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Norwich vs Manchester United LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Two newly installed managers go head-to-head on Saturday evening as Norwich City host Manchester United. Neither Daniel Farke nor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were able to keep pace with hope and expectations for the two clubs, albeit at very different scales, but results have picked up since the coaching changes made.

The Canaries briefly moved off the bottom of the Premier League table after going four without defeat, but Dean Smithsuffered his first loss last time out against Tottenham and there’s a huge job on if they are to avoid relegation. The gap to safety is currently just three points, but it’s increasingly looking like three from four to go down already. As for United, back-to-back wins have put them up to sixth, with Ralf Rangnick’s side narrowly seeing off Crystal Palace last weekend.

United are aiming to keep pace with the race for fourth and consistency is everything across the busy winter schedule. Follow all the team news and match updates from Norwich vs Man United below after the end of Liverpool vs Aston Villa:

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Norwich vs Man United

Norwich City FC 0 - 1 Manchester United FC

Norwich 0 - 1 Man Utd

19:13 , Michael Jones

86 mins: Chance! It should be two-nil! Telles wins the ball off Aarons and slides a pass up to Rashford. He drives towards the ball and dribbles around Kabak taking the ball into the box. He pulls the ball into the six-yard box where Ronaldo is wide open and he boots his effort over the crossbar! How’s he missed?

Norwich 0 - 1 Man Utd

19:09 , Michael Jones

83 mins: Chance! Norwich work the ball in from the right and United fail to deal with it properly. The ball comes to Billy Gilmour just outside the box and he has a shot blocked by Dalot. The follow up comes back to him and his second shot hits Bailly and deflects wide of the lef-thand post!

Norwich 0 - 1 Man Utd

19:08 , Michael Jones

81 mins: Norwich have stepped it up since going behind. They’re pushing United deeper and deeper and working crosses into the box from the wide areas. Lees-Malou is on in place of Rupp and he’s getting stuck right in, driving his team forward.

Norwich 0 - 1 Man Utd

19:04 , Michael Jones

78 mins: Victor Lindelof never came back onto the pitch he’s gone down the tunnel for further assessment and Eric Bailly has replaced him for Man Utd.

Save! Dalot picks up a yellow card for a bad tackle and Norwich win a free kick. It’s swung into the box and Ozan Kabak gets up highest. He wins the header and starts celebrating. It’s heading for the bottom left hand corner but De Gea leaps to his right and palms the ball away! Great save!

GOAL! Norwich 0 - 1 Man Utd (Ronaldo, 75’)⚽️

19:02 , Michael Jones

75 mins: Cristiano Ronaldo won the penalty and Cristiano Ronaldo scores the penalty! Manchester United take the lead!

Penalty to Man Utd!

19:00 , Michael Jones

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

73 mins: Norwich head the corner out of the box but McTominay recovers the ball. He whips it back into the middle towards Ronaldo who is pulled to the ground by Aarons.

It’s a soft one but VAR doesn’t overturn the decision.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:58 , Michael Jones

72 mins: Todd Cantwell comes on to replace Przemyslav Placheta for Norwich as the Manchester United medical team come on to take a look at Victor Lindelof. He went down off the ball pointing to his first chest. He’s guided off the pitch for a check up.

Rashford takes on Aarons with a run into the box and wins a corner for the visitors.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:56 , Michael Jones

69 mins: Norwich put together a decent counter-attack after Fred gets beaten in midfield and the ball comes up to Pukki. He’s got Placheta for company but the pass across to him is wild and Placheta has to sprint to keep it alive. He sends a cross into the box but De Gea plucks the ball out of the air.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:54 , Michael Jones

66 mins: Jadon Sancho is taken off by Ralf Rangnick and Mason Greenwood comes on. Maybe he can provide that bit of spark that this game needs. At the minute it looks likely to be a goalless draw.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:52 , Michael Jones

63 mins: Norwich attempt to work the ball down the right wing but Rupp runs into trouble against Telles and the ball goes out for a Manchester United throw in.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:48 , Michael Jones

60 mins: Lots of pressure from Norwich who win four corners in a row that somehow Manchester United deal with it. They’re scrambling widely at the back before the final corner is whipped straight into the hands of De Gea.

