10 May,2009 10:32 AM IST | | Agencies
Steven Gerrard's double kept Liverpool's slim title hopes alive with a 3-0 victory at West Ham on Saturday, but Manchester United could still have retained its title by the time the Reds next play. The Liverpool captain rolled the ball into an open net inside two minutes and added another in the 38th, slotting in the rebound after having a penalty saved. Substitute Ryan Babel rounded off the victory in the 84th.
The win moves Liverpool back atop the Premier League standings, although it only leads United on goal difference with the defending champions having two games in hand. If the Red Devils beat Manchester City on Sunday, Wigan on Wednesday and take at least a point off Arsenal next Saturday, they will have matched Liverpool's haul of 18 titles by capturing a third straight title. Liverpool plays West Bromwich Albion next Sunday.
Saturday's match at Upton Park was just the 12th time that Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres started a Premier League match together this season, and it took just 76 seconds for the duo, who have struggled with injuries, to rip through West Ham's defense. Returning after a recurrence of hamstring problems, Torres slipped the ball beyond the back four through to Gerrard. The England midfielder was onside and able to skip around Robert Green before coolly slotting home. But Liverpool then eased off, and striker Diego Tristan was able to test goalkeeper Pepe Reina with a glancing header.
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