Back to back defeats for the first time in the league in four years, six goals conceded and only one scored, a possible 10-point lead more than halved and humiliation at home to their fiercest rivals. Manchester United may want to forget March 2009 as quickly as possible, but to Patrice Evra what looks alarmingly like a slump is no more than "a little accident"

The French defender is as baffled as the rest of his Old Trafford team-mates as to how they have had their aura of invincibility shattered, first by Liverpool and then Fulham as what looked like a Premier League title procession has turned into a dogfight.

But Evra remains confident United will be able to put their blip behind them when Sir Alex Ferguson's squad reconvenes after international duty next week.

He said: "I have been at Manchester United for three years now and this is the first time I have lost two straight matches. But I am sure it is just a little accident."

Evra's confidence is matched by that of team-mate Rio Ferdinand, who believes the champions' greater experience, as well as their putative four-point lead, stands them in good stead for the resumption of domestic hostilities in nine days' time.

But the England international believes Ferguson's side will have to win all of their remaining league games if they are to see off an increasingly stern challenge from a resurgent Liverpool side.

"That's always the case at this stage of the season," Ferdinand said. "We have gained some great experience that it comes down to winning at all costs, so hopefully we can lean on that."

However, midfielder Darren Fletcher conceded that their task will be made harder by the combined effects of suspension, international travel and their commitments in the Champions League.

"We would have been desperate for another league game but unfortunately the international break has come along," he said. "Hopefully it's just a setback but it's easy talking about it, you have got to prove that on the pitch."

Ferguson will have to juggle his resources as best he can for the visit of Aston Villa a week on Sunday, a game that comes just 48 hours before the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash with Porto.

Nemanja Vidic, nominated by Ferdinand as United's player of the season, will miss the game through suspension, while Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes will join him on the sidelines.

United will also face a battle to engage the services of Ji-Sung Park, who is in Seoul for South Korea's derby with the North next week, and Anderson, who is in the Brazil squad for a double header with Ecuador and Peru.

Of the 20 United players called up for international duty, though, it is Carlos Tevez who will concern Ferguson most. With Rooney missing, the Argentine should be in line to face Villa but he will have to overcome the long flight back from La Paz, where Diego Maradona's side face Bolivia on Wednesday, as well as the effects of playing at an altitude of 3,600 metres.

- Telegraph.co.uk

Darren Fletcher has admitted that Manchester United are desperate for game-time in order to get their faltering title challenge back on track.

Two consecutive defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Fulham have derailed United's campaign and they are eager to play again to prove their worth as champions.

"We would have liked another game straight away to respond to a couple of difficult games," said Fletcher.

United have conceded six goals and scored only once in their two defeats, while Liverpool have scored 13 in only three games. This is a trend that Fletcher and his colleagues will be keen to reverse.

"We would have been desperate for another league game. But I think Liverpool would have been wanting the league to continue, so you never know. We just have to deal with it." The 25-year-old argues the only way United can prove their form is just a blip is by getting out on the field and playing. "It's easy for me to say it's only a blip but we have to go out on the park and show it's only a blip," he said.

Scotland face Holland in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, and Fletcher is relieved his United team-mate Edwin Van der Sar has chosen to remain in retirement. "I don't know if the manager [Scotsman Sir Alex Ferguson] had a word in his ear because he was playing Scotland!

But he made the decision and I like to think that's good for Scotland," said the midfielder.

- Telegraph.co.uk

Manchester United breathed a sigh of relief yesterday after the FA indicated that it will take no further action against Wayne Rooney or Sir Alex Ferguson in the wake of the 2-0 defeat by Fulham on Saturday.

The FA has written to Rooney to warn him about his future conduct after the England forward’s show of dissent at Craven Cottage, where he lashed out at a corner flag as he left the pitch after being sent off for two bookable offences by Phil Dowd.

Dowd, the referee, confirmed in his official report to the governing body that he had not been verbally abused by Rooney after showing the player a second yellow card for reacting angrily to the official’s insistence that a United free kick be taken from its correct position. Rooney, who had earlier been booked for a foul, hurled the ball past the referee in a temper.

However, he will serve only a one-game ban, which will rule him out of United’s Barclays Premier League game at home to Aston Villa on Sunday week.

