Liverpool beat West Ham to close in on Chelsea

LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) Liverpool joined the Premier League title chase with a 2-1 win at struggling West Ham United that left them two points behind champions Chelsea.

Goals from Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt and England forward Peter Crouch made it nine wins from 10 league games and they now have 49 points. Chelsea have 51 and leaders Manchester United are on 57.

West Ham's Spanish loan striker Kepa Blanco came off the bench to score on his debut in the 77th minute, but the London club remain mired in the drop zone, 18th in the table.

Reading moved up to eighth with a 3-2 comeback win over Wigan Athletic, who are just above the relegation places, Sheffield United beat Fulham 2-0 and Portsmouth finished 0-0 with Middlesbrough in the night's other games.

Reuters DH VP0425