Liverpool's Steven Gerrard celebrates after scoring the winning goal of the game from the penalty spot during their English Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. Picture: Clint Hughes Source: AP
STEVEN Gerrard put a dent in Tottenham's bid to qualify for the Champions League as the Liverpool captain's late penalty clinched a 3-2 win at Anfield.
Andre Villas-Boas's team were on course for a valuable three points when Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen struck twice for the visitors either side of halftime after Luis Suarez gave the Reds a 21st minute lead.
But Stewart Downing capitalised on woeful defending from Spurs right-back Kyle Walker to equalise in the 66th minute.
And England star Gerrard netted the winner from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute after Benoit Assou-Ekott fouled Suarez.
Tottenham remain third, but fourth-placed Chelsea, two points behind, and fifth placed Arsenal both now have a game in hand in the race to finish in the top four.
Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool climb to sixth place, closing the gap on Chelsea to seven points, and retain an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen third left, scores the first goal of the game for his side during their English Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield. Picture: Clint Hughes Source: AP
Cisse strikes late to sink Stoke
SENEGAL striker Papiss Demba Cisse bagged a stoppage-time winner as Newcastle boosted their survival bid with a 2-1 victory over Stoke at St James' Park.
Alan Pardew's team moved nine points clear of the Premier League relegation zone thanks to Cisse, who struck two minutes into additional time to complete a fine fightback from the Magpies.
Jonathan Walters put Stoke ahead from the penalty spot with 67 minutes gone, but Yohan Cabaye's superb free-kick soon after gave Newcastle renewed hope.
After Thursday's draining 0-0 Europa League draw with Anzhi Makhachkala in Moscow, Pardew's side could have been forgiven for making a slow start.
Initially, that looked likely as Rob Elliot had to save a third-minute volley by Peter Crouch.
But Pardew's men started to force their way into the game, with French midfielder Cabaye and then Jonas Gutierrez both sending shots just wide from long-range.
Davide Santon tested Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic with a well-struck drive.
Newcastle should have been ahead when Cabaye's through-ball took a deflection and fell nicely for Yoan Gouffran, only for the French playmaker to lift his shot over the bar.
A tight second half appeared to turn Stoke's way in the 67th minute when Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote conceded a penalty with a rash challenge on Walters.
Referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot and Walters, whose recent record from 12 yards has been dreadful, stepped up to blast home the penalty.
However, Tony Pulis's team were ahead for only five minutes.
Moussa Sissoko was tripped by Glenn Whelan on the edge of the penalty area, prompting a furious reaction from Begovic, who became embroiled in a row with Steven Taylor as the Stoke coaching staff took exception to Pardew's reaction on the sideline.
Once order had been restored, Cabaye curled the resulting free-kick over the wall and in off the underside of the crossbar to level.
Newcastle pushed hard for a winner after that and they finally shattered Stoke's resistence when substitute Sylvain Marveaux picked out Cisse in front of goal and he controlled before firing past Begovic.
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