LONDON — West Bromwich Albion completed a stunning Premier League double over Liverpool Monday with a 2-0 win at Anfield after Steven Gerrard missed a chance to put the home side ahead with a second-half penalty. Gareth McAuley headed home in the 80th minute, with what was only the Baggies' second attempt on goal in a lop-sided game, to break the deadlock and substitute Romelu Lukaku doubled the tally 10 minutes later. The victory marked a dream return to Anfield for manager Steve Clarke, the former Liverpool assistant coach, after his side beat Liverpool 3-0 in the opening game of the season. The visitors leapfrogged Liverpool to take eighth place on 37 points, behind Swansea City on goal difference. Liverpool has 36. Goalkeeper Ben Foster was the hero on the night, saving Gerrard's 76th minute spot kick after Luis Suarez went down under a challenge from Jonas Olsson. Foster also denied Gerrard in the 50th, when he smothered a close-range effort by the captain, and 20 minutes later when he kept the ball out of the net with a superb one-handed reflex save. The visitors had never threatened in a muted first half while Liverpool had Jonjo Shelvey ruled offside after getting the ball in the net in the eighth minute and Luis Suarez refused a penalty claim. West Brom did not even need the services of striker Peter Odemwingie, an isolated figure texting in the stands after failing to make the bench following his much-derided attempt to join Queens Park Rangers in the January transfer window. Valladolid holds Betis Real Betis failed to capitalize on its chances and was held to a 0-0 draw at home against Valladolid Monday in a mid-table clash in the Spanish league. Betis was the more attacking side and had created five chances compared to none for the visitors halfway through the second half, but poor finishing and solid goalkeeping from Daniel Hernandez kept the game scoreless. Valladolid then upped the pace until Serbian defender Antonio Rukavina was sent off for a second yellow card in the 75th minute for a foul, with replays indicating he had made a clean challenge. Betis defender Antonio Amaya was sent off in injury time for a dangerous high kick, leaving both teams to finish with 10 men. Keshi rescinds resignation The Nigeria Football Federation said Tuesday that national coach Stephen Keshi has rescinded his resignation and negotiations continue between the two sides following the team's win at the African Cup of Nations. Keshi and the Super Eagles, who beat Burkina Faso 1-0 Sunday to win the African Cup for the first time in 19 years, returned Tuesday to celebrations and a presidential gala in Nigeria's capital, Abuja. Keshi's resignation, which he publicly announced on a South African radio station Monday night, served as yet another major embarrassment for the country's football regime, which has been surrounded by allegations of corruption and mismanagement for years. The federation issued a statement early Tuesday morning, labeled as being on behalf of Keshi, saying the coach had taken back his resignation letter. — Agencies
