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Erling Haaland's 20th Premier League goal of the season took Man City to a 1-0 win at Tottenham and back into the top four.

The Norwegian turned home from close range from Jeremy Doku's cross 12 minutes in and that proved to be enough - although he also saw a stoppage-time strike in the second half scrubbed off for a handball given by ref Jarred Gillet.

That could have been a controversial moment, with it unclear whether the ball did actually hit the striker's arm during a challenge from Kevin Danso and VAR unable to conclusively overturn the call - but Pape Sarr headed over his glorious chance at the other end in the final seconds.

"The referee was quicker to disallow it than VAR," City boss Pep Guardiola said of the incident. "I'm pretty sure if VAR took a lot of time it was because there was a lot of doubt the referee didn't have."

City should have been further ahead at the break, with the electric Doku teeing up Haaland for another good chance and then a big opening for Savinho, who bumped his sitter over the bar.

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Spurs finally stepped up their levels after the interval - aided by the belated introduction of Heung-min Son, Dejan Kulusevski and Djed Spence, who surprisingly began on the bench - but Guardiola's side rode the storm with the help of a sharp stop from Ederson.

After Stefan Ortega's heroics in this fixture last season to help City clinch the title, it was Ederson's turn to deny Son with a super save late on, getting down low to maintain the clean sheet.

City's attacking threat was massively reduced in that second half until Haaland's late surge but their positive response to Sunday's defeat to Liverpool has them back in the Champions League qualifying spots at the expense of Chelsea.

Tottenham - who also threatened through Wilson Odobert after a 39-minute gap between their two first-half efforts - failed to make it four Premier League wins on the spin and sit 13th.

Their Europa League last-16 tie with AZ Alkmaar begins next week and looked to be the priority on Wednesday, given Ange Postecoglou's team selection. This was their second-youngest Premier League XI. His players will need to be sharper from the start and carry more threat in the final third if they are to make a success of that remaining shot at silverware.

Postecogloou: We looked more like ourselves

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:

"First half we were a little bit too eager to get forward, we were too wasteful. City can pick you off at different times. We didn't handle that part of the game well. They scored and had chances to get further ahead. Second half we dominated the game and were pretty relentless. Just missing a goal and fell a bit short.

"It's disappointing to lose. But it did look more like us today. We played aggressive football. We never tapered off at all."

On not starting Son, Kulusevski and Spence: "I can't be sitting here bemoaning not having a squad then not use it. Deki [Kulusevski], Sonny and Djed have played an enormous amount of time. Having them to have a little bit of a breather I thought would be more helpful for us. We're going to have some real options we're going to need."

Guardiola: An incredible result for our Champions League qualification hopes

Man City boss Pep Guardiola:

"The game was open in the second half because we didn't close it in the first. That was the problem that happens many times this season. We've given away an incredible amount of goals. Today fortunately we finish good. For the Champions League qualification it is an incredible result for us."

More like the old Man City? "Never this season will be old City! Old City was too good. But we'll be back."

On Haaland's disallowed goal: "The referee was quicker to disallow it than VAR. Because we won, no matter. Honestly I didn't see the action on TV. It was not clear. Champions league is quicker. If [VAR is slow] it's because they have a lot of doubt. I'm pretty sure if VAR took a lot of time it was because there was a lot of doubt the referee didn't have."

Story of the match in stats...

What's coming up in the Premier League?

Erling Haaland's 20th Premier League goal of the season took Man City to a 1-0 win at Tottenham and back into the top four.

The Norwegian turned home from close range from Jeremy Doku's cross 12 minutes in and that proved to be enough - although he also saw a stoppage-time strike in the second half scrubbed off for a handball given by ref Jarred Gillet.

That could have been a controversial moment, with it unclear whether the ball did actually hit the striker's arm during a challenge from Kevin Danso and VAR unable to conclusively overturn the call - but Pape Sarr headed over his glorious chance at the other end in the final seconds.

