West Brom hold Liverpool, as Watford and Palace finishes all square

Updated On Apr 23, 2018 by David Nugent

With just two Premier League fixtures on Saturday, all eyes were on the Hawthorns and Vicarage Road. Here is what happened in the two fixtures:

Baggies hold Reds at the Hawthorns

Salomon Rondon equalises against Liverpool: April 21st 2018Rock-bottom West Brom showed tremendous character to come back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Champions League-chasing Liverpool at the Hawthorns.

The visitors made the perfect start by taking the lead with just four minutes on the clock. Georginio Wijnaldum failed to control a Sadio Mane cross, but striker Danny Ings reacted the quickest to score from close-range with the rebound.

Both teams had their chances to add to the scoreline.

However, the second goal of the game did arrive until the 72 minute, as the Reds doubled their lead through Mohamed Salah’s 31st Premier League goal of the season.

The Egyptian international received the ball from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before chipping over the outrushing Ben Foster into the net.

The goal means that the former Chelsea star has now scored 41 times in all competitions this season.

However, the home side not finished yet and were back in the contest on 79 minutes. The Reds did not clear a corner from the right and midfielder Jake Livermore scored his first ever Baggies goal from just six yards out.

The home side equalised with just two minutes remaining, as Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon headed home from a Chris Brunt centre to level the game. The draw means that the side from the Midlands are eight points away from Swansea in 17th place. However, the Swans have played two fewer games than the Baggies.

One positive for the home side is that interim boss Darren Moore has now taken four points from a possible six against Manchester United and Liverpool. The former-Jamaica international centre-back has done his chances of getting the job on a permanent basis no harm.

Liverpool remain third in the Premier League table, although fourth-place Tottenham have a game in-hand on the Merseysiders. However, Jurgen Klopp’s side are favoured by the bookmakers to finish above Mauricio Pochettino’s team this season.

Watford and Palace play out a scoreless draw

Crystal Palace missed an opportunity to move further away from the relegation zone as they could only muster a goalless draw away at Watford.

The biggest talking point of the game was Palace winger Wilfried Zaha seeing two penalty appeals turned down. The second appeal just after the hour mark saw Zaha booked for simulation, despite replays showing that Hornets defender Adrian Mariappa did, in fact, touch the Ivory Coast international.

Despite the lack of goals, there was no shortage of goalmouth action, as Watford striker Stefano Okaka struck the bar, before Palace pair Luka Milivojevic and James Tomkins also hit the woodwork.

The draw put Watford nine points clear of the relegation zone with just three games left to play. The Hornets are not yet mathematically safe from suffering relegation but should have accrued enough points to be playing top-flight football next season.

Palace are six points clear of the drop zone. However, 18th place Southampton have played a game fewer than the Eagles. Roy Hodgson’s side will now be confident of maintaining their top-flight status though.

Could Crystal Palace still be sucked into the relegation battle?

David Nugent Author

First off, I want to say hi and wish a warm welcome to all gambling aficionados out there! My name is David Nugent and I am editor-in-chief of LegalGamblingAndTheLaw.com. I have always enjoyed various sports, primarily soccer, as I am a die-hard Everton fan.

Over time, I learned more about sports betting and discovered the fascinating online gambling industry. Eventually,...

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