Mohamed Salah returned with a goal as Premier League leaders Liverpool routed Brentford 4-1 despite a rash of injuries, while Arsenal demolished Burnley 5-0 to keep up the pressure in the title race on Saturday.

Salah came off the bench to replace the injured Diogo Jota in his first Liverpool appearance since their win over Newcastle on New Year's Day.

Having returned from the hamstring injury he sustained on Egypt duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah made up for lost time with his first goal for the Reds since the Newcastle game.

The 31-year-old's 19th goal in all competitions this term put Liverpool on course for a sixth win in their last seven league games.

The much-maligned Darwin Nunez had given Jurgen Klopp's side the lead with a sublime chip late in the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Alexis Mac Allister doubled Liverpool's advantage after the interval with just his second goal this season.

Ivan Toney got one back for Brentford, but Cody Gakpo netted in the closing stages.

While the victory was valuable for Klopp, it came with a downside as first half injuries to Nunez, Jota and Curtis Jones added to Liverpool's increasingly packed treatment room.

At Turf Moor, second placed Arsenal made it five consecutive wins to move within two points of Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta's side have beaten Liverpool and won 6-0 at West Ham in their most notable results since a revitalising warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nepals-star-cricketer-sandeep-lamichhane-jailed-for-eight-years-for-rape-678703/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

And they were too hot for second bottom Burnley to handle from the fourth minute when Martin Odegaard drilled home from Gabriel Martinelli's pass.

Bukayo Saka netted with a 41st minute penalty awarded for Lorenz Assignon's foul on Leandro Trossard.

Saka struck again two minutes after half-time, rifling into the top corner from Odegaard's pass as the England winger made it six goals in his last four games.

<h2>Spurs rocked</h2>

Trossard got the fourth from close-range in the 66th minute and Kai Havertz converted Jakub Kiwior's pass with 12 minutes left.

Third placed Manchester City, who have two games in hand on Liverpool, will move level on points with Arsenal if they beat Chelsea in Saturday's late game.

Tottenham's top four bid suffered a blow as Joao Gomes struck twice in Wolves' surprise 2-1 win in north London.

Ange Postecoglou's team were beaten in the league for the first time in 2024, with Gomes heading in the opener after 42 minutes.

Dejan Kulusevski equalised immediately after the interval, but Brazilian midfielder Gomes won it for Wolves with a 63rd minute blast after an incisive break from the visitors.

Aston Villa took advantage of Tottenham's stumble to climb back into fourth place with a 2-1 win at Fulham.

Ollie Watkins scored either side of the break for Unai Emery's side and although Fulham got one back through Rodrigo Muniz, they were unable to force an equaliser.

Nottingham Forest beat 10-man West Ham 2-0 at the City Ground in a major boost to their survival hopes.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/rajkot-test-day-3-india-players-wear-black-armband-for-this-reason-gavaskar-says-couldve-done-it-sooner-691230">Rajkot Test, Day 3: India players wear black armband for THIS reason, Gavaskar says 'could've done it sooner'</a>

Nuno Espirito Santo's side moved five points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Taiwo Awoniyi's goal five minutes into first half stoppage-time and Callum Hudson-Odoi's strike just before the final whistle.

West Ham midfielder Kalvin Phillips, on loan from Manchester City, was sent off in the 71st minute for two bookings in the space of four minutes.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe avoided defeat against his former club Bournemouth in a 2-2 draw at St James' Park.

Dominic Solanke's 51st minute opener for Bournemouth was cancelled out by Anthony Gordon's penalty seven minutes later.

Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo fired into the bottom corner in the 69th minute, but Matt Ritchie equalised in stoppage-time.

