Own goals rescue Liverpool, Stoke pip Swansea

Liverpool secured a second successive Premier League victory, although they left it late to beat Queens Park Rangers 3-2 at Loftus Road.

Steven Caulker’s own goal deep into stoppage time eventually settled matters in an explosive finish with four goals in eight minutes.

Liverpool had led through an earlier own goal courtesy of Richard Dunne, only to be pegged back by Eduardo Vargas four minutes from time.

Philippe Coutinho looked to have won it for the Reds with a 90th-minute effort, but Vargas forced home a header to level almost immediately.

Caulker, though, was the unfortunate party, turning in Raheem Sterling’s cross after a lightning Liverpool break.

The win is a welcome one for Brendan Rodgers, given the Reds had not won back-to-back league games this season.

The result lifts the Reds to fifth in the Barclays Premier League table.

At the Britannia stadium, Jon Walters came off the bench to help Stoke to a 2-1 victory over Swansea.

Walters’ headed goal decided a game that was looking to end in a draw after two controversial penalties.

Wilfried Bony put the visitors ahead from the spot in the 34th minute after being hauled to the ground by Ryan Shawcross.

Referee Michael Oliver was again in the spotlight nine minutes later when he awarded the Potters a penalty after Victor Moses went down under the challenge of Angel Rangel.

Charlie Adam stepped up to slot home and tie the game up.

Walters came on for Mame Biram Diouf with half an hour remaining and it proved to be the decisive tactical decision by Mark Hughes, as he headed home an Oussama Assaidi cross in the 73rd minute.

The result moved Stoke up to 10th in the table, equal on points with Swansea, who remain in eighth place.