Torres shows touches of class

Fernando Torres of Liverpool is pursued by Sylvain Distin of Portsmouth during their Premier League match at Anfield. Torres scored two in the 4-1 home win.

Premiership Review:  Liverpool arrested their recent poor form thanks largely to the class of record signing Fernando Torres who found the net twice to help the Anfield side to a 4-1 win over high flying Portsmouth.

Rafael Benitez's side broke the deadlock after 13 minutes as Yossi Benayoun volleyed in before Sylvain Distin's unfortunate own goal just three minutes later doubled their advantage.

Pompey gave themselves a lifline through Benjani Mwaruwari's ninth goal of the campaign just after the break, but any hopes of salvaging a draw were ended when Torres added to his already burgeoning reputation with a classy double.

The result leaves Liverpool a point behind Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City with a game in hand. City remain in the top four after a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

Eriksson's men went ahead after 11 minutes as Rolando Bianchi slid in to steer home Martin Petrov's teasing cross for his fourth goal of the campaign.

But their joy was short-lived as John Carew scuffed the ball past Joe Hart after a swashbuckling run had taken him past Richard Dunne and Micah Richards on the edge of the penalty area.

Scott Parker scored an 89th-minute winner to give West Ham all three points against Middlesbrough.

David Wheater's second goal of the season had given Boro the lead, but Dean Ashton's controlled half volley from 25 yards drew the Hammers level before Parker popped up at the death.

Bolton's renaissance under Gary Megson continued as they brushed aside Birmingham 3-0.

El-Hadji Diouf put the Trotters ahead with a calm finish before Nicolas Anelka took full advantage of a short throw-in by Johan Djourou to net a second before adding a third in stoppage time.

Stephen Hunt scored a controversial stoppage-time winner as Reading edged past Sunderland 2-1.

Ivar Ingimarsson pounced on Craig Gordon's fumble to put the Royals ahead, but Michael Chopra had looked to have secured a point with a penalty 10 minutes from time.

However, there was a late twist as Republic of Ireland international Hunt's angled effort was deemed to have crossed the line before Craig Gordon parried it away.

Clint Dempsey saved a point for Fulham against Wigan in the Cottagers' first game following the dismissal of Lawrie Sanchez.

Marcus Bent had put the Latics ahead with a rising half-volley, but Fulham bounced back to claim a share of the spoils through Dempsey's lashed effort.