Liverpool moves to within one point of United

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03/22/2009 - Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Steven Gerrard scored three times to lead Liverpool to a resounding 5-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday, reducing Manchester United's lead over the Reds to just one point.

United still has a game in hand but they have lost their last two games, while Liverpool is flying with four straight wins by a combined 15-1 score.

Aston Villa's Champions League hopes take another huge hit with the loss and the Villains are now three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal after a five- game winless skid.

The game got off to a great start for the hosts as Gerrard's free kick was deflected off the crossbar by the head of Xabi Alonso and Dirk Kuyt smashed home the rebound after eight minutes.

John Carew almost had a response for Villa in the 25th minute when he turned a strong header on goal that forced Pepe Reina to make a great reaction save, but Liverpool went up two goals 10 minutes later.

Reina punted the ball long and the Villa defense failed to deal with it, allowing the ball to bounce once while Alberto Riera ran under it and ripped a volley off the underside of the crossbar and in.

The lead then grew to 3-0 before halftime as Riera got into the box and was brought down by Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker, allowing Gerrard to step to the penalty spot and send goalkeeper Brad Friedel the wrong way.

Things got worse shortly after the break when Gerrard found the bottom right corner from a free kick at the edge of the area, and Friedel's nightmare afternoon was complete when he brought down Fernando Torres inside the box, earning himself a straight red card.

Gerrard then completed his hat trick with another successful penalty kick, capping another comprehensive win for Liverpool.

Manchester City moved into 10th with a 1-0 win over 10-man Sunderland as George McCartney was sent off after 15 minutes, while Robinho missed a penalty kick five minutes later. However, City did eventually go ahead with Micah Richards scoring his first goal of the season in the 56th minute to win the game.

Sunday's other contest saw Wigan take over seventh place as Ben Watson scored in the 84th minute to give the Latics a 1-0 win over Hull City.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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