January 3, 2003	Friday	Shawwal 29, 1423

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NEWCASTLE, England, Jan 2: Newcastle United chalked up their 10th home Premier League win of the season on Wednesday with a 1-0 success over Liverpool, whose own season is in freefall.

While the victory kept Newcastle in fourth place on 38 points, nine behind leaders Arsenal, Liverpool slip to seventh on 34.

Seven weeks ago Gerard Houllier’s side were four points clear at the top. Since then they have lost six and drawn four for a miserable return of just four points from a possible 30 - their worst run since the 1953-54 season which ended with relegation from the old first division.

They fell behind after 13 minutes on Wednesday as a free kick by French midfielder Laurent Robert flew through a disintegrating wall, taking a deflection that left goalkeeper Chris Kirkland helpless.

Kirkland blocked from Chilean midfielder Clarence Acuna while striker Alan Shearer was just wide with a 41st-minute free kick.—Reuters