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Liverpool and Chelsea register victories

— Photo: AFP

CELEBRATION TIME: Ricardo Carvalho (second from left) of Chelsea celebrates his goal with teammates in the game against Middlesbrough.

LONDON: Liverpool took control of the fight for fourth place in the English Premier League with a 1-0 win over city rival Everton on Sunday.

While Chelsea was in second place after a 1-0 win over visiting Middlesbrough, Liverpool moved five points clear of its neighbour through Fernando Torres’s 28th goal of the season.

The Spain striker scored in the seventh minute at Anfield to lift the Reds to 62 points from 31 games, with Everton back in fifth and now struggling to clinch a Champions League qualifying spot.

“It was a big win and we knew how important this game would be for us,” midfielder Steven Gerrard said.

“Hopefully now we can continue to pick up wins until the end of the season and grab that fourth spot.” Liverpool got its early breakthrough when Yakubu Ayegbeni lost possession on the edge of his own area and Dirk Kuyt prodded the ball through to Torres inside the area.

Torres hit a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Tim Howard into the far corner.

“For him to score so many in his first season is great for him and for us,” Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. “The understanding between Torres and Gerrard is very good.”

The home side almost moved further clear shortly before halftime when Gerrard hit the post with a fierce right-foot volley.

Everton improved at the start of the second half and its best chance came when Leon Osman shot wide after a free kick. With Everton desperate for a goal, manager David Moyes brought on Manuel Fernandes in place of Steven Pienaar but his team still struggled to create chances.

Liverpool had opportunities to stretch its lead as Lucas Leiva had a volley blocked by Joseph Yobo, Kuyt had a shot deflected over the bar with three minutes left, and Gerrard had a shot saved by Howard.

Carvalho strikes

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho scored in the sixth minute to lift the Blues back above Arsenal and to within five points of leader Manchester United.

Chelsea now has 71 points, one more than the Gunners, which rallied from 0-2 down to halt a five-match winless streak and beat Bolton 3-2 on Saturday. Carvalho headed in a free kick by left back Wayne Bridge to put Chelsea ahead, scoring his first goal since April 7 last year.

Michael Essien then had a shot blocked by Lee Cattermole, and Jon Obi Mikel and Joe Cole both had shots that missed the target. Didier Drogba had a free kick deflected wide just before halftime and then header over after the resulting corner.

But Middlesbrough almost clinched a draw with eight minutes left when Alfonso Alves headed against the bar, David Wheater did the same from the rebound, and Jeremie Aliadiere shot wide.

Big win

Newcastle seemingly ended any danger of relegation with a surprise 4-1 win at Tottenham.

Spurs, which has slumped since winning the League Cup last month, took a 26th-minute lead through striker Darren Bent but Nicky Butt, Geremi, Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins scored to give the Magpies a first away win since December.

Newcastle now has 35 points, nine clear of the three-team relegation zone, while Tottenham seems destined to finish in 11th place.

With six games remaining, it is five points behind 10th-place West Ham and four ahead of 12th-place Newcastle.

The results: Chelsea 1 (Carvalho 6) bt Middlesbrough 0; Tottenham 1 (Bent 26) lost to Newcastle 4 (Butt 45, Geremi 52, Owen 65, Martins 83); Liverpool 1 (Torres 7) bt Everton 0. — AP

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