Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring for Liverpool as the Reds yesterday thrashed bottom club Aston Villa to move up to eighth in the Premier League.
Sturridge, making his first league start since last October, headed home before James Milner’s free kick crept in after being missed by keeper Mark Bunn.
Emre Can rifled in a shot, Divock Origi slotted home and Nathaniel Clyne bundled in to add to the Reds’ lead.
Kolo Toure headed in a sixth as Villa were punished for a poor performance.
Danny Welbeck also returned for Arsenal yesterday and threw the Premier League title race wide open when he scored a dramatic winner with only seconds left as the Gunners beat leaders Leicester City 2-1.
Leicester looked set to hold out for a vital draw as a thrilling game went into injury time, despite being reduced to 10 men after Danny Simpson was sent off for a second yellow card early in the second half, but Welbeck, playing his first competitive game since April last year, glanced Mesut Ozil’s free kick past the magnificent Kasper Schmeichel to spark wild celebrations at Emirates Stadium as Leicester lost in the league for just the third time this season.
Jamie Vardy gave the Foxes the lead with a hotly disputed penalty on the stroke of half-time after he tumbled over Nacho Monreal’s outstretched leg. — PA
