Liverpool won 2-1 at West Ham in the 25th round of the English premier league on Tuesday to edge within two points of second-placed Chelsea .

Sheffield United picked up three vital points with a 2-0 victory over Fulham to open up a seven-point gap between themselves and West Ham.

Reading came from behind to win 3-2 at home over Wigan, while Portsmouth and Middlesbrough drew 0-0 at Fratton Park.

Sheffield United were home winners over Fulham thanks to first-half goals from Jon Stead and Michael Tonge.

Stead netted his first goal for The Blades after linking up well with Nick Montgomery and firing past a returning Antti Niemi at the near post (23).

Tonge soon made it two with his first goal of the season as he diverted Stephen Quinn's ball across the six yard box into the Fulham goal.

Liverpool are taking advantage of Chelsea's poor forms to loom larger upon the defending champions.

After a goalless first-half between the Reds and West Ham, DirkKuyt brought the game to life with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area ten seconds after the restart.

Peter Crouch extended Liverpool's lead with an equally impressive strike on 53 minutes after a wonderful move which began in The Reds' own half.

West Ham's hopes were instantly boosted by the arrival of Kepa Blanco, who within a matter of seconds of coming on as a substitute, scored with his first touch in English football from Bobby Zamora's ball (77).

But The Hammers could not get a late equaliser as Rafa Benitez's side held on for the win.

Reading came from behind to register a 3-2 victory over Wigan at the Madejski Stadium.

Emile Heskey put Wigan ahead after three minutes as he raced onto a ball over the top and finished superbly into the bottom corner.

Ivar Ingimarsson headed home the equaliser from close range as Reading caught the Wigan backline out with a quick free-kick (31).     

Stephen Hunt set up his countryman Shane Long for Reading's second on 51 minutes as the Royals striker headed in from a yard out after some determined battling in the Wigan box.

Leroy Lita scored a late third from a tight angle which turned out to be the winner after Denny Landzaat got one back with almost the last touch of the game.

Middlesbrough moved into the top half of the Premiership as they drew 0-0 with Portsmouth, although they could have had all three points as David James pulled off three saves late on.

Pompey's failure to take maximum points at home means they missed the chance to climb above Bolton into the fifth place.

Editor: Donald