EPL: Liverpool extend lead with 2-0 victory over Bournemouth

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to nine points with a hard-fought victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, as Mohamed Salah’s brace sealed a crucial win for the Reds.  

Salah’s double saw him surpass Frank Lampard on the all-time Premier League scoring list, reaching 178 league goals to sit sixth in the competition’s history.

His first of the night came from the penalty spot in the 30th minute, after Lewis Cook was adjudged to have clipped Cody Gakpo’s heels in the box.

Despite Bournemouth’s impressive record this season, including victories over Arsenal, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest, they were unable to upset the league leaders.

The Cherries nearly went ahead in the first half when Antoine Semenyo struck the left post, but Liverpool held firm before Salah secured the win.

Semenyo then had a great chance to equalise early in the second half, only for Alisson to make an excellent save with his legs to keep out the well-struck effort.

The chances kept coming for the hosts and substitute Marcus Tavernier hit the inside of the post, with Justin Kluivert wastefully shooting the rebound over the bar.

That failure to equalise proved critical as Salah, whose contract expires at the end of the season, sealed the three points with a magnificent curled effort to make it 2-0.

The Reds are now on 56 points from 23 matches, although Arsenal will cut the gap back to six points if they win at home against Manchester City on Sunday.