Gerrard keeps cool to send Liverpool top

A pair of Steven Gerrard penalties ensured Liverpool FC returned to the top of the Premier League on a day when Everton FC closed in on the UEFA Champions League slots.

Chelsea FC jumped to the head of the standings on Saturday with a 3-0 success against Stoke City FC, but Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool wrested back control by triumphing 2-1 at West Ham United FC. Luis Suárez struck the crossbar with a curling effort in the first period before Reds captain Gerrard put them ahead in the 44th minute, a Suárez effort having struck the hand of James Tomkins.

The Hammers quickly equalised, however, Guy Demel finishing in first-half added time after Simon Mignolet had failed to deal with a cross. Former Liverpool striker Andy Carroll then hit the bar with a powerful header after the restart, but the visitors prevailed when home keeper Adrián San Miguel del Castillo brought down Jon Flanagan, allowing Gerrard to do the rest to send his side two points clear.

Earlier in the day, Everton FC closed within a point of Arsenal FC, who inhabit the division's fourth and final UEFA Champions League spot, by defeating the Gunners 3-0 at Goodison Park.

Steven Naismith tapped in the opener on 14 minutes after Romelu Lukaku's shot had been saved by Wojciech Szczęsny, before the Belgium forward drove in following a surging run from the right. Former Toffee Mikel Arteta turned into his own net on 61 minutes to secure the points for Roberto Martínez's side, who have a game in hand on their London rivals.