Mohamed Salah returned with a goal as Premier League leaders Liverpool routed Brentford 4-1 despite a rash of injuries, while Arsenal demolished Burnley 5-0 to keep up the pressure in the title race on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah returned with a goal as Premier League leaders Liverpool routed Brentford 4-1 despite a rash of injuries, while Arsenal demolished Burnley 5-0 to keep up the pressure in the title race on Saturday. Salah came off the bench to replace the injured Diogo Jota in his first Liverpool appearance since their win over Newcastle on New Year's Day. Having returned from the hamstring injury he sustained on Egypt duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah made up for lost time with his first goal for the Reds since the Newcastle game. The 31-year-old's 19th goal in all competitions this term put Liverpool on course for a sixth win in their last seven league games. The much-maligned Darwin Nunez had given Jurgen Klopp's side the lead with a sublime chip late in the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium. Alexis Mac Allister doubled Liverpool's advantage after the interval with just his second goal this season. Ivan Toney got one back for Brentford, but Cody Gakpo netted in the closing stages. While the victory was valuable for Klopp, it came with a downside as first half injuries to Nunez, Jota and Curtis Jones added to Liverpool's increasingly packed treatment room. At Turf Moor, second placed Arsenal made it five consecutive wins to move within two points of Liverpool. Mikel Arteta's side have beaten Liverpool and won 6-0 at West Ham in their most notable results since a revitalising warm-weather training camp in Dubai. × And they were too hot for second bottom Burnley to handle from the fourth minute when Martin Odegaard drilled home from Gabriel Martinelli's pass. Bukayo Saka netted with a 41st minute penalty awarded for Lorenz Assignon's foul on Leandro Trossard. Saka struck again two minutes after half-time, rifling into the top corner from Odegaard's pass as the England winger made it six goals in his last four games. Spurs rocked Trossard got the fourth from close-range in the 66th minute and Kai Havertz converted Jakub Kiwior's pass with 12 minutes left. Third placed Manchester City, who have two games in hand on Liverpool, will move level on points with Arsenal if they beat Chelsea in Saturday's late game. Tottenham's top four bid suffered a blow as Joao Gomes struck twice in Wolves' surprise 2-1 win in north London. Ange Postecoglou's team were beaten in the league for the first time in 2024, with Gomes heading in the opener after 42 minutes. Dejan Kulusevski equalised immediately after the interval, but Brazilian midfielder Gomes won it for Wolves with a 63rd minute blast after an incisive break from the visitors. Aston Villa took advantage of Tottenham's stumble to climb back into fourth place with a 2-1 win at Fulham. Ollie Watkins scored either side of the break for Unai Emery's side and although Fulham got one back through Rodrigo Muniz, they were unable to force an equaliser. Nottingham Forest beat 10-man West Ham 2-0 at the City Ground in a major boost to their survival hopes. ALSO READ | Rajkot Test, Day 3: India players wear black armband for THIS reason, Gavaskar says 'could've done it sooner' Nuno Espirito Santo's side moved five points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Taiwo Awoniyi's goal five minutes into first half stoppage-time and Callum Hudson-Odoi's strike just before the final whistle. West Ham midfielder Kalvin Phillips, on loan from Manchester City, was sent off in the 71st minute for two bookings in the space of four minutes. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe avoided defeat against his former club Bournemouth in a 2-2 draw at St James' Park. Dominic Solanke's 51st minute opener for Bournemouth was cancelled out by Anthony Gordon's penalty seven minutes later. Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo fired into the bottom corner in the 69th minute, but Matt Ritchie equalised in stoppage-time.

Premier League: Mohamed Salah scores in Liverpool return as Arsenal keep pressure on leaders

Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt told Reuters that racism has no place in football or in society after three England players faced online abuse following their penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday.

England trio Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, who missed their spot kicks in the shootout, were targeted online in the wake of England's defeat.

“You can be upset at a person for missing because we are human, but if you’re going to bring race into it, then it has no place in football or just in general,” Jamaican Bolt said in Kingston on Tuesday.

Bolt, who won the 100m and 200m double at three consecutive Olympics from 2008 to 2016, described the racial abuse directed at the players as horrifying.

“First of all that’s horrible to know... for me it’s very tough to see these things.&nbsp; As an African and a Black person, I can tell it must be rough on them and you can’t blame these guys, they don’t make the decision of who takes the penalties,” Bolt added.

“It's football, you win some, you lose some and it’s tough for you to lose. I’ve gone through it with my team, but I won’t curse anybody or try to put them down when it comes to race or anything. We are all going to be upset when you miss a penalty, but when it gets to race then, it’s going to be a problem you understand,” added Bolt, who won 11 world championship gold medals.

"It (racial abuse) was very unfair and I can’t believe this is where football is headed, I’ve loved football through my entire career, I’ve followed all these players ... so it tough to see something like that going on,” the Jamaican added.

The English Football Association in a statement said it was "appalled" by the abuse of the three players.

"We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible," the FA statement said.

Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt told Reuters that racism has no place in football or in society after three England players faced online abuse following their penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday.

Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt told Reuters that racism has no place in football or in society after three England players faced online abuse following their penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday. England trio Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, who missed their spot kicks in the shootout, were targeted online in the wake of England's defeat. “You can be upset at a person for missing because we are human, but if you’re going to bring race into it, then it has no place in football or just in general,” Jamaican Bolt said in Kingston on Tuesday. Bolt, who won the 100m and 200m double at three consecutive Olympics from 2008 to 2016, described the racial abuse directed at the players as horrifying. “First of all that’s horrible to know... for me it’s very tough to see these things. As an African and a Black person, I can tell it must be rough on them and you can’t blame these guys, they don’t make the decision of who takes the penalties,” Bolt added. “It's football, you win some, you lose some and it’s tough for you to lose. I’ve gone through it with my team, but I won’t curse anybody or try to put them down when it comes to race or anything. We are all going to be upset when you miss a penalty, but when it gets to race then, it’s going to be a problem you understand,” added Bolt, who won 11 world championship gold medals. "It (racial abuse) was very unfair and I can’t believe this is where football is headed, I’ve loved football through my entire career, I’ve followed all these players ... so it tough to see something like that going on,” the Jamaican added. The English Football Association in a statement said it was "appalled" by the abuse of the three players. "We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible," the FA statement said.