"The referee was quicker to disallow it than VAR," City boss Pep Guardiola said of the incident. "I'm pretty sure if VAR took a lot of time it was because there was a lot of doubt the referee didn't have."

City should have been further ahead at the break, with the electric Doku teeing up Haaland for another good chance and then a big opening for Savinho, who bumped his sitter over the bar.

As it happened | Teams | Match stats

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Spurs finally stepped up their levels after the interval - aided by the belated introduction of Heung-min Son, Dejan Kulusevski and Djed Spence, who surprisingly began on the bench - but Guardiola's side rode the storm with the help of a sharp stop from Ederson.

After Stefan Ortega's heroics in this fixture last season to help City clinch the title, it was Ederson's turn to deny Son with a super save late on, getting down low to maintain the clean sheet.

City's attacking threat was massively reduced in that second half until Haaland's late surge but their positive response to Sunday's defeat to Liverpool has them back in the Champions League qualifying spots at the expense of Chelsea.

Tottenham - who also threatened through Wilson Odobert after a 39-minute gap between their two first-half efforts - failed to make it four Premier League wins on the spin and sit 13th.

Their Europa League last-16 tie with AZ Alkmaar begins next week and looked to be the priority on Wednesday, given Ange Postecoglou's team selection. This was their second-youngest Premier League XI. His players will need to be sharper from the start and carry more threat in the final third if they are to make a success of that remaining shot at silverware.

Postecogloou: We looked more like ourselves

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:

"First half we were a little bit too eager to get forward, we were too wasteful. City can pick you off at different times. We didn't handle that part of the game well. They scored and had chances to get further ahead. Second half we dominated the game and were pretty relentless. Just missing a goal and fell a bit short.

"It's disappointing to lose. But it did look more like us today. We played aggressive football. We never tapered off at all."

On not starting Son, Kulusevski and Spence: "I can't be sitting here bemoaning not having a squad then not use it. Deki [Kulusevski], Sonny and Djed have played an enormous amount of time. Having them to have a little bit of a breather I thought would be more helpful for us. We're going to have some real options we're going to need."

Guardiola: An incredible result for our Champions League qualification hopes

Man City boss Pep Guardiola:

"The game was open in the second half because we didn't close it in the first. That was the problem that happens many times this season. We've given away an incredible amount of goals. Today fortunately we finish good. For the Champions League qualification it is an incredible result for us."

More like the old Man City? "Never this season will be old City! Old City was too good. But we'll be back."

On Haaland's disallowed goal: "The referee was quicker to disallow it than VAR. Because we won, no matter. Honestly I didn't see the action on TV. It was not clear. Champions league is quicker. If [VAR is slow] it's because they have a lot of doubt. I'm pretty sure if VAR took a lot of time it was because there was a lot of doubt the referee didn't have."

Story of the match in stats...

What's coming up in the Premier League?

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Chelsea fans protest against ownership ahead of Southampton clash

Sky Sports News' Gary Cotterill captured the scenes of fans demonstrating about the Chelsea ownership at Bovril Gate outside Stamford Bridge tonight.

Southampton team news

Southampton: Ramsdale, Sugawara, Bree, Bella-Kotchap, Walker-Peters, Downes, Smallbone, Fernandes, Aribo, Kamaldeen, Onuachu.

Substitutes: McCarthy, Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Manning, Wellington, Grønnbæk, Dibling, Archer.

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Team news in FIVE minutes!

Team news from Stamford Bridge will be dropping in just five minutes!

How will Chelsea line up without injured defender Trevoh Chalobah?

Could Southampton make changes after their defeat to Brighton?

You'll get the line-ups at 7pm on the dot in this blog...

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Two out-of-form sides meet in the Premier League tonight as Chelsea host rock-bottom Southampton.

The Blues have suffered three consecutive defeats in all competitions and have won only two league games since Christmas.

It leaves Enzo Maresca's side's aims for Champions League qualification in the balance - but victory tonight could see them move into the top four.

Despite their poor recent run, the west Londoners will be heavy favourites against basement boys Southampton, who are 13 points adrift of safety.

