Comfortable win for Liverpool while Ronaldo hat-trick defeats Tottenham

LONDON - Liverpool secured an ultimately routine 2-0 win away to Brighton on Saturday to close Manchester City's lead at the top of the Premier League to three points.

Luis Diaz impressed again and the Colombian winger opened the scoring with a header in the 11th minute. Although he was caught late by Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez, Diaz was able to carry on and the VAR decided Sanchez's challenge wasn't deserving of a red card.

Leandro Trossard missed Brighton's best chance before Mohamed Salah doubled Liverpool's lead from the penalty spot in the 61st minute after Yves Bissouma was penalized for handball.

Liverpool have won their last eight league matches, while the defeat means Brighton have lost five matches in a row for the first time since 2007.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Manchester United beat Tottenham 3-2 in a game between two rivals for a top-four finish.

The 37-year-old netted a powerful shot to open the scoring in the 12th minute and after Harry Kane had leveled from the penalty spot, he restored United's lead with a close-range finish after good work from Jadon Sancho.

Harry Maguire's slip led to him making it 2-2 with 18 minutes left to play with an own goal, but Ronaldo's header from a corner in the 81st minute gave his side the points.

Ivan Toney's two late goals gave Brentford their second win in two games to lift them nine points clear of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win at home to Burnley.

Toney's 85th minute header from Christian Eriksen's left foot cross put Brentford ahead and he then scored a 94th minute penalty to give his side three vital points against a rival that remains rooted in the relegation zone.