LONDON, March 9: Liverpool piled more misery on Newcastle United with a 3-0 victory at Anfield in the English Premier League on Saturday.

First-half goals from Jermaine Pennant and Fernando Torres, his 25th of the season, and Steven Gerrard’s effort after the break strengthened Liverpool’s hold on fourth place.

Relegation-threatened Newcastle, without a league win since December, have picked up only two points in seven matches since Kevin Keegan returned as manager in January and are leaking goals at an alarming rate.

Reading, third from bottom at the start, jumped five places with a 2-0 home victory over Manchester City while second-from-bottom Fulham drew 1-1 at Blackburn Rovers.

League leaders Arsenal have the chance to forge four points clear of second-placed Manchester United when they travel to Wigan Athletic on Sunday. Everton visit Sunderland the same day and Tottenham Hotspur host West Ham United.

Fulham look to be heading down despite their battling draw at Blackburn.

Results:

Blackburn Rovers 1 Fulham 1

Liverpool 3 Newcastle United 0

Reading 2 Manchester City 0

—Reuters