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Steven Gerrard had every reason to celebrate after scoring two penalties as Liverpool emphasised their title credentials with a resounding win over reigning Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Steven Gerrard scored two penalties and missed a third as Liverpool emphasised their title credentials with a resounding win over reigning Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.
In what was seen as the biggest test of their ability to claim their first crown since 1990, Liverpool passed the examination in emphatic fashion against an abject United to move to within four points of leaders Chelsea, with a game in hand.

Liverpool captain Gerrard demonstrated their superiority with penalties either side of the interval as Brendan Rodgers’s side exerted almost complete domination over a home team looking in need of a drastic overhaul.

Gerrard missed another spot-kick after Daniel Sturridge went to ground under a Nemanja Vidic challenge — the United captain picking up his fourth red card against Liverpool in the process — but there was no stopping Luis Suarez as he added a third.

At this stage last season there was a 29-point gap between these sides in United’s favour as they beat Rodgers’s team 2-1 at home.
But Liverpool’s dominance here underscored the scale of the turnaround, their improvement and the collapse in fortunes at Old Trafford since manager David Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson.

Meanwhile, Arsenal kept themselves in strong contention for the Premier League title as Tomas Rosicky’s early goal secured victory at rivals Tottenham. Rosicky rifled in a sublime angled drive just minutes into the game after leading a swift break for the visitors. Tottenham’s Emmanuel Adebayor flicked a shot just wide in the first half, and they dominated after the break.

Nacer Chadli’s low shot was blocked on the line and Adebayor headed narrowly off target, but Arsenal held on.
The win means Arsenal are third in the standings but crucially now just four points off leaders Chelsea, who lost 1-0 to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Arsenal, who head to Chelsea next Saturday in manager Arsene Wenger’s 1,000th game in charge, have a game in hand on the table toppers. Tottenham remain in fifth but the defeat dented their chances of finishing in the top four this season. They trail fourth-placed Manchester City by seven points.

Spurs manager Tim Sherwood struggled to contain his emotions on the sidelines at times. — BBC Sport.