Acrobatically done: Juan Mata scored an absolute stunner in the 59th minute as he converted di Maria’s lobbed pass to score his second goal of the game after scoring the first in the 14th minute. PHOTO: REUTERS
The result leaves United five points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool and one point behind third-placed Arsenal to strengthen their bid for the top-four.
United had dominated possession from the start of the game and found the net 14 minutes into the match as Ander Herrera found the run of Spanish compatriot Mata with an excellent through ball to put him in behind the defence. However, Mata still had it all to do, taking a few touches before tucking it away past Simon Mignolet with his right foot.
United continued to press Liverpool, who squandered possession many-a-time in their own half but soon found their feet as Raheem Sterling set Jordan Henderson away down the right flank, and the midfielder fired an excellent early ball around the visitors’ defence for Daniel Sturridge.
The striker had a chance to shoot but decided to lay off for the late run of Adam Lallana, but his England team-mate could only drill his first-time effort wide of the target from 18 yards out.
Brendan Rodgers’ substituted Lallana for captain Steven Gerrard, who although was sent to play the remaining 45 minutes, ended up being a part of the game for only 45 seconds as he was sent off in the 46th minute after appearing to stamp on Herrera’s feet right in front of the referee.
With their skipper sent-off, Liverpool lost any momentum they had generated in the first half and ended up conceding another goal in the 59th minute as Mata scored a spectacular goal from Angel di Maria’s lobbed pass.
Liverpool managed to haul themselves back in 10 minutes later, when Philipe Coutinho drove through the middle and found Sturridge via a deflection off Phil Jones, who managed to fire the ball inside David de Gea’s near post.
The visitors were given the chance to kill the game off in stoppage time when Daley Blind got past Emre Can in the box and went down under the defender’s challenge, but Rooney’s tame penalty was easily parried away by Mignolet.
The result, although not decisive in the top-four race, certainly gives a major advantage to Manchester United.
Leicester's Pearson slams 'arrogant' ref Dean
Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson branded referee Mike Dean "one of the most arrogant men" he had ever met after his side's 4-3 Premier League loss at Tottenham Hotspur.
Pearson was aggrieved by Dean's decision to award Spurs a 64th-minute penalty, which Harry Kane converted to complete his first Premier League hat-trick and restore the hosts' lead after Leicester had fought back from 2-0 down.
"I just find it bizarre — that's probably the nicest thing I can say," said Pearson. "I am not suggesting of course that the decision was deliberate, but we can't be on the receiving end of so many poor decisions."
The penalty aside, Kane's form was the decisive factor at White Hart Lane as he capped a fine week following his first ever England call-up.
Wenger plays down Arsenal's title chances
Arsenal's 2-1 win at Newcastle United meant they kept up pressure on the top two, but manager Arsene Wenger believes that Chelsea are too far ahead to lose the title.
"Chelsea have good security at the moment. I feel they have enough of a cushion to be quite serene," said the Frenchman. "We have Manchester City in front of us and behind us it is tight as well. The only thing we can do is to win our games.”
Arsenal were certainly forced to battle until the final seconds of their latest victory on Saturday and were indebted to striker Olivier Giroud, who scored twice in the opening 28 minutes to take his goal tally for the season to 17.
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