Manchester City have put some distance between themselves and the chasing pack in the English Premier League.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is beaten by a free-kick from Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez at Goodison Park. Picture: Getty Images

Liverpool and Manchester City have put some distance between themselves and the chasing pack in the English Premier League, but both sides had to work hard for it.

Liverpool were pushed before being gifted a 1-0 win at Sheffield United that maintained their perfect start to the season.

Manchester City, meanwhile, were given all they could handle by Everton before two late goals sealed a 3-1 win.

The results mean Liverpool stay five points ahead of City, who are now four points clear of West Ham and five clear of a gang of six teams.

Liverpool made it seven wins from seven to open the campaign with a big helping hand from Sheffield United’s Dean Henderson.

The Blades’ keeper let Georginio Wijnaldum’s shot from near the edge of the area squirm through his legs for the only goal at Bramall Lane.

It came in the 70th minute with the Reds’ first shot on target, but was enough to settle matters.

“These games, they are not all beauties and you have to work hard for the results,” manager Jurgen Klopp said.

“They threw everything at us, they worked incredibly hard, they were a real threat.

“I am fine with the game, not overly happy but it happens.

“We didn’t play our best football but there we are.”

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Liverpool’s win put the pressure on City as they visited Goodison Park in the day’s late match.

And the champions took a first-half lead through Gabriel Jesus, only for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to equalise before halftime.

But Riyad Mahrez restored the lead with a 71st-minute free-kick and Raheem Sterling’s late goal clinched the win.

“I think we deserved the win,” Mahrez said.

“We could’ve killed the game in the first half, we had four or five chances.

“We managed the game well and soon enough we scored two goals and won the game.” Elsewhere, 10-man Tottenham beat Southampton 2-1 to move into the European Champions League places.

Tanguy Ndombele gave Spurs a first-half lead before Serge Aurier was sent off for a second yellow card.

A blunder by keeper Hugo Lloris allowed Danny Ings to level the scores, but Harry Kane scored two minutes before the break. The hosts then doggedly dug in to see out the match.

Meanwhile, coach Frank Lampard finally tasted victory at Stamford Bridge in the league as Chelsea beat Brighton 2-0 with goals from Jorginho and Willian. It was the Blues’ ninth win in nine league games against the Seagulls, an English record for most games won against a single opponent without a loss.

Matt Doherty’s score and Daryl Janmaat’s own goal gave Wolves their first win and kept Watford rooted to the bottom of the table on two points. Luka Milivojevic and Andros Townsend gave Crystal Palace a 2-0 win over Norwich and Aaron Creswell’s late goal earned West Ham a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth. Burnley twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Aston Villa as goals from Jay Rodriguez and Chris Wood cancelled out scores from Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn.

AAP