Premier League: Liverpool eight points clear, Spurs rocked at Brighton
CGTN

James Milner scored a stoppage-time winner as Liverpool moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Leicester, while Mauricio Pochettino's problems mounted after Tottenham's heavy loss at Brighton on Saturday.

Liverpool won for the 17th consecutive league game thanks to Milner's dramatic contribution to a thrilling clash at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp's side ruined Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers' first return to Liverpool since being replaced by the German in 2015.

By extending their remarkable winning streak, Liverpool have piled pressure on second-placed Manchester City ahead of their home game against Wolves on Sunday.

"It was a super game. We upped the tempo. The football we played was so important," Klopp said.

"Without luck we cannot win the amount of games we have won, but over the 90 minutes we deserved it. James Milner held his nerve and that was superb."

Liverpool took the lead in the 40th minute when Milner's long ball was misjudged by Leicester defender Jonny Evans and Sadio Mane clinically slotted in his eighth goal of the season.

Mane has scored exactly 50 goals in 100 Premier League games for Liverpool, making the Senegal winger the 10th player to reach that milestone for the Reds.

James Maddison snatched third-placed Leicester's equalizer in the 80th minute when he collected Ayoze Perez's pass and drove his shot under Adrian's weak attempted save.

But five minutes into stoppage time, Marc Albrighton took the ball away from his own goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and then clipped Mane, with Milner converting the penalty after a VAR review.

Brighton and Hove Albion's Aaron Connolly celebrates scoring his side's third goal of the game as Tottenham Hotspur players look dejected during the Premier League match at the American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, UK, October 5, 2019. /VCG Photo

Brighton and Hove Albion's Aaron Connolly celebrates scoring his side's third goal of the game as Tottenham Hotspur players look dejected during the Premier League match at the American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, UK, October 5, 2019. /VCG Photo

Spurs' woes deepen

At the Amex Stadium, Tottenham's crisis deepened as they turned in a desperate performance to lose 3-0, while Hugo Lloris suffered a serious arm injury after another howler.

Tottenham keeper Lloris dropped the ball on the goal line and hurt himself in the process in only the third minute, allowing Neal Maupay to open the scoring.

It only got worse after that as Aaron Connolly's double gave the impressive Seagulls a deserved three points.

It ranked as one of the worst performances of Pochettino's reign and, following on from Tuesday's 7-2 Champions League humiliation to Bayern Munich, the dark clouds are mounting over the club.

Pochettino was forced to emphasize his commitment to Tottenham this week amid speculation he has grown distant from a squad distracted by several players who have been linked with moves.

"We have to keep going. I have to say thank you for the fans. I feel sorry for them," Pochettino said.

"Now you cannot find any words to console them and our players because I think we are living a tough moment."

Last season's Champions League finalists have won just three of their opening 11 games of the campaign and are without an away league win in 10 games dating back to January.

Besides, Everton manager Marco Silva is also under increasing pressure following a 1-0 defeat at Burnley that left his team fourth from bottom.

Crystal Palace climbed to fourth place with a VAR-assisted 2-1 victory at West Ham, as Watford remain bottom after a goalless draw with Sheffield United.

Aston Villa's 5-1 demolition of Norwich was given a royal seal of approval with Villa fan Prince William in attendance with wife Kate and his young family at Carrow Road.

On Sunday, there will be four matches:

Southampton vs. Chelsea

Newcastle vs. Manchester United

Manchester City vs. Wolves

Arsenal vs. Bournemouth

(With input from AFP)

(Cover photo via VCG)