Cards bring Frank no Xmas cheer

DOUBLE HIT SINKS SPURS

- BY GEORGE SESSIONS

RICH PICKINGS: Richarlison pulls back late goal for Spurs

SECOND-HALF goals by Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike helped Arne Slot's Liverpool to a third consecutive victory with a dramatic 2-1 win over nine-man Tottenham.

The score barely told half the story of a bonkers Premier League encounter where Xavi Simons and later Cristian Romero were sent off for Thomas Frank's Spurs who lost for a fifth time at home in the division this season.

An even contest tipped in the balance of Liverpool after 33 minutes when Xavi's studs-up challenge on Virgil van Dijk's Achilles earned the Tottenham playmaker a red card and Isak broke the deadlock in the 56th minute.

Halftime substitute Isak was then forced off immediately through injury, but Ekitike grabbed his 11th goal for the Reds soon after.