No Suarez, no problem as Liverpool runs all over Newcastle

LONDON - As Luis Suarez began a 10-match ban, Liverpool showed it still has bite up front by inflicting Newcastle’s worst home loss since 1925 in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Making the Newcastle fans pay for their constant chants of “Luis Suarez - he bites who he wants,’’ Liverpool produced a ruthless display to win, 6-0, at St. James’ Park.

Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson each scored twice, while Daniel Agger and Fabio Borini also found the net to demonstrate the attacking resources available at Liverpool as Suarez begins his hefty ban for biting Chelsea defender Bransilav Ivanovic in a match last Sunday.

“Very happy with this great win!!!” Suarez wrote on Twitter. “Congratulations to all my teammates!!!!”

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was glad to shift the focus away from the fight with the Football Association and show the team’s unity.

“It’s been a very, very difficult week,” Rodgers said. “It was a real test for us.”

The win lifted Liverpool’s spirits but not its position in the standings, where it remains seventh - five points and a place below neighbor Everton, which beat Fulham, 1-0.

Tottenham remains fifth after missing a chance to move back into the four Champions League places by drawing, 2-2, at Wigan and relying on Emmerson Boyce’s own goal to earn the point.

Tottenham is level on points with Chelsea, but its London rival has a superior goal difference and a game in hand in fourth. The London rivals are still to play each other with the season drawing to a close.

Manchester City strengthened its grip on second place, when Yaya Toure’s late curling strike clinched a 2-1 win over West Ham.

Stoke eased its relegation fears by beating Norwich, 1-0, while Southampton was a point behind after losing 3-0 to West Bromwich Albion.

Wigan was on course to climb out of the relegation zone until Aaron Lennon’s low cross went into the net off Boyce in the 90th.

Nearby in Manchester, a stoppage time goal counted for little - apart from leaving City goalkeeper Joe Hart red-faced.

Andy Carroll’s shot squirmed through Hart’s legs but City had already safeguarded the victory.

Sergio Aguero put City ahead in the 28th after being set up by Samir Nasri, who cut through the West Ham defense by playing a one-two with David Silva.

Toure curled the winner into the top corner of the net in the 83rd after also being teed up by Nasri.

AP