Liverpool Seize Late Victory Over Brentford with Nunez Double
Darwin Nunez Strikes Twice in Injury Time as Liverpool Extend Premier League Lead
Liverpool secured a dramatic 2-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday, thanks to two stoppage-time goals from Darwin Nunez. The win strengthens their position at the top of the Premier League table, extending their lead to seven points.
Second-placed Arsenal now have the opportunity to close the gap back to four points when they face Aston Villa later.
Nunez Silences Critics with Late Heroics
Introduced as a substitute in the 65th minute, Nunez was initially jeered by Brentford supporters. However, the Uruguayan striker had the last laugh, converting a precise cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the first minute of injury time. Just two minutes later, he finished off a swift counterattack, securing Liverpool’s first league win in three matches after draws against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, and a League Cup semifinal defeat to Tottenham.
Liverpool, who have only suffered one league loss this season—to Nottingham Forest in September—dominated the match, registering 37 shots before finally breaking the deadlock in stoppage time.
Bournemouth End Newcastle’s Winning Streak
Elsewhere, Justin Kluivert inspired Bournemouth to a resounding 4-1 victory over Newcastle, ending the Magpies' nine-match winning run across all competitions. Kluivert netted a hat-trick, with goals in the sixth, 44th, and stoppage time, while Milos Kerkez added a late fourth. Newcastle had briefly drawn level through Bruno Guimaraes but ultimately succumbed to Bournemouth’s relentless attack.
The Dutch midfielder, son of former Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert, previously scored a hat-trick against Wolverhampton in November, though all those goals came from the penalty spot. This time, his finishing prowess from open play proved decisive.
Despite dealing with an extensive injury list, Bournemouth extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches, climbing to sixth place, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea. With a top-five finish potentially offering Champions League qualification, Kluivert remained optimistic: “Why not dream big? We never know where we can end up.”
Leicester’s Woes Continue as Fulham and Crystal Palace Secure Wins
In other matches, Leicester’s struggles deepened with a seventh consecutive league defeat, falling 2-0 to Fulham. Goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore added pressure on newly appointed manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has won just one of his nine league games in charge.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace claimed a 2-0 win over West Ham, courtesy of two second-half goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, including a penalty conversion.
With the Premier League season heating up, Liverpool’s late show at Brentford underlines their title credentials, while Bournemouth’s resurgence and Leicester’s troubles add further intrigue to the battle across the table.