Newcastle extend the misery for slumping Liverpool

Liverpool’s disastrous run in the English Premier League continued Sunday with a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle - the sixth defeat in the last seven for Kenny Dalglish’s men.

Liverpool ended the match with 10-men after Spanish international goalkeeper Pepe Reina saw red for a head butt on James Perch with nine minutes to go.

Two goals by Senegal star Papiss Demba Cisse either side of half time lifted Newcastle level on points with fifth placed Chelsea and maintained their challenge for European football next season.

By contrast, Liverpool remain eighth in the standings, with their hopes of Champions League qualification in tatters.

It proved a disappointing afternoon for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, who was returning to the club he left last season in a ￡35 million ($54m) transfer, and left back Jose Enrique, who also went in the same direction.

Carroll was booked early on for diving after rounding home goalkeeper Tim Krul and was substituted 11 minutes from time, appearing to vent his frustration with Dalglish as he went down the tunnel.

His tally of eight goals in 48 games for the Merseyside giants compares unfavorably with Cisse, who has stepped into his shoes on Tyneside with seven in as many games.

He headed in Hatem Ben Arfa’s cross in the first half before tapping in from Demba Ba’s set-up after the break.

Liverpool had started the stronger but once Cisse scored the opener, it was Newcastle who took command to the delight of the capacity crowd of 52,000.

Reina’s dismissal was the final indignity and Enrique had to take over in goal with all their substitutes used.

Daglish urged his team to deal better with their frustration.

“We don’t have a problem with people showing their desperation or disappointment or frustration, but we need to channel it better than we have done,” he told gathered reporters.

Tottenham Hotspur beat Swansea 3-1 in the later kickoff Sunday to draw level on points with third placed north London rivals Arsenal.

It was a welcome return to winning ways for Spurs and their manager Harry Redknapp, their first in the EPL since he was linked with the England manager’s job after the resignation of Fabio Capello.

Man of the match Gareth Bale set up Rafael van der Vaart for Tottenham’s opener in the first half.

Gylfi Sigurdsson had been brilliantly denied by Brad Friedel before equalizing for the visitors on the hour mark.

But van der Vaart’s corner was headed home by Emmanuel Adebayor and returning substitute Aaron Lennon set up the Togo star for his second late on to seal the three points.

Leaders Manchester United play Blackburn Monday, looking to extend their lead over Manchester City to five points with a win.