Liverpool go five points clear at top

Raheem Sterling nets a double in Liverpool’s pulsating 3-2 win, while Arsenal thrash Hull and Everton beat Man United.

Liverpool require seven points from three matches to win the Premier League [Getty Images]

Liverpool moved five points clear in the Premier League by beating Norwich 3-2 courtesy of two goals by Raheem Sterling and a 30th goal of the campaign by Luis Suarez.

Norwich’s second-half revival forced Liverpool to work hard for its 11th straight win that kept the team on course for a first championship in 24 years.

Sterling crashed home a brilliant long-range strike in the fourth minute before setting up Suarez in the 11th for his 12th goal against Norwich in their last five meetings.

After Gary Hooper cut the deficit in the 54th, Sterling re-established the two-goal lead with his second that saw him run from inside his own half before his deflected shot looped in.

Robert Snodgrass’ 77th-minute header set up a nervy finish.

Arsenal too good

Arsenal move a step closer to securing the final Champions League place with a decisive 3-0 victory over Hull at the KC Stadium.

After an even start that saw the sides trade chances, the visitors started to assert themselves and opened the scoring through Aaron Ramsey in the 31st minute.

The Wales international did well to control a through ball from Santi Cazorla before slotting his shot past Steve Harper in the Hull goal.

Arsenal doubled their lead when Lukas Podolski struck a fierce low shot into the bottom corner.

The Germany international added his second of the game in the 54th minute when Harper deflected a close-range shot from Ramsey into his path.

The victory moved Arsenal to 70 points, one point ahead of Everton.

Everton ensured a miserable return to Goodison Park for former manager David Moyes by overwhelming Manchester United in a 2-0 win to keep pace with Arsenal in the race for Champions League qualification.

First-half goals by a Leighton Baines penalty and Kevin Mirallas kept Everton one point behind fourth-place Arsenal with three games left, and guaranteed United won’t be playing in Europe’s top competition next season.

Languishing in seventh position, six points behind sixth-place Tottenham, United may not even qualify for the Europa League, which is an indication of the deposed champions’ decline since winning the Premier League last year by 11 points.

Source: AP