Raheem Sterling scores in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Reading

Liverpool: Teenage forward Raheem Sterling scored his first Liverpool goal to secure a 1-0 win over Reading and to give manager Brendan Rodgers his maiden home league victory against his former club.

Sterling, at 17 years and 317 days old, became the club's second-youngest Premier League scorer behind Michael Owen.

Liverpool created enough chances to score several more, dominating the first half completely but again struggling to convert its opportunities into goals.

Sterling, at 17 years and 317 days old, became the club's second-youngest Premier League scorer behind Michael Owen.

But Sterling finally made the breakthrough in the 29th minute when he received a delicate flick-on by Luis Suarez and raced through the inside-right channel to fire a shot into the far corner of the net.

He had a chance to make it 2-0 shortly after the halftime break when he turned smartly in the penalty area but sent his shot straight at goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

Elsewhere, Defender Chris Baird scored a rare goal for Fulham to secure a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Craven Cottage.

Baird met a cross from John Arne Riise to score in the 84th minute, just his third goal for the club since his arrival in 2007.

The victory improves Fulham's strong recent home form, giving the Cottagers 32 points from a possible 42 in 2012.

Also, West Ham produced a devastating attacking performance in the second half to beat Southampton 4-1 and keep up its impressive start to life back in the League.

All five goals came in an entertaining second half, with Mark Noble scoring twice to add to goals by fellow midfielder Kevin Nolan and substitute striker Modibo Maiga at Upton Park.

Adam Lallana's strike for Southampton made it 2-1 in the 63rd minute but their sloppiness at the back means the team has conceded 24 goals in its eight league games.

The victory was West Ham's third in five home matches and lifted the team to seventh position on 14 points — the same as fifth-place Tottenham.

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