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With 12 games to go, nine-point Saints are aiming to avoid setting the lowest-ever Premier League points total, which is held by Derby (11 points) in 2007/08.

Ivan Juric's side will be buoyed they can surpass that this evening with the club's last trip to Stamford Bridge seeing them win 1-0 in February 2023.

Will Saints shock Chelsea? Or can the home side reignite their Champions League qualification hopes?

We'll bring you all the build-up, including the all-important team news at 7pm, with kick-off at 8.15pm.

Stay tuned...

Chelsea fans protest against ownership ahead of Southampton clash

Sky Sports News' Gary Cotterill captured the scenes of fans demonstrating about the Chelsea ownership at Bovril Gate outside Stamford Bridge tonight.

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Duo missing for Southampton's trip to Chelsea

Southampton will be without centre-back Jan Bednarek and midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu for their trip to Chelsea.

Bednarek suffered a first-half injury in the loss to Brighton on Saturday, while Ugochukwu will be ineligible to face his parent club.

The latter's absence offers another opportunity for Flynn Downes, who has struggled for game time under Ivan Juric, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis is likely to be fit enough for a place on the bench.

WATCH: Maresca backs Jorgensen as No.1: 'He recognises the mistake... nothing's changed'

Maresca 'not concerned' by Palmer form

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said his side's over-reliance on Cole Palmer could be affecting the England forward's form after his goalless streak extended to six games in Saturday's defeat to Aston Villa.

The 22-year-old remains the club's leading scorer this season with 14 but he has not netted since the draw against Bournemouth on January 14 while his last assist came 13 matches ago.

Chelsea have dropped from second in the Premier League to seventh during a run of two wins from 10 games and face being squeezed out of the race to qualify for the Champions League if results do not improve.

Palmer was visibly frustrated with his team-mates at Villa Park, in particular at one point with Christopher Nkunku, and his increasingly despondent body language during the team's poor run has been a cause for concern.

The former Manchester City player won admiration when things were going well for his unencumbered, laid back style on the pitch and laconic approach to the media but it is a disposition that has worn less well on the team's barren streak.

"I'm not concerned," said Maresca. "I'm always concerned about general performances, but I'm not concerned about Cole because he is a human being. During the season he can have some moments where he is struggling a little bit more.

"The problem with Cole is probably that we rely on him for everything. I said since we started that we need to rely on the team. For sure we need big players, top players like Cole but we are not worried about him at all."

Maresca wary of 'tricky' Saints clash

Sky Sports News' Gary Coterill at Cobham:

Enzo Maresca says his team "needs a win" but stopped short of calling Southampton at home a ‘must win’ game.

In fact, he appeared to try to control fan expectation by calling the fixture, against the worst team in the Premier League "tricky".

After just two wins in the last ten in the Premier League, and 3 months after winning 5-1 at St Mary’s, you might expect Maresca to be talking up his team's chances at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night. But no. Not a bit of it.

“It’s a complicated team. It’s a tricky one. Against Manchester United away they were winning 1-0, then in the last 5 minutes United beat them”.

That was a late come back for United. How Chelsea could do with a few of those.

Since Boxing Day they’ve dropped 13 points from winning positions.

Maresca knows that. But has no idea why!

“I don’t have an answer to that. Sometimes it’s football. Sometimes there is a reason behind it. We are trying to understand it a little bit."

Chelsea lost three points from a winning position at Villa Park on Saturday, of course.

Partly due to a Filip Jorgensen goalkeeping error. And partly due to a good late chance missed by Cole Palmer.

Maresca though isn’t playing the blame game. He’s backing both.

He’s sticking with Jorgensen as his number one ahead of Robert Sanchez.

“Yeah. Sure. We need to change a player every time we make a mistake," he joked about Jorgensen.

And, on Palmer, who’s now not scored in six games, he said: “His performance reflects the team performance. We rely on him too much."

