Story highlights
Suarez warms up for FA Cup final with a memorable hat-trick against Norwich City
Newcastle United thrashed by Wigan; Arsenal drop points away to Stoke City
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur both in action Sunday
Manchester United and Manchester City face each other on Monday night
A Luis Suarez hat-trick earned Liverpool a 3-0 win against Norwich City in the English Premier League on Saturday to give the Merseysiders a boost ahead of next weekend’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.
Two clinical first-half strikes by the Uruguayan put Liverpool in charge.
The first coming from a Steven Gerrard layoff in the 24th minute, the second drilled low past Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy four minutes later.
But the game will be remembered for Suarez’ outrageous third in the 83rd minute which saw him lob Ruddy with a looping drive from just inside the Norwich half.
The win keeps Liverpool in eighth place with 49 points while Norwich slip to 13th.
Newcastle United’s chances of Champions League football next season suffered a setback as they were thrashed 4-0 by Wigan at the DW Stadium.
After recent momentous wins over Manchester United and Arsenal, Roberto Martinez’s men edged a little closer to safety with a commanding display.
The home side went 2-0 up within 15 minutes as Victor Moses found the target in the 13th and 15th minute and three points were effectively sealed before the half was out.
Shaun Maloney made it 3-0 nine minutes before the break and Franco Di Santo made the game safe moments before half time.
Fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur will move ahead of Newcastle on goal difference if they beat Blackburn Rover at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Wigan move ahead of Queens Park Rangers who travel to Chelsea in Sunday’s other Premier League fixture.
League leaders Manchester United face second-place Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night.
A win for Alex Ferguson’s side (who are currently three points ahead of City) would all but guarantee a 20th league title.
Third-placed Arsenal also dropped points after only managing a 1-1 draw away to Stoke.
Peter Crouch put the home side ahead in the ninth minute but the lead only lasted six minutes as Robin van Persie notched up his 35th goal of the season in all competitions.
Everton cruised to a 4-0 win over Fulham at Goodison Park to consolidate seventh place in the table. A brace from Nikica Jelavic and one each for Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill ensured a comfortable win for the Toffees.
Bolton Wanderers remain in the bottom three after a draw 2-2 at Sunderland.
Kevin Davies opened the scoring for Bolton in the 26th minute only for Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner to equalize 10 minutes later.
James McClean put Martin O’Neill’s side ahead in the 55th minute but Davies’ second goal 20 minutes from the end salvaged a point.
The Midlands derby between Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion ended goalless, leaving Villa perilously close to the relegation zone with 37 points, three points ahead of 18th-placed Bolton.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were relegated last weekend, wound up drawing 4-4 with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.
Swansea had the best of a first half goal-fest, heading into the break 4-2 up. But two second half goals from the visitors saw Wolves salvage an unlikely draw.