Salah fires title-chasing Liverpool to 2-1 win against Brighton, top of the standings

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool to a comeback 2-1 win against Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday and provisionally moved the Merseyside team to the top of the standings.

Salah struck in the 65th minute at Anfield to keep Liverpool's title challenge on track after Danny Welbeck had stunned the home crowd with an early goal.

Luis Diaz evened the score before halftime and Salah secured all three points for Jurgen Klopp's team with his 22nd goal of the season in all competitions.

With Manchester City and Arsenal playing each other on Sunday, this was a chance for Liverpool to take advantage of at least one of its title rivals dropping points.

But that looked in doubt when Welbeck lashed a shot into the top corner from just inside the box after two minutes.

In a half full of chances at either end, it was Liverpool who found the next goal when Diaz prodded past Bart Verbruggen from close range.

The winner came after Alexis Mac Allister fed Salah inside the box and Egypt international controled the ball before slotting home with a side-foot finish.

Liverpool provisionally moved three points clear of second place Arsenal at the top of the standings and four ahead of City in third.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Liverpool's Luis Diaz, right, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Brighton's goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, left, fails to save the goal from Liverpool's Luis Diaz, right, during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Brighton's Jakub Moder, left, challenges for the ball with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, centre, during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Brighton's Carlos Baleba, left, challenges for the ball with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp, left, reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

LUTON, England (AP) — Luton got a valuable point in its fight to avoid relegation after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with visiting Everton in the English Premier League on Friday.

Will it be too little, too late?

Luton remained third to last, below 17th-placed Nottingham Forest only on goal difference. Luton has two games left. Everton has already guaranteed its survival.

Everton took the initiative when Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored from the penalty spot after 24 minutes.

A video review ruled Teden Mengi held Jarrad Branthwaite, and Calvert-Lewin notched his fourth goal in his last five appearances.

Luton bounced back quickly thanks to Elijan Adebayo. The striker scored five in five games before he was injured in February, and almost three months out did not seem to have affected his eye for goal. In his first start since returning, Adebayo collected his 10th goal of the season.

Luton substitute Andros Townsend saw his shot blocked on the line in the dying seconds as the home side pushed men forward in a desperate bid for a winner that could save its season.

“We threw everything at it,” Luton coach Rob Edwards told the BBC. “We were pushing until the end and that is us. We’ve been like that all season.

“We threw everything at it so I am disappointed right now,. But I can’t fault the players. The players gave it absolutely everything, so did the supporters.

“We’re still in the mix and the fight, we’ve got to keep believing.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Luton Town's Elijah Adebayo, left, scores during the English Premier League soccer match between Luton Town and Everton at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Friday May 3, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Everton's Ben Godfrey, left, and Luton Town's Alfie Doughty in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Luton Town and Everton at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Friday May 3, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Luton Town's Alfie Doughty, left, and Everton's Jack Harrison in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Luton Town and Everton at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Friday May 3, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)