March 25, 2002	Monday	Muharram 10, 1423

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LONDON, March 24: Substitute Vladimir Smicer volleyed a superb injury-time winner as Liverpool beat Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday to go top of the English premier league.

Tottenham Hotspur beat Fulham 2-0 at Craven Cottage in the day’s other game, with goals from England striker Teddy Sheringham and Uruguayan Gus Poyet inflicting the home side’s sixth consecutive league defeat.

Smicer, who came on after Liverpool lost England midfielder Steven Gerrard to a recurrence of a groin injury, smashed in a cross from Emile Heskey as the hosts secured a barely-deserved victory.

The win put Liverpool top of the table with 65 points, one ahead of champions Manchester United, who lost 1-0 to Middlesbrough on Saturday. Arsenal, third on 63 points, have two games in hand on both their title rivals.

A lacklustre Liverpool got the points after a late rally in the second half, while Chelsea were left to rue several wasted chances as they dominated the first half.

The top of the table has now split into two distinct battles, one between Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal for the title, and another between Newcastle, Leeds and Chelsea for the fourth-place finish that will yield a place in the Champions League qualifying round.

Chelsea also had the chance to make progress up the table, but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink missed from close range in each half, while Eidur Gudjohnsen also slid the ball wide and Mario Stanic had a superb volley saved by Jerzy Dudek.

Newcastle, who have a game in hand on their rivals for the fourth Champions League place, have 56 points, while Leeds are two points behind them in fifth and Chelsea a point further back.

Smicer, who scored only his second league goal at Anfield on Sunday, said: “It could be one of my most important. Emile did really well down the left and I’m just pleased I hit it so well.”

Gerrard’s injury, which Thompson expects will keep him out for two weeks, means he will miss England’s friendly against Italy at Leeds next Wednesday.

Spurs’ victory means they stay ninth but are now level on 41 points with fellow Londoners Charlton Athletic, while Fulham remain just three points above the relegation zone.

The win gave Spurs a valuable lift after losing four of their five previous games since last month’s League Cup final defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

Sunday’s results:

Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Fulham 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2

—Reuters