Steve Gerrard and Trevor Sinclair hit winning goals on Easter Monday that could prove to be worth millions of pounds to their clubs.

Gerrard's last-minute winner for Liverpool against Charlton kept the Anfield club's hopes for a £15million run in the Champions League alive. While Sinclar's winner against Middlesbrough allows West Ham to dream of another season in the Premiership, although they remain three points adrift of Leeds.

Liverpool trailed Charlton 1-0 until the 86th minute when Gerrard flicked on John Arne Riise's corner for Sami Hyypia. The England midfielder then drove forward with time running out and drilled a low shot past Dean Kiely. The wild celebrations in front of The Kop showed how important the goal could be with Liverpool now just a point off fourth-place Newcastle.

"I must admit I thought it was going to be 1-1 when we went into the last minute, but we kept going and eventually got the winner," said a delighted Gerrard. "I felt very flat today and I think the other lads did as well, especially in the first half. It was just important we got the win today and it didn't really matter how we got it."

Danny Murphy, who scored The Reds derby winner against Everton on Saturday, appeared to throw a water bottle towards assistant-manager Phil Thompson as he was substituted against Charlton. But manager Gerard Houllier played down a serious rift:

"It was nothing. Danny was unhappy with his performance and was frustrated. I like players who show frustration with their own performance and he has character," said the manager.

All three of last season's relegated sides - Derby, Ipswich and Leicester - have suffered financial meltdown this season so West Ham don't want to drop out of the Premiership. Hot favourites to do so following Saturday's defeat at Bolton, Sinclair's 77th minute winner against Middlesbrough gives them some hope.

Manager Glenn Roeder said: "Our gut feeling has always been we can survive. We showed massive bottle against Middlesbrough."

Roeder also said there was no question of relinquishing Joe Cole of the captaincy despite reports of him being involved in a tunnel fracas at Bolton. "He shows a lot of passion and is the skipper for the foreseeable future," said Roeder.

Robbie Fowler was on target for Manchester City in their 3-0 victory against Sunderland while 37-year-old Spurs forward Teddy Sheringham also scored in Tottenham's 3-2 victory at West Brom.

Wayne Rooney had to play second fiddle to Gianfranco Zola at Stamford Bridge. The young Evertonian played 90 minutes but his side were still beaten 4-1 for whom Zola scored a sensational fourth against Richard Wright.

Title rivals Arsenal and Manchester United weren't involved on Monday but Paul Scholes showed he is in remarkable form with a double against Blackburn on Saturday. Unfortunately, Scholes will miss Wednesday's Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.

Premiership results - April 21
Blackburn 0 Bolton 0
Chelsea 4 Everton 1
Liverpool 2 Charlton 1
Manchester City 3 Sunderland 0
Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 1
West Brom 2 Tottenham 3
West Ham 1 Middlesbrough 0

Compiled by Joe Bernstein