Liverpool edges closer to title as Nottingham Forest wins big over Man City

Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker (L) and Darwin Nunez celebrate after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Mar. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

LONDON, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Liverpool took another step towards this season's Premier League title with a 3-1 win at home to Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Although the Liverpool side was well below its best and looked tired after last week's Champions League win away to Paris Saint Germain, it still had enough firepower to beat a rival that took the lead in Anfield on the stroke of halftime.

Will Smallbone put the bottom of the table side ahead on the stroke of halftime, but Darwin Nunez inspired three minutes of chaos that turned things around.

The Uruguayan leveled the score in the 51st minute and then won the penalty that allowed Mohamed Salah to put Liverpool in front just three minutes later.

A second Salah penalty two minutes from time assured the points for Liverpool, who now leads Arsenal by 16 points, although the London side has played two games fewer.

Nottingham Forest took a massive step towards booking a place in next season's Champions League with a 1-0 win at home to Manchester City, who kicked off just behind Forest in the standings.

Manchester City had more of the ball, but for most of the match, Forest, who has the lowest possession stats in the Premier League, was able to defend effectively.

Nico Gonzalez went close for Man City in the first half, but Callum Hudson-Odoi was decisive. The winger had already seen Ederson tip one effort onto the post, before driving into the Man City penalty area and beating the goalkeeper on his near post, sparking jubilant scenes with seven minutes left to play.

A penalty in the eighth minute of injury time scored by Joao Pedro lifted Brighton up to sixth with a 2-1 win at home to Fulham. Ollie Watkins' goal early in the second half ended Aston Villa's run of seven matches without a win in the Premier League to lift his side into the battle to qualify for Europe next season with a 1-0 win away to Brentford.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton drew the last game of the day 1-1 which edges Wolves closer to safety after Ipswich's defeat. ■

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez celebrates after scoring the equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Mar. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Mar. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez (L) is fouled by Southampton's Will Smallbone for a penalty during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Mar. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch sees his shot blocked during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Mar. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas vies with a player of Southampton during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Mar. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

Southampton's Will Smallbone celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Mar. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (2nd L) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Mar. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez (1st, L) scores the equalising goal past Southampton's goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Mar. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas (L) is challenged by Southampton's Lesley Ugochukwu during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Mar. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores his side's second goal from a penalty-kick during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, on Mar. 8, 2025. (Xinhua)