Mane boosts Liverpool’s record hunt, West Ham held by Newcastle
London (AFP) – Sadio Mane helped Liverpool keep alive their bid to set a new Premier League points record as the champions beat Aston Villa 2-0, while struggling West Ham twice blew the lead in a draw at Newcastle on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are hoping to break Manchester City’s Premier League record of 100 points and second-half strikes from Mane and Curtis Jones kept them on course to shatter that mark.
Back at Anfield for the first time since clinching the English title last week, Liverpool were lacklustre for long periods as they looked to bounce back from Thursday’s 4-0 thrashing at Manchester City.
But Senegal winger Mane broke struggling Villa’s stubborn resistence in the 71st minute, smashing Naby Keita’s pass in off the underside of the crossbar from close range.
Mane’s 20th goal in all competitions this season was followed by Jones’ 89th-minute strike.
Jones netted from 12 yards for his first Premier League goal, just 24 hours after the promising midfielder signed a new contract.
Liverpool need 12 points from their remaining five games to surpass City’s 100-point total from 2017-18.
“The only thing I can say is there’s no chance to win records if you constantly think about records,” Klopp said.
“We don’t want a record we want the three points. We don’t think about these things, three points is difficult enough
“Aston Villa was fighting with all they had and it makes life uncomfortable.
“It was not a brilliant performance but it was a good performance that gets us three points.”
Villa remain in the relegation zone, one point from safety as they battle to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Second-placed City visit Southampton in Sunday’s late game.
– Clever flick –
At St James’ Park, Newcastle hit back twice after West Ham looked set to take control to secure a 2-2 draw.
Shock winners against Chelsea in midweek, West Ham were ahead within four minutes at Newcastle.
Michail Antonio’s clever flick allowed Pablo Fornals to find Jarrod Bowen with a fine pass, and when Jamaal Lascelles failed to cut out his cross, Antonio pounced at the far post.
Newcastle were level after 17 minutes as the influential Allan Saint-Maximin slipped in Emil Krafth.
Krafth’s driven cross was turned past Lukasz Fabianski by Miguel Almiron for the Paraguay midfielder’s eighth goal of the season.
Tomas Soucek restored West Ham’s lead when he lashed home after Declan Rice headed Ryan Fredericks’ corner against the crossbar.