Lucknow hands Mumbai third defeat in Indian Premier League

LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Lucknow Super Giants notched their first home win after beating the Mumbai Indians by 12 runs in the Indian Premier League on Friday.

Fast bowlers Shardul Thakur and Avesh Khan kept their nerves in the last two overs against Hardik Pandya to restrict Mumbai to 191-5 in reply to Lucknow’s 203-8.

Thakur gave away only seven runs in the penultimate over and Khan conceded just nine runs in the final over despite Pandya smashing a first-ball six over extra cover.

Mumbai seemed to be in control of the chase as Suryakumar Yadav made 67 off 43 balls in his 100th IPL game for the Indians. But Khan dismissed Yadav off a mistimed ramp shot in the 17th over that brought Lucknow back into the game.

“Mentally tough game,” Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant said. “They did not lose a lot of wickets and kept on going but we kept our calm and finished the game.”

Lucknow has two wins and two losses. Five-time champion Mumbai has lost three of its four games.

Mumbai suffered a setback when Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the game after injuring his knee in practice. Marsh capitalized on an early dropped chance and dominated a 69-run power play with Markram taking a back seat in the absence of Sharma.

Marsh made 60 off 31 in a 76-run partnership with Markram.

Marsh was dismissed by left-arm wrist spinner Vignesh Puthur, who took a smart diving return catch off a leading edge from the Australian, who hit his third half-century in four games.

Pandya then dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Pant cheaply with two slower short balls. Pant, who was bought for an IPL-record $3.2 million by Lucknow, is going through a lean patch after his third single-digit score in four games.

Markram briefly took on the attack but then played second fiddle to Ayub Badoni, who made a brisk 30 off 19 balls. However, Badoni departed before the death overs when he scooped a simple catch to wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton of Ashwani Kumar’s off-cutter.

Markram completed his half-century off 34 balls but fell for 53 off 38 to Pandya, who bowled two overs late in the innings and chipped in with three wickets to complete a five-wicket haul.

Miller's two boundaries in the final over got Lucknow past 200, which proved just enough for the home team in the end.

“When you get a good start, you are always ahead of the game,” Pant said. “The idea is to play according to the situation. The start Marsh gave helped the lower middle capitalize on that.”

Yadav and Naman Dhir scored well over 10 per over after openers Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton were out inside the first three overs of their run chase.

Dhir hit three sixes and four boundaries in his 46 off 24 balls before he was clean-bowled by Digvesh Rathi’s quick leg-break in the ninth over.

Yadav and impact player Tilak Varma added 66 runs, but Lucknow came back when Yadav tried his favorite ramp shot behind the wicket but didn’t time it well enough.

Varma struggled to keep up the momentum and at 25 off 23 he was retired out with Mumbai still needing 24 off the final seven balls.

“Disappointing when you lose,” Pandya said. “It is a long tournament. (If) you get a couple of wins you get into the rhythm.”

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Mumbai Indians' Naman Dhir is bold out by Lucknow Super Giants' Digvesh Rathi during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo)

Lucknow Super Giants' Digvesh Rathi celebrates the dismissal of Mumbai Indians' Naman Dhir during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo)

Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav, left, fist bumps with batting partner Tilak Verma during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo)

Lucknow Super Giants' Avesh Khan, second left, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo)

Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo)

Mumbai Indians' captain Hardik Pandya, second right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Lucknow Super Giants' Nicholas Pooran during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo)

Mumbai Indians' captain Hardik Pandya bowls a delivery during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo)

Mumbai Indians' captain Hardik Pandya, second left, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Lucknow Super Giants' captain Rishabh Pant during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo)

Lucknow Super Giants' Aiden Markram plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo)

Lucknow Super Giants' Mitchell Marsh, left, fist bumps his batting partner Aiden Markram during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo)

Lucknow Super Giants' Mitchell Marsh plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Liverpool fell to a shock defeat on its march to the Premier League title — losing 3-2 at Fulham on Sunday.

At the other end of the standings, Southampton became the first team to be relegated from England’s top flight this season after a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham.

Manchester United and Manchester City played out a dismal 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

Liverpool’s loss meant it missed the chance to move 14 points clear of second-placed Arsenal and a step closer to a record-equaling 20th English league title. A stunning first-half fightback from Fulham at Craven Cottage saw Arne Slot’s team lose for only the second time in the league this season.

“A very poor first half in terms of the goals we conceded, it was so unnecessary and then you’re fighting a very tough battle,” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said. “We tried everything in the second half but when you ship three goals in the first half it’s very difficult.”

Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday had given Liverpool an unexpected boost in the race for the title, but despite going ahead through Alexis Mac Allister’s goal in the 14th minute, the visitors were 3-1 down at halftime.

Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz all found the back of the net in a thrilling 14-minute spell. Luis Diaz got Liverpool’s second after the break.

Liverpool remains 11 points ahead of Arsenal and on course to win the title with seven games remaining. It needs 11 more points to be assured of being crowned champion.

They once called Manchester the capital of English soccer. Not anymore.

A miserable Manchester derby ended goalless at Old Trafford in a game that lacked intensity and entertainment.

“It’s a Manchester derby and it should have more blood, thunder, and risk, and courage involved in playing the game and trying to win the game than that,” said Sky Sports commentator and former United captain Gary Neville.

In a game of few clear chances, City's Omar Marmoush and United's Joshua Zirkzee came closest to scoring.

“I understand that ... we are doing the worst season in (United's) history. Manchester City won everything in the past, (but) this season is struggling. We are not in the best moments to give the best spectacle to every fan,” United head coach Ruben Amorim said. “When we are not fighting for the big things, of course it’s different.”

A troubled campaign for both the red and blue halves of the city is drawing to a close and there is now the very real danger of no Manchester representation in the Champions League next season for the first time since 1995-96.

United’s only realistic hope of qualifying is by winning the Europa League, having advanced to the quarterfinals.

City, which won European club soccer’s biggest prize in 2023, is facing a battle to secure its place.

The top four in the league qualify automatically and England is in prime position to be handed a bonus fifth place for next year’s competition.

City is currently fifth — one point ahead of Aston Villa in sixth. Newcastle is seventh — two points behind City with two games in hand. It would move up to fifth with a win against Leicester on Monday.

“I’d prefer to have 10 more points or 12 more points but it is what it is,” said City manager Pep Guardiola. “I’m not concerned about next season right now, I’m just concerned about recovery, (the next games against) Crystal Palace, Everton, Aston Villa and FA Cup semifinals.”

Guardiola said United fans who chanted abuse about Phil Foden’s mother during the derby should be ashamed of themselves.

Offensive chants were directed at the City forward, which Guardiola condemned.

“(It was) a lack of class, but it’s not Man United, it’s the people,” he said afterward. “It’s lack of integrity, class and they should be ashamed."

United fans staged their latest protest against the club’s ownership with a pre-arranged sit-in after the match.

Dissatisfied supporters staged a march ahead of the game against Arsenal last month, with thousands joining in.

The latest protest looked less impactful. One banner called for the removal of American owners the Glazer family.

With just 10 points from 31 games, last-placed Southampton’s fate was sealed with defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Its relegation is the joint fourth earliest in the Premier League era, according to the league’s statistician Opta.

Derby’s drop on March 29 in 2008 is still the earliest relegation since the league began in 1992. Huddersfield and Fulham suffered earlier relegations than Southampton, which is now joint with Leicester in 2002.

According to Opta, Southampton is the first Premier League team to be relegated with seven or more games to play in the campaign.

“We are disappointed. It has to be a big school for everything – for us, for me, for the players, for the club – to see what we did wrong,” Southampton manager Ivan Juric said.

Two first-half goals from Brennan Johnson put Southampton on course for a 25th league defeat of the season. Mateus Fernandes pulled one back late on for the visitors before Mathys Tel struck a third for Spurs from the penalty spot in added time.

Chelsea remains fourth after a 0-0 draw at Brentford.

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola, left, and Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim shake hands after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola leaves the pitch after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Brentford manager Thomas Frank claps at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Chelsea, at the Gtech Community Stadium, in London, Sunday April 6, 2025. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Brentford's Christian Norgaard, left and Chelsea's Jadon Sancho vie for the ball, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Chelsea, at the Gtech Community Stadium, in London, Sunday April 6, 2025. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne leaves the pitch after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Mancheter United fans hold banners as they protest against the clunb's owners after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Mancheter United fans hold banners as they protest against the clunb's owners after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Matheus Nunes, left, and Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu, right, battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne runs during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola talks to Jack Grealish during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola hugs Phil Foden as he is substituted during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte, left, and Manchester City's Jeremy Doku fight for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Southampton's Cameron Archer, right and Tottenham Hotspur's Ben Davies vie for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London, Sunday April 6, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, background left and Jan Bednarek foreground react after Tottenham Hotspur's Brennan Johnson, right, scored his side's second goal of the game as he celebrates with teammate James Maddison, during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London, Sunday April 6, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)

Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister reacts disappointed after the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Liverpool, at Craven Cottage, London, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez, centre, Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, right, react during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Liverpool, at Craven Cottage, London, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Liverpool, at Craven Cottage, London, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Liverpool, at Craven Cottage, London, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Southampton's Tyler Dibling, right and Tottenham Hotspur's Rodrigo Bentancur vie for the ball, during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London, Sunday April 6, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)