Sancho brings the ball down the left wing and passes the ball inside to Rashford. He takes a snapshot from the edge of the box but pulls it narrowly wide of the near post.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:44 , Michael Jones

57 mins: Save! De Gea to the rescue for Manchester United. Lindelof fails to properly clear a cross into the box and heads it to Pukki. He shifts away from the defender and rolls the ball onto his left foot before drilling a nice effort at goal. The shot is rising towards the top corner but De Gea sticks out a hand and tips it over the crossbar! Big save from the United goalkeeper.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:41 , Michael Jones

54 mins: Rashford and McTominay sandwich Giannoulis over on the left side of the pitch with the Norwich man taking a stray elbow to the face.

Rashford is then played into the box by Ronaldo but he loses possession to Aarons before he can shoot. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway as Rashford was miles offside when the ball was played up for him.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:38 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Fernandes fouls Giannoulis in the middle of the pitch but avoids a yellow card. The visitors win the ball back and Sancho attempts to feed Ronaldo in behind Sorensen but the young defender intercepts the ball. He knocks it to Rashford though and he continues the move. A couple of paces towards the box before sliding a pass in behind that Ronaldo doesn’t run for allowing Krul to collect.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:35 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Chance! Rupp wins the ball in Man Utd’s own box and works it out to Placheta on the right side. He combines with Aarons to get the ball into the box and then dribbles it around Maguire. Maguire almost fouls the forward and has to let him run. Placheta pokes a shot towards the near post but David De Gea has it covered.

Second half: Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:32 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Manchester United need to do better in this second half. Marcus Rashford gets the match back underway but United boot it out for a Norwich throw in. There’s also been no further changes in personnel.

Late Jorginho penalty snatches Chelsea win over Leeds in thriller

18:30 , Michael Jones

A modern twist on an old rivalry, to also revitalise Chelsea’s title challenge. Jorginho secured a 3-2 victory over Leeds United in stoppage time but only after three VAR interventions, a lot of ferocious challenges, constant back-and-forth between the players and supporters, a stoppage-time penalty and a big flare-up to finish.

Within all that, Thomas Tuchel – as well as the home supporters – surely had visions of a familiar Chelsea crisis, as they could have gone another game without a win to leave themselves four points behind Manchester City.

Late Jorginho penalty snatches Chelsea win over Leeds in thriller

Volatile Arsenal lurch to victory over sloppy Southampton

18:27 , Michael Jones

If ever a performance encapsulated Arsenal’s relentless craving for volatility, their victory over Southampton will serve as a gleaming example of how to conquer both ends of the spectrum.

After three defeats in four games had sucked the momentum out of Mikel Arteta’s interminable reboot, Arsenal’s manager began the weekend by publicly ostracising his captain and then spent much of the opening 20 minutes burying his face in his hands as his side reeled off errors like a wheel of fortune.

Volatile Arsenal lurch to victory over sloppy Southampton

Mohamed Salah strikes again as Liverpool beat Aston Villa to ruin Steven Gerrard’s homecoming

18:23 , Michael Jones

Earlier today there was no happy homecoming for Steven Gerrard, no “celebrating like a crazy devil”, no narratives feeding into future ambitions. The man he termed “100 per cent the best player in the world now” saw to that, firing in a low, hard penalty to further Liverpool’s title fight.

Mohamed Salah’s direct goal contribution ticked over to 14 consecutive league games, his 67th-minute winner deflating an Aston Villa side that departed without a shot on target.

Salah strikes again as Liverpool beat Aston Villa to ruin Steven Gerrard’s homecoming

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:20 , Michael Jones

Nothing to separate the teams at half-time.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Half-time: Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:17 , Michael Jones

45+1 mins: There’s the half-time whistle. Manchester United were probably the better team but it’s a close run things. Norwich have played well, they’ve limited United’s chances on goal and have created a few of their own.

Dean Smith will be the happier of the two managers.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:16 , Michael Jones

45 mins: Just the one minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half and Man Utd have a corner. Fernandes knocks it short to Telles who swings a cross into the box that Sargent heads away.