Maresca was happy with the way his team played at Villa Park, if not the result. It was a big improvement on the embarrassment at Brighton.

He was also pleased with the way his tweaks to the formation worked too, calling Pedro Neto up top a “good option" and praising Reece James’ midfield performance as “very good”.

When Chelsea thrashed Southampton on December 1st, the away fans sang “we’ve got our Chelsea back”.

A similar performance tomorrow might go some way to winning the supporters over again.

And might even put Chelsea back in the top 4, where Maresca still believes they belong.

Maresca 'unconcerned' about Palmer's form

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says he's unconcerned about Cole Palmer's current form, but admits his side do have a tendency to rely on the England midfielder.

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Jones Knows prediction...

Leicester are gone, aren't they?

Structurally they are bad anyway under Ruud van Nistelrooy but when you add in a lack of confidence and conviction to everything they do, the manager doesn't stand a chance. The ease at which Brentford created big opportunities against them in central areas was staggering.

Yoane Wissa continued the theme of centre-forwards managing to find the net against the Foxes.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (3), Beto (2), Chris Wood (2), Mikel Merino (2), Kai Havertz, Erling Haaland, Nicholas Jackson and Jhon Duran have all found the net against the strugglers. With Jarrod Bowen, fresh from his winning goal at Arsenal, likely to undertake that role again for the Hammers he is a huge runner at 9/2 with Sky Bet to open the scoring.

SCORE PREDICTION: 3-0

Hammers unchanged | Leicester swap three

Unsurprisingly, West Ham are unchanged from the side that edged out Arsenal at the Emirates. Young Oliver Scarles, who was very impressive in midfield, retains his place ahead of Carlos Soler - stationed on the Hammers bench.

As for Leicester, it's three changes from the weekend's shambles against Brentford. Predictably two are defensive. In come James Justin and Jannik Vestergaard. Facundo Buonanotte is also preferred to Jordan Ayew.

Leicester team news

Leicester team: Hermansen, Justin, Vestergaard, Faes, Kristinasen, Soumare, Ndidi, El Khannouss, De Cordova-Reid, Buonanotte, Vardy.

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West Ham team news

West Ham team: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Scarles, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Bowen, Kudus.

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Can West Ham finish the season strongly?

Sky Sports' Oliver Yew at the London Stadium:

"It feels like a big night for West Ham.

"The win against Arsenal at the weekend was impressive. Mightily impressive and the highlight of Graham Potter's short reign at the London Stadium so far.

"But it will matter little if they can't follow it up with victory over struggling Leicester, who are on a run of four straight defeats in all competitions.

"16th place in the league isn't what is expected in these parts, but that's the reality. However, they will be hoping a strong finish to the season can help act as a springboard for next season."

Last time out: Leicester...

Last time out: West Ham...

Hello!

The final offering of Gameweek 28 is West Ham vs Leicester! A chance for the Hammers to seek revenge for the 3-1 reverse against the Foxes back in December...

Graham Potter's side ended a four-match winless run by springing a surprise on second-placed Arsenal at the weekend, condemning the Gunners to their first top-flight home defeat of the season. Something to build on.

To contrast, since steering Leicester to that victory over West Ham in his first game in charge, Ruud van Nistelrooy has suffered 10 Premier League defeats in 12. Yikes.

They look pretty doomed in the relegation stakes but a win here could change things. Let's get stuck in.

Justin could return for Leicester

Ruud van Nistelrooy is hoping to bring back defender James Justin who was forced off with an injury against Arsenal and missed the Brentford loss.

Woyo Coulibaly comes back into the squad but Ricardo Pereira remains sidelined with a hamstring strain.

Van Nistelrooy added: “We’re doing everything we can to get him ready for Thursday. He’s still a work in progress but we’re doing everything we can.”

Van Nistelrooy relishing Leicester challenge

Ruud van Nistelrooy insists he is continuing to relish the challenge of leading Leicester on an increasingly improbable journey to Premier League survival.

He believes his players are ready to bounce back after a 4-0 defeat to Brentford and begin their climb towards safety when they travel to West Ham on Thursday.

