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Wolves 2-1 Liverpool: FA Cup third ro... Huddersfield Town 0-3 Manchester City...

Brighton 0-1 Liverpool, Leicester 1-2 Southampton and more – as it happened

Mohamed Salah’s penalty put Liverpool seven points clear at the top, Burnley beat Fulham 2-1 despite having no shots on target and 10-man Southampton earned a vital victory

6.10pm GMT

One for luck: it’s the Football League roundup:

5.29pm GMT

That’s it for today’s Clockwatch. I’ll leave you in the tender hands of Scott Murray, who is following Chelsea v Newcastle. Goodnight!

5.22pm GMT

Crystal Palace 1-2 Watford Our last Premier League report has landed, and it’s another tale of woe for poor old Roy.

5.17pm GMT

This afternoon’s results mean Newcastle have dropped into the relegation places ahead of their match at Chelsea. You can follow that with Scott Murray.

5.14pm GMT

Leiceter 1-2 Southampton Stuart James’s match report from the King Power Stadium has landed.

5.13pm GMT

And here’s Ralph Hasenhuttl

“Longy was perfect today – he worked very hard and played a big part in both goals. We tried to be very compact in the second half but 50 minutes is a long time to be a man down. The players enjoyed the challenge. The longer the game went on, the more stable they were and that was the key to our success.”

5.11pm GMT

Here’s Jurgen

“It was a hard-earned victory. It was a massive, massive game today - everyone knows how Brighton play, and so you have to be creative against a very organised side. I thought it was an unbelievable, mature performance of my side, and I like that because that’s a new skill this season. We learned from the first half and the second half was much better. I like the performance – it was not an opera of football but it’s still a really nice song.

5.08pm GMT

More match reports!

5.06pm GMT

Match reports

Paul Doyle was at the Amex Stadium to see Liverpool go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.

4.59pm GMT

Crikey, that was a bit frenetic. You can check all the results across Britain and Europe by clicking here, but here are a few scores of note in the Football League:

Championship

4.57pm GMT

“That feels like a massive win for Liverpool,” says Niall Mullen. “The title chasing teams that lost at home to Coventry or drew 4-4 against Arsenal or 3-3 at Palace probably wouldn’t have had enough in the tank to win today. I think there’s something different about these boys. Something that will probably ratchet up the heartbreak but still...”

Yes, if they don’t win it, it’ll surely be down to a lack of goals rather than the tragifarcical defending of old. (Unless Alisson and/or van Dijk suffer long-term injury, in which I’m getting out the laughter track and the popcorn.

4.55pm GMT

Another terrific win for this admirable Watford side, who move up to seventh in the table.

4.55pm GMT

You’ll like this department Burnley, who beat Fulham 2-1, had no shots on target. Both their goals were own goals.

4.53pm GMT

What a superb victory for Southampton, who had 10 men throughout the second half. Claude Puel’s name may be appearing on a P45 in the next few days.

4.53pm GMT

Game of the season, end of.

4.52pm GMT

A big win for Burnley, who may be starting to extricate themselves from the malodorous stuff.

4.52pm GMT

Liverpool move seven points clear with a scruffy but deserved victory over Brighton!

4.50pm GMT

League Two: Bury 4-3 MK Dons (Adams 90) Oh my numbers! Bury, who were 3-1 down after 72 minutes, lead MK Dons 4-3!

4.49pm GMT

Brighton 0-1 Liverpool Four minutes of added time at Brighton. Jurgen Klopp is pacing around nervously.

4.47pm GMT

Championship Reading lead Nottingham Forest 2-0 (goals) and 11-9 (men).

4.46pm GMT

4.45pm GMT

Cardiff 0-0 Huddersfield There’s been one shot on target in the match.

4.45pm GMT

Brighton 0-1 Liverpool Salah misses a great chance to seal the match, inexplicably shooting wide from eight yards.

4.43pm GMT

A couple of important goals in the Championship:

4.43pm GMT

“Salah is a great player who scores plenty wonderful goals and will likely actually win some titles with Liverpool,” says Phil Podolsky. “For the neutrals, however, Suarez’s absurd genius for things like that goal v Newcastle may never be matched.”

That goal against Newcastle is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen on a football field.

4.40pm GMT

As things stand, Watford will move top of the Premier League Second Division, known colloquially as ‘seventh place’. Javi Gracia has done some job at Vicarage Road.

4.39pm GMT

Championship Adams has equalised for Birmingham at home to Middlesbrough, while Michael Jacobs has put Wigan 2-0 up at home to comatose giant Aston Villa.

4.38pm GMT

League Two: Bury 3-3 MK Dons Danny Mayor has equalised for Bury at Gigg Lane!

4.37pm GMT

Brighton 0-1 Liverpool Wijnaldum shoots just wide for Liverpool, who remain uncomfortably comfortable at Brighton.

