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Steven Gerrard, Liverpool captain, made up for his midweek England disappointment with a virtuoso performance to inspire his side to a 3-0 English Premier League thrashing of Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Later, Everton had a day out at home in a 7-1 thrashing of Sunderland at Goodison Park, while Bolton upset Manchester United 1-0.

In Newcastle, Gerrard was booed by sections of the home crowd in a backlash against England’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008 but he responded with a thunderous opening goal and also had a big hand in the other two.

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, centre, unleashes an unstoppable swerving shot to open the scoring

By the end of the match, Newcastle fans’ anger had turned on their own team and in particular manager Sam Allardyce, with ironic chants of ‘Big Sam for England’ ringing round the stadium.

The Magpies are now without a win in four matches.

“We have to be happy with the way we played,” Rafael Benitez, Liverpool manager, said.
“The mentality of the players, the commitment and the passing were excellent.

“It is important to keep the team winning and we are in a good position.”

Gerrard gave Liverpool a well deserved lead after 28 minutes when he smashed an unstoppable shot past Shay Given from around 30 metres after a free-kick was tapped to him by Brazilian midfielder Lucas.

Spaniard Fernando Torres, who missed at least four good chances throughout the match, was denied for Liverpool on the stroke of halftime when he hit the post with the goal wide open after Given had charged out.

Two early second-half goals

Liverpool stretched their lead straight after the break when Dirk Kuyt bundled in a Gerrard corner, and the midfielder was involved again when he crossed for Ryan Babel to slot home the third goal after 66 minutes.

Everton’s Australian midfielder Tim Cahill, left,scores his side’s fourth goal
Liverpool, who are still unbeaten in the league this season, moved up to third with 27 points, although both Manchester City and Chelsea can go back above them later on Saturday.

Benitez will be relieved to see the Reds extend their impressive start to the league campaign after Liverpool’s American owners issued a stinging rebuke to the Spaniard following a disagreement over transfer funds.

Among the other matches on Saturday, league leaders Arsenal host Wigan and Manchester United travel to Bolton, while Chelsea face Derby at Pride Park in the late game.

Everton’s magnificent seven