VIDEO: Fabio Borini Scores the Winner as Liverpool Handed Advantage

Relegation threatened Sunderland continue to do Liverpool all kinds of favours. If pulling off a shock 2-2 draw with Manchester City wasn’t good enough, they did the impossible and squeaked out a 2-1 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge yesterday. And who scored the winner you might ask? None other than Reds loanee Fabio Borini.

The former Chelsea man — who plied his trade in London under Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers during his time at the Bridge — continues to prove he’s the man for the big occasion. Although he was deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield this season, the kind of experience and match time he’s getting under Gus Poyet at the Stadium of Light is invaluable to his progress; exactly what we were looking for when we sent him out on loan.

With nine minutes remaining in normal time and the score tied at one apiece, Jozy Altidore went down under a contentious challenge from Cesar Azpilicueta and Borini made no mistake from the spot, beating backup ‘keeper Mark Schwarzer and handing Sunderland a famous victory — and, at the same time, his parent club a massive advantage in the title race.

The Reds travel to Carrow Road tomorrow, and should they win, they’ll hold a five point advantage when Chelsea travel to Anfield next weekend. With a mere four matches remaining in the season, Liverpool are on the brink of claiming their first title of the Premier League era. There’s still a lot of football left to play, but despite Borini not even playing for the Reds this season, he could have just scored one of the most important goals of their season.