Virgil van Dijk on Sunday powered home an extra time bullet header to propel Liverpool to a 1-0 Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea. The Kop skipper’s goal gave soon to depart coach Jurgen Klopp the first installment of a potential quadruple of Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup trophies. It was heartache for Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino who is still looking for his first silverware on English soil.
In the English Premier League, Manchester City sliced Liverpool’s advantage atop the standings to a solitary point by subduing Andoni Iraola’s hard battling Bournemouth 1-0 whereas Arsenal underlined their title ambitions by clobbering Newcastle United 4-1 for their sixth victory in a row. The result of the weekend was however at Old Trafford where Fulham played Manchester United off the park 2-1 via goals from Nigerian duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi.
In French Ligue One, Goncalo Ramos netted an injury time penalty to help leaders Paris Saint Germain secure a one-all draw at home to Stade Rennes while there were away wins for second placed Stade Brest who prevailed 2-0 at Strasbourg and third placed Monaco, 3-2 winners at Racing Lens. But the form team of the division are Olympique Lyon who won their fifth consecutive game 2-1 at Metz via goals from veteran striker Alexander Lacazette and Said Benrahma.
Across the Basque country border, Croatian legend Luka Modric’s thunderous second half strike helped Real Madrid to extend their cushion atop the Liga Santander standings to eight points ahead of tonight’s match between Girona and Rayo Vallecano. Reigning titlists Barcelona temporarily took over second position by pummelling Getafe 4-0 while Atletico Madrid fell 13 points off title pace when they were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom club Almeria for whom there was a brace from youngster Luka Romero.
Bayer Leverkusen set a new German record of 33 unbeaten matches when they overcame Mainz 2-1 thanks to goals from Granit Xhaka and Robert Andrich. Bayern Munich remained eight points behind the leaders by edging RB Leipzig 2-1 courtesy of a Harry Kane brace but there was misery for Stuttgart who were held 1-1 by struggling Koln and Borussia Dortmund who suffered a 2-3 home reverse at the hands of Hoffenheim.
In Italy, Inter Milan won their tenth consecutive game across all competitions by eviscerating Lecce 4-0 via a pair of goals from Lautaro Martinez and a Davide Frattesi strike. Simone Inzaghi’s Nerrazzuri are now nine points ahead of Max Allegri’s Juventus, 3-2 winners over Frosinone and 13 clear of AC Milan who could only draw 1-1 with Atalanta of Bergamo.