Weekend Review: Borefest entertains layers as Liverpool and United draw a blank
Title rivals cancel each other out at Anfield after Leeds and Wolves suffer defeats to further swell bookies’ satchels
A damp squib of a 0-0 draw between arch-rivals Liverpool and Manchester United gave the bookmakers a reason to beam on Sunday.
The 175th league meeting between the two sides was a billed as a potential early title decider, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s resurgent Red Devils looking to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.
Instead, fans and punters witnessed a match with barely any goalmouth action. A point-blank save by Alisson to deny Paul Pogba was the meagre highlight on offer at Anfield.
It ends goalless.#LIVMUN
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 17, 2021
Kindred Group’s Ali Gill told EGR that despite the lack of goals, the match was the “highlight of the weekend”.
Gill said: “No doubt the highlight of the weekend, in terms of build-up and layer sentiment, was the drab 0-0 between Liverpool and Manchester United.
“As a football fan, it wasn’t what we were looking forward to, but a 0-0 in the high-profile games is always one in the layer column,” he added.
There were other positives for the layers away from Merseyside, as results in Yorkshire and the Black Country also went their way.
Sam Allardyce secured his first win as West Brom manager as the Baggies edged past local rivals Wolves 3-2, thanks to two penalties from Brazilian playmaker Matheus Pereira.
?⚪️?⚪️?⚪️? pic.twitter.com/kGTYsLfhZY
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) January 16, 2021
Leeds United’s form continued to nosedive after suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton at Elland Road.
Gill said: “A good weekend all told in the Premier League, with a few standout results. Wolves’ loss to West Brom wasn’t one the punters saw coming, and neither was Leeds’ defeat at the hands of Brighton.”
Elsewhere, in horseracing, Envoi Allen secured an 11th straight victory at Punchestown on Sunday.
The Gordon Elliott-trained horse breezed to the finish line after his main rival Asterion Forlonge fell at the first fence.
?️"It's effortless for him"
Ruby Walsh described Envoi Allen's jumping as "flawless" – what did you think of the performance? pic.twitter.com/DxRxTpoNVk
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 17, 2021
Gill said: “Superstar Envoi Allen extended his unbeaten run with ease, with main rival Asterion Forlonge falling at the first fence.
“Despite Asterion being well backed, punters were never really put off Envoi Allen and that race went to the punters,” he added.