Sancho sends it quickly back into the box and Maguire wins the header this time directing it towards goal and forcing Krul to tip it over the crossbar!

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:14 , Michael Jones

44 mins: Fred gives the ball away to Sargent who curls a long forward pass in behind Lindelof for Pukki to chase down. He’s racing Maguire to the loose ball but the United defender gets there first and boots it away.

Aarons then goes on a driving run from his own box and carries the ball into midfield. He shifts away from an attempted Bruno Fernandes tackle and goes past Fred before McTominay stops him with a cynically heavy tackle.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:11 , Michael Jones

41 mins: Close! Norwich break United down with a pass into the box from the right. Rupp makes a decent run in from the wing and collects the ball before taking it around Lindelof. Pukki is open but Rupp can’t pick him out and Dalot manages to work the ball back out of the penalty area.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:08 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Save! Finally a good chance for Manchester United. They’ve been building up to one for the last 10 minutes or so. Fernandes threads a through ball into the right side of the box for Ronaldo. He decides against a first time shot and pulls it back onto his left foot before firing a shot at goal. Tim Krul sees is all the way and makes a solid two-handed save to parry the ball away.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:07 , Michael Jones

36 mins: Almost! McTominay recovers the ball in his own half and sends it out to Telles on the left side. He fires a pass down the line and Ronaldo collects before driving towards the box. Rashford provides an overlapping option and gets the ball before taking it into the penalty area. He shimmies away from Aarons but can’t beat Lukas Rupp who wins the ball and clears the danger.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:04 , Michael Jones

33 mins: It’s better from United but still not threatening. Fernandes collects the ball on the left side and curls a cross into the box with the outside of his right foot. Ronaldo and Sancho are waiting in the penalty area but the ball sails over their heads and bounces out of play.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

18:01 , Michael Jones

30 mins: That’s nice play. United work the ball quickly across the pitch with Fred finding Fernandes who plays in Ronaldo. He’s got options in the box as he approaches from the left but takes too long on the ball and Aarons nicks the ball off him.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

17:58 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Dalot mistakenly sends the ball out for a Norwich corner but the set piece is whipped safely into the hands of David De Gea.

Manchester United haven’t been very penetrating at all, they’ve knocked the ball sideways and backwards more often then not and seem bereft of ideas.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

17:55 , Michael Jones

24 mins: There’s not much happening in either final third with most of the action happening in the middle of the pitch. Neither side has really grabbed control of the game yet.

Rashford is slipped in behind Ozan Kabak by Bruno Fernandes but he checks his run thinking he’s been pulled back by the Norwich defender and the attack dies down.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

17:51 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Hanley’s come back onto the pitch but looks in a fair bit of pain. So much so that he’s noth going to be able to continue. He’s holding his arm very stiff as he walks off the pitch and is replaced with Jacob Sorensen.

Lindelof sends another long ball up the pitch but this one bounces safely through to Tim Krul.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

17:48 , Michael Jones

18 mins: A cross comes in from the left side and Ronaldo attempts to volley it at goal but completely miscues the effort. He regains possession though and attempts to dribble around Hanely but only manages to knock over the Norwich centre-back who lands awkwardly on his shoulder.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

17:45 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Jadon Sancho carries the ball down the right channel and gives it to Rashford just inside the box. He’s forced out of the area before getting bungled over by Grant Hanley and winning a fre kick for United.

Close! This is prime Ronaldo range but he’s got Fernandes and Telles stood over the ball too. Fernandes dummies a shot and Telles strikes the free kick. It hits Hanley in the wall and deflects towards goal before striking the crossbar and going out for a corner!

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

17:42 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Norwich have a cluster of men surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo when Dalot swings a corner into the box. The cross goes over eveyone but Bruno Fernandes keeps it alive. He plays it back to Scott McTominay on the edge of the box and his effort at goal is blocked.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

17:40 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Teemu Pukki latches onto a poor backpass from Alex Telles and drives the ball into the right side of the box. He attempts to pull the ball back into the middle of the box for Josh Sargent but a back-tracking Scott McTominay slides in front of the Norwich man and prods the ball out for a corner.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

17:36 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Dimitri Giannoulis goes searching for a free kick by dinking the ball around Scott McTominay and running into the Man Utd midfielder who just held his ground. Giannoulis’s efforts aren’t rewarded though as United take possession and come down the left side of the pitch.

