European roundup: Liverpool back in groove, PSG shocked in thriller

APD NEWS

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Mohamed Salah's double earned Liverpool a comfortable 3-1 win at West Ham United but Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur both suffered defeats in the Premier League on Sunday.

Salah, who had not registered in the league since December, scored two majestic goals after the break before Gini Wijnaldum added a third. Craig Dawson's late goal was little consolation for West Ham whose four-game winning league run ended abruptly.

Leeds United have been hit or miss this season but were in the groove as they beat Leicester City 3-1 away despite going behind to a Harvey Barnes goal.

Tottenham became the first side to lose at Brighton and Hove Albion in the league this season as they went down 1-0.

It was a dreadfully disappointing display by Jose Mourinho's side who rarely looked like avoiding defeat after Leandro Trossard put the hosts ahead in the 17th minute.

Brighton and Hove Albion's Adam Lallana (L) greets Tottenham Hotspur's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after the final whistle of their Premier League match in Brighton, England, January 31, 2021. /CFP

Seventeenth-placed Brighton's win was dreadful news for the bottom three clubs as they are put seven points between themselves and the relegation zone.

"Not good in the first half, better in the second. We didn't start well, we started with some mistakes that led to a ball that hit the post and then the goal," Mourinho said.

Chelsea's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso (3rd R) scores his team's second goal against Burnley during their Premier League match in London, England, January 31, 2021. /CFP

Chelsea's new manager Thomas Tuchel enjoyed his first victory as his side eased to a 2-0 win at home to Burnley.

Chelsea moved up to seventh as goals by Spanish defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso were enough to beat Burnley.

"Well the performance itself, for me it was very complete, both defensively and offensively," Tuchel said.

Lazio hit back after their Italian Cup defeat to Atalanta with a 3-1 win on their return trip to Bergamo on Sunday, as Napoli climbed to fourth with a 2-0 win over Parma, moving into the Champions League berths.

Lazio were eliminated from the Italian Cup in the quarter-final stage midweek with a 3-2 loss in Bergamo.

The Roman side gained revenge with a dominant display at the Gewiss Stadium for their fifth consecutive league win.

Eljif Elmas of Napoli jumps to celebrate after scoring the first goal against Parma during the Serie A match in Naples, Italy, January 31, 2021. /CFP

Napoli rebounded from last weekend's loss at Hellas Verona, despite a sloppy performance against 19th-placed Parma.

Coach Gennaro Gattuso hit out at the criticism he faces from "keyboard fans, in the era of lockdown" despite the team being in the running for a Champions League return.

"I get slaughtered every day and it's difficult," complained the former AC Milan coach.

"I'm taking slaps to the right and left every day, you'd think we are last in the standings."

Neymar of PSG makes a funny face after scoring a goal during the Ligue 1 match in Lorient, France, January 31, 2021. /CFP

Paris St Germain (PSG) suffered their first defeat under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, losing 3-2 at lowly Lorient in added time as Lille moved top of the Ligue 1 standings with a 1-0 home victory against Dijon on Sunday.

Two penalties from Neymar put French champions PSG 2-1 ahead after Laurent Abergel's opener.

The hosts equalized with 10 minutes remaining through Yoane Wissa and wrapped it up in stoppage time courtesy of a Terem Moffi goal.

Playing a couple of hours later, Lille grabbed the opportunity to go top when Yusuf Yazici's first-half goal put them on 48 points from 22 games.

Brazilian star Neymar said on Sunday that he hopes to stay at PSG beyond this season and wants Kylian Mbappe to also commit his future to the French champions.

Neymar is in discussions with PSG over a possible new contract, as his current deal is set to end in June 2022.

"I am very happy at the moment. Things have changed a lot," the 28-year-old told French television channel TF1.

"I can't really say why. I feel good. I have adapted. I'm calmer. I'm very happy here. I want to stay at PSG."

"I hope Kylian will want to stay too," Neymar added. "Of course, that's the wish of all the supporters.

"We want Paris to remain a great team and I want to keep doing what I've always done – playing football and being happy, they're the most important things."

In the Bundesliga on Sunday, U.S. international John Brooks and Dutch striker Wout Weghorst netted as Wolfsburg jumped to third in the league with a 3-0 home win over mid-table Freiburg, leaving Wolfsburg unbeaten at home this season.

(CGTN)