Sturridge strikes on Reds return while United go third

LONDON: Daniel Sturridge put nearly five months of injury frustration behind him by coming off the bench to score in Liverpool´s 2-0 win at home to West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.
The 25-year-old striker had been sidelined with thigh and calf injuries since September, with his inital fitness problems coming while on England duty.

Raheem Sterling broke the deadlock in the 51st minute at Anfield before Sturridge, a 67th minute replacement for Lazar Markovic, marked just his fourth Liverpool appearance of the season by slotting home 10 minutes from time as the Reds bounced back from their League Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea.

Premier League leaders Chelsea will go eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City if they beat the defending champions in Saturday´s late kick-off at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United climbed into third place with a 3-1 win over basement club Leicester at Old Trafford.

The Foxes produced one of the upsets of the season in coming from 3-1 down to beat United 5-3 when the teams last met in September.

But there was no danger of a similar revival in the return fixture as Louis van Gaal´s men went 3-0 up before half-time through goals from Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and an own-goal by Wes Morgan.

Marcin Wasilewski pulled a goal back for Leicester 10 minutes from time.

United will only be in the top three briefly if Southampton regain third place by avoiding defeat at home to Swansea on Sunday when Arsenal, also vying for a top-four finish, face Aston Villa at the Emirates. (AFP)