Maguire attempts to send the ball over to Diogo Dalot on the right wing but his pass comes up short. Josh Sargent gathers the ball and gets clipped by Dalot who’s lucky to avoid picking up a yellow card.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

17:33 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Victor Lindelof fires a long ball up the pitch for Jadon Sancho to make a run in behind but Max Aarons gets to the ball first and heads it clear for Norwich.

The Canaries try a similar mode of attack with a long ball up to Teemu Pukki but Harry Maguire is there to deal with it.

Norwich 0 - 0 Man Utd

17:31 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Norwich get the match started with a diagonal ball out to the left wing that gets headed behind for a Manchester United goal kick.

Norwich v Man Utd: Here come the teams

17:27 , Michael Jones

Harry Maguire leads out Manchester United at Carrow Road. The Red Devils can join West Ham on 27 points if they win today. Norwich meanwhile would move off bottom spot if they pick up all three points. It’s a big game for both clubs.

Norwich vs Man Utd

17:22 , Michael Jones

Manchester United are the only club not to have scored in the opening 15 minutes of a Premier League match this season and they are winless in their last four league matches against newly-promoted sides.

 (Manchester United via Getty Imag)
(Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Norwich vs Man Utd

17:19 , Michael Jones

Dean Smith could become the first manager in 113 years to beat Manchester United with two different clubs in the same top-flight season. Andy Aitken did so with Middlesbrough and Leicester in 1908-09.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Norwich vs Man Utd

17:17 , Michael Jones

Manchester United are vying to win three consecutive league games for only the second time this season. They can keep successive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since a run of four from February to March 2021.

But, United have conceded nine goals in their last four Premier League away fixtures, as many as in their previous 16.

Norwich vs Man Utd

17:15 , Michael Jones

Norwich’s tally of 10 points is one fewer than they had at the same stage of their most recent Premier League season in 2019-20.

They have taken four points from two home games since Dean Smith became head coach, in contrast to one point out of a possible 15 at Carrow Road under Daniel Farke.

But, they have failed to score in nine Premier League matches this season, more than any other side.

Norwich vs Man Utd: Manchester United should not convince Paul Pogba to stay if he wants to leave, says Ralf Rangnick

17:10 , Michael Jones

Ralf Rangnick does not believe that he or anyone else at Manchester United should attempt to convince Paul Pogba to stay at Old Trafford if his mind is already set on leaving.

Pogba’s contract is set to expire during the summer and, with no sign of a new deal being imminent, he will be able to discuss a prospective free transfer with clubs across Europe in January.

Paul Pogba should not be convinced to stay if he wants to leave, says Ralf Rangnick

Norwich vs Man Utd

17:07 , Michael Jones

Norwich have lost eight of the last 10 Premier League meetings between the two teams. Manchester United have won on 11 of their last 13 visits to Carrow Road in all competitions.

The most recent encounter between the sides was an FA Cup quarter-final tie in June 2020, with United winning 2-1 away after extra-time.

Norwich vs Man Utd

16:59 , Michael Jones

Okay, just one more game to go today as Norwich City host Manchester United. Here’s a reminder of the two line-ups:

Norwich XI: Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Kabak, Giannoulis, Gilmour, Rupp, McLean, Sargent, Placheta, Pukki

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, McTominay, Fred, Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford, Ronaldo

Elsewhere in the Premier League

16:56 , Michael Jones

Chelsea have won at Stamford Bridge after a tough game against Leeds ends 3-2 in favour of the Blues. Jorginho converted twice from the penalty spot.

Also in London Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory over Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.

Full-time: Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa

16:54 , Michael Jones

90+4 mins: There goes the final whistle at Anfield. Mo Salah’s penalty is the only difference between the two teams! The Reds maintain their record of scoring in every game this season and move back to just one point behind Manchester City.