4.36pm GMT

Cardiff 0-0 Huddersfield The referee Lee Mason gives Huddersfield a penalty for a foul on Hadergjonaj, then consults the assistant and changes his mind. We’ll hear more about that, I’m sure.

4.35pm GMT

The substitute Tom Cleverley has given Watford the lead at Selhurst Park.

4.32pm GMT

Crystal Palace 1-1 Watford James McArthur has missed a great chance for Palace. Meanwhile, in League One, Luton’s Danny Hylton has been sent off at Sunderland. The score is still 1-1.

4.31pm GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson used to say that 1-0s win titles, so I’m sure he’ll be thrilled with the score at Brighton. Liverpool still look

comfortable
in control of the game.

4.29pm GMT

“Peak Suarez was absolutely unbelievable (ask Norwich!), and I hope Salah can step up to that level,” says Matt Dony. “I never loved him like I loved Torres, though. If Salah’s goals do eventually deliver the league title, he’ll be up there. But, there will probably always be a part of me wistfully looking towards Madrid...”

That’s the thing. If Liverpool win the league, even Alberto Moreno will be immortal, so goodness knows what status Salah will have if his goals take them to the title.

4.28pm GMT

League One: Sunderland 1-1 Luton A James Collins penalty has brought Sunderland level in the big game at the Stadium of Light.

4.27pm GMT

Craig Cathcart has scored at both ends! He put Palace ahead with an own goal in the first half, and now he has equalised for Watford in the same goal.

4.25pm GMT

Brighton 0-1 Liverpool Jurgen Klopp’s side are still in control of the game at the Amex Stadium. I was going to say they’re comfortable, but I doubt anybody with even the most tenuous connection to Liverpool Football Club will be comfortable while the lead is only one goal.

4.22pm GMT

“Speaking of the 2013-14 Liverpool side, I haven’t seen many, if any, comparisons being made between Salah and you know who, so I might as well make one only to angrily dismiss it as misplaced cause that’s how everyone talks online these days,” says Phil Podolsky. “Peak Suarez is surely an impossible standard for a centre-forward, differences in the overall quality of the two teams aside.”

Yes, I wouldn’t put Salah in Suarez’s class yet. The next few months might change that, mind.

4.20pm GMT

Premier League It’s still Cardiff 0-0 Huddersfield - and that’s shots on target, never mind goals.

4.20pm GMT

Brighton 0-1 Liverpool Fabinho, the emergency centre-back, has made an excellent block to deny Pascal Gross.

4.18pm GMT

League Two Michael Doughty has pulled one back for Swindon at home to Lincoln, who are now down to nine men after Jason Shackell was sent off. It’s Swindon 1-2 Lincoln.

4.17pm GMT

“Update on the nerves for Ian Copestake,” says Matt Dony. “They’re slightly better after news of Salah’s goal. BUT I have Gross in my fantasy team, so slightly bittersweet. Fantasy Football is incredibly effective at ruining football.”

4.16pm GMT

Wilfred Ndidi has scored with his thigh to bring Leicester back in the game against 10-man Southampton. Claude Paul’s employment status may depend on what happens in the next half an hour.

4.13pm GMT

League Two: Bury 1-3 MK Dons Yet another own goal, this time from Bury’s Chris Stokes, means MK Dons have a two-goal cushion in the big League Two match at Gigg Lane.

4.12pm GMT

As you doubtless know, and therefore I’m not sure why I’m bothering to tell you, a win would put Liverpool seven points clear of Manchester City, who plays at home to Wolves on Monday.

4.10pm GMT

“Not quite a hat-trick of own goals but still very impressive: Chris Nicholl scored all four goals in 2-2 draw for Villa in 1976,” says Joe Hunt in Melbourne.

I remember it well. I mean, I don’t remember it.

4.09pm GMT

“Clockwatch and Christine and the Queens through the headphones makes for a top Saturday afternoon,” says Steve Horne.

It’s ‘horny’ football writing, that’s why.

4.06pm GMT

The leaders are ahead! A brainless tackle by Pascal Gross on Mohamed Salah gives Liverpool a penalty - and Salah scores! Button almost kept it out, but he didn’t, so there you are.

4.04pm GMT

Brighton 0-0 Liverpool The first shot on target of the match comes at the start of the second half, with Mo Salah drawing a decent save from David Button.

4.03pm GMT

“Fraude Puel,” says Graham Randall. “Tad childish but time for him to go. Three defensive midfielders. At home. Not for me.”

France won Euro 2000 with three defensive midfielders at home, so maybe he’s paying tribute.

3.50pm GMT

Half-time scores

Premier League

3.49pm GMT

“Dear Rob,” says Jason Ali. “Related to the two own goals in the Burnley-Fulham match, has anyone scored an own-goal hat-trick (not deliberate)? The chances must be very low, but enough formally played games have occurred that it could have happened. Hopefully an ‘anorak’ will know the answer.”

