Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 with goals from Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-Sung to send the champions back to the top of the Premier League on Sunday.
United moved to 69 points from 31 games, displacing overnight leaders Arsenal who slipped back to second with 67 points.
Chelsea could only draw with Blackburn 1-1 at Ewood Park following their demoralising midweek departure from the Champion's League.
Liverpool struck first in glorious spring sunshine at Old Trafford when an unmarked Fernando Torres headed in Dirk Kuyt's cross after only five minutes, but their lead was short-lived.
United drew level seven minutes later after Javier Mascherano conceded a penalty for a foul on Antonio Valencia and, although Rooney's spot-kick was saved by Pepe Reina, he pounced on the rebound to score his 33rd goal this season.
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Park scored what proved to be the winner when he converted Darren Fletcher's cross from the right with a brave diving header after 60 minutes.
The blue half of Manchester also had an afternoon to savour, with a 2-1 victory over Fulham in at Craven Cottage, deflating moods following the Londoners' remarkable victory over Juventus in the Europa League.
