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A brace from Juan Mata ensured Manchester United retained grip on a top-four place over 10-man Liverpool at Anfield in a fiery clash on Sunday. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was sent off after a stamping on Ander Herrera just 40 seconds after the start of second half, while Wayne Rooney continued his 10-year goal-scoring drought at the Anfield, missing an easy penalty chance. However, it was Mata’s stunning scissor-kick goal which stole the limelight of the show.
Daniel Sturridge pulled one back for the Reds with hope of an unlikely comeback but the visitors were never seriously threatened again and ensured they come out as winners from the match, even after Rooney’s penalty was saved by Simon Mignolet.
United now extend their lead to five points over Liverpool and one point behind Arsenal in the Premier League table.
Man of the match: Juan Mata
Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United: Juan Mata (14’)
Juan Mata scores the first goal of the match which is assisted by Ander Herrera
Steven Gerrard red card (46’)
Steven Gerrard was sent off after stamping on Herrera
Liverpool 0-2 Manchester United: Juan Mata (59’)
Juan Mata scored the second goal for United after a beautiful one-two pass with Angel di Maria
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United: Daniel Sturridge (69’)
Sturridge scored for the home side after a lovely through-ball from Philippe Coutinho
