Liverpool stroll past Sunderland

Luis Suarez marked his return to Premier League action with two goals to help Liverpool to a 3-1 win at managerless Sunderland that lifted them to second in the table on Sunday.

The Uruguay striker, who returned from a 10-match ban in the midweek League Cup loss at Manchester United, was making his first league appearance since being suspended for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in April.

He scored Liverpool’s second in the 36th minute after Daniel Sturridge had opened their account eight minutes earlier with a controversial goal that went in off his upper arm after he had risen to try to head in a corner.

Sunderland, bottom of the table with one point, got themselves back into the game early in the second half when Emanuele Giaccherini pounced after goalkeeper Simon Mignolet failed to deal with Ki Sung-Yeung's long-range effort.

Suarez had to wait until the 89th minute for his second goal and it was Sturridge again who set him up for a simple finish that sealed Liverpool’s fourth league victory of the season.

The win put them on 13 points from six games, ahead of Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference and two points behind leaders Arsenal.

Earlier in the day, Jonny Howson struck the first-half winner as Norwich City beat below-par hosts Stoke City 1-0.

The visitors made their dominance count in the 34th minute when Howson's low, right-footed shot beat diving keeper Asmir Begovic.