The Slot machine seems unstoppable! West Ham held out for half an hour before conceding three goals until the break! Diaz, Gakpo, and Salah secured Liverpool a peaceful second half and another victory, which brought them closer to the title, no matter how early it is to talk about it.The second half was much more relaxed for both teams, though the Reds managed to score two more goals over Alexander-Arnold and Jota, for more than convincing 5-0 triumph on the road.8 – Today is the eighth Premier League game this season in which Mo Salah has registered both a goal and an assist – a new seasonal record by any player in the competition’s history. Sensational. pic.twitter.com/GOQ9iuyLkI— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 29, 2024 Julen Lopetegui’s team opted for strictly defensive tactics, which worked during the first half an hour. Truth be told, Liverpool could have taken the lead already after six minutes, but Alphonse Areola magnificently stopped Salah’s close-range effort.Savinho ‘The Saviour’ comes to the rescue, as City finally winStill, as people often say, “when it rains, it pours,” and once the rain started after a half-hour mark, West Ham found themselves in the middle of a hurricane. Luis Diaz starterd it, netting luckily since the ball returned to him after and unsuccessful pass atempt.Cody Gakpo for Liverpool:✅ 46 G/A⚽ 34 Goals🅰️ 12 Assists𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 🇳🇱🪄 pic.twitter.com/gi7Uedb32W— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) December 29, 2024 Ten minutes later, Cody Gakpo used Salah’s magical assist to make it 2-0, while the Egyptian netted himself four minutes later for his eighth match in which he notes both a goal and an assist! In the meantime, Mohammed Kudus missed the only chance for the home team before the Reds’ second goal, hitting the post from a distance.Another ‘Norwegian giant’ ruins Spurs’ party, punishing Son for missed penLopetegui, of course, could not be happy about his team’s display and made a double sub during the break, giving Jean-Clair Todibo and Niklas Fullkrug a chance. However, the Frenchman gave too much space to Salah minutes after entering the pitch. Luckily for him, his fellow countryman, Areola, saved him.Mo Salah goal involvements in 32 PL games last season: 28Mo Salah goal involvements in 18 PL games this season: 30💇♂️ pic.twitter.com/LWT077OM9S— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 29, 2024 The Hammers’ demolition continued nine minutes after the break when Trent Alexander-Arnold scored from around 20 meters, slightly thanks to Max Killman, off whose head the ball rebounded and tricked Areola – 4-0. Finally, the sub Diogo Jota found his way to the net as well, scoring the fifth goal for Arne Slot’s demolition squad in the 84th minute.Trent Alexander-Arnold with an interesting celebration after scoring that goal.Wonder what he’s trying to imply 🧐 pic.twitter.com/h3z44nJl1D— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) December 29, 2024 In the end, West Ham’s four-game unbeaten run was ended in a painful way, while Liverpool definitely justified the lately often-asked question, “Can anyone stop them?” So far, Arne Slot’s team has struck fear into rivals’ bones and hardly anyone believes they won’t lift the Premier League trophy in May.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 19Sunday Leicester – Man.City 0-2 (0-1)/Savinho 21, Haaland 74/Crystal Palace – Southampton 2-1 (1-1)/Chalobah 31, Eze 52 – Dibling 15/Everton – Nott.Forest 0-2 (0-1)/Wood 15, Gibbs-White 61/Fulham – Bournemouth 2-2 (1-0)/Jimenez 40, Wilson 72 – Evanilson 51, Outtara 89/Tottenham – Wolverhampton 2-2 (2-1)/Bentancur 12, Johnson 45+3 – Hwang 7, Larsen 87/West Ham – Liverpool 0-5 (0-3)/Diaz 30, Gakpo 40, Salah 44, Alexander-Arnold 54, Jota 84/Monday 22.45: (2.00) Aston Villa (3.50) Brighton (3.70)22.45: (7.25) Ipswich (4.60) Chelsea (1.43)23.00: (2.70) Man.Utd. (3.35) Newcastle (2.60)***odds are subject to change***
