Football roundup – Liverpool destroyed 10-man Everton

LIVERPOOL destroyed 10-man Everton 4-0 in a one-sided Merseyside derby on Wednesday April 21.

Goals from Divock Origi, Mamadou Sakho, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho gave the Reds a comprehensive victory, although the joy was overshadowed somewhat by Ramiro Funes Mori’s horror challenge on Origi, which forced the young striker off on a stretcher, and led to a straight red card for the Toffees defender.

Funes Mori bizarrely left the field beating the club badge on his shirt, leading to widespread criticism from pundits.

Manchester United saw off a soporific Crystal Palace 2-0 at an oddly subdued Old Trafford, with a number of empty seats visible.

Right-back Matteo Darmian was heavily involved in both goals, with his innocuous-looking cross deflecting off Palace defender Damien Delaney for the 4th minute opener, before he banged in a superb 20-yard half-volley for his first United goal after 55 minutes.

The victory puts United on 59 points, two behind City and just one behind Arsenal, though the Gunners have a game in hand.

In the night’s other game, West Ham boosted their chances of European qualification with an emphatic 3-1 win over Watford at Upton Park.

Another goal from Andy Carroll followed by two Mark Noble penalties did the damage, and although Watford responded through Sebastien Prodl they were never really in the match.

In La Liga, Barcelona breathed life into their stuttering campaign by annihilating Deportivo La Coruña 8-0 away, with four goals from Luis Suarez.

Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at San Mames, and Real Madrid overwhelmed Villarreal 3-0 at home to keep up the pressure on the leaders, with just four rounds of fixtures left to go.

Malaga drew 1-1 with Rayo Vellecano, Sporting Gijon beat Sevilla 2-1, and Valencia continued their post-Gary Neville resurgence by trouncing Eibar 4-0.