SATURDAY PL ROUND-UP: LIVERPOOL CONCEDE LATE EQUALISER, MAN CITY PUT FIVE PAST BURNLEY

Featured Image Credit - Brighton & Hove Independent

Liverpool were left to rue a trio of tight VAR decisions after Brighton scored a late penalty to take points off the reigning Premier League champions.

There were no such problems for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side beat Burnley 5-0, while newly-promoted Leeds and West Brom both picked up 1-0 wins.

Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Liverpool

The Reds went back to the top of the table despite those VAR setbacks, which culminated in Pascal Groß’s 93rd minute penalty.

Brighton did have the chance to take an early lead after Neco Williams fouled Aaron Connolly inside the area, although Neal Maupay put the spot-kick wide.

Mo Salah fired Roberto Firmino’s pass home in the first half, but the technology determined the Egyptian to be offside by the narrowest of margins.

The visitors did take the lead when Diogo Jota continued his sensational start to life in a Liverpool shirt, seeing off two Brighton players and finishing expertly.

Sadio Mané’s header was also ruled out for offside, and that came back to bite Liverpool when a VAR-awarded penalty was converted by Groß’s to steal a late point for the Seagulls.

Manchester City 5-0 Burnley

Man City beat Burnley 5-0 for the third straight time in Premier League games at the Etihad Stadium as Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick.

It was his first for City, and the first two strikes displayed his quick feet as he stepped past defenders before curling home.

Burnley, who handed Premier League debuts to Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Josh Benson, must’ve been feeling a sense of déjà vu when Benjamin Mendy’s first City goal made it three.

Ferran Torres got off the mark in the Premier League after the break, before Mahrez completed his hat-trick. It would’ve been six but VAR ruled out Peacock-Farrell’s late own goal.

West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Sheffield United

West Brom picked up an important win against relegation rivals Sheffield United at The Hawthorns.

Conor Gallagher’s driving run and finish gave the Baggies the advantage early on, but it was far from plain sailing from there.

Sam Johnstone put in an inspired performance to keep out the Blades, and Lys Mousset wasted a golden chance to equalise in stoppage time.

Sheffield United are just the third team to collect one point or less from their first ten matches in English top-flight history, a far cry from the success of last season.

Everton 0-1 Leeds United

Raphinha’s 20-yard strike won Leeds all three points against Everton in a pulsating encounter that saw the visitors end their three-game winless run.

The Brazilian winger signed from Rennes in the summer transfer window, but had only made one start for Marcelo Bielsa’s side until the visit to Goodison Park.

There were 38 shots in all in a thrilling contest. Both goalkeepers, Jordan Pickford and Illan Meslier, were in fine form to keep it scoreless for as long as it was.

Both sides are on the road next weekend as Everton travel to Turf Moor and Leeds face a tough trip to Stamford Bridge to face title contenders Chelsea.