Paul Scholes, the midfield player, will also miss the Villa match through suspension after being shown a straight red card for handling the ball on the goalline, from a Bobby Zamora header.

Ferguson also escaped censure, despite openly criticising the performance of the referee, news that will no doubt anger Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, who accused his United counterpart in January of getting preferential treatment from the FA. The United manager had said, “It’s Phil Dowd, so what do you expect?”, when asked for his assessment of the referee’s performance.

The FA said: “Phil Dowd has confirmed to the FA that he was not verbally abused by Wayne Rooney following his red card against Fulham on Saturday.

“The FA will not take any disciplinary action against the player in relation to his behaviour towards the match referee. In light of Rooney’s actions as he left the field of play, the FA has written to him and warned him about his conduct.”

- TimesOnline

The United veteran reckons the biggest game of the season is approaching in the form of Aston Villa...

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has stated that he feels that the game against Aston Villa has become critical if United are to regain the title this season.

The Red Devils have suffered two defeats in their last two Premier League games, losing 4-1 at home to arch rivals Liverpool, and 2-0 at Craven Cottage to Fulham yesterday, and desperately need to steady the ship as Liverpool make some seriously big waves behind them.

35-year-old Giggs believes that now is the time for cool heads, and claims the squad will be fully focused for the visit of Villa after the international break.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Giggs said, "We're obviously disappointed with the result. After losing last weekend, we wanted to come here and put on a good performance.

"Chelsea losing is better than them winning, but we have got to do our own job and not worry about the teams around us.

"It is still in our hands. The lads are going away on international breaks now and I hope we don't get too many injuries. Hopefully, we can get back on track against Villa."

This statement was backed by his manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who also said that they can use their slender lead in the title race to their advantage.

"As I've said, when you lose games in March and April, it can cost you.

"Fortunately, we have a slender lead at the moment but it's not a lot. Obviously, I'm hoping we go away for the internationals and come back at our best.

"We've got a home game against Aston Villa in our next game and that's absolutely crucial."

Ferguson's side are currently in first place in the Premier League, one point ahead of Liverpool and with a game in hand. But they will need to stop the run of defeats quickly, to prevent their Premier league crown from slipping.

- Goal.com

Fergie didn't bother trying to hide his disappointment regarding United's defeat at Craven Cottage...

Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney both saw red at Fulham as Manchester United sank to a 2-0 defeat, their second loss on the trot.

A blatant handball from the former allowed Danny Murphy to put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot on 17 minutes amid a hugely disappointing first-half display from the Red Devils.

United made some tactical changes at the interval and looked a completely different, well-drilled outfit thereafter, but their numerical disadvantage meant that piling forward left them exposed at the back. Zoltan Gera made good use of this fact and sealed the win for the home side with a late clincher.

"I was disappointed with the first half, I must admit," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the press.

"We didn't get started at all and that's cost us the game.

"They were lively and they got stuck in, and we expected that. They lost 4-0 to us a few weeks ago so we expected a response from them. We didn't meet that challenge. I think we can thank Edwin van der Sar for keeping us in it.

"In fairness to the team, in the second half they responded to the half-time talking and I think we were unlucky not to get something out of it. Their goalkeeper's made some terrific saves but we've missed a few chances ourselves.

"It's inevitable that one of their counterattacks will put you in trouble, and that cost us the game. We did really well and we were unlucky. If they'd have got the goal back then they may have even won it. In fairness they kept going and good credit to them for that."

United's consecutive defeats have shortened the gap between the league leaders and a chasing Liverpool to just four points, a deficit that could be shortened further should 'Pool overcome Aston Villa on Sunday.

"As I've said, when you lose games in March and April it can cost you," said Ferguson.

"Fortunately, we have a slender lead at the moment but it's not a lot. Obviously I'm hoping we go away for the internationals and come back at our best.

"We've got a home game against Aston Villa in our next game and that's absolutely crucial."

- Goal.com

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been given a one-match ban by The FA after being sent-off in United's 2-0 Premier League defeat against Fulham on Saturday.

23-year-old Rooney was sent off by referee Phil Dowd for two bookable offences, the second card after seemingly throwing the ball in the direction of thr referee, also punching the corner flag in frustration while leaving the pitch.

