LEICESTER: Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso (C) celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League match against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.—AP
There was a heated finale as Mourinho and Klopp argued on the touchline after United’s Ander Herrera grappled with Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino. They were eventually separated and exchanged a handshake at the final whistle.
ALONSO LIFTS CHELSEA
On Saturday, Marcos Alonso proved an unexpected replacement for the absent Diego Costa as Chelsea won 3-0 at Leicester City to consolidate their position atop the table.
Costa, Chelsea’s top scorer, was missing after reportedly rowing with coaching staff about his fitness, but Spanish wing-back Alonso struck early in both halves and Pedro completed a rout of the feeble champions.
“If there are problems, I prefer to solve the problem in the changing room and not during the press conference,” Conte said. “If, and I repeat if, there are problems.”
Costa’s absence followed the Spain international being linked with a big-money move to the ambitious Chinese Super League and reports of a rift with the Chelsea coaching staff.
Arsenal kept up the pressure after a 4-0 trouncing of Swansea City, who are now bottom.
Olivier Giroud scored in a fifth consecutive game, including last weekend’s FA Cup victory over Preston, and Alexis Sanchez volleyed in his 14th goal of the league campaign.
Alex Iwobi had two deflected strikes that went down as own goals scored by Jack Cork and Kyle Naughton.
Hull City recovered to beat Bournemouth 3-1 with a double from Abel Hernandez giving new manager Marco Silva the ideal league debut as they leapt from last place above Swansea and Sunderland, who were beaten 3-1 at home by Stoke City.
Peter Crouch scored his 99th league goal for the Potters — a header, naturally — while Marko Arnautovic netted twice.
West Ham United brushed off the absence of want-away star Dimitri Payet to sink Crystal Palace 3-0, goals by Sofiane Feghouli and Manuel Lanzini sandwiching a sensational Andy Carroll bicycle kick.
Joey Barton made a remarkable return for his old club Burnley, coming on as a substitute and scoring with a free-kick in the 1-0 win over Southampton.
There were emotional scenes at Vicarage Road as Watford’s fans paid tribute to late former manager Graham Taylor, who died on Thursday aged 72, prior to their side’s goalless draw with Middlesbrough.
Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2017