London (AFP)

Manchester United defended their leadership position on Sunday at Anfield Road by keeping the defending champion Liverpool in check (0-0), but saw Manchester City, winner of Crystal Palace (2-0), get back on their heels.

.

Manchester United-Liverpool: one draw, two frustrated

After each having had their period, Reds and Red Devils parted ways in a fair but fully satisfying draw.

With 37 points, Manchester United retains its first place and Liverpool remains within range, three lengths, but the defending champion slipped to 4th place, Manchester City and Leicester being interspersed two units behind the leader.

The draw, hooked and unspectacular, confirmed that the suspense in the Premier League owes more to the lower level of the Reds than the progress, very real, of ManU.

The physiognomy of the match was unsurprising, between hosts who monopolized the ball but struggled to create danger and visitors who bet everything on cons.

"We should have used our opportunities better in the first half, it would have helped us, but the performance was good", simply regretted the coach of the Reds, Jürgen Klopp, without wishing to dwell on the offensive difficulties of his team who do not has only scored three of his 18 attempts.

Liverpool remain in four games without a win, including three without scoring, in the league.

Opposite, having rounded back in the first half, United finished stronger and also ended the match with regrets.

"To be completely honest, I must say that I am a little disappointed there right away (...) Coming here, with their injured, we thought we could achieve a better result," said their coach Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer, hot.

Alisson, the goalkeeper of the Reds, made two high-class parades, one with his foot on a recovery from Bruno Fernandes on a receding cross (75th) and the other on a powerful strike from Paul Pogba, alone at seven meters, but right on the Brazilian (83rd).

This result, however, remains slightly more favorable to the title holders, who still have room for improvement if they find some of their injured, while Manchester United may already be leveling off.

.

Manchester City leads the hunt

Without making much noise, Manchester City have returned to the forefront of the Premier League and are asserting themselves as a very serious contender for the title.

By easily beating Crystal Palace (4-0), the 2018 and 2019 champions are two points behind their neighbor United, but they could take the lead on Wednesday by receiving Aston Villa in a game late in the first day .

Pep Guardiola's men remain in 15 unbeaten matches including 12 without conceding a goal, but this time they have added offensive efficiency even if, paradoxically, it is a defender who has distinguished himself.

John Stones, a former England international, scored his first two goals (1-0, 36th and 3-0, 68th) in the league for City, which he joined in 2016.

The score was completed by Ilkay Gündögan (2-0, 58th) and by a superb direct free kick from Raheem Sterling in the top corner (4-0, 88th).

.

Tottenham keeps pace

Well helped by a sublime goal from Tanguy Ndombele, Tottenham beat the red lantern Sheffield United (3-1) and continue to keep pace with the leaders by placing themselves in 5th place, four points behind Manchester United.

Hanging at home on Wednesday by Fulham (1-1) after leading the score, the Londoners have this time been able to take shelter.

They opened the scoring in the 5th minute, by Serge Aurier from a corner (1-0, 5th), before Harry Kane doubled the bet, with a shot wrapped close to the post (2-0, 40th).

Ndombele completed the success with a magnificent goal (3-1, 62nd).

Served by a ladle from Steven Bergwijn, he managed to acrobatically lob from outside right Aaron Ramsdale.

What knock out Sheffield who had reduced the score three minutes earlier by a header from David McGoldrick (2-1, 59th).

© 2021 AFP