That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said about me. Stan van den Buys is the hat-trick villain you seek.

3.47pm GMT

Southampton’s ten men have doubled their lead! Another mistake from Mendy allows Shane Long to do what he does best. Okay, what he does every now and then: score a goal. There is some suggestion his shot was going wide until Kasper Schmeichel’s touch diverted it on target, so that may be yet another Premier League own-goal today.

3.46pm GMT

Brighton 0-0 Liverpool It’s half-time on the south coast, where Liverpool are struggling to break down Brighton’s excellent defence.

3.45pm GMT

Southampton’s young wing-back Yann Valery has been sent off for two yellow cards at Leicester. Southampton lead 1-0 in goals, Leicester lead 11-10 in men.

3.40pm GMT

Championship Sheffield United 1-0 QPR (McGoldrick 37) David McGoldrick has put Sheffield United into the lead at Bramall Lane, and as things stand they will move up to second.

3.40pm GMT

Championship: Birmingham 0-1 Middlesbrough Lewis Wing’s calm finish has given Boro a deserved lead at St Andrew’s.

3.39pm GMT

An almighty comedy scramble ends with a Craig Cathcart own goal giving Crystal Palace the lead.

3.37pm GMT

League Two: Bury 1-2 MK Dons (Lewington 36) Bury were level for approximately two minutes.

3.36pm GMT

Sol Campbell’s Macclesfield now lead 2-0 at Grimsby. He is shutting a few people up, isn’t he.

3.35pm GMT

League Two: Bury 1-1 MK Dons Bury’s Jay O’Shea, who missed a penalty earlier in the match, has equalised for from the spot against his old club.

3.34pm GMT

Championship There haven’t been many goals so far:

3.32pm GMT

“Hey Rob,” says J.R. in Illinois. “In the ‘unsurprising news’ department Will Hughes has suffered a suspected concussion and is out of the game. This seemed to surprise Tony Gale though as he felt surely it should be up to the concussed player as to whether or not he stayed in the game. Hmmmm.”

What I love about Clockwatch is that it has revolutionised sports coverages – the readers tell the journalist what is happening rather than the other way round. Thank you, my Guardian!

3.29pm GMT

“A very tasty battle developing between Murray (who is that type of player) and Fabinho who is not a defender,” says Jeremy Dresner. “Both have elbowed each other in the face now.”

And why not?

3.28pm GMT

Brighton 0-0 Liverpool Saying which, Xherdan Shaqiri has headed just wide from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s left-footed cross.

3.26pm GMT

Brighton 0-0 Liverpool Brighton are struggling to get the ball, never mind keep it, but their superb defensive organisation has kept Liverpool at arms length so far.

3.25pm GMT

Two own goals in three minutes! Denis Odoi heads past his own goalkeeper to give Burnley the lead. I wonder what Michael Proctor makes of it all.

3.22pm GMT

Jeff Hendrick’s shot deflects off Joe Bryan and beats Sergio Rico. Burnley are level - and, as things stand, back out of the relegation zone.

3.19pm GMT

League One Chris Maguire has scored for Sunderland, who lead Luton 1-0 in the match between third and second. Or second and third if it stays like this.

3.18pm GMT

Burnley 0-1 Fulham Chris Wood has hit the post with a header for Burnley, who are coming back into the game after a difficult start.

3.17pm GMT

Brighton 0-0 Liverpool Glenn Murray has missed a decent chance for Brighton, heading Pascal Gross’s cross over the bar from 12 yards.

3.16pm GMT

The latest scores in this afternoon’s big games

Premier League

3.15pm GMT

Championship Dwight Gayle has made it West Brom 1-0 Norwich in the promotion clash at the Hawthorns.

3.15pm GMT

“Hey Rob,” says JR in Illinois. “With every game available to watch I have chosen Palace v Watford. I’m expecting a bloodbath and haven’t been disappointed early on. Five seconds in Kouyate jumped and tried to hurt Deeney by embedding his knee into Deeney’s back but ended up getting hurt himself because Deeney’s arm caught him in the breadbasket. After 90 seconds of treatment Will Hughes was crunched to the ground by Sako. In the words of Mr. T, ‘Prediction? Pain.’”

3.14pm GMT

Brighton 0-0 Liverpool Trent Alexander-Arnold is continuing and may be able to run off his ankle injury. Liverpool have had 88 per cent possession so far.

3.12pm GMT

James Ward-Prowse has given Southampton the lead from the penalty spot after Nampalys Mendy’s needless foul on Shane Long.

3.10pm GMT

Jordan Moore-Taylor has given MK Dons the lead at Bury in the big League Two match. Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino has missed a good chance for Liverpool at Brighton.

