Sturridge scores on return as Liverpool beat West Ham

Published Jan. 31, 2015 9:54 a.m. ET

foxsports

Daniel Sturridge made a triumphant comeback from injury to help Liverpool defeat European rivals West Ham 2-0 at Anfield.

Raheem Sterling combined with Philippe Coutinho in a fantastic build-up that the England forward finished with aplomb to give the Reds the lead, before Sturridge added the second on his comeback game after five months out.

Harry Kane starred as Tottenham posted a 3-0 victory at West Brom that kept Mauricio Pochettino's side in the hunt for a Champions League place and moved them above Arsenal in the table.

Christian Eriksen and Kane scored goals inside the opening 15 minutes and, when the outstanding Kane added his second from the penalty spot, the result had been placed beyond doubt.

The recent progress made by Crystal Palace ground to a halt as Romelu Lukaku's goal earned Everton to a 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park for their first win in nine games in all competitions.

Niko Kranjcar pulled a goal back for QPR but it was not enough to prevent them from slipping to a 3-1 defeat at Stoke.

Two goals from Jonathan Walters gave the Potters a handsome cushion, but Harry Redknapp's side battled back with Kranjcar scoring before Joey Barton hit the underside of the crossbar with a free-kick.

The final half-hour was all QPR as they pushed forward in search of the equaliser, only for Walters to complete his hat-trick in stoppage time.

Sunderland gave their survival hopes a shot in the arm with a 2-0 win against Burnley at the Stadium of Light courtesy of goals from Connor Wickham and Jermain Defoe.

In the game's early kick-off, Sammy Ameobi and Yoan Gouffran struck in the second half to help ensure John Carver's reign as permanent Newcastle head coach began with a 3-0 success at Hull.

Carver, without a win in four games in caretaker charge, watched Frenchman Remy Cabella open his Magpies account before Ameobi and Gouffran wrapped up the win.