Torres too hot for Sunderland

Liverpool FC moved up to fifth in the Premier League as Fernando Torres struck twice in a comfortable 3-0 home victory against Sunderland AFC, keeping Rafael Benítez's team in the hunt for a return to the UEFA Champions League.

The Anfield club had fallen seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur FC on Saturday but responded with a commanding performance against a side unbeaten in their previous five league matches. The hosts were buoyed within three minutes by a wonderful curling strike from Torres into the top corner and could have been out of sight before Glen Johnson's deflected effort on 32 minutes made it 2-0.

Torres also struck a post in the opening half but the Spain striker finally claimed his 18th league goal of the season, and seventh in his last four games in all competitions, on the hour with an impudent finish. Liverpool have played a match more than Spurs while Manchester City FC, who have two games in hand on the UEFA Europa League contenders, can leapfrog them by defeating Wigan Athletic FC on Monday.

In the day's other contest, Blackburn Rovers FC pushed Lancashire rivals Burnley FC closer to relegation with a 1-0 success at Turf Moor. David Dunn scored the only goal for the mid-table visitors from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Brain Jensen brought down Martin Olsson, leaving Brian Laws' men three points from safety in 19th.