LONDON, Dec 23, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Liverpool swept four points clear at the 
top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah's masterclass inspired a memorable 
6-3 rout of Tottenham, while Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 3-0 
home defeat against Bournemouth on Sunday.

Salah delivered a sublime performance featuring two goals and a pair of 
assists as Arne Slot's side ran riot in north London.

The 32-year-old is now Liverpool's fourth top scorer ever with 229 goals.

Salah's brace took him past Billy Liddell, with only Ian Rush (346), Roger 
Hunt (285) and Gordon Hodgson (241) ahead of him.

The rampant Reds have won 21 of their 25 matches in all competitions under 
Slot and have a game in hand on Chelsea to strengthen their lead in the title 
race.

This was a remarkable display of Liverpool's firepower as Luis Diaz and 
Alexis Mac Allister scored to put them in command.

Dominik Szoboszlai grabbed Liverpool's third and Egypt star Salah took over 
after the break before Diaz netted again.

Punished for Ange Postecoglou's insistence on sticking to his high defensive 
line, it was the first time since 1997 that Tottenham had conceded six goals 
in a home league game.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke scored for Tottenham, 
but an eighth league defeat this season leaves them languishing in 11th place 
as the pressure mounts on Postecoglou.

United boss Ruben Amorim, who once again left Marcus Rashford out of his 
squad, is set for a miserable Christmas following the worst result of his 
brief reign.

Languishing in 13th place, United have suffered four defeats in nine matches 
in all competitions since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon in November to 
replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.

United's second successive loss after their League Cup exit at Tottenham on 
Thursday underlined Amorim's belief that their road back to the top will be 
long and arduous.

- Man Utd 'suffer' -

United, who have conceded first in their last six games, were booed off at 
half-time, while the final whistle was greeted by more jeers from the few 
fans who stayed until the bitter end.

"This game was hard on us. We suffered again on set-pieces and we were a bit 
nervous. I felt it in the stadium," Amorim said.

"We have to suffer again but we will try to win."

Amorim's decision to play without Rashford for the third consecutive game 
will face fresh scrutiny after United's wretched performance.

Amorim surprisingly omitted the 27-year-old England forward from the squad 
for United's win at Manchester City last weekend, prompting Rashford to hint 
he was willing to leave the club for a "new challenge".

Again, United were exposed at set-pieces in the 29th minute when 
Bournemouth's teenage defender Dean Huijsen punished poor marking at a free-
kick to glance a header past goalkeeper Andre Onana.

There was even worse to come for Amorim in the second half as Justin Kluivert 
doubled fifth-placed Bournemouth's advantage with a 61st minute penalty 
following Noussair Mazraoui's foul on the forward.

Antoine Semenyo compounded United's misery two minutes later with a cool 
finish from Dango Ouattara's pass.

With Liverpool playing in Sunday's late game, second-placed Chelsea would 
have gone top, for at least a few hours, if they had won at Everton.

But Enzo Maresca's side had to settle for a goalless stalemate that ended 
their five-match winning run in the league.

"That was a real game. Everton are one of the best teams in Europe in terms 
of clean-sheets. We are very happy because this is a tough stadium, not only 
for us but also in the Premier League," Maresca said.

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira enjoyed a dream debut as his side won 3-0 at 
relegation rivals Leicester.

Replacing the sacked Gary O'Neil, Pereira made an immediate impact after 
leaving his role at Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab thanks to goals from 
Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha.

Third-bottom Wolves are within two points of fourth-bottom Leicester.

Bottom-of-the-table Southampton held on for a 0-0 draw at Fulham as new 
manager Ivan Juric watched from the stands before officially taking charge.