Mane hits 100th Liverpool goal to set team on road to 3-0 win

PA Media/DPA London Record-breaking Sadio Mane’s 100th Liverpool goal set Jurgen Klopp’s side on the way to 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace which took th...

PA Media/DPA London Record-breaking Sadio Mane’s 100th Liverpool goal set Jurgen Klopp’s side on the way to 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace which took them top of the Premier League table on Saturday.Mane became the first player in Premier League history to score against the same opponent in nine consecutive matches, beating Robin van Persie’s eight in a row against Stoke.His close-range strike just before half-time also made him the 18th man to bring up a century of goals for the club in his 224th appearance.Mohamed Salah’s rich form continued as his volley 12 minutes from time meant he has only failed to score in one of his six games this season with a sumptuous left-footed volley from substitute Naby Keita finishing proceedings with a flourish.Just like against AC Milan in midweek Liverpool made hard work of a game in which they created numerous chances.Klopp made six changes - including his entire back four - from the midweek Champions League tie which meant his side started a league match without either Andy Robertson (rested) or Trent Alexander-Arnold (ill) in the team for the first time since December 2018.It did, however, afford Anfield its first look at summer signing Ibrahima Konate, lining up in central defence alongside the returning Virgil van Dijk.Perhaps understandably there were some teething problems with a defence that had never played together before and a shaky start saw Alisson forced to tip Wilfried Zaha’s attempted lob from close range onto a post.Klopp’s side were frustrated for a long period by Palace’s discipline and organisation which saw them get men behind the ball quickly to regain their shape.Mane however showed how it should be done when Salah’s glancing header from Tsimikas’ corner was half-stopped by the goalkeeper and the Senegal forward pounced to lash home.Fewer chances were created in the second half as the game became scrappier but the visitors’ hopes of snatching something from the game were snuffed out when Salah volleyed home at a corner, whipping his shirt off in celebration at his 99th Premier League goal for the club. Keita added the gloss with a sweetly-struck shot.Man City fans left frustrated as Southampton hold champions to draw A near-capacity crowd failed to inspire Manchester City as the champions were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.Pep Guardiola’s side might even have felt relieved to claim a point after referee Jon Moss overturned decisions to award Southampton a penalty and send Kyle Walker off in the second half.Statistically City dominated the Premier League game but lacked their normal cutting edge, perhaps underling Guardiola’s point in midweek that his players would go into the Saturday encounter tired after their Champions League exertions.Raheem Sterling thought he had snatched victory with a last-gasp strike but the flag was raised for offside and VAR confirmed the decision.Guardiola had issued a rallying cry to fans after Wednesday’s remarkable 6-3 victory over Leipzig, which took their goal tally in their last three home games to 16, and the supporters responded by producing a vibrant atmosphere.Yet it was not enough for the champions, despite the hosts controlling most of the possession and creating the better chances.Clear-cut opportunities were at a premium as City failed to muster a shot on target in the first half.As well as being resilient, Saints were also positive on the break but they were unable to seriously trouble Ederson in an even start to the contest.Controversy then erupted when Southampton were awarded a penalty after Walker appeared to bundle into the back of Armstrong.Moss had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and was quick to show the red card to Walker but the referee was invited to review the whole incident again on the monitor following a VAR check. Much to the relief of City, he decided to cancel the penalty and overturn the sending off.Still Southampton continued to press with Nathan Redmond threatening with a weaving run into the area and Adams curling a shot wide.City picked up the intensity in the closing minutes and thought they had found a way through when Sterling smashed home a rebound after McCarthy brilliantly kept out a Foden header.Moss ruled out the effort for offside and a tense few moments followed as VAR checked the decision but the effort did not count.Premier League Saturday Results: Wolverhampton 0 2; Burnley 0 Arsenal 1; Liverpool 3 Crystal Palace 0; Manchester City 0 Southampton 0; Norwich City 1 Watford 3; Aston Villa 3 Everton 0.