Michael Dawson (C) of Hull City celebrates with teammates after scoring against Liverpool during their Premier League match at the Kingston Communications Stadium in Hull Tuesday. — Reuters

 

HULL — Michael Dawson’s first-half header gave Hull a 1-0 victory over Liverpool Tuesday that pushed the northeast England club closer to Premier League survival.



The Hull captain timed his move to perfection to power home a cross from Ahmed Elmohamady in the 37th minute.



The loss is a further blow to Liverpool’s hoping of qualifying for the Champions League for a second successive season.  Liverpool is seven points behind Manchester United, which is fourth in the final qualification spot for Europe’s elite competition.



The win moved Hull four points clear of the relegation zone with four games to play.



Wigan, the 2013 FA Cup winners, drop to the English third-tier next season after relegation from the Championship Tuesday.



Rotherham’s 2-1 defeat of Reading did it for Wigan, who will be joined in League One by Millwall and already-relegated bottom side Blackpool.



Messi, Suarez on target



Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Getafe 6-0 Tuesday to stay on course to reclaim the Spanish league title. Barcelona’s ninth win in 10 rounds provisionally lifted it five points clear of Real Madrid.



Messi converted a ninth-minute penalty earned by Suarez to get Barcelona rolling at Camp Nou before setting up the Uruguay striker’s first goal. Neymar was next to get onto the score sheet before Xavi Hernandez and Suarez both struck before halftime.



Messi scored again just after the restart for his 49th goal in 49 games in all competitions this season.



Also, David Moyes’ Real Sociedad fought back with 10 men for a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao in a Basque Country derby, while last-place Cordoba moved one step closer to relegation after losing 1-0 at Levante.



Di Natale ties Baggio record



Antonio Di Natale matched Roberto Baggio with his 205th Serie A goal Tuesday, as his nine-man Udinese side lost 2-1 to Inter Milan.



Also, Serie B leader Carpi secured its first promotion to the top division. Mauro Icardi converted a penalty for Inter in the 48th, Di Natale equalized two minutes later and Lukas Podolski scored the winner in the 65th.



PSG moves 3 points clear



Paris Saint-Germain won its game in hand against relegation-threatened Metz 3-1 Tuesday to move three points clear of Lyon at the top of the French league with four games remaining.



Italy midfielder Marco Verratti scored in the 25th minute with only his second league goal in 85 games for PSG.



Elsewhere, Troyes was promoted to the first division after beating Angers 2-1 at home.  — Agencies