Liverpool moved to within just one point of Tottenham Hotspur in the pursuit of fourth place in the English Premier League with a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
A late goal for Birmingham City denied Spurs victory at St Andrew’s in a 1-1 draw, but Liverpool’s win takes them to 41 points in fifth place, just one point behind Spurs in fourth.
Liverpool opened the scoring at Anfield after 39 minutes through Dirk Kuyt. The Dutch striker scored his third goal in three games after good work from Alberto Aquilani and Emiliano Insua.
Insua was crucial to the second goal that secured all three points for the home side midway through the second half. The Argentinian’s shot from outside the penalty area took a cruel deflection off Kevin Davies to divert the ball into the back of the net.
In a tight game at St Andrew’s, Spurs had looked set to claim a narrow victory after Jermaine Defoe’s opener after 69 minutes. Defoe fired powerfully into the net after Peter Crouch had headed Gareth Bale’s cross into the England striker’s path.
But Harry Redknapp’s side were stunned in the first minute of stoppage time as Cameron Jerome headed across goal for defender Liam Ridgewell to claim the equaliser.
Also in the hunt for a Champions League position are Aston Villa, who moved into sixth place with a 2-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Two first half goals from striker Gabriel Agbonlahor gave the away side their first league victory in 2010 and took them above Manchester City, who have two games in hand and take on Portsmouth on Sunday.
Elsewhere, a late goal from Tim Cahill gave Everton a 1-0 victory away at Wigan Athletic, while struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hull City played out a 2-2 draw. At Upton Park meanwhile, West Ham could not find a way past Blackburn Rovers in a goalless draw.
Leaders Chelsea have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the league when they travel to Burnley later on Saturday, while the big match of the weekend takes place on Sunday as second placed Manchester United take on third placed Arsenal at the Emirates.
