Manchester United Fans Club

Manchester United stole the show at Anfield with Carlos Tevez poke in his first away goal in the 43rd minute despite being the second best throughout the game.

The Red Devils currently sit top of the table with 39 points from 16 games, and will at least sit for 2 hours prior to Arsenal-Chelsea game. If Arsenal win or draw, Arsenal will move back to top of the table with 1 point advantage having played the same games.

Tevez poked home from close range two minutes before the break as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side survived a barrage of pressure from their hosts to stage a classic smash-and-grab Anfield raid and move nine points clear of their arch rivals in the Premier League.

After a quick-fire opening, the hosts carved out the first chance when Sami Hyypia swept a half-volley over the bar after Steven Gerrard’s free-kick had caused confusion in the area.

Fernando Torres then drilled another shot well wide, while the Reds almost took the lead on 27 minutes when Edwin van der Sar stumbled and Harry Kewell’s effort was cleared off the line by Anderson, while Torres’ follow-up header dropped just wide.

Van der Sar then stumbled again when trying to reach a lofted ball, but this time Patrice Evra was on hand to clear the danger after the ball was diverted goalwards by Rio Ferdinand’s misplaced header.

John Arne Riise then drilled an effort well wide after cutting in from the left flank, while Torres fired across goal on the volley after Gerrard’s free-kick had deflected into his path.

But United, having been second best throughout, took the lead two minutes before the interval when Cristiano Ronaldo’s corner picked out Wayne Rooney and his first-time shot was turned into the net by the unmarked Tevez from inside the six-yard box.

Liverpool made a bright start to the second half, with Torres’ control letting him down when well placed while Gerrard’s thumping drive was comfortably held by van der Sar.

Wes Brown and Riise then saw shots saved at either end, while Gerrard’s volley on the stretch flew well wide of goal.

The Reds continued to apply the pressure but were finding it hard to create any real openings, while United continued to threaten on the break with Owen Hargreaves’ shot whistling just over the crossbar.

But the Reds came desperately close to an equaliser when substitute Ryan Babel’s 25-yard drive flashed inches wide.

As the game opened up, Ronaldo’s glorious pass across the box picked out Rooney but he was unable to divert the ball on target with the goal at his mercy.

Liverpool continued to push for an equaliser, but United - with Anderson and Hargreaves impressive in midfield - held on for a crucial victory that leaves Rafael Benitez’s men staring at their second successive Premier League defeat and an uphill battle if they are to end their 18-year wait for the title.