By Korede James
A Diogo Jota strike in the second half saw leaders Liverpool overcome Everton 1-0 at Anfield in the English Premier League on Wednesday night.
With the tense victory, Liverpool restored their 12-point lead over second-placed Arsenal in the table, with eight rounds of fixtures left in the season.
The Reds needed to respond after Arsenal cut their lead to nine points courtesy of their 2-1 win against Fulham on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium.
After a tough first half, Jota eventually broke the deadlock in the 57th minute.
The defeat, their first in 10 league matches, leaves David Moyes’ Toffees in the 15th position.
At the Etihad Stadium, it was more woes for Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and his Leicester City teammates as they lost 2-0 to Manchester City.
First-half goals from Jack Grealish (second minute) and Omar Marmoush (29th minute) sealed the three points for the outgoing champions as Leicester lost for the seventh straight time in the league.
Pep Guardiola’s men are fourth while Leicester are 19th.
At St. Mary’s, Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu was on target in Southampton’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
The towering Onuachu got his fourth goal in the English top flight this season after opening the scoring on 20 minutes with a header.
But a 92nd minute goal by substitute Matheus Franca denied the Saints a first win since February 1.
Nigeria international Joe Aribo also featured for Southampton, coming on in the 71st minute.
Despite the draw, Southampton remain bottom and bound for relegation, with Palace in 12th place.
In another fixture on Wednesday night, Aston Villa thrashed Brighton 3-0 at the Amex Stadium with loan signings Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen all scoring.
Ipswich stunned Bournemouth 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium, and Newcastle United edged out Brentford 2-1 at St. James’ Park.
RESULTS
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich
Brighton 0-3 Aston Villa
Manchester City 2-0 Leicester
Newcastle 2-1 Brentford
Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace
