Liverpool hit the woodwork four times but looked to be set for a second goalless draw this season against the Londoners until Benayoun came off the bench to lash in the winner.

The win takes Liverpool to 67 points, two ahead of champions Manchester United, who have two games in hand and host Aston Villa on Sunday.

Chelsea are third on 64 after goals by Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda early in the second half beat Newcastle United 2-0 to spoil the St James’ Park comeback of temporary manager Alan Shearer and leave his club in real relegation danger.

Arsenal‘s long-term absentees Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor combined to create two goals for the Togo striker in a comfortable 2-0 home win over Manchester City that consolidated their fourth place on 58 points.

Fulham, who had beaten Arsenal and Manchester United at Craven Cottage this season, were outclassed on Saturday but somehow stayed in the game.

Liverpool had put 13 goals past Real Madrid, United and Villa in their last three games but Fulham rode their luck.

Andrea Dossena glanced a header against the bar, Xabi Alonso rattled it from the edge of the box, Fernando Torres hit a post and, when Dossena sent another header against the bar, Liverpool must have begun to wonder if it would be their day.

Fulham tightened up in the second half and, after surviving a few more scares, seemed set for a point before Liverpool struck in stoppage time for the eighth time this season.

“It’s a massive three points, we knew a draw was no good to us. We had to win to put some pressure on United,” Gerrard told Setanta Sports. “We’ve got to let them know they are in for a title fight all the way to the end.

“There were times when you think it’s not going to be our day but Yossi pops up with important goals and that goal could be big for us.”

Chelsea were delighted to have negotiated what looked an awkward hurdle as the return of Shearer seemed certain to galvanise a side that had won only once in 12 league games.

Newcastle held their own in the first half but a defensive blunder by Argentina centre back Fabricio Coloccini let in Nicolas Anelka and after the Frenchman’s shot came back off the bar, Lampard was on hand to nod the ball in after 56 minutes.

The second goal was even more basic as Anelka flicked on a goalkick and Lampard set up Malouda to shoot home.

“With the coming of Shearer we knew it would give a lot of energy and we wanted to spoil the party,” Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink told the BBC.

Shearer said: “Effort-wise there’s no problem, the response from the players and everyone over the last few days has been great. There is a lot of hard work to be done, we haven’t got a lot of time, but I think we’ll get there.”

Newcastle are now three points from safety following good results for most of the teams immediately above them.

Blackburn Rovers beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1, Stoke City claimed their first away win of the season with a 2-0 triumph at West Bromwich Albion, Bolton Wanderers thrashed Middlesbrough 4-1 while Hull City and Portsmouth drew 0-0.

The foot of the table makes grim reading for the three north-east clubs. West Brom remain bottom on 24 points with Middlesbrough (27), Newcastle (29) and Sunderland, on 32 after losing 2-0 at West Ham United, filling the next three places. Source: supersport.co.za

Pic: skysports.com

The former Valencia boss, who led the Reds to Champions League glory in 2005, has been in contract talks with the club for much of the season. He told the club’s website: “My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I’m delighted to sign this new deal. “I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying.

“I always made clear I wanted to be here for a long time and when I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a decade in Liverpool.

“The club is greatly respected around the world due to its incredible history and tremendous heritage. It is my aim to uphold those values and help create a new chapter in our history.

“Throughout this process, I would like to thank the owners for their hard work in finalising the deal. All of us at the club want the same thing, which is to be successful by winning major trophies.”

Joint-owner Tom Hicks said: “It is wonderful news that Rafa has made a long-term commitment to the club. Since he became manager in 2004, he has been responsible for the great progress we have made.

“I know he will continue to build on his achievements as he has a tremendous hunger and desire to bring more success to the club – success our fans and everyone connected with the club deserves.”

Gillett added: “With Rafa continuing to manage the team, we can look forward to more great football and success on the pitch.

“He has special abilities and qualities which are admired here at the club and around the world.

“Coming after our excellent wins over Real Madrid and Manchester United, this gives us great momentum going into the final stages of the season.”

Source: teamtalk.com

Pic: footballingworld.com

But despite this latest setback in Liverpool’s bid to end their nineteen-year title drought, manager Benitez insisted they still live in hope of overhauling Sir Alex Ferguson‘s European champions.

“It is clearly more difficult for us now. We have to win against Middlesbrough and Sunderland if we are to win the trophy,” Benitez said.

“This is a bad result because we could have done better with our first-half chances. I have confidence that we can still do it, though.

“We just need to win against Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

“It is not easy to say that United will slip up, but there are still 12 games left to play, so it is not finished yet. It is clear that we will have to go to Old Trafford and beat them, though.

“United can clearly win games with their quality, but if they lose, we have to win and be there to take advantage.”

Liverpool must now put domestic issues to one side as they prepare for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 first-leg clash against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.

And Benitez admitted that there is still doubt as to whether captain Steven Gerrard will recover from a three-week hamstring lay-off in time to face the nine-time European champions.

“We will see about Gerrard on Monday. He has to train and we will then chat with him and the doctor,” Benitez said. “He is improving, but it is not easy to say.”

City were unfortunate not to end their six-month wait for an away league victory. Alvaro Arbeloa’s own goal on 51 minutes was the least they deserved and the visitors could have scored more.

Craig Bellamy’s performance against his former club was key to their impressive efforts and boss Hughes admitted that the Wales international had a point to prove to Liverpool.

“You always get players wanting to do well against their former clubs and Craig is no exception in that sense,” Hughes said.

“He is a proud man and he probably feels that he didn’t get a fair crack of the whip when he was here at Liverpool.

“But he is a quality player and he has done extremely well for me in the short time that he has been at the club.”

Hughes, a two-time title winner during his playing days at Manchester United, admitted that his former club are now in pole position to win the league after this result.

“There are still games to go, so Liverpool can come back, but they will be looking at United to slip up for that to happen,” he said.

“United don’t look like slipping up very often, though, so it is going to be difficult for Liverpool now.”

In the first half, Liverpool were simply awful. Gerrard’s absence left a huge hole behind lone striker Fernando Torres and it was not filled well by the lightweight Israeli, Yossi Benayoun, who failed miserably to trouble City goalkeeper Shay Given and his back four.

City were in confident mood, though, and it did not take long for them to be rewarded after half-time.

Robinho’s pass to Vincent Kompany sprung the offside trap and the Belgian midfielder pulled the ball back for Bellamy, whose shot beat Jose Reina via a wicked deflection off Arbeloa.

It was a deserved opener and City grew in stature, with Ireland having a goal ruled out for offside before Robinho sent a free-kick narrowly wide.

But out of nowhere, Kuyt hauled Liverpool level on 78 minutes with a close-range strike.

Source: supersport.co.za

Pic: thesun.co.uk