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LONDON – Fernando Torres scored twice in the last two minutes to revive Liverpool's Premier League title hopes with a 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, cutting Manchester United's lead to two points.

The game appeared headed for a draw when Torres glanced home a cross by Fabio Aurelio in the 89th minute. His second goal a minute later was a tap-in after Chelsea defender Ashley Cole lost the ball inside the penalty area.

The victory enabled Liverpool to leapfrog Chelsea into second place. The Reds are two points behind Man United, which edged Everton 1-0 on Saturday but has a game in hand on both rivals. Man United has 53 points from 23 games, Liverpool has 51 from 24 and Chelsea 48 from 24.

Chelsea played the last 30 minutes with 10 men after Frank Lampard was ejected for a sliding tackle on Xabi Alonso. In a game littered with fouls, referee Mike Riley also called fouls on four Liverpool and three Chelsea players.

After four straight league and cup draws dropped Liverpool from first to third, the victory took some pressure off coach Rafa Benitez.

In Sunday's other game, Newcastle drew 1-1 with neighbor Sunderland to climb two places further from the relegation zone but still only a point ahead of those in deeper trouble.