Liverpool made it seven games without defeat after coming away from St. Mary’s with a vital 2-0 win over Southampton on Sunday in a Premier League match marred by questionable calls from referee Kevin Friend.

Having lost just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions, the Reds were in full confidence coming up against a Southampton side that had a chance to go third on the league table with a win on the day.

Raheem Sterling nets a goal for Liverpool

But the day quickly began to go downhill for the Saints as Philippe Coutinho put Liverpool ahead in the third minute with a superlative long range effort that went in off the crossbar.

That goal came between two turned down penalty appeals from Southampton for supposed infringements on striker Filip Djuricic.

And despite dominating proceedings, it was Liverpool that got the vital second goal through Raheem Sterling to seal a fourth successive win and go within two points of fourth placed Manchester United.

The result also allowed the Reds go a point ahead of Tottenham Hotspur that now occupies seventh spot with 44 points after salvaging a 2-2 draw at home to eighth placed London rivals West Ham United.

Cheikhou Kouyate gave the Hammers the lead midway through the first half while Diafra Sakho doubled the visitors’ advantage just after the hour mark as West Ham looked headed for a win.

But goals in the final 10 minutes from Danny Rose and club top scorer Harry Kane – who converted the rebound after his initial penalty kick was kept out – rescued a point for Spurs.

Everton meanwhile had Matthew Upson own goal to thank for snatching a 2-2 draw at home to bottom club Leicester City.

Steven Naismith had put the Toffees ahead just before the hour mark but goals from David Nugent and Estaban Cambiasso had Leicester in front 13 minutes later.

Upson was however unfortunate to concede an own goal two minutes to full time as the Foxes now lie four points off safety with 12 games of the season left.