Liverpool’s Emre Can produced a goal of stunning brilliance to earn a crucial 1-0 victory at Watford on Monday that boosts the Reds’ push for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
A game that had been meandering along amid much mediocrity came to life on the stroke of halftime when Can’s extraordinary overhead scissors kick from Lucas’s chipped through ball rocketed into the top corner.
The strike illuminated a dull first-half which had just been enlivened by substitute Adam Lallana’s dipping volley for the visitor that struck the bar.
The victory strengthened Liverpool’s hold on third place with 69 points, three points clear of fourth-placed Manchester City and four ahead of Manchester United, which is fifth.
In La Liga, Sevilla’s chances of automatic Champions League qualification suffered a huge blow on Monday as Malaga edged a six-goal Andalusian derby 4-2.
The results: Premier League: Watford 0 lost to Liverpool 1 (Can 45+2).
La Liga: Malaga 4 (Fornals 38, Ramirez 51, llorente 77, Carlos 90+3) bt Sevilla 2 (Vazquez 30, 57).
