Sterling show steers Liverpool five points clear

Liverpool FC remain on course to be crowned champions of England for the first time since 1989/90 after a 3-2 defeat of relegation-threatened Norwich City FC opened up a five-point cushion at the summit.

After watching Chelsea FC lose further momentum in the title race on Saturday, Brendan Rodgers' charges stormed into a fourth-minute lead at Carrow Road, Raheem Sterling drifting inside and sending a venomous drive beyond John Ruddy. Sterling strode down the left seven minutes later and swept across goal for Luis Suárez, who opened up his body and slotted in.

The visitors had their lead trimmed when Simon Mignolet collided with Martin Škrtel and Gary Hooper tapped into an empty net. Order was soon restored, though, as Sterling snaffled Bradley Johnson's errant pass and made the net bulge via a deflection. A precise header from Robert Snodgrass gave Norwich hope 13 minutes from time, but the Premier League leaders rode out the storm for their 11th consecutive win.

Fourth-placed Arsenal FC then sent three goals past next month's FA Cup final opponents Hull City AFC without reply. Aaron Ramsey broke the deadlock shortly after the half-hour and Lukas Podolski struck either side of the break with a couple of trademark left-footed finishes.

Everton FC responded by beating Manchester United FC 2-0 to move back within a point of the Gunners. Leighton Baines kept his composure from the spot to open the scoring on 28 minutes, after Phil Jones had blocked Romelu Lukaku's goalbound shot with his hand. Kevin Mirallas combined with Seamus Coleman and swept past David de Gea for the second just before the interval.