Super sub Smicer sends Liverpool to top of table

Substitute Vladimir Smicer volleyed a superb injury-time winner as Liverpool beat Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday to go top of the English premier league.

Tottenham Hotspur beat Fulham 2-0 at Craven Cottage in the day's other game, with goals from England striker Teddy Sheringham and Uruguayan Gus Poyet inflicting the home side's sixth consecutive league defeat.

Smicer, who came on after Liverpool lost England midfielder Steven Gerrard to a recurrence of a groin injury, smashed in a cross from Emile Heskey as the hosts secured a barely-deserved victory.

The win put Liverpool top of the table with 65 points, one ahead of champions Manchester United, who lost 1-0 to Middlesbrough on Saturday. Arsenal, third on 63 points, have two games in hand on both their title rivals.

A lacklustre Liverpool got the points after a late rally in the second half, while Chelsea were left to rue several wasted chances as they dominated the first half.

Asked if he had given up as the match headed into injury time, assistant manager Phil Thompson told Sky Sports: "No, you never give up hope with this team. The players have proved it time and time again.

"There weren't many chances throughout the whole of the game -- the two defences were playing very well.

"We always have a belief that we can score a goal -- Chelsea probably feel the same way. But we had a piece of fantastic quality from Emile Heskey and a finish which was absolutely brilliant."

GIVING HEART

The top of the table has now split into two distinct battles, one between Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal for the title, and another between Newcastle, Leeds and Chelsea for the fourth-place finish that will yield a place in the Champions League qualifying round.

Thompson said: "It's nice at this stage of the season to be top. There's still a little bit to do, but we played a very difficult team today and it can give us heart for the remaining games of the season."

Midfielder Danny Murphy went further, though, saying: "Hopefully this will make a massive difference.

"If Arsenal win all their games no-one can do anything about it, but they've still got to go to Old Trafford and United have to go to Leeds next week, so points could still be dropped.

"With United losing, it was important that we capitalised on it."

Chelsea also had the chance to make progress up the table, but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink missed from close range in each half, while Eidur Gudjohnsen also slid the ball wide and Mario Stanic had a superb volley saved by Jerzy Dudek.

Blues' manager Claudio Ranieri said: "We had three good chances to win the match and they had only one... but that's football.

"I am happy with our performance but not happy with the result."

As for Chelsea's chances of claiming a Champions League place, the Italian said: "It was difficult before, it's difficult now.

"One point more would have been better. But now there are two games in two days (over Easter) and it is very important now to take points."

Newcastle, who have a game in hand on their rivals for the fourth Champions League place, have 56 points, while Leeds are two points behind them in fifth and Chelsea a point further back.

Smicer, who scored only his second league goal at Anfield on Sunday, said: "It could be one of my most important. Emile did really well down the left and I'm just pleased I hit it so well."

Gerrard's injury, which Thompson expects will keep him out for two weeks, means he will miss England's friendly against Italy at Leeds next Wednesday.

Spurs' victory means they stay ninth but are now level on 41 points with fellow Londoners Charlton Athletic, while Fulham remain just three points above the relegation zone.

The win gave Spurs a valuable lift after losing four of their five previous games since last month's League Cup final defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

SPURS' LUCK

Despite being the better side, Spurs were also lucky -- with Sheringham's goal being the result of a double deflection, the ball going in off the side of the skipper's face.

"It was good fortune that we earned with our hard work and it's a little bit of good fortune that we haven't had over the last five or six weeks," manager Glenn Hoddle told Sky Sports.

"There's a stat going around that we've hit the woodwork 16 times this year so I think it's about time we had a little bit of good fortune."

Fulham coach Jean Tigana said: "It was a big game because we need the points, but we are struggling with confidence and it showed.

"Our position (in the table) does not help, and we need to score goals now but it is a problem.

"We need three more wins (to be safe), although you might be able to stay in the top level with another six or seven points.

"But I will keep my team playing football the right way, because that is my philosophy."