Daniel Sturridge scores on his return for Liverpool

Saturday 31 Jan 2015
Daniel Sturridge celebrates his first goal since August

Daniel Sturridge made a scoring return as Liverpool beat West Ham 2-0 at Anfield.

After five months out with hamstring and thigh injuries, Sturridge was named among the Reds’ substitutes for the visit of the Hammers.

He came off the bench with Liverpool leading 1-0 thanks to fellow England international Raheem Sterling’s 51st-minute strike. 

And 12 minutes later Sturridge rediscovered the scoring touch as he latched onto a precise pass from Philippe Coutinho to fire home at the near post. 

Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring Liverpool's opener

It was his first goal since 17 August and the England striker showed his joy with his customary celebratory dance.

With the game all but won, U20 international Jordon Ibe joined fellow Three Lions Sturridge, Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana as Brendan Rodgers’ side saw the game out.

For the Hammers Andy Carroll had to leave the field through injury on 63 minutes, while England U17 captain Reece Oxford was an unused substitute as West Ham’s six-game unbeaten run came to an end.

Frank Lampard prepares to come on at Stamford Bridge during Manchester City's 1-1 with Chelsea

At Stamford Bridge in the top-of-the-table clash, James Milner and Joe Hart completed 90 minutes for Manchester City as they drew 1-1 with Chelsea.

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard came on as a second-half substitute for the visitors, but was unable to repeat his goal-scoring exploits of the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Gary Cahill and U20 international Ruben Loftus-Cheek also featured from the bench for the Blues, while another Young Lion, Izzy Brown, was an unused substitute for Jose Mourinho’s side.

31jan-harry-kane-v-wba

England Under-21 striker Harry Kane celebrates the first of his two goals against West Brom

Elsewhere, Harry Kane notched his 19th and 20th goals of the season as Tottenham Hotspur eased past West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

After Christian Eriksen had given Spurs the lead, the England Under-21 international grabbed a goal either side of half time as his marvellous season continued.

On 15 minutes Kane picked up a Moussa Dembele pass on the edge of the area before cutting inside Andre Wisdom and smashing in goal number 19 of the season.

His 20th – and tenth in the Premier League – came from the penalty spot on 64 minutes after Joleon Lescott was adjudged to have handled Kyle Walker’s cross.

Another striker capped at Under-21 level, Connor Wickham, was on target as Sunderland beat Burnley 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Jermain Defoe celebrates his first goal for Sunderland

Jermain Defoe – capped 55 times for England – got the Black Cats’ second as he netted his first goal since his return to the Premier League after spending a year in the MLS with Toronto FC.

At Old Trafford, England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney led Louis van Gaal’s men to a comfortable 3-1 victory against Leicester, thanks to goals from Robin van Persie, Falcao and an own-goal from Wes Morgan.

Rooney’s fellow England internationals Luke Shaw and Phil Jones both started for the 20-time league champions, while U20s starlet James Wilson came off the bench.

Centre-back John Stones was in action for Everton, and was involved in the build-up as the Toffees grabbed the only goal of the game at Crystal Palace through Romelu Lukaku – a game in which Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka also completed 90 minutes.

England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney celebrates with Falcao as his side beat Leicester 3-1

In Staffordshire, QPR’s dismal away run continued as they lost 3-1 at Stoke – while in the early game Newcastle beat Hull City 3-0, with Jack Colback completing 90 minutes for the Magpies.

England U20s skipper Lewis Baker – on loan at Sheffield Wednesday from Chelsea – started for the Owls at Reading. 

But it was another Chelsea youngster – Nathaniel Chalobah – who helped secure the points for the home side as the midfielder netted Reading’s second in a 2-0 win.

Baker's fellow U20s international Ben Pearson started and scored for Barnsley – where he is on loan from Manchester United – as they beat Port Vale 2-1 in League One.

By Jamie Reid Senior Writer