Alexis Mac Allister salvaged victory for Liverpool over Nottingham Forest (Ben STANSALL)<\/p>\n
Alexis Mac Allister’s 97th-minute goal rescued Liverpool from a lacklustre performance to beat struggling Nottingham Forest 1-0 on Sunday in a huge boost to their chances of Champions League football next season.<\/p>\n
Forest’s fourth manager of the season, Vitor Pereira, was taking charge for the first time in the league and his side looked set to earn a deserved point until a dramatic finale.<\/p>\n
Mac Allister had a goal ruled out when he charged down Ola Aina’s clearance in the closing stages.<\/p>\n
The ball was deemed to have struck the Argentine midfielder on the arm.<\/p>\n
However, to Pereira’s fury, Forest did not heed the warning as they sliped to within two points of the Premier League relegation zone.<\/p>\n
Mac Allister swept home a rebound after Virgil van Dijk’s header was saved.<\/p>\n
After another lengthy VAR review, this time the call went in Liverpool’s favour despite Hugo Ekitike standing in an offside position.<\/p>\n
Liverpool remain in sixth but climb level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United and within six points of Aston Villa.<\/p>\n
Thanks to the strong performance of English sides in European competition this season, a place in the top five will almost certainly secure Champions League qualification.<\/p>\n
Liverpool were dealt a blow before kick-off when Florian Wirtz picked up an injury in the warm-up.<\/p>\n
The German’s ingenuity was badly missed in a performance badly lacking in attacking impetus until a late rally saved their blushes.<\/p>\n
The pressure is on Arsenal in Sunday’s later kick-off (1630GMT) at north London rivals Tottenham.<\/p>\n
Spurs are under new management as interim boss Igor Tudor takes charge for the first time, tasked with guiding them away from the relegation zone.<\/p>\n
Arsenal could have been out of sight in the title race but a run of just two wins in seven league games has allowed Manchester City to close to within two points at the top.<\/p>\n
Fulham climbed above Sunderland into the top half of the table after becoming just the second visiting side to win at the Stadium of Light this season.<\/p>\n
Raul Jimenez’s double secured a 3-1 victory for Marco Silva’s men.<\/p>\n
The Mexican striker headed in Alex Iwobi’s corner before maintaining his perfect penalty record in the Premier League from 13 spot-kicks.<\/p>\n
Enzo Le Fee’s penalty pulled a goal back for the Black Cats before Iwobi rounded off the scoring.<\/p>\n
Crystal Palace eased the rising discontent at Selhurst Park with just a second win in 16 games.<\/p>\n
Evann Guessand’s first Palace goal in the 90th minute beat 10-man Wolves 1-0.<\/p>\n
Tolu Arokodare’s first-half penalty was saved by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.<\/p>\n
Ladislav Krejci was then sent off for kicking the ball away on the hour mark as bottom-of-the-table Wolves missed the chance to move above Derby’s unwanted record low of 11 points in a Premier League season.<\/p>\n
kca\/jc<\/p>\n