This archive report was first published on 12 December 2021.
On a dramatic Saturday in the Premier League, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scored the only goal to spoil Steven Gerrard's return to Anfield as Aston Villa manager. The Reds, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United all needed penalties to win.
Manchester City edged 10-man Wolves 1-0 thanks to Raheem Sterling's controversial winner, while Chelsea required two Jorginho spot-kicks to see off Leeds 3-2. Cristiano Ronaldo made sure United did not slip up with a 1-0 win at bottom-of-the-table Norwich.
Steven Gerrard received a subdued reception at Anfield as the former Liverpool captain faced his old side for the first time in his playing or coaching career. 'I had to accept it was going to be emotional for me and my family,' Gerrard said. 'For me, it was trying to control that, trying to control the outside noise and be respectful to Aston Villa.'
Despite being largely outplayed, Villa stayed in the game thanks to dogged defending, good goalkeeping from Emiliano Martinez, and a couple of calls in their favour from referee Stuart Attwell. However, Gerrard's men did not escape for a third time when Tyrone Mings pulled down Salah inside the box 25 minutes from time.
Salah smashed home his 21st goal in 22 games this season to ensure Liverpool remain just one point behind City at the top of the table. 'The first 75 minutes was incredible football,' said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. 'We played in the spaces we wanted to play but we did not finish the situations which is tricky.'
Manchester City had fortune on their side to see off Wolves thanks to Sterling's 100th Premier League goal. Wolves boss Bruno Lage was furious as Raul Jimenez was dismissed for two quickfire yellow cards before half-time. 'The first yellow card is a crazy decision for me, in my opinion. A hard decision to accept,' Lage said.
Chelsea needed late drama at Stamford Bridge to prevent their title challenge stumbling for the fourth time in six games. Leeds took the lead through a penalty, but Chelsea levelled and eventually won 3-2 thanks to two Jorginho spot-kicks.
Manchester United were also bailed out by Ronaldo's penalty 15 minutes from time and a string of saves from David de Gea to maintain Ralf Rangnick's 100 percent start as interim manager in the Premier League. The Red Devils moved level on points with fourth-placed West Ham after riding their luck at Carrow Road.
