LONDON (AFP) – Liverpool breathed new life into the Premier League title race with a stunning 4-1 win against 10-man Manchester United on Saturday as the champions suffered their biggest home defeat in 17 years.
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard (L) scores a penalty against Manchester United during their Premier …
Rafael Benitez's side came from behind in an explosive clash at Old Trafford to move within four points of leaders United, who still have a game in hand on their bitter rivals.
Cristiano Ronaldo's 23rd minute penalty gave United the lead, but Fernando Torres capitalised on a mistake by Nemanja Vidic to equalise five minutes later.
Steven Gerrard scored from the spot to put Liverpool in front in the 44th minute after the England midfielder was fouled by Patrice Evra.
In the 77th minute, Vidic was sent off for hauling down Gerrard and Fabio Aurelio scored from the resulting free-kick.
Andrea Dossena completed a memorable day for the Reds when he lobbed in the fourth in the 90th minute, handing United their biggest home defeat since QPR ran riot at Old Trafford on New Year's Day 1992.
"We knew we had to win," Benitez said. "We have played better, but not against teams at the level of United so I am really pleased for the players.
"The league is very difficult but at least we now have more options and we are more confident that we can beat anyone and stay closer."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson added: "It is a hard one to take because I thought we were the better team and the score does not reflect that.
"If the league was starting today, you would take a four-point start. Now the thing is to respond."
Arsenal moved back into fourth place with a 4-0 win over Blackburn at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners climbed above Aston Villa thanks to Andrey Arshavin, who scored his first goals for the Gunners since his January move from Zenit St Petersburg.
Arshavin deflected in Theo Walcott's second minute cross and struck again in the 62nd minute with a superb solo effort.
Emmanuel Eboue scored with three minutes to go and the Ivorian also drove home a penalty in the final seconds.
Everton remain in the hunt for a top-four finish after beating Stoke 3-1 at Goodison Park.
Brazil striker Jo, on loan from Manchester City, opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a neat finish from Marouane Fellaini's pass.
Relegation threatened Stoke fell further behind when Joleon Lescott tapped in after 24 minutes.
Stoke got a goal back through Ryan Shawcross in the 52nd minute but Fellaini sealed the points in the 90th minute.
Struggling Newcastle remain in trouble after drawing 1-1 at Hull.
Hull made a dream start when Geovanni headed home Craig Fagan's cross in the ninth minute but Newcastle, who had Michael Owen back from injury, equalised through Steven Taylor's 38th-minute volley.
Middlesbrough striker Marlon King rescued a 1-1 draw against relegation rivals Portsmouth at the Riverside Stadium.
Paul Hart's visitors took the lead when Peter Crouch volleyed home from the edge of the penalty area in the 30th minute.
Middlesbrough, who sit second bottom of the table, were reduced to 10 men late in the second half when Matthew Bates was sent off for a second yellow card after diving.
But King struck in stoppage time to salvage a vital point for Gareth Southgate's team.
Fulham defeated Bolton 3-1 at the Reebok Stadium to record a first away league win this season.
Andrew Johnson took advantage of a mix-up between Andy O'Brien and Jussi Jaaskelainen to score Fulham's opener in the 42nd minute.
Gary Megson's team equalised three minutes later when Kevin Davies fired past Mark Schwarzer.
Simon Davies restored Fulham's lead in the 56th minute with a close-range effort and Diomansy Kamara added a third in the 88th minute.
Wigan snatched a controversial 2-1 victory at Sunderland.
Ben Watson opened the scoring with his first goal for Wigan in the 12th minute, driving home a low drive from 20 yards.
Sunderland levelled thanks to Grant Leadbitter's 41st minute strike but Wigan got the winner on the stroke of half-time.
With Sunderland appealing for play to be stopped after Kenwyne Jones went down with a head injury, Charles N'Zogbia ran through to score.
On Sunday, Chelsea, seven points behind United, can keep alive their title hopes with a win at home to Manchester City. Aston Villa host Tottenham and West Ham face West Brom on Monday.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Saturday, 14 March Kick-off: 1245 GMT
Ferguson said the remarks were "nothing out of the ordinary" |
Sir Alex Ferguson has defended Wayne Rooney over the Manchester United striker's comments that he "hates" Saturday's opponents Liverpool.
The club website published quotes from the former Everton player before withdrawing them, claiming they "were open to wilful mis-reporting."
"Hate's an easy word to say, easier than dislike. Maybe it is not the right word," said Ferguson.
"He's had lots of stick from their fans over the years so it's understandable."
Rooney, who is a boyhood Everton fan, gave the interview to MUTV - the club's own broadcaster, after United's victory over Inter Milan on Wednesday.
He said: "I'm very excited about the game because I grew up as an Everton fan hating Liverpool, that hasn't changed."
Rooney's comments were not broadcast by MUTV but were used in an interview on their official website ahead of Saturday's mouth-watering Premier League clash.
Soon after the interview was picked up by media outlets across the globe, United took the decision to remove it with the club concerned some might "make a big deal of it" ahead of a game that generates intense rivalry between the two sets of fans.
"He supported Everton as a kid and the rivalry between them and Liverpool is pretty ferocious now," said Ferguson.
"Since then he has come to Manchester United and he wants to win. It's nothing out of the ordinary really."
He added: "Liverpool have always been our main rival. We are the two most successful football clubs in England. When they get together you expect sparks to fly."
Rooney also said victory for United at Old Trafford on Saturday will end Liverpool's hopes of claiming the Premier League title this season.
United are currently seven points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand.
"We're in pole position and know if we can beat Liverpool then that'll more or less end their chances of winning the league," the striker told MUTV.
United know that victory on Saturday would move them closer to their third successive Premier League title.
It would leave Liverpool 10 points adrift, with only 27 points to play for.
"They know, in coming to Old Trafford, it's going to be a difficult game for them," said Rooney.
"They also know they need the three points and I'm sure they'll be up for it - we certainly will be."
Both sides experienced European success in midweek with Liverpool thumping Real Madrid 4-0 and United edging past Inter Milan 2-0.
United, by their own admission, were out of sorts on Wednesday but centre-half Rio Ferdinand has warned Liverpool that they will be back to their best on Saturday.
The England defender also sounded a word of caution, claiming United will not celebrate winning the title until it is mathematically secured.
"They've had a good week, getting a great result against Real Madrid," he said.
"We're in for a tough game with a great atmosphere, a different entity altogether (compared to Inter), and one we can't wait for.
| I couldn't care what happens to Liverpool as long as we beat them |
"Could it end their title chances? Possibly, but we still have games after that to win. It's the same at this stage of the season all the time.
"People say, 'If you win this game, you win the league', but it just continues until it's mathematically over and one team wins it, and hopefully that will be us.
He added: "If we win, it will obviously make it hard for them but I couldn't care what happens to Liverpool as long as we beat them.
"If we do that and that leads to people thinking they're out of it, then so be it.
"We're there to win games, we're at home and people will be expecting us to get the three points.
"Fingers crossed we can go out there, do a good job and give a good account of ourselves."
Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Date of birth: February 5, 1985
Place of birth: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#1
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#2
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#3
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#4
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#5
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#6
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#7
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#8
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#9
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#10
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#11
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#12
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#13
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#14
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#15
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#16
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#17
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#18
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#19
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#20
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#21
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#22
Cristiano Ronaldo Wallpaper#23