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Liverpool inch closer to Premier League title

Liverpool are on the brink of a Premier League title after 20 years as they defeated Norwich 3-2 on Sunday. PHOTO: AFP

NORWICH: Liverpool edged closer to a first league title in the Premier League era with a nail-biting 3-2 success over Norwich City at Carrow Road on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers’s side now boast a five-point advantage over second-place Chelsea, who will be visiting Anfield next Sunday.

Raheem Sterling scored two of Liverpool’s goals at Carrow Road, with Luis Suarez bringing his total for the season to 30 with the other.

The result was a huge setback for the home side, who remain out of the relegation zone but are in danger of being overtaken by any of the three clubs below them.

There were two changes to the Liverpool side that beat Manchester City 3-2 last week, with Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen replacing the suspended Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge, who has a hamstring injury.

It took Liverpool just four minutes to take the lead in sensational style through Sterling.

The winger received the ball from Philippe Coutinho and used his skill to slip past Bradley Johnson before unleashing a 25-yard drive that deflected off defender Michael Turner on its way to the goal.

Goal number two was coming and this time Sterling was the provider in the 11th minute, sending in a low cross from the left for Suarez to score his 12th goal in just five games against Norwich.

Norwich equalised in the second half but Sterling scored his second in the 62nd minute to give The Reds a two-goal cushion.

Robert Snodgrass, Nathan Redmond and Russell Martin all came close to Norwich replies before Snodgrass headed home Martin Olsson’s cross with 13 minutes remaining.

A late surge by Norwich, who made quick-fire substitutions in the closing minutes of the game gave The Reds a scare, but Liverpool hung on till the final whistle, confirming the three precious points they were looking for.

The Gunners crush Hull 3-0

Lukas Podolski scored twice as Arsenal claimed an important 3-0 victory at Hull City on Sunday in his side’s quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

In a preview of next month’s FA Cup final at Wembley, Arsenal scored an important psychological edge over Steve Bruce’s team after Aaron Ramsey shot them in front.

German forward Podolski then added two goals in the space of eight minutes, either side of half-time.

Following on from his two-goal display against West Ham United in mid-week, it meant that in the space of five days, he has doubled his tally of league goals for the season to eight.

Mourinho mocks match officials

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho angrily mocked the match officials after suffering his first home defeat in the Premier League in a 2-1 loss to Sunderland on Saturday.

Referring to match referee Mike Dean, who awarded the 82nd-minute penalty from which Fabio Borini scored the winning goal, he added: “Congratulations to Mike Dean, because he made a fantastic performance.”