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MANCHESTER, England: Liverpool drew 1-1 at Brighton after conceding a VAR-inspired injury time penalty, while Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick in Manchester City’s 5-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday (Nov. 28).
Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton suffered their fourth loss in five games after a goal from Raphinha gave Leeds United a 1-0 win at Goodison Park.
Liverpool occupied the top of the table, at least for a day, opening a one-point lead over Tottenham, who are at Chelsea on Sunday.
But Juergen Klopp’s side, defeated by Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday, were infuriated against VAR after they were disallowed two goals by revisions and missed two points when referee Stuart Attwell awarded a penalty near the end. after going to the field monitor.
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Pascal Gross scored his direct shot after Attwell decided to punish Andy Robertson for kicking Danny Welbeck’s foot while clearing.
Liverpool had taken the lead thanks to a fine goal from fit Diogo Jota, the Portuguese forward’s ninth goal in all competitions since joining the champion from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Mohamed Salah had an offside goal scored by VAR in the first half and substitute Sadio Mane had a good header disallowed after a review that he had been offside.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane scores a goal which was later disallowed after a VAR review. (Photo: Pool via REUTERS / Mike Hewitt)
While Klopp accepted the VAR’s decisions, choosing instead to vent his frustration over the TV broadcasters’ decision to have his team play in Saturday’s early game, captain Jordan Henderson said he would like to see the technology removed. of the game.
“I don’t want to speak for anyone else, but in my opinion (I would rule out VAR),” Henderson said. “I just want to play football normally,” said the England midfielder.
Manchester City also had a goal disallowed by VAR, but will hardly have cared given that they had already taken a 5-0 lead when Gabriel Jesus’ effort was disallowed.
It was the fourth consecutive 5-0 win for City against Burnley at the Etihad and Sean Dyche’s team was lucky to walk away with that score.
The Clarets’ lax defense allowed Mahrez to score twice early in the game, both times with his signature move from the flank followed by a left foot shot into the far corner.
Benjamin Mendy headed in the third goal before half-time and Ferran Torres added the fourth before Mahrez completed his hat-trick with a rare header.
City had managed just 10 goals in eight games before Saturday’s win, and manager Pep Guardiola was relieved to see his team once again powerful in the final third.
“We have to score, that’s why they are here and they play up front. The most important thing now is that we have almost 21 players in shape,” he said.
Brazilian winger Raphinha scored his first goal for Leeds United in another game in which the goals were disallowed.
Everton’s James Rodríguez and Richarlison had the ball in the net in the first half, but both attempts were ruled out for offside, and Leeds forward Patrick Bamford suffered a similar fate when he thought he had scored in the 65th minute.
Raphinha, signed from Rennes in October, appeared to be looking for a pass, but stopped short, tucking the ball between defender Ben Godfrey’s legs and inside at the foot of the far post in the 79th minute.
The two teams made 38 attempts at goal in an eventful match and the victory brought Leeds to 11th place in the table with 14 points. Everton are in sixth place with 16 points.
“This is a more difficult period,” said Ancelotti, “in a difficult period, you can see how your players react, see their personality and character. I still have confidence. We need more consistency.”