Football: Bolt describes racist abuse of England trio as ‘horrible’ and ‘unfair’

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said winger Bukayo Saka is a "strong character" and backed the teenager to overcome the racist abuse directed at him on social media after his miss in England's shootout defeat to Italy in Sunday's Euro 2020 final.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-boris-johnson-set-to-tell-social-media-firms-to-tackle-dark-spaces-of-the-internet-397848" hreflang="en">Football: Boris Johnson set to tell social media firms to tackle 'dark spaces of the internet'</a>

The 19-year-old missed England's final spot-kick after teammates Marcus Rashford, 23, and Jadon Sancho, 21, also failed to convert in the shootout, with all three subsequently subjected to racist abuse online.

The comments prompted a police investigation and brought widespread condemnation.

Arteta told Sky Sports he had spoken to Saka and that was sure that he would be fine.

"He is such a strong character," Arteta added. "He has received a lot of love and support from world football, not only with Arsenal but the national team and the English fans because he doesn't deserve anything like (what) he has been through."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a meeting with social media companies on Tuesday to ask them to do more in the fight against online abuse.

"... Hopefully the laws will become stronger. I think we're all going to try and make a strong case out of that," Arteta said. "Hopefully, it can have a big impact because it's the moment to put that right."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said winger Bukayo Saka is a "strong character" and backed the teenager to overcome the racist abuse directed at him on social media after his miss in England's shootout defeat to Italy in Sunday's Euro 2020 final.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said winger Bukayo Saka is a "strong character" and backed the teenager to overcome the racist abuse directed at him on social media after his miss in England's shootout defeat to Italy in Sunday's Euro 2020 final. ALSO READ: Football: Boris Johnson set to tell social media firms to tackle 'dark spaces of the internet' The 19-year-old missed England's final spot-kick after teammates Marcus Rashford, 23, and Jadon Sancho, 21, also failed to convert in the shootout, with all three subsequently subjected to racist abuse online. The comments prompted a police investigation and brought widespread condemnation. Arteta told Sky Sports he had spoken to Saka and that was sure that he would be fine. "He is such a strong character," Arteta added. "He has received a lot of love and support from world football, not only with Arsenal but the national team and the English fans because he doesn't deserve anything like (what) he has been through." British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a meeting with social media companies on Tuesday to ask them to do more in the fight against online abuse. "... Hopefully the laws will become stronger. I think we're all going to try and make a strong case out of that," Arteta said. "Hopefully, it can have a big impact because it's the moment to put that right."

Football: Arsenal's Arteta says Saka strength enough to handle racist abuse

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell social media companies on Tuesday to do more to tackle online abuse, condemning racist comments made against England's soccer players as coming from "the dark spaces of the internet".

Johnson's government has come under fire by some players and commentators, who say the Conservative prime minister and some of his top team have fanned the flames of prejudice and fuelled the abuse of three Black players in the soccer team.

But Johnson's spokesman said the prime minister had urged people to support the team and not boo them for taking the knee - a protest first made by American&nbsp;football&nbsp;quarterback Colin Kaepernick and followed by the Black Lives Matter movement.

"He said the abuse was utterly disgraceful and had emerged from the dark spaces of the internet," the spokesman said, describing an earlier meeting between Johnson and his cabinet team of top ministers.

"He said he would use today's meeting with social media firms to reiterate the urgent need for action ahead of tougher laws coming into force through the online harms bill," he told journalists.

After England's loss to Italy in the Euros final match on Sunday, Marcus Rashford, 23, Jadon Sancho, 21, and Bukayo Saka, 19, were the targets of abuse after they missed spot-kicks in a penalty shootout.

The government condemned the abuse but looks set to try to turn attention to social media companies, which have long been pressed by campaigners to better regulate what is published on their sites.

"We expect social media companies to do everything they can to identify these people," Johnson's spokesman said.

The issue of online abuse of players led to British soccer authorities briefly boycotting social media platforms before the European tournament, while Britain is planning legislation to force tech firms to do more.

But among the abuse, there has been an outpouring of support for the three players.

