Liverpool hit five to consolidate top spot

(CNN) -- Captain Steven Gerrard scored twice as Liverpool routed Newcastle 5-1 to guarantee that they will head the Premier League going into the New Year.

The win takes them three points clear of second-placed Chelsea who were held to a 2-2 draw by west London neighbors Fulham in a later match.

Newcastle fans went to Sunday's early kick off at St James' Park digesting the news that owner Mike Ashley had given up his plans to sell the club.

By the finish they were left reflecting on a heavy defeat which leaves them looking over their shoulders in the relegation battle.

By contrast, Liverpool are eyeing a first English title in 18 years and their confidence was clear from the start with only the heroics of home keeper Shay Given preventing further goals.

Gerrard was on target for his first goal just after the half hour mark with a close range strike from a Yossi Benayoun cutback.

Central defender Sami Hyypia then doubled the advantage with a header from a Gerrard corner five minutes later.

Newcastle were given some hope just before half time as defender David Edgar headed home after a muddle in the Liverpool defense, but the joy was short lived.

The second half was only five minutes old when another Gerrard corner was helped on by Lucas for Ryan Babel to score a third.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen might have cut the gap when his free kick struck the woodwork after he had been tripped but Gerrard made sure of the three points with a 66th minute fourth after being put through by Lucas.

Xabi Alonso added a fifth from the penalty spot after Edgar brought down substitute David Ngog to complete a miserable afternoon for the home side.

The result vindicated the decision of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez to leave Robbie Keane on the bench, despite the Irish star's three goals in the previous two matches.

Benitez, who is recovering from a kidney stones operation, again sat in the stands, but would have been delighted by the performance of his title challengers.

His assistant Sammy Lee, who played in the last Liverpool team to win the league championship, told Press Association that the current crop had the ability to emulate them.

"The sides I played in -- it seems such a long time ago, it was in black and white when I played," he said.

"We have got a belief. It's not an arrogance -- hopefully it doesn't sound conceited, but we prepare to succeed, we don't prepare to fail.

"These lads are working very, very hard to make sure they get out the game what we feel as a club they deserve."