Van Nistelrooy told a press conference: “The mood is lifted – it’s started again in a new week and with a new challenge.

“We have reacted after a bad result and performance before. The players reacted really well and they have started the week really well.

“I called it a mountain to climb but life is about climbing mountains, and mountains are there to be climbed. We will keep climbing and we slip sometimes – but we get up and start again.”

Paqueta, Coufal to miss out for West Ham

West Ham will once again be without Lucas Paqueta when they host Leicester with an ankle injury.

Vladimir Coufal will also miss out on Thursday with a thigh problem.

“Both are progressing, but both won’t make the squad on Thursday, but they’re making progress,” said Potter.

“Vladi certainly has a chance for Newcastle next Monday. With Lucas, we’ll just have to see how he responds, but certainly for Leicester, no.”

The Hammers have the chance to win back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time since March - some three managers ago.

They have also lost their last two home matches, against Crystal Palace and Brentford.

“We understand you have to get results,” added Potter. “I know you have to do that, and it’s about how you do that.

“Your daily work is what you can control, and what has the impact. It can take a bit of time, but the performance and result at the weekend gives us confidence.

“We haven’t cracked it yet, but we’ve got belief and we’ll keep working.

“We have to have humility and a respect for the opponent, which we have, but we need everything like every other game.

“Every team wants to do well in front of their own supporters. It’s not that straightforward, but we want to do better in front of our fans."

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Liverpool team news...

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Newcastle team news...

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Jones Knows prediction...

Newcastle have two dangerous ball carriers down their left flank in Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall who do draw tackles off the opposition. Just for an example, Palace's right-wing back Daniel Munoz made 11 tackles in one game earlier this season against the Toon and Anthony Elanga and Ola Aina made six between them down that flank on Sunday for Forest.

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Liverpool fixtures & scores | FREE Liverpool PL highlights▶️

Newcastle will look to get both Gordon and Hall into the game at every opportunity in a bid to overrun Trent Alexander-Arnold who was given the runaround by Jeremy Doku in Liverpool's win over Manchester City.

Alexander-Arnold is averaging 2.8 tackles per 90 this season in the Premier League and that increases 3.3 when just including games at Anfield. The 5/4 with Sky Bet for him to make four or more tackles has a live chance.

SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1

Anfield ready for action!

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Last time out: Liverpool...

Last time out: Newcastle

Mac Allister expected to be available

Alexis Mac Allister is expected to be available for Liverpool. The midfielder suffered bruising to his face in the victory against Man City.

However, Conor Bradley remains out with a muscle injury.

Slot handed two-game touchline ban following red card after Merseyside Derby

The big news that broke today that has an impact tonight...

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been handed a two-game touchline ban plus a £70,000 fine after his red card at the end of the Merseyside derby earlier this month.

The ban means he will be absent from the touchline for Liverpool's game with Newcastle on Wednesday night plus their next Premier League game at home to Southampton on March 8. Liverpool were informed of the FA's decision on Tuesday.

FULL STORY!

Arne Slot: Liverpool boss handed two-game touchline ban following red card in Merseyside Derby drama with Everton

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Plenty on offer!

Liverpool vs Newcastle is one of five Premier League fixtures on offer this evening!

You can follow our dedicated live blogs for every single one...

Anfield expects

Sky Sports' Adam Bate at Anfield:

"Big night for Liverpool and the sense here that with Arsenal facing a tricky trip to Nottingham Forest, this could be an opportunity to extend the gap at the top.

"This marks the end of Liverpool’s block of five Premier League fixtures in a fortnight, a period that always looked likely to be hugely significant in their title push.

"They have negotiated the first four without defeat, picking up eight points. Make it 11 tonight and Arne Slot will be sitting pretty regardless of events in Nottingham."

Good evening...

And welcome to Sky Sports' digital coverage of the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Newcastle at Anfield.

