Liverpool scored twice in the last nine minutes to beat Fulham 2-0 to move up to fourth in the Premier League on Saturday.

The home side, who scored eight against Besiktas in the Champions League on Tuesday, were frustrated by a resolute Fulham side who held out until substitute Fernando Torres struck with his left foot from close range in the 81st minute.

Steven Gerrard converted a penalty four minutes later after Carlos Bocanegra tripped Peter Crouch on the edge of the area to give manager Rafa Benitez victory in his 200th match in charge.

Liverpool have 24 points from 12 matches with Arsenal (27), Manchester United (27) and Manchester City (25) above them.

"We knew we had to be patient and keep passing and moving the ball," Benitez told Setanta Sports. "We had a lot of chances but couldn't score until the end and we have some experience of these kind of games this season.

"If you want to stay at the top of the table you have to keep winning. We have been winning away but not at home and now I hope we will start winning at home as well."

Fulham have never triumphed at Anfield in 27 league and cup visits dating back to 1934.

West Ham hit five goals past bottom club Derby

West Ham United scored their biggest league win since returning to the top-flight two years ago when they crushed bottom club Derby County 5-0 at Pride Park on Saturday.

Three of West Ham's goals came in an eight-minute spell in the second half as Billy Davies's hapless Derby recorded their fifth successive game without a goal, their worst run since 1920.

Derby have six points from 13 matches while West Ham move up to ninth with 18 points from 12.

Lee Bowyer put We

st Ham ahead after 42 minutes before Matthew Etherington (51), an own goal from Eddie Lewis (55), a second from Bowyer (59) and a free kick by Nolberto Solano (69) piled on the home team's misery.

Derby, promoted via the playoffs, were also hammered 6-0 by Liverpool, 5-0 by Arsenal and 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur earlier this season.

Sunderland draw 1-1 with Newcastle

Sunderland drew 1-1 with Newcastle United in an evenly fought northeast derby at the Stadium of Light in the first of only three Premier League matches being played on Saturday.

Sunderland, without a league win in their last six games and without a home win over Newcastle since April 1980, went ahead after 52 minutes when Danny Higginbotham scored his first goal for the club with a well-taken header.

Newcastle equalised 13 minutes later when James Milner's cross-cum-shot went in off the far post.

Sunderland had the better chances in a typically lively derby and former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra went close to scoring against his old club but saw his 82nd minute header bounce back off the bar.

Newcastle stay in 10th position with 18 points from 12 matches while Sunderland remain 15th with 10 points from 13.