GOAL! Chelsea 3 - 2 Leeds ⚽️

16:52 , Michael Jones

90+4 mins: Chelsea earn another penalty after Antonio Rudiger is brought down in the box. Jorginho steps up and sends it the other way this time. Chelsea are in front once again! That should be that now at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa

16:50 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play at Anfield. Will Liverpool close out this game or can Villa find an equaliser? The former looks the most likely outcome at the minute.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa

16:48 , Michael Jones

87 mins: Penalty shout forAston Villa!

Morgan Sanson slides a through ball up to Danny Ings and plays him into the area. Alisson comes flying out of the box and kicks the ball away. It hits Matip and rebounds back into the box where Ings is waiting. The goalkeeper swipes at the ball and connects with the Aston Villa striker who goes down. There’s a VAR check but Alisson got just enough on the ball before taking out the man. No penalty.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa

16:44 , Michael Jones

84 mins: James Milner comes on for Liverpool replacing Thiago Silva for the final few minutes at Anfield. Alexander-Arnold whips a corner into the box but sends it straight into the hands of Martinez.

GOAL! Chelsea 2 - 2 Leeds ⚽️

16:42 , Michael Jones

83 mins: Huge goal at Stamford Bridge as Leeds have a late equaliser. Joe Gelhardt has just come on for Raphinha, he breaks into the box and squeezes in front of Thiago Silva to meet a cross and guide it into the back of the net. It’s the youngster’s first Premier League goal and what a big one it could turn out to be.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa

16:41 , Michael Jones

81 mins: Aston Villa are throwing men forward and creating space on the right wing for Matty Cash. He’s whipped a couple of decent crosses into the box but Van Dijk manages to deal with both of them.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa

16:39 , Michael Jones

78 mins: Konsa gets away with one as a backpass to Martinez comes up short. Jota gets to the ball and dinks it around the sprawling goalkeeper but sends the effort wide of goal!

Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa

16:37 , Michael Jones

75 mins: Danny Ings is on for Aston Villa. He’s taken up a central position with Buendia and Watkins in behind him. Yet it’s Liverpool who are controlling the game still. Aston Villa are struggling to get the ball out. Konsa sends a pass up towards Douglas Luiz but it’s off target and Andy Robertson collects.

Norwich vs Man Utd: Line-ups

16:34 , Michael Jones

Norwich XI:Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Kabak, Giannoulis Rupp, Gilmour, Placheta, McLean, Sargent, Pukki.

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, McTominay, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rashford.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa

16:33 , Michael Jones

73 mins: Salah drives into the box from the right side and looks for the top corner with a left-footed shot that is deflected behind for a corner.

Emiliano Buendia is on for Aston Villa replacing Jacob Ramsey.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa

16:29 , Michael Jones

70 mins: 20 minutes to go at Anfield. Can Aston Villa find a way back into the match. They’ve not had a great deal of joy going forward but they may have to open themselves up a little now that they’re chasing the game.

Mo Salah now has 21 goals for the season.

GOAL! Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa (Salah, 67’) ⚽️

16:27 , Michael Jones

67 mins: Salah breaks the deadlock. He fires the penalty into the bottom right hand corner. It’s a great penalty! Martinez leapt the correct way but the can’t get near the ball and Liverpool finally take the lead at Anfield.

Penalty to Liverpool!

16:26 , Michael Jones

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

65 mins: Mo Salah is sent down the right channel by Henderson and brings the ball into the box. He flicks the ball away from Mings and sprints around the Villa captain. Mings tries to recover but blunders into Liverpool’s leading goalscorer and barges him to the ground. Clear penalty.

GOAL! Arsenal 3 - 0 Southampton ⚽️

16:22 , Michael Jones

62 mins: The goals continue to be scored around the Premier League in every game bar the one taking place at Anfield. Arsenal defender Gabriel has added to the Gunners’ tally and Mikel Arteta have secured all three points against Southampton.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

16:21 , Michael Jones

60 mins: Liverpool have done everything but score so far in this game so Jurgen Klopp looks to the bench. Diogo Jota comes on to replace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Aston Villa have made a substitution as well. Morgan Sanson is on in place of Marvelous Nakamba.

