Suarez 'tricks for Liverpool

Luis Suarez struck a clinical hat-trick as Liverpool thrashed West Bromwich Albion 4-1 at Anfield to keep pace with Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday.

Suarez scored twice in five first-half minutes and again after the break as Liverpool remained two points behind Arsenal who prevailed 2-0 at Crystal Palace in an early kickoff despite having goalscorer Mikel Arteta sent off.

Dark clouds were gathering over Old Trafford where champions Manchester United twice trailed Stoke City before late goals by Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez earned them a 3-2 victory, staving off a fourth league defeat of the season.

Romelu Lukaku was on target again for Everton as they moved into third place, four behind Arsenal, with a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa. Norwich City drew 0-0 at home to Cardiff City and remain in the relegation zone.

Palace, who parted company with manager Ian Holloway on Wednesday after losing seven of their first eight matches of the season, had few opportunities even when Arteta was red-carded on 65 minutes for a foul on former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh.


Joel Ward came closest for Palace when he struck the crossbar but Olivier Giroud settled any Arsenal jitters with a headed second goal late on.

“These are the kind of games where you need the points, we were mature, resilient, well-organised and in the end we got the second goal which was a relief,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

“I thought honestly we were unlucky to be down to 10 men and needed to be patient.”
Wenger was measured in his criticism of the decision by referee Chris Foy to dismiss Arteta for a foul on Marouane Chamakh who seemed about to burst clear from deep.

“You never know but there was pressure on the referee to pull a red card out,” said Wenger, whose side are unbeaten in the Premier League since the opening day of the season, winning seven of eight.

“I think it was a wrong decision because it is supposed to be a clear goal scoring opportunity and it was very far from goal and it has to be the last man, which was not proven.”

Wenger praised Poland international Szczseny, saying he had stepped up a level since last season. “You see the quality of a keeper with the timing of his saves,” Wenger said.

“That was two important moments of the game. He is more consistent this season, better focus and he reads the game better.”