England soccer fans stepped up to defend Rashford by covering the racist abuse scrawled on a mural to the Black player in his hometown with messages of love and support for a "hero" who they said was a national role model.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell social media companies on Tuesday to do more to tackle online abuse, condemning racist comments made against England's soccer players as coming from "the dark spaces of the internet".

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell social media companies on Tuesday to do more to tackle online abuse, condemning racist comments made against England's soccer players as coming from "the dark spaces of the internet". Johnson's government has come under fire by some players and commentators, who say the Conservative prime minister and some of his top team have fanned the flames of prejudice and fuelled the abuse of three Black players in the soccer team. But Johnson's spokesman said the prime minister had urged people to support the team and not boo them for taking the knee - a protest first made by American football quarterback Colin Kaepernick and followed by the Black Lives Matter movement. "He said the abuse was utterly disgraceful and had emerged from the dark spaces of the internet," the spokesman said, describing an earlier meeting between Johnson and his cabinet team of top ministers. "He said he would use today's meeting with social media firms to reiterate the urgent need for action ahead of tougher laws coming into force through the online harms bill," he told journalists. After England's loss to Italy in the Euros final match on Sunday, Marcus Rashford, 23, Jadon Sancho, 21, and Bukayo Saka, 19, were the targets of abuse after they missed spot-kicks in a penalty shootout. The government condemned the abuse but looks set to try to turn attention to social media companies, which have long been pressed by campaigners to better regulate what is published on their sites. "We expect social media companies to do everything they can to identify these people," Johnson's spokesman said. The issue of online abuse of players led to British soccer authorities briefly boycotting social media platforms before the European tournament, while Britain is planning legislation to force tech firms to do more. But among the abuse, there has been an outpouring of support for the three players. England soccer fans stepped up to defend Rashford by covering the racist abuse scrawled on a mural to the Black player in his hometown with messages of love and support for a "hero" who they said was a national role model.

Football: Boris Johnson set to tell social media firms to tackle 'dark spaces of the internet'

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed Bukayo Saka's "moment of magic" in Thursday's 2-1 Europa League first-leg defeat by Villarreal, but said his team must not keep relying on the teenage winger to produce game-changing moments.

Arsenal found themselves against the ropes when they trailed 2-0 following goals by Manu Trigueros and Raul Albiol before having Dani Ceballos sent off.

But Saka, one of Arsenal's standout players at the Estadio de la Ceramica, won a penalty that was converted by Nicolas Pepe to give the north London club a lifeline heading into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next week.

"We needed a moment of magic and he (Saka) produced it again," Arteta told BT Sport. "We are very used to that this season. But that also tells us we need to do much more in other areas. We cannot rely all the time on him."

Arteta said Pepe's penalty could prove to be a pivotal moment in the tie.

"It gives us belief that if we do the right things and we play at our level, we can beat them," he said. "I'm disappointed that we lost the game obviously.

"We had some issues. The fact that we conceded really early affected us. We lost our organization, we were really stretched and there were big differences between the lines that we could not join together with the ball.

"But after the story of the game, I think we have to take it because we are in the tie, we are still alive."

Arsenal, who are 10th in the Premier League with 46 points from 33 games, visit Newcastle United on Sunday.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed Bukayo Saka's "moment of magic" in Thursday's 2-1 Europa League first-leg defeat by Villarreal, but said his team must not keep relying on the teenage winger to produce game-changing moments.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed Bukayo Saka's "moment of magic" in Thursday's 2-1 Europa League first-leg defeat by Villarreal, but said his team must not keep relying on the teenage winger to produce game-changing moments. Arsenal found themselves against the ropes when they trailed 2-0 following goals by Manu Trigueros and Raul Albiol before having Dani Ceballos sent off. But Saka, one of Arsenal's standout players at the Estadio de la Ceramica, won a penalty that was converted by Nicolas Pepe to give the north London club a lifeline heading into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next week. "We needed a moment of magic and he (Saka) produced it again," Arteta told BT Sport. "We are very used to that this season. But that also tells us we need to do much more in other areas. We cannot rely all the time on him." Arteta said Pepe's penalty could prove to be a pivotal moment in the tie. "It gives us belief that if we do the right things and we play at our level, we can beat them," he said. "I'm disappointed that we lost the game obviously. "We had some issues. The fact that we conceded really early affected us. We lost our organization, we were really stretched and there were big differences between the lines that we could not join together with the ball. "But after the story of the game, I think we have to take it because we are in the tie, we are still alive." Arsenal, who are 10th in the Premier League with 46 points from 33 games, visit Newcastle United on Sunday.

Arsenal cannot keep relying on Bukayo Saka, says Mikel Arteta

saka

Saka, News on Saka, stories on Saka, articles on Saka, Saka stories at Wion, Saka news, Saka latest news