GOAL! Chelsea 2 - 1 Leeds ⚽️

16:19 , Michael Jones

58 mins: Chelsea have come from behind to lead against Leeds at Stamford Bridge. A fortuitous penalty afforded Jorginho the chance to convert from the spot and as is his way he fird it home.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

16:17 , Michael Jones

57 mins: Matt Targett stops a long ball coming up to Mo Salah and boots it back down the pitch. Liverpool repsond by playing Salah in behind down the right wing. He drives into the box but can’t get around Targett. Instead he knocks it back to Alexander-Arnold who’s cross comes over to Robertson. Liverpool maintain the pressure on the Villa box, the ball bounces to Mane who shoots pulls his effort wide of goal!

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

16:14 , Michael Jones

54 mins: Save! Andy Robertson wins a corner for the Reds and swings it into the box himself. It’s a lovely cross for Virgil van Dijk to run on to. He breaks away from a huddle of players and meets the cross with a powerful header at goal. Martinez reacts well and palms the ball over the crossbar!

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

16:11 , Michael Jones

52 mins: Mings blocks a shot from Mane inside the box but Liverpool maintain possession. Twice Mo Salah breaks into the box, the first time his pass into the middle is defended and the second time he blasts a right footed shot wide of the near post.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

16:10 , Michael Jones

50 mins: Douglas Luiz swings a deep corner into the Liverpool box that Virgil van Dijk deals with and knocks out for a throw in.

John McGinn and Thiago Alcantara come together in the middle of the pitch and Thiago goes down. He’s claiming that McGinn whacked him in the face but it was a slight tap from a trailing arm. Liverpool are awarded the free kick though.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

16:07 , Michael Jones

47 mins: Lovely from Salah who brings the ball under control rolls it away from Douglas Luiz and cuts inside of Matt Targett before flicking a cross over to Sadio Mane. Matty Cash jumps in front of the Liverpool forward and heads the ball out of the box.

Second half: Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

16:05 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Liverpool get the match back underway at Anfield. Can Aston Villa get something out of this game or will Liverpool continue their winning run and take the points? Lets find out.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

16:00 , Michael Jones

Steven Gerrard played 710 times for Liverpool in all competitions, the third-most in the Reds’ history. Former players managing against the Reds at Anfield in the Premier League have lost 14 of their last 16 visits with just one win and one draw.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

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15:58 , Michael Jones

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Premier League scores

15:55 , Michael Jones

Just the three Premier League games taking place right now and here are the half-time scores:

Arsenal 2 - 0 Southampton

Chelsea 1 - 1 Leeds

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

Lots of goals in London and none at all in Merseyside.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:52 , Michael Jones

Nothing to separate the teams after 45 minutes.

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Half-time: Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:49 , Michael Jones

45+2 mins: After a couple of added minutes to end the first half the teams head into the break on level terms. No goals at Anfield and Steven Gerrard will think that’s half a job done for his Aston Villa team.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:46 , Michael Jones

44 mins Chance! It’s a lovely run from Mo Salah who brings the ball under control on the right wing before cutting into the box and weaving around Tyrone Mings. He rolls the ball onto his left foot and drills a low shot towards the near post but Martinez has it covered and makes a good low save to keep it out.

GOAL! Chelsea 1 - 1 Leeds ⚽️

15:43 , Michael Jones

42 mins: Chelsea are back in the game and Mason Mount has the equaliser for the Blues!

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:42 , Michael Jones

41 mins: Villa are defending exceptionally well. John McGinn gets back to stop a cross from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with a sliding challenge.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:40 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Alexander-Arnold swings Liverpool’s seventh corner of the match into the box. There’s a scramble in the middle and the ball almost drops for Mane but Young hoofs it down the pitch as hard as he can.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:38 , Michael Jones

36 mins: Van Dijk pings a cross-field pass out to Alexander-Arnold on the right wing. He brings the ball down and knocks it inside to Salah who’s forced deeper by the combined forces of Matt Targett and Douglas Luiz. Good defending from Villa.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:37 , Michael Jones

33 mins: We’ve got a good game going on here. Jurgen Klopp seems like a frustrated man in the dugouts and Steven Gerrard will be happy with what he’s seeing.

