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Results Based News

Reds keep up title pressure

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 04/05/2009

Liverpool kept up the pressure in the Premier League title race with a 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Newcastle United at Anfield.

The Reds reduced Manchester United's lead at the top of the table to three points and shortened the betting odds following a straightforward victory over a woeful Magpies side, who started with an out-of-form Michael Owen on the bench.

Goals from Yossi Benayoun, Dirk Kuyt and substitute Lucas leaves Alan Shearer's side needing to win their clash with relegation rivals Middlesbrough if they are to stand any chance of staying in the top-flight.

Joey Barton's season is over after the controversial midfielder earned a straight red card - and an automatic three-match violent conduct ban - following a horrendous two-footed tackle on Xabi Alonso.

Meanwhile, Everton condemned Sunderland to more sleepless night at the foot of the table after cantering to a 2-0 victory at the Stadium of Light.

Second-half goals from Steven Pienaar and Marouane Fellaini for the FA Cup finalists left the Black Cats just four points above the drop zone.

Birmingham City will be playing Premier League football next season after their 2-1 win at Reading ensured Alex McLeish's side claimed the second automatic promotion spot on a tense final afternoon of Championship fixtures.

Reading, Sheffield United, Burnley and Preston North End will all contest the play-offs, with Cardiff City the big losers on the day.

Preston's 2-1 win over QPR and Cardiff's 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday left the Welsh club outside the top-six on goals scored.

At the foot of the table, Norwich City will join already relegated Charlton Athletic and Southampton in League One next season after losing 4-2 at Charlton. Barnsley survived following their 2-1 victory at Plymouth Argyle.

In rugby union's Heineken Cup, Leicester Tigers edged out Cardiff Blues in a thrilling semi-final encounter at the Millennium Stadium.

The Tigers had let a 12-point lead slip and, after the game had ended 26-26 after 20 minutes of extra-time, it went to a rare place-kick shoot-out.

Wales flanker Martyn Williams missed the vital sudden death kick for the Blues.

Leeds Rhinos moved to within two points of Super League leaders St Helens following the Magic Weekend at Murrayfield.

Leeds were comfortable 36-16 winners over Catalans Dragons in Edinburgh after a devastating first-half performance in which they ran in five tries.

Earlier, league leaders St Helens had lost for the third time this season after going down 34-18 to traditional rivals Wigan Warriors.

Huddersfield Giants maintained their top-three position following a comfortable 40-16 dismissal of rock-bottom Celtic Crusaders, while improving Hull FC leapfrogged Castleford Tigers in mid-table after a 24-16 victory.

Bradford Bulls continued their own resurgence with a 32-16 win over Wakefield and Harlequins were comfortable 24-16 winners over struggling Salford City Reds.

In Sunday's final game, Hull KR bear Warrington 36-28 and remain second.

World tennis number one Rafael Nadal won the Rome Masters for the fourth time following a straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard won 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 in Sunday's final, while Djokovic's defeat means that Andy Murray will become the world number three when the new rankings are announced on May 10.

Thomas Levet fired a final-round 68 to win the European Tour's Spanish Open by two shots.

The 40-year-old Frenchman carded seven birdies on his way to an 18-under-par total of 270 at the PGA Golf Catalunya Course in Girona.

Italy's Fabrizio Zanotti closed with a superb round of 65 to claim second place ahead of defending champion Peter Lawrie and veteran Dane Thomas Bjorn in third.

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