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Steven Gerrard slotted in a 76th minute penalty to earn Premier League leaders Liverpool a win over Portsmouth.

1-0 S.Gerrard (Pen) 76′

Gerrard scored after Papa Bouba Diop undid his side’s resolute performance by handling a corner in Pompey boss Tony Adams’ first game in charge.

Until then, Dirk Kuyt’s shot being parried against the post was the closest Liverpool had come to a goal.

Yossi Benayoun was also denied for the home side after a last-ditch Younes Kaboul tackle before Gerrard’s winner.

Pompey belatedly pushed forward in search of an equaliser after the goal but Liverpool held on for a win to stay three points clear at the top of the table.

However, it was a close call for the Reds after manager Rafael Benitez had made four changes from the side that beat Chelsea on Sunday.