Another cross from Alexander-Arnold is blocked behind by Douglas Luiz sprinting back into Villa’s box.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:33 , Michael Jones

30 mins: Andy Robertson is tormenting Matty Cash and Marvelous Nakamba. He’s taken the ball into the box two or three times now and could have had a couple of penalties but none of the decisions have gone Liverpool’s way.

At the other end the ball comes up to Young on the inside left. He dinks the ball into the box and heads it over Alisson who’s comes flying off his line. From the byline Young tries to cross the ball to Watkins for a tap in but the pass is intercepted and Liverpool manage to work it clear.

GOAL! Chelsea 0 - 1 Leeds ⚽️

15:30 , Michael Jones

28 mins: Over at Stamford Bridge Leeds have taken the lead after Daniel James won a penalty and Raphinha converted. Chelsea can’t afford to drop points if they want to stay in the title race so they’ve got work to do.

GOAL! Arsenal 2 - 0 Southampton ⚽️

15:29 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Arsenal have doubled their lead at the Emirates. Tomiyasu swings a cross deep into the box where Tierney has a volley blocked. The ball loops into the air and he heads it across the six-yard box where Martin Odegaard taps it in.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:27 , Michael Jones

26 mins: Watkins slides into a tackle on Fabinho from behind and goes through the Liverpool midfielder to win the ball. Liverpool are awarded a free kick and Watkins goes in the book.

Alexander-Arnold floats the set piece into the penalty area but Young is first to the ball and heads it away.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:25 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Back at Anfield Aston Villa are finding their feet in midfield. Ramsey wins a free kick in the middle of the pitch after drawing a foul from Henderson. It’s worked out to Ashley Young on the right side and he wins a throw in inside of Liverpool’s final third.

The ball comes to John McGinn who breaks into space in the wide area and sends a sharp cross low into the box but Joel Matip deals with it for Liverpool.

GOAL! Arsenal 1 - 0 Southampton ⚽️

15:22 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Arsenal have taken the lead at the Emirates. Bukayo Saka drops a shoulder to sprint away from Jan Bednarek and carry the into the box he picks out Alexandre Lacazette who curls a fine finish into the top corner! It’s the first Premier League goal of the afternoon. How many more will we get?

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:19 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Save! Alexander-Arnold swings another pinpoint cross in from the right tip of the box and picks out Robertson at the back post. He fires a headed effort at goal, there’s a deflection off Cash but Emiliano Martinez leaps low to his right and keeps the effort out with a solid right hand.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:16 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Virgil van Dijk goes in the book for Liverpool. Targett flicks a fine pass up the pitch to Ollie Watkins who does brilliantly to bring it down and shift the ball over to the left of the box. Van Dijk goes with him but can’t win the ball and eventually brings down the Villa striker.

Ezri Konsa takes the resultant free kick and drills it straight into the side netting of Alisson’s goal.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:14 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Close! Liverpool slickly work the ball over the pitch and out to Andy Robertson on the left wing. He pulls the ball back to the front of the box where Mo Salah lets the ball run to Alexander-Arnold. The defender runs onto the ball and blasts it at goal only to be denied by Matt Targett blocking the shot out for a corner.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:11 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Penalty shout for Liverpool!

Salah receives the ball on the right side and weaves his way to the corner of the box before flicking a pass over to Mane. He brings the ball under control and plays a one-two with Salah to get into the middle of the box. Matty Cash gets a hand to Mane who flings himself to the floor and wants a penalty.

The referee has a good view of the incident but lets play continue and VAR doesn’t overturn the decision.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:08 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Thiago Alcantara attempts to feed Andy Robertson in behind on the left side but Matty Cash manages to get back and intercept the ball for Villa.

