Liverpool frustrated, Southampton and Palace boost survival hope

Liverpool's hope of virtually securing a top-four Premier League spot were frustrated by a battling Stoke City side who restricted the usually free-scoring Reds to a goalless draw at Anfield Saturday. But Stoke's hard-won point may not be enough to secure the visitor's survival after Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace all won. Liverpool, who still have to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, lead the Blues by six points with two games in hand although superior goal difference may prove decisive for Juergen Klopp's side. Domestic finishing position would, of course, prove academic if Liverpool win the Champions League. They certainly looked like a side with their semi-final second leg in Rome on their mind as they failed to make the most of 72% possession against the visitor who had never won a league game at Anfield.

Three of the top six are in action on Sunday - here's a reminder of how things stand at the #PL summit pic.twitter.com/688jhrfYPV

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 29, 2018

Even 43-goal Mohamed Salah had an off-day, marking the first time since Boxing Day that the Egyptian had failed to score after starting at home. Liverpool, who made five changes from their semi-final first leg in midweek, felt they deserved a late penalty after Erik Pieters handled in an incident similar to the one that led to James Milner conceding a spot-kick against AS Roma. Chelsea kept alive their hope of finishing in the top four after an early goal from Cesc Fabregas helped them secure a 1-0 win over a Swansea City team who are just one point above the bottom three and face a major battle to retain their top flight status. Southampton gave themselves a shot at safety by beating south coast rival Bournemouth 2-1 with two goals from Dusan Tadic. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy proved the real hero with a late save from Ryan Fraser, whose fierce shot looked destined for the net.

Antonio Conte has won 50 of his 73 #PL matches as @ChelseaFC manager. Only Mourinho (63) and Guardiola (69) reached 50 wins quicker pic.twitter.com/m1NGLexitM

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 29, 2018

Bottom side West Brom continue to defy relegation after Matt Phillips' first-half shot gave them a 1-0 win at Newcastle United, their eighth point from four games under caretaker manager Darren Moore. Palace all but guaranteed their safety after thumping Leicester City 5-0, a result that will do little to halt the speculation over Claude Puel's future as Foxes' manager. Wilfried Zaha scored Palace's first and laid on their second for James McArthur while substitute Christian Benteke rounded off the rout with a penalty. Roy Hodgson's side are now six points clear of the drop zone although they have played one more match than some of the teams below them. Among them are Brighton and Hove Albion, who drew 0-0 with Burnley, and Huddersfield Town, who lost 2-0 at home to Everton.

? 111 #PL assists ⚽️ 50 #PL goals …and counting for @cesc4official pic.twitter.com/dLmnFzXVop

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 29, 2018

Although Huddersfield are three points clear of 18th-placed Southampton, their run-in is difficult with trips to Manchester City and Chelsea and a home game against Arsenal, which will be Arsene Wenger's final match in charge of the Gunners.RESULTSBurnley 0 Brighton 0Palace 5 (Zaha 17, McArthur 38, Loftus-Cheek 81, Van Aanholt 84, Benteke 90-P) Leicester 0Huddersfield 0 Everton 2 (Tosun 39, Gueye 77)Liverpool 0 Stoke 0Newcastle 0 West Brom 1 (Phillips 29)Southampton 2 (Tadic 25, 54) Bournemouth 1 (King 45+1)Swansea 0 Chelsea 1 (Fabregas 4)  SUNDAY'S MATCHESMan Utd v Arsenal and West Ham v Man City