But in his report, Dowd said that there were no unsavoury comments from Rooney, meaning the former Everton star won't face any extra sanctions beyond the one-match suspension.

The suspension means that Manchester United will not only be missing Wayne Rooney for the visit of Aston Villa to Old Trafford in United's next Premier League fixture on April 5, but The Red Devils will also be without central defender Nemanja Vidic, who was sent-off against Liverpool, and Paul Scholes, who saw a straight red-card in the match against Fulham.

The FA confirmed the one-match ban for Rooney on Monday, with an FA spokesperson saying: "We have clarified with Phil Dowd that there was no abuse from the player after he was dismissed.

"In relation to the incident when he punched the corner flag, the referee did not see that and we have written to Wayne Rooney reminding him of his responsibilities."

- premiershiplatest.com

A disappointed Ryan Giggs gave his thoughts on Manchester United's second consecutive league loss after Fulham beat them 2-0 at Craven Cottage...

Ryan Giggs spoke to MUTV tonight after his Mancheter United team's defeat at Fulham, giving his own spin on what today's results - including Chelsea's shock result against Spurs - mean in terms of the battle for the title.

"We didn’t expect that [Spurs] result... it’s better than [Chelsea] winning," said the Welshman.

"We’ve got to do our own job, not worry about the teams around us. It’s still in our hands."

Despite feeling that the title race is still being very much dominated by the Red Devils, Giggs is well aware of the severity of the back-to-back losses his team have suffered, an occurrence so rare that one must delve back four years and 148 matches into the past to find the last time United suffered consecutive losses in the league.

"We’re obviously disappointed with the result. After losing last weekend, we wanted to come here and put on a good performance," Giggs continued.

"We didn’t do that in the first half - our passing was sloppy and our movement wasn’t good enough. We just couldn’t get it going, the tempo wasn’t good."

The veteran midfielder cited the sending off of Paul Scholes as a possible excuse for the sub-par performance by the champions.

"Scholesy’s sending off dealt us a double blow because we were down to ten men and Fulham were awarded a penalty. It was just instinct really – if you’re on the goal line, you’ll try and save it. He was unlucky to be the last man but it was a sending off."

Fully admitting that ex-Fulham keeper Edwin van der Sar kept his side in the game for a long time, Giggs credited his side with an improved second half performance, even if they couldn't salvage a result.

"Going a goal behind and down to ten men, we had to arrange our shape a little bit differently. We came out and played a lot better in the second half. We were on top, we created some good chances and their keeper made a couple of good saves. Had one of those efforts gone in then we could have gone on to win it but it wasn’t to be.

"Some of our lads now go away for the international break. Hopefully we won’t have any injuries and we can get back on track against [Aston] Villa."

- Goal.com

Manchester United implode for the second time in succession whilst Liverpool scent blood in the Premiership title race

SOMEBODY is cracking up in the Premier League and it is not Rafael Benitez. For the second Saturday in succession, Manchester United imploded, this time losing 2-0 at Fulham, to leave Liverpool scenting blood in the title race. Also for a successive weekend Sir Alex Ferguson’s team lost on-field discipline and finished a match without 11 men. At opposite ends of a remarkable match Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney were shown red cards by Phil Dowd, the referee, with Rooney’s sending-off causing his manager to complain furiously.

Chelsea suffered a surprise defeat by Tottenham to pass up the chance to close ground on United but Liverpool will move to within a single point of the champions should they beat Aston Villa at Anfield this afternoon. United’s lead was seven points just eight days ago but yesterday’s defeat, after last Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Liverpool, has put them under pressure. It is the first time in almost four years that Ferguson’s side have suffered consecutive league defeats and arguably United’s most seismic loss of form since losing 5-1 and 6-3 in successive games against Newcastle and Southampton in 1996-97.

Scholes was ordered off for deliberately handling a header from Bobby Zamora on the goalline and Danny Murphy put Fulham ahead from the spot. Then, after Zoltan Gera made it 2-0 in the 85th minute, Rooney, already cautioned, was booked again for dissent after Dowd ordered a quickly-worked free kick to be retaken. Rooney, right, threw the ball back towards the official. After protesting against his red card furiously Rooney showed even further dissent when he punched a corner flag on his way off.

