Soccer: Bolton humble Liverpool to climb out of relegation zone

Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League suffered a fresh blow yesterday as they crashed to a 3-1 defeat at struggling Bolton.

Goals from Mark Davies, Nigel Reo-Coker and Gretar Steinsson secured a vital three points for Bolton, who moved out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.

But the defeat saw Liverpool squander an opportunity to close the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea, and continued a miserable run of form for the Reds who have taken only six points from a possible 18 in their last six games.

Liverpool, whose lone goal came from Craig Bellamy, are now in seventh place, six points adrift of Chelsea.

Their London rivals could manage only a 0-0 draw at Norwich as Fernando Torres' three-month goal drought continued.

Chelsea enjoyed the better chances of a scrappy game at Carrow Road but were left frustrated as £50 million ($96.5 million) striker Torres drew a blank yet again.

The draw left Chelsea in fourth place, five points adrift of third-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who face leaders Manchester City at Eastlands today. There was better news for Tim Cahill, though, the Australian scoring his first goal in 13 months for Everton before Blackburn grabbed a 1-1 draw through David Goodwillie at Goodison Park.

Elsewhere, Clint Dempsey struck a hat-trick as Fulham beat sixth-placed Newcastle 5-2 at Craven Cottage.

Danny Guthrie gave Newcastle the lead with a 22m thunderbolt just before half-time before Fulham came roaring back in the second half.

Danny Murphy levelled from the penalty spot after Davide Santon brought down Damien Duff and then two goals in six minutes from US international Dempsey made it 3-1.

Bobby Zamora made it 4-1 from the penalty spot on 68 minutes as Newcastle's challenge unravelled.

Hatem Ben Arfa scored a consolation goal for Newcastle before Dempsey completed his hat-trick.

Queens Park Rangers moved out of relegation after goals from Heidar Helguson, Akos Buzsaky and Tommy Smith gave new manager Mark Hughes the first victory of his reign with a 3-1 win over bottom club Wigan. QPR are now four points adrift of safety.

A dramatic finale at the Britannia Stadium saw West Bromwich Albion snatch a 2-1 win over Stoke. Graham Dorrans' injury-time free-kick clinched the three points for the Baggies after Stoke had looked to have secured a share of the points with Cameron Jerome's 86th-minute equaliser.

West Brom had taken the lead through James Morrison on 35 minutes after Thomas Sorensen's blunder.

Sunderland's resurgence under Martin O'Neill gathered pace with a 2-0 win over Swansea, Stephane Sessegnon scoring the opener. Substitute Craig Gardner wrapped up the points seven minutes after coming on.

Robbie Keane made a triumphant return for Aston Villa, scoring twice in a 3-2 win over Wolves

Darren Bent put Villa ahead with a penalty on 11 minutes but Wolves fought back to go 2-1 up through Michael Kightly and David Edwards. But Keane completed a fairytale return for Villa with a 51st minute equaliser before snatching the winner six minutes from time.

- AAP