Liverpool held by Sunderland as Jermain Defoe scores twice from the spot
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Updated 02/01/2017 at 17:26 GMT
Premier League, Stadium of Light – Sunderland 2 (Defoe 25 pen, 84 pen) Liverpool 2 (Sturridge 19, Mane 72)
Sunderland's Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring their second goal
Image credit: Reuters
Jermain Defoe scored a brace of penalties as Sunderland held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.
Liverpool started the game six points behind leaders Chelsea and looked to be well on their way to closing the gap after Daniel Sturridge headed home Dejan Lovren’s scuffed shot direct from the corner.
But the visitors’ lead was short lived after Ragnar Klavan’s clumsy challenge on Didier Ndong gave Defoe the opportunity to equalise from the spot.
Buoyed by their equaliser, it was Sunderland who now looked more likely and only a great save from Simon Mignolet prevented Defoe from going around him and scoring his second.
Referee Anthony Taylor then denied Sunderland what appeared to be a clear penalty after Emre Can moved his arm towards the ball in the box. And Sunderland’s frustration was then compounded when Sadio Mane turned the ball home from the corner via Papy Djilobodji’s arm.
There was still time for more drama as goalscorer Mane turned from hero to villain, handling Sebastian Larsson’s free-kick to allow Defoe to notch his second from the spot and grab Sunderland a share of the spoils.
The result means that Liverpool are now five points behind Chelsea but the Londoners have a game in hand. Sunderland’s well-earned draw means they remain 18th but are now just a point behind Crystal Palace.
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
Image credit: Reuters
TALKING POINT
A tale of two penalties
The first handball should have been given, but Anthony Taylor redeemed himself by awarding the second. It could, and probably should, have been a penalty hat-trick for Defoe.
MAN OF THE MATCH
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Sunderland's Jermain Defoe and Fabio Borini speak before the penalty
Image credit: Reuters
Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) - The veteran was again the man Sunderland needed to bag them a point, showing nerves of steel from the spot. Only Diego Costa (14), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (12) and Alexis Sánchez (12) have scored more goals this season than Defoe (11).
PLAYER RATINGS
Sunderland: Mannone 7, Love 6, Van Aanholt 7, Djilobodji 7, O’Shea 6, Larsson 6, Ndong 6, Rodwell, Januzaj 7, Borini 6, Defoe 8. Subs: Khazri 6, Manquillo 6.
Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Clyne 6, Lovren 6, Klavan 5, Milner 6, Can 6, Wijnaldum 6, Lallana 6, Mane 6, Firmino 7, Sturridge. 7 Subs: Moreno 6, Lucas 6, Origi 6.
KEY MOMENTS
19’ – GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge is on hand to head home Lovren’s scuffed shot direct from the corner.
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Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge scores their first goal
Image credit: Reuters
25’ – GOAL! Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool: Defoe makes no mistake from the spot after Klavan brings down Ndong..
28’ – MIGNOLET SAVES LIVERPOOL: Defoe is clean through on goal from Januzaj’s through ball. He tries to take it round Mignolet but the Liverpool keeper sticks out a long arm and Borini fires wide on the follow up.
58’ – PENALTY SHOUT! Can looks to have moved his hand towards the direction of the ball in the box and that looked a definite penalty.
72’ – GOAL! Sunderland 1-2 Liverpool: Sadio Mane turns it in from the corner via Djilobodji's arm.
84’ – GOAL! Sunderland 2-2 Liverpool: Jermain Defoe slots home his second from the spot after Mane handles Larsson’s free kick.
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Sunderland's Jermain Defoe scores their first goal from a penalty
Image credit: Reuters
KEY STATS
- Liverpool fail to win at Sunderland in the Premier League for the first time since 15 September 2012, when they drew 1-1.
- Only Diego Costa (14), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (12) and Alexis Sánchez (12) have scored more goals this PL season than Defoe (11).
- Jurgen Klopp takes charge of his 50th league game for the reds.
- Only Ryan Giggs (22) and Frank Lampard (19) have scored a PL goal in more calendar years than Jermain Defoe (18).
- Daniel Sturridge scores in consecutive PL appearances for the first time since he netted in four in a row in April 2016.
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