LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Romelu Lukaku was stretchered off after a clash of heads as Manchester United drew 0-0 with Southampton, while Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool to a 2-1 win over Leicester City in the Premier League yesterday.

Lukaku crashed into Southampton’s Wesley Hoedt as the pair contested an aerial challenge early in the first half at Old Trafford.

The Belgium striker lay prone on the pitch barely moving while he was treated by medical staff for five minutes.

Lukaku remained conscious and was eventually carried off wearing an oxygen mask.

The injury continued a difficult period for Lukaku, who has scored just four times in his last 19 appearances for Jose Mourinho’s side.

In the absence of Lukaku, Mourinho’s men were unable to break down Southampton and had to settle for their third- successive league draw.

United end a frustrating December trailing 14 points behind leaders Manchester City, who face Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Virgil van Dijk, signed from Southampton for a world record fee for a defender of £75 million ($100 million), isn’t able to play for Liverpool until January.

But the flaws the Dutch centre back will be asked to fix were on display as Leicester took a third-minute lead at Anfield.

With Van Dijk watching on, Joel Matip carelessly conceded possession and Riyad Mahrez set up Jamie Vardy to slot past goalkeeper Loris Karius, selected in place of the dropped Simon Mignolet, for his 10th of the season.

However, Liverpool levelled seven minutes after the interval.

Egypt winger Salah took Sadio Mane’s brilliant pass and showed good footwork before drilling past Kasper Schmeichel for his 22nd club goal of an incredible debut season following his move from Roma.

Salah then won it for Liverpool in the 76th minute, turning away from Leicester defender Harry Maguire and firing in at the Kop end.

Liverpool, unbeaten in 12 league games, remain fourth and now hold a four-point advantage over fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea climbed above United into second place.

Antonio Conte’s side made the perfect start when German defender Antonio Rudiger headed home from Willian’s free kick in the third minute.

Eden Hazard was rested, but his replacement Danny Drinkwater did a passable impression of the brilliant Belgian, the midfielder bagging his first goal for the Blues with a blistering strike in the ninth minute.

Stoke were three down by the 23rd minute when Pedro finished off Willian’s pass to put Chelsea on course for a fourth win in five league games.

Willian got on the scoresheet himself in the 73rd minute, stroking home a penalty, before wing back Davide Zappacosta grabbed his first Premier League goal with two minutes remaining.

Carlos Carvalhal made an immediate impact at Swansea City as his new club climbed off the bottom of the table with a dramatic 2-1 win at Watford.

Carvalhal was the surprise choice to replace the sacked Paul Clement just days after being dismissed by second-tier Sheffield Wednesday.

The Portuguese coach’s first game got off to a bad start when Andre Carrillo nodded home in the 11th minute.

But Carvalhal was heard lambasting his players at half-time, and they responded to his words with four minutes left when Ghana striker Jordan Ayew equalised. Luciano Narsingh then won it for Swansea in the 90th minute.

Swansea are two points from safety after their first win in five games.

Ryan Fraser’s last-gasp goal clinched Bournemouth’s first win in nine matches as they beat Everton 2-1 at Dean Court to move out of the relegation zone.

Newcastle drew 0-0 with Brighton and Huddersfield Town shared a goalless draw with Burnley.