Liverpool ease to welcome away win

Liverpool FC ended their barren recent away form as they eased to a 3-1 Premier League win at Bolton Wanderers FC to maintain their battle for fourth place with city rivals Everton FC.

Bizarre opener
The disappearance of the Reds' slender title ambitions over the past two months has largely been down to a run of four away games without a win, yet they enjoyed a timely return to winning ways at Bolton. The visitors made much of the early running though their 12th-minute opener owed a fair amount to luck. Steven Gerrard's shot looked to be going just wide but Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen dived to save it and in doing so contrived to help it into his own net thanks to vicious spin.

Second-half strikes
Without a league goal since the last time the sides met in December, Ryan Babel made it 2-0 on the hour, driving in a crisp, near-post effort after Dirk Kuyt's effort had cannoned back off the upright. Fábio Aurélio wrapped up the points 15 minutes from time with a well-taken volley, though substitute Tamir Cohen did head in a 79th-minute consolation for the home side. It was enough to lift Liverpool above Aston Villa FC and Everton to fourth, though their Merseyside rivals could retake the final UEFA champions League spot should they avoid defeat against Portsmouth FC later this afternoon.