Premier League Round-up: 9/5



Liverpool moved back to the top of the Premier League with the help of Steven Gerrard's double at West Ham.

Gerrard was put through by Fernando Torres and rounded keeper Robert Green before sidefooting in his first.

Torres was brought down by Luis Boa Morte and Gerrard saw his spot-kick saved but slotted in the rebound.

David di Michele stumbled when clean through in West Ham's best chance before Ryan Babel added a Reds third after his initial header was saved.

Everton keeper Tim Howard set a new club record of 16 clean sheets in a disappointing match in which neither side had many threats on goal.

Stoke secured their Premier League status courtesy of a win that increased Hull's own relegation worries.

Ricardo Fuller swivelled and shot Stoke ahead after a Liam Lawrence corner had ricocheted into his path.

Kevin Kilbane had a shot palmed round the post for Hull, who were rescued by the woodwork when Glenn Whelan's shot struck the angle of the goal.

But Lawrence powered in a 25-yarder to confirm Stoke's win, even though Hull's Andy Dawson scored a late free-kick.

Stoke can celebrate an impressive achievement considering their resources and a season in which they started as one of the favourites for relegation.

Hull were grouped with them as strong contenders to go straight back down to the Championship after promotion - a seemingly unlikely prospect after their promising start to the season.

Two goals from Marc-Antoine Fortune handed West Brom victory against Wigan and gave the side a huge boost in their fight to avoid the drop.

Fortune gave his side the lead when he headed in from close range after Gianni Zuiverloon's shot was parried.

Hugo Rodallega equalised when his low free-kick squeezed past Dean Kiely.

Chris Brunt then scored from the spot after Titus Bramble tripped Fortune, who later rifled in the Baggies' third from just inside the area.

The home side had a do-or-die attitude right from the kick-off which was rewarded as early as the eighth minute.

Fulham boosted their European hopes as they overcame Aston Villa.

The hosts opened the scoring when James Milner conceded a penalty for a push on Diomansy Kamara and the impressive Danny Murphy stroked in the spot-kick.

Blackburn all but sealed their Premier League place with a comfortable win over a Pompey side still desperately seeking the win they need to survive.

Relegation-threatened Sunderland had to settle for a point despite dominating much of the game at the Reebok Stadium.