Liverpool see off Sunderland to go second

Liverpool FC maintained their Premier League title hopes with a 2-1 success against Sunderland AFC – the Reds' seventh consecutive top-flight triumph.

Victory means Brendan Rodgers' side are now second, a solitary point behind leaders Chelsea FC. Manchester City FC are a further two points off the pace with two games in hand. Liverpool have still to welcome City to Anfield, where they have been in imperious form all season. Wednesday rarely looked like being any different once Steven Gerrard had broken the deadlock direct from a free-kick six minutes prior to the interval.

Daniel Sturridge doubled the advantage with a deflected shot three minutes after the break – his 20th league goal of the campaign – but Sunderland bounced back. They hit the woodwork through Lee Cattermole – Sturridge then doing likewise for Liverpool – before pulling one back when Ki Sung-Yong swooped to head in Adam Johnson's corner. It was not enough, though, ensuring the Merseysiders stay firmly in the hunt for their first championship since 1990.

In the day's other fixture, West Ham United FC moved up to 11th with a 2-1 home success against Hull City AFC. Mark Noble converted from the penalty spot and James Chester inadvertently turned into his own net either side of Nikica Jelavić's effort for Hull.