Great at Goodison!

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah tries to beat Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a header. Pic/PTI

Liverpool thrashed local rivals Everton 4-1 to pile the pressure on former Reds boss Rafael Benitez on Wednesday, while victories for Chelsea and Manchester City ensured the Premier League top three remain separated by just two points. Leaders Chelsea were made to work hard for a 2-1 win at Watford in one of two games held up by lengthy delays to allow treatment for an ill supporter.

Liverpool had won only once in their last nine visits to Goodison Park, but the gulf in class between the sides currently was obvious as Mohamed Salah produced two stunning finishes to take his tally for the season to 19 in 19 games. Jordan Henderson opened the scoring before Salah curled the first of his double into the top corner. Demarai Gray's strike briefly gave Everton hope, but further strikes from Salah and Diogo Jota ensured an easy win for Liverpool.

"It was for sure the best performance at Goodison since I have been at Liverpool. We had some good games here but never as good or convincing as tonight," said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

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Ziyech strikes for Blues

Meanwhile, Chelsea needed Hakim Ziyech to come off the bench and score the winner 18 minutes from time at Vicarage Road. Mason Mount gave the European champions the lead before Emmanuel Dennis hit back for Watford on the stroke of half-time. But Ziyech's powerful finish from Mount's cross maintained their slender one-point advantage over City at the top of the table. "We were very lucky to escape with the win," said Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.

City's Portuguese stars

Elsewhere, an injury-hit City dominated the first half to go 2-0 up thanks to brilliant finishes from Portuguese internationals Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva. Ollie Watkins pulled one back in the second half, but City held on. "After conceding early in the second half, we played really well," said City boss Pep Guardiola.

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