There's been a lot of talk about the race for the title being over. Liverpool are the champions elect in many people's eyes, but Arne Slot will be hammering the message into his players that it is far from over.

Newcastle are the visitors tonight and we get a preview of next month's Carabao Cup final.

Eddie Howe's side will be looking to leave their mark ahead of that Wembley showpiece and boost their own Champions league qualification hopes, so Liverpool will have to be on their guard on another big Premier League night.

Let's crack on with all the build up ahead of this 8.15pm kick off...

How Salah has won Liverpool more than half their PL points this season

After another match-winning turn against Man City, Mohamed Salah continues to propel Liverpool towards another Premier League title.

The Reds have collected 33 points from Salah’s goal involvements (goals or assists for team-mate goals) in the Premier League this season.

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That’s more than half of Liverpool’s points, but Liam Delap has a table-topping proportion of team points from his goal involvements with 52.9 per cent.

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While for many Reds fans, losing Salah doesn't bear thinking about - despite his contract being up in the summer - Liverpool would sit below Man Utd in 15th without the Egyptian's goal involvements.

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Mac Allister expected to be available

Alexis Mac Allister is expected to be available for Liverpool. The midfielder suffered bruising to his face in the victory against Man City.

However, Conor Bradley remains out with a muscle injury.

Slot: Winning the Premier League would help Salah's Ballon d'Or claim

After Sunday's win over Manchester City, Liverpool's star man Mo Salah spoke about the "need" to win a second Premier League title - something which has driven him since the start of the season - but the form he is in would put in him in the running for the Ballon d'Or, says manager Arne Slot.

And he is starting to be mentioned in the same category as multiple winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Salah has both scored and assisted in 49 separate league matches in his career in Europe's big-five leagues: since records began (in 2006) only Messi (102) and Ronaldo (65) have done so more.

"It is mostly about attackers, although the last winner was a midfielder (Rodri)," Slot said, speaking at his pre-Newcastle press conference.

"It is a good thing Mo is in the discussion because it means he does well and we are doing well but for him to stay in the discussion he should bring in the same performances as he has done for seven or eight months.

"I think, in general, someone that wins the Ballon d'Or needs to win something so it's a great challenge that is in front of us but also in front of him.

"What I liked a lot is that he takes this challenge not only by scoring a big goal and a great assist against City, but he also wanting the team to win because his defensive work-rate especially in the second half was outstanding and that is what it takes for us to have a chance of winning something.

"If we as a team can win something he will have a far better chance to win an individual prize like the Ballon d'Or.

"But in football it is always like this, you need the team to win an individual prize and that is what Mo understands really well."

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Howe: We need to improve to compete with Premier League elite

Newcastle head to Anfield, where they have not won in 28 league visits since their first Premier League trip in 1994 and with injured duo Sven Botman and Joelinton close to returns, having bounced back from a 4-0 defeat at Manchester City with an at times chaotic win over Forest.

That may have dragged them right back into the race for a top-four finish, but they know they still have a way to go to catch the likes of Liverpool on and off the pitch.

Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan arrived on Tyneside at the weekend to hold talks over the club's immediate future, including a decision on whether to redevelop St James' Park or move to a new stadium.

Eddie Howe, who has attended several of those meetings, has been encouraged by what he has heard.

He said: "We certainly need, if we are looking to catch the teams above us, to drastically improve everything we are delivering, still.

"That goes right across the board at every department of the football club. We have so much to do to get to the top. It's not going to happen just by thinking it. It's not going to happen by willing it. We have to actually deliver it.

"That takes money, that takes investment, that takes smart thinking and strategic thinking, which I know is going on at the club, and then we need to implement it."

Van Dijk: Full focus shifts to Newcastle

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk insists full focus has now shifted to facing Newcastle on Wednesday following an impressive 2-0 win against Man City on Sunday.

The Reds moved 11 points clear of Arsenal in second after the victory, thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai at the Etihad.

Despite the gap, Van Dijk insists his team are not getting ahead of themselves ahead of their latest test in the top-flight.

