LONDON: Mohamed Salah made a scoring return for Liverpool as the English Premier League leader dispatched Brentford 4-1 on Saturday.
Salah had been out for a month since sustaining a hamstring injury at the Africa Cup of Nations. He came on as a substitute just before halftime at Gtech Community Stadium and struck his 19th goal of the season in all competitions in the 68th minute.
Liverpool already led 2-0 at that point, after Darwin Nunez opened the scoring in the 35th and Alexis Mac Allister added another from Salah's assist.
Ivan Toney pulled a goal back for Brentford in the 75th, scoring for the fourth time in five games since returning from an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.
But substitute Cody Gakpo sealed the win for Liverpool.
While their title challenge remains in good shape, there was concern after new injuries to Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota in the first half. Jota had to leave the field on a stretcher.
Liverpool were already without the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara and Dominik Szoboszlai, while goalkeeper Alisson was also hurt in training on Friday and missed the game against Brentford.
Salah scores on return as Liverpool dispatch Brentford
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Salah scores on return as Liverpool dispatch Brentford
- Salah had been out for a month since sustaining a hamstring injury at the Africa Cup of Nations
- Ivan Toney pulled a goal back for Brentford in the 75th
Arsenal edge Palace on penalties to reach League Cup semifinals
- The Premier League leaders now play Chelsea in the last four of the League Cup
LONDON: Arsenal edged past Crystal Palace on penalties on Tuesday to reach the semifinals of the League Cup when goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga saved a spot kick from Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.
His miss capped a miserable evening for Frenchman Lacroix, who scored an 80th- minute own goal before Palace captain Marc Guehi levelled in stoppage time to tie the game at 1-1.
Arsenal won the shootout 8-7, with all the other penalties converted.
The Premier League leaders now play Chelsea in the last four of the League Cup.
Arsenal, who dominated possession, finally got the breakthrough when Lacroix turned the ball past his own goalkeeper Walter Benitez as Palace failed to deal with an Arsenal corner.
Benitez had kept his team in the game with a string of fine saves in the first half, twice denying Noni Madueke from close range and also keeping out a header from Gabriel Jesus.
Palace, the FA Cup holders, improved after a poor first half but rarely threatened until Guehi pounced on a knockdown from a free kick to take the game to penalties.
The match was delayed from last week because it clashed with a Palace game in the UEFA Conference League.
Arsenal host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday. Palace, who are eighth in the Premier League, are at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
