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London, United Kingdom | AFP | Liverpool closed back to within two points of Premier League leaders Manchester City by coming from behind to beat Burnley 3-1 as Manchester United and Arsenal shared the spoils in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
Wolves also overturned an early deficit to inflict just Chelsea’s second defeat of the season in a 2-1 win at Molineux, allowing Tottenham to move back up to third with a comfortable 3-1 win over Southampton.
Chelsea and Arsenal are now tied on 31 points in fourth, still eight clear of United in eighth.
Given the relentless pace being set by City at the top of the table, Liverpool couldn’t afford any slip ups at Turf Moor despite Jurgen Klopp making seven changes with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino left on the bench and Sadio Mane missing through injury.
Their firepower was badly missed as Liverpool laboured in the first-half and went behind early in the second.
A huge error by £67 million ($75 million) goalkeeper Alisson Becker for Burnley’s shock opener when Jack Cork bundled home after the Brazilian fumbled in the wet conditions.
However, the visitors quickly rallied to stretch their unbeaten start to the league season to 15 games.
James Milner levelled just after the hour mark and then turned provider for Firmino to turn the game around just three minutes after coming on as a substitute before Xherdan Shaqiri sealed the three points late on.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 5, 2018
“The character we showed after going behind, to come back in that fashion is what we expect from this team,” said Milner.
Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run to 20 games, but failed to take advantage of two gifts from the hosts as United’s winless run in the Premier League extended to four matches.
Amid an underperforming side this season, goalkeeper David de Gea has remained in almost impeccable form, but the Spaniard spilled Shkodran Mustafi’s header over the line to hand Arsenal the lead 26 minutes in.
Four minutes later the hosts levelled when Anthony Martial turned home Ander Herrera’s cross after Bernd Leno saved Marcos Rojo’s cross.
– Spurs go third –
Both second-half goals came in a crazy minute as firstly Rojo turned the ball off Alexandre Lacazette and into the United net in his attempts to make a last-ditch tackle.
“We scored four goals and drew 2-2! As always we made mistakes and we paid for the mistakes,” said United manager Jose Mourinho.
“Today was more the same, but with great spirit and people ready to have a go and fight hard, it was a credit to the team.”
“The final whistle goes, a HUGE show of character from Liverpool here!”
?? for a memorable Match in a Minute… #BURLIV pic.twitter.com/3rVAkqmkZy
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 5, 2018
Arsenal were barely done celebrating when the ball was in the net at the other end as a misunderstanding between Sead Kolasinac and Leno allowed Jesse Lingard to nip in and equalise.
De Gea redeemed himself with two fine saves from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also had a late Arsenal goal ruled out for offside.
Wolves registered their first win in seven games despite going behind to Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s 18th minute opener for Chelsea.
“We played very well for 55 minutes and then suddenly we were another team,” bemoaned Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri.
Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota struck in a four-minute spell either side of the hour mark.
“This doesn’t mean all the problems are solved. It means we have to maintain these standards,” said Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Spurs took advantage of Chelsea and Arsenal dropping points to move back up to third with a comfortable 3-1 win over Southampton, whose new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl watched on from the stands at Wembley.
It’s not the W we were after…
But a point from #MUNARS extends our unbeaten run to 2️⃣0️⃣ games pic.twitter.com/mURoWnD3Sh
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 5, 2018
Harry Kane turned home Christian Eriksen’s cross to give Tottenham a half-time lead before Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min scored twice in four minutes after the break to bounce back from a painful North London derby defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
Fulham edged to within a point of safety despite blowing the lead in a 1-1 draw with Leicester.
Honours were also even in a 1-1 draw between Everton and Newcastle as Richarlison cancelled out Salomon Rondon’s opener.