Ferguson prevented his players from surrounding Dowd at full-time but attacked the referee in his post-match interview. Of Scholes’ red card he said. “It was close to him and he could have easily got out of it but it’s Phil Dowd so what do you expect?” Regarding Rooney, Ferguson said: “The first thing I’d say is, ‘Did he throw the ball at the ref? The ball was thrown directly to where the kick was to be taken. Did it hit the ref? No. Did he throw the ball in anger? Yes, because he wanted the game hurried up.”

Ferguson did not excuse his side’s performance, admitting: “We didn’t play well enough in the first half to win.” Even if Liverpool win today, United will have a game in hand. “Fortunately we have a slender lead at the moment. We hope to go away on the international break and come back, back to our best,” Ferguson said.

- Times Online

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged his team were not good enough as they 2-0 lost at Fulham.

The defeat, on the back of last week's 4-1 home reverse against Liverpool, means the Barclays Premier League leaders have suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time in 147 games.

After Danny Murphy (penalty) and Zoltan Gera had scored in each half to condemn his team to a 2-0 defeat, Ferguson said: "In the first half we never got started. They were lively and got stuck in and we respect that - they lost 4-0 to us a couple of weeks ago. But it's disappointing we didn't meet the challenge."

He added: "If you lose games in March and April it can cost you. Fortunately we have a slender lead at the moment but not a lot and I'm hoping we come back from the internationals back to our best."

Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney were both sent off by referee Phil Dowd - Scholes in the 17th minute for handling a Bobby Zamora header on the goal line and substitute Rooney for a second bookable offence.

The latter dismissal frustrated Ferguson, who added on MUTV: "Did he (Rooney) throw the ball at the referee? The ball was thrown direct to where the free-kick was being taken - did it hit the referee? No.

"He threw it because he wanted to get the game going. What can you say about that?

"There wasn't a bad tackle in the game but John Pantsil was booked in the first half for nothing - it was just a tackle. Tackling isn't always perfect - I thought it was totally unfair.

"But there's no point talking about the referee - we didn't play well enough to win the game in the first half and that's why we lost it.

"In the second half I thought we did really well - they kept going and credit to them. But we're home to Aston Villa in our next game - and that will be crucial."

- Press Association

Fulham and Manchester United go head to head for the third time in just over a month at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

All eyes will be on the Red Devils to see if they can bounce back from the humiliation heaped on them by rivals Liverpool after the 4-1 defeat last weekend.

United still have a four point cushion over their rivals, with the added insurance of a game in hand, but their capitulation in their last outing will have the Cottagers believing they can cause an upset.

Roy Hodgson's men ended a run of two straight defeats at Craven Cottage in the league, having lost just once at home previously, by picking up their first away win of the season when they triumphed 3-1 over Bolton last Saturday.
Fulham team news

Hodgson will know all about United after their previous two encounters and after conceding seven goals in those two games, four in the last meeting in the FA Cup, the former Inter boss may opt for a more cautious approach.

A switch from their usual 4-4-2 formation to a more compact 4-5-1 is a possibility with striker Bobby Zamora likely to miss out if he decides on the latter.

Fellow striker Diomansy Kamara is pushing for a start after making several appearances from the bench in recent weeks, as he has now fully recovering from a knee injury which has sidelined him since the summer.

The Senegal international netted the third against Bolton last time out to claim his first goal of the season and is an option up front.

Defender Aaron Hughes was substituted late on in the 2-1 defeat to Blackburn last week and was a doubt for the clash at the Reebok.

But the Northern Irish international came through the 90 minutes last weekend unscathed and is set to start again.

Man United team news

Defender Nemanja Vidic will have to wait a while longer to erase the painful memories of last Saturday as he misses the match through suspension after picking up a red card against Liverpool.

The 27-year-old will miss two Premier League games, the other being Aston Villa next week so Jonny Evans should come in.

Defenders Wes Brown (foot) and Rafael Da Silva (ankle) remain sidelined with the Brazilian expected to be back training within ten days.

Fellow right-back Gary Neville has recovered from his injury and is back in the squad and could feature.

After a disappointing showing last weekend midfielder Anderson could find himself back on the bench, with Darren Fletcher stepping in to replace him.

