London, May 2 (IANS): A spectacular goal by Emre Can powered Liverpool to a 1-0 victory over Watford in the English Premier League at the Vicarage Road stadium here.

The win on Monday allowed Liverpool to tighten their grip on third place in the Premier League and the Champions League berth that goes with it, reports Efe.

The away triumph eased the sting of the Liverpool's recent loss to Crystal Palace at Anfield and left them three points ahead of fourth-place Manchester City, though the Citizens have a game in hand.

What turned out to be the only goal of the match came in first-half stoppage time.

Lucas Leiva delivered a cross into the area and Can scored with a perfectly executed bicycle kick that seems likely to become a candidate for goal of the year.

Watford mounted periods of sustained pressure in the second half and Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet needed to be sharp to preserve the lead.

The hosts nearly pulled level in second-half stoppage time, but Sebastian Prodl's shot bounced off the crossbar.

With 40 points from 34 matches, Watford is eight points clear of the drop zone.