3.09pm GMT

Since you asked: no, Schurrle’s goal wasn’t a volley. But it was a belter.

3.08pm GMT

Brighton 0-0 Liverpool So far Liverpool have had almost all of the ball at the Amex, though they haven’t really got beyond Brighton.

3.05pm GMT

Brighton 0-0 Liverpool Trent Alexander-Arnold did start the game but he’s struggling with an ankle problem and James Milner is warming up.

3.04pm GMT

Crystal Palace 0-0 Watford But Watford should be ahead - Deulofeu and Pereyra have hit the post in the same attack!

3.03pm GMT

Andre Schurrle has given

Burnley
Fulham an early lead with a scorching goal, smashed in off the underside of the bar!

2.58pm GMT

Brighton v Liverpool Trent Alexander-Arnold had an injury scare during the warm-up but it looks like he’s going to start. Liverpool are already very short in defence, with Fabinho playing at centre back today. They do have good cover at right-back, though, with James Milner and Rafael Camacho on the bench.

2.57pm GMT

Not long until kick-off now. A win at Brighton would take Liverpool seven points clear at the top; a drew or defeat would not.

2.51pm GMT

#LCFC pic.twitter.com/vP03aIidPW

2.43pm GMT

2.39pm GMT

“To be frank for a minute,” says Ian Copestake, “draws have been the new losses since everyone who is not United had unbeaten runs. I await a report from Matt Dony on the true state of a Liverpool fan’s nerves. Yours, Frank.”

2.22pm GMT

The early kick-off has finished West Ham 1-0 Arsenal. It was a deserved win for West Ham, who move up to eighth in the table.

2.17pm GMT

Leicester v Southampton team news

Leicester City (4-3-3) Schmeichel; Pereira, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Choudhury, Mendy, Ndidi; Albrighton, Vardy, Maddison.
Substitutes: Ward, Simpson, Soyuncu, Gray, Ghezzal, Barnes, Iheanacho.

2.15pm GMT

Crystal Palace v Watford team news

Crystal Palace (4-3-3) Guaita; Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt; Kouyate, Milivojevic, McArthur; Townsend, Ayew, Zaha.
Substitutes: Hennessey, Ward, Schlupp, Kelly, Meyer, Benteke, Wickham.

2.12pm GMT

Cardiff v Huddersfield team news

Cardiff (4-1-4-1) Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Gunnarsson; Mendez-Laing, Arter, Camarasa, Hoilett; Paterson.
Substitutes: Smithies, Peltier, Cunningham, Ralls, Murphy, Reid, Healey.

2.10pm GMT

Burnley v Fulham team news

Burnley (4-4-2) Heaton; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Wood, Barnes.
Substitutes: Hart, Lowton, Gibson, Long, Defour, Vokes, Vydra.

2.08pm GMT

Brighton v Liverpool team news

Brighton (4-2-3-1) Button; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Stephens, Propper; March, Gross, Locadia; Murray.
Substitutes: Steele, Bruno, Balogun, Kayal, Knockaert, Sanders, And one.

2.05pm GMT

An email! “I agree with your nuanced take on my beloved Liverpool but the problem is until we break our Premier League duck it all just means a bit too much,” says Niall Mullen. “It’s why in 2013-14 Gerrard ended up screaming like a maniac at his team mates to keep their nerve. It feels like Van Dijk and Salah have a little more ice in the veins so I remain optimistic yet terrified. Tell you what I’d really enjoy, should it ever happen: a title race after we win the title. Losing your title virginity is nerve-racking and you can’t really control yourself. But when you’re having regular title races you can really relax and enjoy it.”

Trust me, you really can’t. Okay, I suppose you can enjoy it, in the same way you can enjoy a visit to a malevolent drunk dentist if you’re of a certain disposition, but I’m not sure you can ever relax unless you are umpteen points ahead, in which case it isn’t really a race at all.

1.47pm GMT

In the early game, Declan Rice has made it West Ham 1-0 Arsenal. Scott Murray has the latest.

1.44pm GMT

Some pre-team-news reading

1.06pm GMT

Hello. It’s the question every football fan has been asking for the last few months. Can Liverpool, after all this time, finally get their hands on it? One way or another, we’ll find out today. Yes, if Liverpool fail to beat Brighton, they will become the new owners of the Premier League Crisis Baton™.

Our not entirely mature culture dictates that, at all times, at least one Premier League club must be in crisis. At the moment Huddersfield hold the baton of doom, but if Liverpool fail to win today – on the back of a despicable run of two straight defeats in all competitions – they will be the ones under scrutiny. To hell with nuance; to hell with the fact they played well at Manchester City, that the Wolves defeat meant very little, and that a draw or defeat at a Brighton side who are very good at home would not exacty represent the second coming of Devon Loch.

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Published on January 12, 2019 09:29

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