Striker Dimitar Berbatov should also come back into the starting line-up after coming off the bench last time out. Carlos Tevez is most likely to be the one to make way.

Possible starting XI's:

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Konchesky, Hughes, Hangeland, Davies, Dempsey, Murphy, Etuhu, Zamora, Johnson.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Evra, Ferdinand, Evans, Giggs, Ronaldo, Park, Fletcher, Berbatov, Rooney.

- SkySport

LONDON, March 19 (Reuters) - Manchester United's trademark reaction to a setback in more than two decades under Alex Ferguson has been to come out with all guns blazing and the manager will expect nothing less at Fulham on Saturday.

Last week's 4-1 defeat by Liverpool after 11 consecutive Premier League wins did more than dent a few egos, it stoked the embers of a title race that appeared to have been extinguished by United's relentless pursuit of a record-equalling 18th English crown.

Guus Hiddink, whose Chelsea side are locked together with Liverpool four points behind United, believes the door has been left slightly ajar and that the tension is back in the league season.

Rafa Benitez says Liverpool must win their remaining nine games to stand a chance of overhauling the leaders but he and Hiddink are in high spirits and will take more than a passing interest in events at Craven Cottage at the weekend.

Ferguson has seen it all before but even the old master, with 10 Premier League titles on his glittering CV, says the closing weeks of a title race can be an uncomfortable experience however many times you have done it.

"You only really relish it if you end up winning," Ferguson told MUTV. "You're prepared to go through the agony as long as you end up on top.

"It can be edgy but you have to accept the challenge. Being there is the greatest thing and that's what we are striving for."

BIG STATEMENT

United, who have a game in hand on Liverpool and Chelsea, will try to make a big statement at Fulham and slam the door firmly back in the faces of their pursuers.

With no midweek fixture to worry about, Ferguson's troops will have had a full week to lick their wounds and will be keen to make amends, even without suspended defender Nemanja Vidic.

Earlier this month they thrashed Fulham 4-0 at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup but will be expecting more resistance this time against a side still not clear of the relegation dogfight.

Chelsea, looking to maintain their unbeaten run since Hiddink took over last month, visit Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday while a rejuvenated Liverpool host fifth-placed Aston Villa on Sunday.

Midfielder Michael Ballack believes Chelsea are ready to pounce should United falter.

"It will be difficult to catch them but if they drop points we will be there," Ballack told the club's website (www.chelseafc.com).

Liverpool have been boosted by the news defender Daniel Agger is ready to return after being sidelined with a back problem while Alvaro Arbeloa is also expected to be in the squad after missing the win at United.

Elsewhere, Newcastle United host fourth-placed Arsenal on Saturday with just goal difference separating the St James' Park club and the bottom three.

- Reuters

Arsène Wenger said yesterday that Liverpool's win over Manchester United "flattered" Rafael Benitez's side and that United were still favourites to win the league.

The Arsenal manager will have to play second-string goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in his side's FA Cup quarter-final against Hull City tonight as well as 19-year-old left-back Kieran Gibbs.

The Polish goalkeeper Fabianski will play because Manuel Almunia is injured and a doubt for the game against Newcastle United on Saturday. He and Gibbs both started in the 3-0 win over Burnley in the previous round.

"At the moment I go from game to game and we know we have a cup game every game," Wenger said. "The coincidence for the Hull game is that it is a cup game, but even if it was a Premier League game I would have picked the same side."

Wenger, whose side are 13 points behind United, is unconvinced anyone can catch the champions, despite Liverpool's win on Saturday. "There are two things I'd like to say. Firstly, congratulations to Liverpool for winning with an emphatic score, but I think... it is a very flattering score.

"For big spells in the game, Manchester United dominated but they made mistakes on the day that usually they don't do. Some players looked a bit mentally tired. It opens up the race for the title, even though I still believe Manchester United are in a strong position with the game in hand."

- Independent

England boss insist the title race is not a foregone conclusion

Fabio Capello insists that the Premier League title race is not a foregone conclusion.

After Liverpool humiliated Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford last weekend, to take them to within four points of the champions, the England boss believes the title race is very much back on.

Chelsea are another side who find themselves back in the hunt for league success, with the Blues level on points with Liverpool, although United have the advantage of a game in hand on the duo.

