EFL

Norwich crush Hull to go sixth, Preston earn impressive point at Burnley

By Sports Desk October 05, 2024

Norwich City moved into the Championship play-off places by thrashing Hull City 4-0 at Carrow Road, while Burnley were held to a frustrating derby draw by Preston North End. 

Borja Sainz scored and provided two assists as the Canaries stretched their unbeaten run to 20 home league games, teeing up strikes by Marcelino Nunez and Josh Sargent within four first-half minutes.

Sargent hit the post with a penalty after Lewis Coyle was penalised for handball, but Kaide Gordon gave them a three-goal lead with a scrappy finish soon afterwards.

Sainz then got in on the act with his eighth league goal of the campaign late on, lobbing Ivor Pandur as Johannes Hoff Thorup's team went sixth in the table, leaving Hull 11th with 12 points.

Elsewhere, Burnley missed the chance to go top of the table as they played out a goalless draw with local rivals Preston North End at Turf Moor.

Scott Parker's side dominated possession but struggled to carve out clear-cut chances against their stubborn visitors, for whom Kaine Kesler-Hayden struck the crossbar with an attempted cross.

A dour second half saw few opportunities at either end, as Burnley stayed below Sunderland and Sheffield United, while Preston climbed to 19th on nine points.

In the last of Saturday's three early kick-offs, Louie Sibley's goal earned Oxford United a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth after Mark O'Mahony opened the scoring just before the hour.

Portsmouth remain the only team in the division without a win, earning five points from nine matches, while Oxford are seven points better off, just inside the top half. 

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    The Liverpool star has yet to make a decision on whether to renew his contract, and as it stands, will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season.

    Salah remains a key player for the Reds, and leads the club for Premier League goals (seven) and assists (five) this term.

    He scored the winner in the 72nd minute to complete Liverpool’s comeback against Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, as they moved to the top of the table.

    And despite the question marks over Salah's future, Slot is not concerned.

    "[His future] is not what I think about. The only thing I think about is he is so important for us. Scores important goals, works hard for the team," the Liverpool boss told TNT Sports.

    "I’m hoping he can enjoy that feeling many, many, many more times. Especially if I’m here but also if I’m not here. I’m hoping he can do this many more times.

    "He’s been incredible for Liverpool over the past eight years. He’s been incredible for us this season and I hope he can continue doing this for the rest of the season and maybe longer to come, but that’s up to him and the club to find the idea about the future."

    Salah could be in for a historic night on Tuesday when Liverpool face Bayer Leverkusen, having scored in each of his last five Champions League appearances at Anfield.

    The last player to score in six consecutive home games in the competition for an English club was Ruud van Nistelrooy for Manchester United in April 2003.

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