Liverpool's Sami Hyypia (right) is beaten to the ball by Everton's Lee Carsley during their English Premier League soccer match at the Anfield stadium, Liverpool, yesterday. - AP

LONDON (AP):

Liverpool took control of the fight for fourth place in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over city rival Everton yesterday.

While Chelsea were in second place after a 1-0 win over visiting Middlesbrough, Liverpool moved five points clear of its neighbour through Fernando Torres' 28th goal of the season.

The Spain striker scored in the seventh minute at Anfield to lift the Reds to 62 points from 31 games, with Everton back in fifth and now struggling to clinch a Champions League qualifying spot.

Liverpool got its early breakthrough when Yakubu Ayegbeni lost possession on the edge of his own area and Dirk Kuyt prodded the ball through to Torres inside the area. Torres hit a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Tim Howard into the far corner.

The home side almost moved further clear shortly before half-time when Steven Gerrard hit the post with a fierce right foot volley.

Everton improved at the start of the second half and their best chance came when Leon Osman shot wide after a free kick.

With Everton desperate for a goal, manager David Moyes brought on Manuel Fernandes in place of Steven Pienaar but his team still struggled to create chances.

Liverpool had opportunities to stretch the lead as Lucas Leiva had a volley blocked by Joseph Yobo, Kuyt had a shot deflected over the bar with three minutes left and Gerrard had a shot saved by Howard.

LIFT BLUES

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho scored in the sixth minute to lift the Blues back above Arsenal and to within five points of leader Manchester United.

Chelsea now have 71 points, one more than the Gunners, who rallied from 2-0 down to halt a five-match winless streak and beat Bolton 3-2 Saturday.

Carvalho headed in a free kick by left back Wayne Bridge to put Chelsea ahead, scoring his first goal since April 7 last year.

Michael Essien then had a shot blocked by Lee Cattermole and Jon Obi Mikel and Joe Cole both had shots that missed the target. Didier Drogba had a free kick deflected wide just before half-time and then headed over after the resulting corner.

But Middlesbrough almost clinched a draw with eight minutes left when Alfonso Alves headed against the bar, David Wheater did the same from the rebound and Jeremie Aliadiere shot wide.

The win was crucial for Chelsea after defending champion United and Arsenal both won on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 35th goal of the season to help United rout Aston Villa 4-0.

"I cannot say that it was our best game but it was important for us to win today rather than have quality in the game," Chelsea manager Avram Grant said. "They were unlucky, but we also created some good chances from open play.

"We started very well and maybe because of that we thought it would be easy."

Newcastle seemingly ended any danger of relegation with a surprise 4-1 win at Tottenham.

Spurs, who have slumped since winning the League Cup last month, took a 26th-minute lead through striker Darren Bent but Nicky Butt, Geremi, Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins scored to give the Magpies a first away win since December.

Newcastle now have 35 points, nine clear of the three-team relegation zone, while Tottenham seem destined to finish in 11th place. With six games remaining, they are five points behind 10th-place West Ham and four ahead of 12th-place Newcastle.