Liverpool vs Watford LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction after Diogo Jota and Fabinho goals
Liverpool leapfrogged champions Manchester City to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win over Watford at Anfield on Saturday thanks to a first-half header by Diogo Jota and a late Fabinho penalty.
The hosts grabbed the lead moments after goalkeeper Alisson Becker denied Watford’s Juraj Kucka with a sharp save, as Jota timed his run to perfection at the other end and nodded in a cross from Joe Gomez in the 22nd minute.
It was Portuguese forward Jota’s 14th league goal and 20th in all competitions this season, and the 25-year-old could have added to his tally shortly afterwards but for goalkeeper Ben Foster, who saved his effort from close range.
Substitute Fabinho made sure of the three points in the 89th minute by blasting his spot kick into the top corner after the Video Assistant Referee spotted a foul by Kucka on Jota in the penalty area.
The result meant Liverpool have 72 points from 30 matches, two points more than City ahead of the two sides’ blockbuster clash next weekend. Pep Guardiola’s men can reclaim their lead and a one-point advantage if they beat Burnley later on Saturday.
Former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson’s relegation-threatened Watford pushed for an equaliser in the second half but could not prevent the home side from wrapping up a 10th straight league victory. Watford remain 18th with 22 points.
- Liverpool can go top of the table with victory
- Liverpool XI: Alisson, Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Thiago, Jones, Salah, Jota, Firmino
- Watford XI: Foster, Femenia, Kabasele, Samir, Kamara, Louza, Kucka, Sissoko, Sarr, Pedro, Hernandez
- 22’ - GOAL! Diogo Jota heads opener, 1-0!
- 90’ - GOAL! Fabinho slams home penalty, 2-0!
27 mins: Chance! Great save from Kasper Schmeichel to deny Bruno Fernandes. Wesley Fofana gives the ball away in a dangerous area and Fred manages to slide it into the box for Fernandes. He opens up the far bottom corner and attempts to guide the ball hom only for Schmeichel to stick out his left leg and kick it away!
Michael Jones2 April 2022 17:59
24 mins: Manchester United’s main threat is coming down the left side now through Shaw and Sancho working the ball around Justin and Dewsbury-Hall but there aren’t many options in the box for them to aim for.
Schmeichel rolls the ball to Tielemans who gets pressed by Pogba and wins a free kick for the visitors.
Michael Jones2 April 2022 17:57
21 mins: Castagne and Barnes combine on Leicester’s left side with Barnes making an overlapping run into the penalty area. Castagne attempts to feed the ball through to him but Maguire is there it block the pass and send it into midfield.
United string together an attack of their own with a pass out to Shaw on the wing. He puts it a good cross and picks out Pogba in the box. Pogba is free but powers his headed effort over the bar.
Michael Jones2 April 2022 17:53
18 mins: Raphael Varane guides the ball over to the left wing where it’s beautifully brought down by Anthony Elanga. He drives towards the box and shifts inside of James Justin. Justin lunges for the ball and brings down the Man Utd winger just outside the box.
Bruno Fernandes fizzes the set piece over to the back post where Harry Maguire peels off his marker and leaps for the ball but it drops just over his head and bounces out of play.
Michael Jones2 April 2022 17:49
15 mins: Manchester United win a corner that Luke Shaw swings into the box. Leicester head the ball out as far as Bruno Fernandes who slides a pass into Anthony Elanga. He floats a cross back into the middle where Timothy Castagne and Scott McTominay both attempt to reach the ball. Castagne wins and nods it clear.
Michael Jones2 April 2022 17:45
12 mins: Harvey Barnes looks keen today. Twice now he’s cut inside from the left and received the ball in a central area. Both his shots have come from just outside the box and both efforts have been pulled wide of David De Gea’s goal.
Michael Jones2 April 2022 17:43
9 mins: Anthony Elanga makes a decent run in behind and darts into the middle as Fred attempts to thread a pass through Leicester’s back line and set up a chance for the youngster. Nampalys Mendy sticks out a leg and intercepts the ball before kick starting Leicester into an attack of their own.
Michael Jones2 April 2022 17:41
6 mins: Luke Shaw picks up the first yellow card of the game for a late tackle on Manchester United’s left side. James Maddison curls the free kick into the middle of the box but Bruno Fernandes is back to complete his defensive duties and clear the ball up to Jadon Sancho.
Michael Jones2 April 2022 17:37
3 mins: The Leicester free kick is whipped into the box and headed safely onto the roof of David De Gea’s goal.
The United keeper puts the ball back in play and the home side work it nicely down the right side. Paul Pogba comes across to help out Diogo Dalot and Anthony Elanga and when Bruno Fernandes joins the party they sweep down the wing.
Michael Jones2 April 2022 17:36
Man Utd get the game underway and win a free kick as Bruno Fernandes is closed down quickly just inside his own half. Diogo Dalot attempts to thread the ball down the right side and gives it away to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. He slides the ball across to Harvey Barnes and the winger drives the ball down the line. He takes on the Manchester United right-back and wins a free kick for Leicester.
Michael Jones2 April 2022 17:33