The Italian, no stranger to capturing league titles himself, declared that whoever coped better under the pressure of the run-in would go on to win the Premier League.

"A month ago United were fresher," he told COM Radio.

"But then they played many games on the trot. This late on in the season, we all have to wait a bit more to see how each of the teams does at the moment of truth."

After guiding Real Madrid to the Spanish league title in 1997 and 2007 during two separate stints at the club, Capello still keeps a close eye on La Liga but it is his former club's rivals who have caught the eye this season.

- Skysports

Liverpool thrash Manchester United

Liverpool kept their title hopes alive with a 4-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

In a highly entertaining game, Liverpool came out victorious to close the gap at the top of the table to four points and put a few doubts in what appeared to be a stroll towards the league title for the Red Devils.

Manchester United opened the scoring when Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot. Park Ji Sung was brought down by Pepe Reina in the 23rd minute and Ronaldo rifled the ball into the back of the net.

Independent

Liverpool 4, ManU 1

Liverpool beat arch-rivals Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford to keep their English Premiership dreams alive.

Liverpool led 2-1 at half-time.

In the second half, Manchester United defender Vidic was red-carded in the 76th minute after dragging down Steven Gerrard just outside the penalty area.

Aurelio curled the free-kick into the top-right corner while Manchester United goal-keeper Van der Sar stood rooted to the spot.

In the 90th minute, Dossena latched onto a long ball and lobbed the ball over Van der Sar to hand Liverpool a 4-1 victory.

The Times


Man Utd 1-4 Liverpool

Liverpool revived their ambitions of claiming the Premier League title in remarkable fashion as they humiliated champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked on course to stretch their advantage at the top of the table when Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty gave them an early lead after Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina fouled Ji-Sung Park.

But Fernando Torres hounded Nemanja Vidic into a mistake eight minutes later and raced through to coolly beat Edwin van der Sar.

And the transformation was complete a minute before the interval when Steven Gerrard scored from the spot after he had been upended by Patrice Evra.

United's day of misery was summed up 15 minutes from time when Vidic, who had a nightmare afternoon at the hands of Torres, was sent off for fouling Gerrard and Fabio Aurelio brilliantly curled home the resulting free-kick from 25 yards.

The torment for United stretching into stoppage time when Liverpool substitute Andrea Dossena lobbed a composed finish over Van der Sar after being allowed to race unchallenged on to Reina's goal-kick.

BBC Sport


Four-star Liverpool triumph at United

Liverpool breathed fresh life into their Barclays Premier League title dream with a deserved 4-1 crushing of 10-man Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo put the Red Devils ahead from the spot midway through the opening period, but Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard turned the match on its head before the break.

Fabio Aurelio curled home a superb free-kick after Nemanja Vidic capped a dismal display with his second red card of the season against the Merseysiders, before Andrea Dossena lobbed home another in stoppage time.

The Press Association

Liverpool Storm Past Man United To Close Gap At Top

Liverpool came from behind to hit four goals at Old Trafford and reduce the gap at the top of table on a miserable day for the champions who also had Nemanja Vidic sent off.

Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool

After swatting aside Inter and Real Madrid in midweek, Manchester United and Liverpool renewed Premier League hostilities at Old Trafford.

Goal.com

Liverpool thrash Manchester United as Steven Gerrard's title hopes live on

First Real Madrid, now Manchester United. Liverpool arrived at Old Trafford dreaming of giving their title charge CPR. What they managed was a rout so comprehensive, so humiliating that by the end it was little less than resurrection.

Telegraph.co.uk

Liverpool secure major win over Man U

Liverpool have completed the season double over Man United with a 4-1 win to keep the Premier League title race going.

It's a first win at Old Trafford for Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and completes an incredible week for the club where they've scored eight goals.

Belfast Telegraph

Manchester United 1 - 4 Liverpool

Rafael Benitez might end up having the last laugh after all as his Liverpool side hauled themselves back into the title fight with a decisive 4-1 hammering of 10-man Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Merseyside giants battled back from a goal down to defeat the Premier League leaders in clinical fashion, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard turning the match on its head before the break, with Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena easing Liverpool well clear before the end.

ESPN