They don’t keep it for long though as Liverpool recover possession and Jordan Henderson brings it down the inside right channel. He find Mane in the box who tries to force off a shot and wins a corner.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:05 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Close! Liverpool turn over the ball and fly down the right side. Alexander-Arnold whips a cross into the box from the wide area but Matty Cash is there to head it away. Sadio Mane collects the loose ball and runs it back into the box. His floaty pass into the middle of the area is met by Marvelous Nakamba and he does get the ball clear this time.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15:03 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Aston Villa start the match and knock the ball back to their own goalkeeper. Liverpool press up them high up the pitch but they play out from the back with a pass out to the left wing. Jacob Ramsey threatens to break in behind but he’s clipped by Trent Alexander-Arnold and wins a free kick.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa: Here come the teams

14:59 , Michael Jones

Steven Gerrard gets a loud round of applause from the crowd at Anfield as he follows his Aston Villa team out onto the pitch. Villa will jump inot the top 10 if they can win at Anfield today.

Following Manchester City’s win in the early kick off Liverpool need to match that results to cut the gap at the top back to just one point.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa: Klopp on Gerrard

14:56 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp spoke about Steven Gerrard’s return to Anfield today and said that Liverpool would be giving it their all to win the game:

He will come here and want to win the football game. Before [the game], nice shake hands, after, nice shake hands - in between we will go full throttle and he will go full throttle.

“It’s not easy for a world class player to become an outstanding manager but it’s possible. It looks absolutely like Stevie has all the skills you need and I’m really happy for him.”

Liverpool vs Aston Villa

14:53 , Michael Jones

Mo Salah scored in all three appearances against Aston Villa last season. He has been directly involved in 22 league goals this season, a Premier League record after 15 matches and has 13 goals and nine assists.

Sterling joins Premier League 100-club as Man City beat 10-man Wolves

14:49 , Karl Matchett

It was the type of game against mid-table opposition at the Etihad that Manchester City typically make light work of and this victory, earned by the 100th Premier League goal of Raheem Sterling’s career, will keep the defending champions at the top of the table this weekend, no matter what happens elsewhere. City were good value for their win, too, improving considerably in the second half.

Yet that improvement and the three points only came once Wolverhampton Wanderers had been reduced to 10 men by one of the most ridiculous, self-inflicted sendings-off you are likely to see this season for Raul Jimenez, while the winning goal only came from a debatable penalty that summed up an inconsistent, at times unauthoritative display by referee Jonathan Moss.

Overall, this was a forgettable affair, and only Jimenez’s bizarre red card warrants committing to memory. At the end of the first half, after already being cautioned for a questionable foul on Rodri, Jimenez refused to move out of the way for the subsequent free-kick then immediately intercepted it, inviting Moss to show him a second yellow and a red.

Wolves’ game plan up to that point had produced a dour, lifeless first half that was nevertheless frustrating City’s attempts to break them down and ultimately working in their favour. Jimenez’s sending off ripped that blueprint up and City proceeded to rip Wolves apart, eventually taking the lead through Sterling and dominating against 10-man opponents in a manner not reflected by the 1-0 scoreline.

Mark Critchley was at the Etihad Stadium:

Raheem Sterling joins Premier League’s 100 club as Man City beat 10-man Wolves

Liverpool vs Aston Villa: Gerrard on his return to Anfield

14:49 , Michael Jones

Steven Gerrard is fully focused on Aston Villa’s attempts to win today’s clash at Anfield but says it always brings a smile to his face when he returns to his former club:

Everyone in that stadium will know me well enough to know what I’m about and what I’m going to Anfield for.

“I’m going back to a club where I spent many years and it brings a smile to my face for a couple of reasons.

“One, I’ve got a good relationship with a lot of people at the club. I had a fantastic time there, a really good journey, I’m a local boy.

“It was the team I supported growing up and I will always support that team.

“But at the same time it brings a smile to my face because I’ve got the opportunity to go there and compete against a good team and a good manager and try to win the game. That’s my only focus.”

Liverpool vs Aston Villa

14:44 , Michael Jones

Aston Villa have won three of their four Premier League games under Steven Gerrard, as many as they had in 11 attempts under Dean Smith this season.

Only Southampton have lost more Premier League matches in 2021 than Villa’s tally of 19.

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