Hernandez denies Liverpool with late strike

United avoid defeat as City go top of Premier League.

LONDON:

Manchester United came from behind to force a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, while Manchester City routed Aston Villa 4-1 to open up a two-point lead at the top of the table.

An 81st-minute equaliser from substitute Javier Hernandez salvaged a share of the points for United after Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard had fired the hosts ahead on 68 minutes.

Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to leave Wayne Rooney, Nani and Hernandez on the bench appeared to have backfired after Gerrard, making his first start since March, rifled in a free-kick midway through the second half.

All three United substitutes were brought in later on with Hernandez nodding home from close range after a clever flick-on by Danny Welbeck from a corner.

Liverpool might have snatched victory in the final 10 minutes only to be denied by a string of saves from United keeper David de Gea.

Ferguson was all praise for Hernandez's invaluable effort.

"If you see Hernandez's goal it's absolutely fantastic," he said. "His record of goal-scoring is unbelievable."

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish spoke admiringly of de Gea, who endured a rocky start to his career in English football.

"That was impressive for a boy that's struggling -– he never struggled today because he made two or three great saves," said Dalglish.

Ferguson had earlier revealed he benched Rooney after revealing the player was 'devastated' by this week's three-match suspension from Euro 2012.

City thrash Aston Villa

Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini left Edin Dzeko, David Silva, Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero out of his starting line-up but City were still too powerful for Villa.

Mario Balotelli put City ahead on 28 minutes. Johnson turned goal-scorer for City on 47 minutes before Vincent Kompany made it 3-0. Stephen Warnock pulled one back for Villa but City made it four through James Milner.

Meanwhile, Bolton moved off the bottom of the table with a 3-1 win over Wigan. Blackburn fought back to snatch a 1-1 draw against Queens Park Rangers.

Norwich downed Swansea 3-1, while Stoke beat Fulham 2-0 after goals in the final 10 minutes from Jonathan Walters and Rory Delap.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

"If you see Hernandez's goal it's absolutely fantastic. His record of goal-scoring is unbelievable. He's just got that touch."

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish

"That was impressive for a boy that's struggling -- he never struggled today because he made two or three great saves."

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2011.