- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Liverpool piled more misery on Newcastle United with a 3-0 victory at Anfield in the English Premier League today.
First-half goals from Jermaine Pennant and Fernando Torres, his 25th of the season, and Steven Gerrard’s effort after the break strengthened Liverpool’s hold on fourth place.
Relegation-threatened Newcastle, without a league win since December, have picked up only two points in seven matches since Kevin Keegan returned as manager in January and are leaking goals at an alarming rate.
“It was disappointing,” Keegan said.
“The first goal was a killer but other than that I didn’t think we showed enough courage or self belief on the ball.
“They were much better than us.”
Reading, third from bottom at the start, jumped five places with a 2-0 home victory over Manchester City while second-from-bottom Fulham drew 1-1 at Blackburn Rovers.
League leaders Arsenal have the chance to forge four points clear of second-placed Manchester United when they travel to Wigan Athletic on Sunday. Everton visit Sunderland the same day and Tottenham Hotspur host West Ham United.
Liverpool, who have suddenly hit form despite the off-field battle for control of the club, had the points in the bag thanks to two goals before halftime.
Pennant enjoyed a huge slice of fortune when Jose Enrique’s 43rd-minute clearance hit him and looped into the net but there was no luck in Torres’s strike two minutes later when he slotted past `keeper Steve Harper after being played in by Gerrard.
Liverpool, who travel to Inter Milan next week protecting a 2-0 advantage in the Champions League, were able to coast after Torres turned provider for captain Gerrard six minutes into the second half.
Rafa Benitez’s side now have 56 points from 29 games, three more than Everton in fifth and two fewer than third-placed Chelsea who have two games in hand.
Newcastle, who have conceded 13 goals in their last four league games, are only three points above the relegation zone with most of the teams below them having played fewer matches.
Reading, who snapped a long losing sequence last week at Middlesbrough, had second-half goals from Shane Long and Dave Kitson to thank for the win over City that make their survival chances rosier.
City have not scored in their last three league matches.
Fulham look to be heading down despite their battling draw at Blackburn.
Morten Gamst Pedersen put Rovers in front before Jimmy Bullard’s late equaliser. The London club are six points from safety.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.