Sunday’s briefing: Salah’s penalties cost Southampton and Forest dream of Europe

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 16 points after coming from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 at Anfield.

Nottingham Forest maintained their push for Champions League football next season with a 1-0 win over Manchester City on the day it was confirmed that Stuart Pearce – who played for and managed both clubs – is recovering in a Canadian hospital after suffering a medical emergency on a flight from Las Vegas.

Salah scores penalty double as leaders avoid shock defeat

Mohamed Salah scored two penalties as Liverpool came from behind to beat rock-bottom Southampton for the second time this season and move 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Southampton threatened to pull off a stunning upset when Will Smallbone took advantage of a mix-up between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk to give the visitors the lead in first-half stoppage time.

However, whatever manager Arne Slot said at the interval had the desired effect as Darwin Nunez equalised early in the second half and was then fouled by Smallbone to allow Mohamed Salah to score from the penalty spot.

Salah completed the comeback with another penalty – and his 27th league goal of the season – two minutes from time after Yukinari Sugawara was penalised for handball.

Forest too good for faltering champions

Callum Hudson-Odoi’s late goal saw Nottingham Forest take a huge step towards Champions League qualification with a 1-0 win over Manchester City, who are now looking over their shoulder.

Hudson-Odoi caught Ederson out at the near post in the 82nd minute at the City Ground to provide a new highlight in a memorable campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

They consolidated their position in third with 10 games to go, four points ahead of City in fourth and five ahead of Chelsea in fifth.

Pearce in “great spirits” after medical emergency

Forest’s win came after it emerged that their former player and manager Stuart Pearce is recovering in a Canadian hospital after suffering a medical emergency on board a flight from the United States.

Pearce, who had been in the US to attend last Saturday’s Super League match between Wigan and the Warrington team he supports in Las Vegas, became unwell on his flight home.

After receiving treatment, a decision was made to make an emergency landing in St John’s. TalkSPORT colleague Sam Matterface said Pearce was in “great spirits”.

Holders Manchester United reach last four of FA Cup

Holders Manchester United reached the FA Cup semi-finals after beating Championship club Sunderland 3-1 at Leigh Sports Village.

United took their expected place in the last four, although Sunderland emerged with credit following a battling display.

Leah Galton’s header gave United a seventh-minute lead, which was doubled by the interval when captain Maya Le Tissier headed home a Gabby George corner.

Sunderland were up against it in the second period, but they pulled a goal back when Louise Griffiths scored 20 minutes from time.

United continued to create chances, though, and Ella Toone pounced in added time as she converted Celin Bizet’s cross to secure victory.

What’s on today?

Arsenal will attempt to close the gap to leaders Liverpool to 13 points when they take on struggling Manchester United.

The gap is so wide due to the Gunners taking just one point from their previous two Premier League games, but Mikel Arteta’s side will travel to Old Trafford on the back of their 7-1 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Chelsea can move above Manchester City into fourth with a win over Leicester at Stamford Bridge, while Tottenham take on Bournemouth.