London - Liverpool kept their title hopes alive with a 3-1 win at Hull City on Saturday as they moved back above Manchester United on goal difference at the top of the English Premier League. A first-half strike from Xabi Alonso set Liverpool on their way and two goals from Dirk Kuyt sealed the points, though champions United can go back three points clear at the top, with a game still in hand, if they beat Tottenham Hotspur later on Saturday.

Chelsea are three points behind the top two after they won 1-0 at West Ham United, while bottom side West Bromwich Albion gave themselves a glimmer of hope in their battle for survival by beating Sunderland 3-0 at the Hawthorns.

Alonso smashed a rebound from his own free kick late in the first half of their match at Hull and things then got worse for the home side when Caleb Folan was sent off after
58 minutes for kicking out at Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel.

Dirk Kuyt then doubled their lead with a header four minutes later but Geovanni pulled one back with 18 minutes to go thanks to a neat finish after good work from Daniel Cousin.

Fernando Torres headed against the crossbar from close range but Kuyt made sure of the points with his side's third late on, leaving Hull still just three points ahead of the relegation zone, with four games to go.

Salomon Kalou's second-half goal put Chelsea in front at Upton Park but the striker turned into the villain with 20 minutes to go when he conceded a penalty for pulling back Herita Ilunga.

However, Petr Cech came to his rescue with a fine save from Mark Noble's spot-kick and Chelsea took the points.

West Brom remain bottom but now only two points behind Newcastle and six points away from safety after goals from Jonas Olsson, Chris Brunt and Juan Carlos Menseguez gave them a 3-0 win over Sunderland.

Robinho and Stephen Ireland scored the goals as Manchester City won 2-1 at Everton for only their second away win of the season, while Stoke are still not totally safe after their 1-0 loss at Fulham.

Fifth-placed Aston Villa were held to a 1-1 draw at Bolton Wanderers in the day's other match. (dpa)