Mohamed Salah marked his return to action with an assist as Liverpool secured a 2–0 victory over Brighton at Anfield on Saturday, while Chelsea boosted their top-four hopes with a comfortable 2–0 home win over Everton.
At Anfield, Salah came off the bench to set up Hugo Ekitike’s second goal, easing pressure on Liverpool manager Arne Slot after a turbulent week dominated by speculation over the Egyptian forward’s future.
Chelsea, meanwhile, ended a four-match winless run in all competitions thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto at Stamford Bridge, climbing back into the Premier League’s top four.
Ekitike double lifts Liverpool after Salah return
Liverpool returned to winning ways after a difficult spell, claiming only their third league victory in 10 matches with a composed display against Brighton.
The hosts made a blistering start, taking the lead after just 46 seconds. Joe Gomez advanced down the flank and picked out Ekitike, who struck emphatically past Bart Verbruggen to give Liverpool early control.
Salah, who had been left out of recent matches following a public outburst in which he accused the club of “throwing him under the bus” and admitted he had no relationship with Slot, was named on the bench. His introduction came unexpectedly in the 26th minute when Gomez was forced off injured, prompting a rousing reception from the Anfield crowd.
Brighton enjoyed spells of pressure and created several chances to equalise. Diego Gomez struck the outside of the post early in the second half, while Brajan Gruda also went close as Liverpool struggled to assert dominance.
The decisive moment arrived on the hour. Salah swung in a corner from the right and Ekitike rose unmarked to nod home his second goal of the match, giving Liverpool breathing space and underlining the striker’s growing influence.
Salah himself nearly capped his return with a goal in stoppage time but blazed over after being set up by Federico Chiesa.
The win lifted Liverpool to sixth in the table and eased the scrutiny on Slot, whose side had drawn three and lost five of their previous nine league matches.
Salah, who signed a new two-year contract in April, is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, with uncertainty lingering over how long he will remain at Anfield beyond this season.
Chelsea halt slump with assured Everton win
Earlier in the day, Chelsea rediscovered their rhythm at Stamford Bridge, beating Everton 2–0 to re-enter the Premier League’s top four.
The breakthrough came in the first half when Malo Gusto burst forward from right-back and slipped a precise pass to Cole Palmer. The England international, making just his second league appearance of the season after a long injury absence, drilled a low shot between Jordan Pickford and the near post.
Gusto then turned scorer immediately after the break. The Frenchman arrived at the far post to poke home Pedro Neto’s cross in the 46th minute after the winger outpaced Vitalii Mykolenko down the left.
“It was important for us to win, and keeping a clean sheet made it even better,” Gusto told Sky Sports. “I trust Cole, I like passing to him, and he finished it well.”
Everton, who had won four of their previous five matches, matched Chelsea for intensity for long periods but were undone by a lack of clinical finishing. Jack Grealish, James Tarkowski and Idrissa Gueye all went close, while Iliman Ndiaye struck the post late on.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was rarely tested in a convincing defensive display that will have pleased head coach Enzo Maresca.
“It’s important to win games after a run where you don’t,” Maresca said. “The players needed this, and we are happy.”
The result moved Chelsea to 28 points, five behind leaders Arsenal and two clear of Crystal Palace, while Everton slipped to eighth.
