Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 to restore 12-point lead

Diogo Jota scored the goal that settled the Merseyside derby yesterday and kept Liverpool's English Premier League football title challenge on track.

The Portugal international's second-half strike sealed a 1-0 win at Anfield and restored Liverpool's 12-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the standings.

With just eight games remaining this season, this was one of the biggest hurdles standing in the way of a record-equalling 20th English title for Arne Slot's team. And it was Jota who came up with the decisive moment in the 57th minute when he dribbled in the box and lashed a shot past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Fourth-placed Manchester City were without the injured Erling Haaland but still beat Leicester 2-0 to stay one point ahead of Newcastle, which beat Brentford 2-1.

Marcus Rashford scored again for Aston Villa in a 3-0 win at Brighton.

Bottom-club Southampton were denied only their third league win of the season when Matheus Franca scored in the second minute of stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 draw for Crystal Palace.

Ipswich did pick up a rare win - beating Bournemouth 2-1.

- AP