"I don't look at others, as I've mentioned many times before," he said ahead of Eddie Howe's side travelling to Anfield.

"We shouldn't. It's all about what you do yourself.

"We don't take our wins for granted. We go home, recover and (begin) the preparation for Newcastle. That's the only thing we have to do, nothing else matters."

Ipswich are now five points from safety after losing 4-1 at home to Tottenham, who made it three wins on the spin in the Premier League.

It could have been so different for Ipswich had they scored one of three big chances inside the first five minutes but Liam Delap's luck was out and Spurs grabbed the all-important opener through Brennan Johnson after a neat assist from Heung-Min Son.

The same duo were at it again on 26 minutes, ruthlessly punishing Town, whose defending was questionable as Johnson fired home from another Son cross.

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Omari Hutchinson curled in a beauty to give Ipswich hope before the break.

Half-time substitute Luke Woolfenden thought he had levelled after 61 minutes when he headed home Hutchinson's cross, but the defender had strayed offside.

Djed Spence restored the two-goal cushion for Ange Postecoglou's team and Dejan Kulusevski wrapped up the points with a classy finish despite Ipswich's Jacob Greaves being down with a head injury.

With Wolves winning at Bournemouth, Ipswich are now cut adrift at the bottom and it looks increasingly likely that the three promoted clubs will be heading straight back down.

For Spurs, with key players returning, things are looking a lot rosier.

Ange: Our play was super exciting

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou:

"We had to work hard today. We knew we'd have to work hard. Ipswich are one of the hardest-working teams in the league - they're fighting for every point. They started the game really well in the first five minutes with the energy in the stadium but I thought we did the hard things really well.

"A couple of times in the first half we kind of lost a bit of concentration and it's a disappointing goal we conceded.

"But aside from that, I thought we handled that side of the game really well, which you have to. I always felt we were a threat when we had the ball. I thought Sonny was unplayable in the first half and it was so good to get Brendan back in those areas where he's always a threat.

"Our goals were quality goals. I thought our front-third play was super exciting and clinical."

Spurs are 're-energised'

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones:

"The word 're-energised' was the buzzword from Postecoglou in post-match press conference.

"It summed up his side perfectly. It wasn't perfect - as Ipswich's early blitz on their goal identified - but there was so much more energy and verve to the attacks being constructed.

"Kulusevski yet again was at the heart of most of these bursts of attacking football, supported ably from Son, who gave Ipswich defender Ben Godfrey the runaround in one of his best performances for a long time.

"There was also the added bonus of having a ruthless goalscorer in the ranks with Brennan Johnson is fine form in front of goal. Like father like son really. David Johnson had been prolific at Portman Road across a four-year spell and his son Brennan followed in his footsteps with two quickfire goals in Suffolk.

"It's three on the spin now for Spurs. The belief is back."

Premier League is a cruel mistress

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones:

"Football can be cruel. Ipswich did so many things right.

"The gameplan was to press Spurs hard and fast with an eye of playing direct balls to Delap in dangerous areas. It should have led to them being 3-0 up in the first five minutes - not an exaggeration.

"Delap missed two great openings from the left before hitting the crossbar with a deft header. But it has been one of those seasons for Ipswich where they have been punished for their underperformance in both boxes.

"Spurs didn't need three chances to score - they needed only two and scored from both. That is the harsh reality of this level. Ipswich have picked up seven points at Portman Road this season - only Southampton have picked up fewer home points. There's so much to like about this Ipswich team but results are proving so hard for them to come by."

McKenna still believes Ipswich can stay up

Kieran McKenna when asked if he still believes Ipswich can stay up:

"No doubt.

"Wolves picked up a good result today against 10 men with an early red card with a VAR. These are really, really small margins in football. And they haven't went our way this year. I don't think anyone can say that we've had any sort of fortune or margins go our way too often.

"We know we've got a big challenge to stay in the division. We know we're going to have to pick up points at a greater rate in our last 12 games. I believe that we can pick our points up at a greater rate, for sure."

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