Liverpool goes top, Chelsea title hopes in jeopardy

Liverpool goes top, Chelsea title hopes in jeopardy

LONDON, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Fernando Torres scored an injury-time winner to send Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League while Chelsea had their title hopes seriously dented after another frustration on Saturday.

Liverpool left it very late to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory at Portsmouth as Dirk Kuyt fired an equalizer five minutes before Torres came off the bench to secure the three points, which lifted them one point above champions Manchester United.

Rafael Benitez's side now have 54 points from 25 matches but United have two games in hand including Sunday's clash at West Ham United.

Chelsea suffered another hammer blow as they dropped two more home points in the goalless draw with Hull, which left them blue in fourth place on 49 points.

The final whistle was met by a chorus of boos around Stamford Bridge and a banner unfurled by fans called for the sacking of Brazilian manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

"We rather huffed and puffed if the truth be known. We were a bit lucky to keep a clean sheet in the end," said assistant manager Ray Wilkins.

Chelsea have dropped 16 points at home this season.

Villa took the chance and a 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers, thanks to goals from James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor, put them into the top three and two points clear of Chelsea.

Newcastle United gained an important win at relegation rivals West Bromwich Albion to provide relief to hospitalized manager JoeKinnear.

Brazilian striker Jo enjoyed an impressive debut in Everton as he earned a penalty before scoring a double himself for a 3-0 triumph over Bolton Wanderers at Goodison Park.

Manchester City overcame struggling Middlesbrough 1-0, Sunderland pulled further clear of trouble after beating 10-man Stoke City 2-0, and the game between Wigan Athletic and Fulham ended in a scoreless stalemate.

Rafa Benitez started the game at Portsmouth with the likes of Torres, Kuyt and Xabi Alonso on the bench, a plan which left his side twice behind.

All five goals came in the second half with David Nugent giving the hosts the lead with a low shot on 62 minutes.

Fabio Aurelio equalised with a powerful free-kick from inside the area but Hermann Hreidarsson restored Portsmouth's lead with a stooping header twelve minutes from time.

Benitez fortunately avoided blush by bringing on Kuyt (56') and Torres (76'), who contributed two decisive goals in dying minutes.