Premier League: Liverpool clinch thrilling win over Tottenham

A late penalty converted by captain Steven Gerrard earned Liverpool a win over Tottenham and three points that keep their top-four finish hopes alive. The Reds went ahead in the first half when Luis Suarez scored yet another goal at Anfield but Spurs made it all square before the break through a Jan Vertonghen header. The Belgian defender then put Tottenham ahead with a 15-yard shot after the break but Liverpool got the score back on level terms through Stewart Downing before Gerrard bagged the winning goal from the penalty spot after Benoit Assou-Ekotto fouled Suarez. Liverpool had a good start to the game but it was Tottenham who created the first dangerous chance through a 30-yard Gareth Bale free kick, punched away by replacement goalkeeper Brad Jones. The Reds took the lead though thanks to a good move between Coutinho and Jose Enrique who then passed through to Suarez who squeezed the ball under goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and into the back of the net. Suarez tried his luck again minutes later but this time his shot from an acute angle was parried by the French keeper. Spurs were unable to produce clear cut chances but their determination paid off on the stroke of half time when a Bale cross was headed home by Belgian defender Vertonghen. The visitors then took control of the match shortly after the break as another delivery from Bale was converted into a goal by Vertonghen. Tottenham were dominant at that point and Sigurdsson wasted a good opportunity at the far post as his shot went off Jones and against the post. The miss proved costly as a poor back pass by Walker set up Downing who didn't miss. And then another mistake allowed Liverpool to take the lead: Defoe played the ball back into his own area for Suarez who was brought down by Assou-Ekotto and the referee pointed to the spot. Gerrard made no mistake and brought Liverpool all three points. The result adds some more excitement to the race for a top four finish in the Premier League, with Liverpool and Arsenal gaining some hope after Tottenham's defeat. You can bet on which teams finish in the top four at Bet365, here are the odds: Chelsea - 1/5 Tottenham - 1/3 Arsenal - 13/8 Liverpool - 9/1