Liverpool stun City as Vardy helps Leicester go top

AFP: Manchester City suffered a surprise 4-1 defeat by Liverpool while Jamie Vardy equalled a Premier League goalscoring record to leave Leicester as the shock leaders of English football’s top-flight on Saturday.

City started the late kick-off match at their Eastlands ground knowing victory would see them go top on a day when the Premier League paid tribute to the victims of the Paris terror attacks.

But instead Manuel Pellegrini’s men found themselves 3-0 down inside 32 minutes after an Eliaquim Mangala own-goal preceded two sweeping Liverpool moves finished by the Brazilian pair of Phillippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino respectively.

City pulled a goal back before the interval through Sergio Aguero’s 20-yard effort, but Jurgen Klopp’s visitors had the last word when Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel struck nine minutes from time.

Pellegrini was at a loss to explain his side’s defeat, City’s Chilean manager saying: “It is difficult to understand. If we meant to do it on purpose, we couldn’t have done it that badly. It is impossible to understand.”

By contrast, delighted Liverpool boss Klopp told the BBC: “It feels perfect! The game was not perfect but it was very good.

“The boys can believe now that they are stronger than many people think,” the German added. 

England striker Vardy equalled Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League games for his club by netting Leicester’sopener in a 3-0 win aaway to Newcastle during first-half stoppage-time at St James’ Park.

Leonardo Ulloa’s header made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute before Japanese substitute Shinji Okazaki assured Italian manager Claudio Ranieri’s side of victory seven minutes from time.

Mourinho relieved after Costa goal earns Chelsea victory

LONDON: A 64th-minute goal from wayward striker Diego Costa earned Chelsea their first win in four Premier League matches on Saturday and some breathing space for Jose Mourinho, who said he was still targeting a top-four finish.

Costa had been anonymous for most of the 1-0 win over Norwich City.

He had hung back during waves of Chelsea attacks, shot high when set up by Pedro in the first half, failed to get on the end of crosses from Willian and Eden Hazard and hesitated in front of an open goal before halftime.

But he made up for his quiet first hour when he controlled a quickly taken free kick from Cesc Fabregas, steadied himself and placed the ball out of reach of a diving John Ruddy for his third Premier League goal of the season.

“Every game you don’t score goals you have five kilos more pressure added,” Mourinho said.

Mourinho kept faith with Costa despite the Brazilian-born Spain striker’s dearth of goals and suspect discipline this season.

“The goal was important for him. It was important for us. He tries everything. He’s positive. If I had to choose anyone to score the winning goal I would choose him.

“Everything is connected. When you are full of confidence it’s not just about goals you have fluency in your decisions, you choose well. When you lose confidence you lose this fluency.”

The champions, struggling near the foot of the table after losing seven Premier League games this season, were clearly the superior side, keeping the lion’s share of possession.