Steven Gerrard fired Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League and then voiced optimism that rival Manchester United could yet slip up in the final stages of the season. Two first-half goals from Gerrard and a late strike by substitute Ryan Babel gave Rafael Benitez's side a comfortable 3-0 win at West Ham and lifted it above United on the strength of its superior goal difference. Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who faces Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, remains in the driving seat and will be champion again if it takes seven points from its remaining four matches. With games against Wigan and Arsenal on Wednesday and next Saturday respectively, United could have wrapped up its 18th English title by the time Liverpool next play, at West Brom on May 17. But Gerrard is refusing to give up hope. “They have got a tough game on Sunday,” he said. “Man City have come into a bit of form and derby games are never easy so we wait and hope that Man City can do us a favor.” At the other end of the table, West Brom gave its supporters reason to believe another great escape from relegation could be possible after a 3-1 win over Wigan. The victory, combined with Hull's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Stoke, lifted West Brom to within three points of safety with two matches – at home to Liverpool and away to Blackburn. Blackburn is virtually – if not quite mathematically – safe after moving to 40 points with a 2-0 win over Portsmouth. Sunderland pulled five points clear of the drop zone after a goalless draw at Bolton but that margin could be cut to two points if either Middlesbrough or Newcastle win Monday's high-stakes encounter at St James' Park. Fulham inflicted further pain on Aston Villa, who has now won just once in 11 matches after a 3-1 defeat at Craven Cottage. Villa's latest setback meant Everton had a chance to leapfrog it into fifth place but David Moyes's side was unable to overcome Tottenham at Goodison Park (0-0) in a match overshadowed by news that the remains of Spurs midfielder Wilson Palacios's abducted brother had been found in Honduras. Big win for Sampdoria Sampdoria recorded a morale-boosting 5-0 win over Reggina on Saturday ahead of its Italian Cup final against Lazio on Wednesday. Lazio, meanwhile, lost 3-1 at home to Udinese and finished with 10 men after midfielder Cristian Brocchi was sent off with three minutes left. Daniele Dessena scored two early goals from long range to quickly put Sampdoria in control, and Gennaro Delvecchio added a third before halftime. In the second half, defender Guido Marilungo scored a fourth before striker Giampaolo Pazzini continued his good form by netting his 11th of the season. The result puts Reggina on the brink of relegation. The southern club is in last place, four points from saftey with only three matches remaining, and having played one match more than its rivals. Valencia stuns Madrid Valencia thumped defending champion Real Madrid 3-0 on Saturday to provide Barcelona the chance to win the Spanish league this weekend. Madrid's defeat at Mestalla Stadium kept it seven points behind the leader, allowing Barcelona to be proclaimed champion for the 19th time if it beats Villarreal at Camp Nou on Sunday. It was the second straight heavy loss for coach Juande Ramos' team, which suffered a humiliating 6-2 defeat against Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium last weekend which all but killed off its hopes of a third straight title. In other games, third-place Sevilla topped Mallorca 3-1, while Athletic Bilbao edged lowly Real Betis 1-0. Barcelona has 85 points, while Madrid stays with 78. Barcelona has four games remaining, while Madrid has three. Sevilla follows with 63 and is well-positioned to be Spain's third team to qualify for the Champions League group stages. Valencia is next with 59.
