Premier League Week 16: Late Penalties Rescue Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea : SOCCER : Sports World News

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LONDON, ENGLAND – Jorginho of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal during their Premier League match against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on December 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo : Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea continued their winning ways on Premier League Week 16 to remain at the top of the standings. Only two points separate the top three teams after the weekend matches.

Manchester City holds on to top spot after Sterling penalty

Manchester City remained in first place after a nervy 1-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday. Raheem Sterling scored a controversial penalty in the 66th minute to hand City all three points. A penalty was awarded to reigning Premier League champions after Joao Moutinho was adjudged to have blocked Bernardo Silva’s cross illegally inside the box. A lengthy VAR review confirmed that ruling despite replays showing the ball hitting the Wolves midfielder’s armpit, which is a legal defensive move.

That decision added to the frustrations of Wolves, who felt aggrieved in the closing stages of the first half after Raul Jimenez was sent off for getting two yellow cards within seconds of each other. City took control of the contest with that man advantage, recording a 24-3 edge in shot attempts.

City extended their winning streak in the Premier League to six games with the victory. Wolves’ offensive woes continued in this contest as they failed to score for the fourth consecutive game. They have scored just one goal in their last six outings.

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Salah gives Liverpool win with a second-half penalty

Like Manchester City, Liverpool also needed a penalty to grab the win in Week 16. Mo Salah converted a penalty in the 67th minute to deny Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard a winning return at Anfield. Salah himself earned the penalty for Liverpool after he was brought to the ground by Tyrone Mings.

Liverpool almost conceded a late goal after a mix-up between Joel Matip and goalkeeper Alisson, but the referee denied Aston Villa’s penalty shouts. It was a significant result for the Reds, who kept pace with leaders Manchester City in the title race. The Reds trail the Citizens by one point after Premier League Week 16, with Liverpool scoring 37 points thus far.

Jorginho hits double from the spot to give Chelsea a late win

Chelsea also had penalties to thank in Week 16, with the Blues recording a thrilling 3-2 come-from-behind win over Leeds United. Jorginho converted a spot kick deep into second-half stoppage time to hand Chelsea the victory in this back-and-forth encounter.

The Blues looked like they were on their way to another defeat after Raphinha opened the scoring for Leeds with a 28th-minute penalty. Chelsea managed to equalize before the break with Mason Mount, the goal-scorer.

Jorginho gave Chelsea the lead with his first penalty kick of the game in the 58th minute, but Leeds drew level again in the 83rd minute via a strike by teenage substitute Joe Gelhardt.

Chelsea got a lifeline late after Rudiger was brought down by Mateusz Klich inside the box. Jorginho made no mistake with his penalty to keep Chelsea firmly in the title race.