STOKE, England — Liverpool slumped to its sixth loss of the Premier League season Wednesday, with a 3-1 collapse at Stoke stalling another attempt to close in on the Champions League places. Liverpool won a penalty after just 30 seconds when Luis Suarez was fouled by Ryan Shawcross, and Steven Gerrard converted from the spot. But Stoke responded in the fifth minute when Jonathan Walters scored the first of two goals either side of Kenwyne Jones' header for the hosts. Stoke rose above Liverpool into eighth place at the season's halfway point. Liverpool had won two of its last three games before traveling to Stoke, but is now in 10th place, eight points behind the last of the four Champions League places. ‘Bale one of the best' Gareth Bale was hailed as one of the world's best players Wednesday after a quick-fire hat trick steered Tottenham to a 4-0 win over Aston Villa. The Welsh international scored in the 61st, 73rd and 84th minutes at Villa Park as Tottenham went into fourth place in the Premier League. “He is up there with the best,” said Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas. “He is showing tremendous skills and talent, I think he is improving every day - he is such a young player - and he is helping the team. He is one of our major assets.” Rooney faces 3 weeks out Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney faces spending up to three weeks out with a knee injury. Manager Alex Ferguson said the injury was sustained while the player tried to hit a volley toward the end of training Tuesday. Ferguson said Rooney “strained a ligament behind the knee. It's unfortunate, and he could be out for two to three weeks.” The England international missed United's 4-3 win over Newcastle Wednesday. Ferguson didn't specify which knee was injured. Cardiff eyes promotion Cardiff boosted its bid to reach the Premier League with a 2-1 win over promotion rivals Crystal Palace Wednesday. Palace's defeat dropped Ian Holloway's team to fourth place, two points behind second placed Hull and one behind Middlesbrough in third. Hull was frustrated by former boss Nigel Pearson as the host had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Leicester at the KC Stadium. Middlesbrough bounced back from Saturday's defeat at Leeds to keep its automatic promotion hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Blackburn at the Riverside Stadium. Billy Sharp struck twice as Nottingham Forest turned on the style either side of half-time to send in-form Leeds spiraling to a 4-2 defeat at the City Ground. Elsewhere, Sheffield Wednesday maintained its recent revival with a 1-0 win at Bolton, while Peterborough improved its hopes of avoiding relegation thanks to a 3-0 victory at Wolves. Burnley beat Derby 2-0, Ipswich won 2-1 at Charlton, Birmingham defeated Barnsley 2-1 and Huddersfield drew 1-1 with Blackpool. — Agencies
