Jumping for joy: Wayne Rooney celebrates after continuing his rich vein of goalscoring form against LiverpoolManchester United brushed aside Liverpool to go top of the Barclays Premier League as title rivals Chelsea suffered a setback at Blackburn.
But Wayne Rooney, who scored United's first goal, limped away from the 2-1 victory at Old Trafford with a suspected recurrence of the knee injury that made him miss the Wolves game two weeks ago.
Nevertheless, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, whose side could only draw 1-1, conceded that United are now favourites, saying: 'It will be difficult to win the title now.'
There was controversy at Old Trafford, with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez accusing United winger Antonio Valencia of diving to secure the penalty that enabled Rooney to cancel out Fernando Torres's opener.
Pepe Reina saved Rooney's spot-kick but he scored from the rebound, his 33rd goal of the season. Ji-Sung Park's winner then took United above Arsenal. Asked directly if Valencia had dived, Benitez said: 'Yes, I think so. There is maybe a contact but the way he fell down - strange. 'I've seen three replays and the last one was very suspicious. The incident made a big, big difference. One situation changed everything in the game.'
Sir Alex Ferguson countered by complaining that Mascherano should have been sent off and the two managers sparred verbally during the game over it. But he was delighted with yet another victory.
'At this stage of the season winning is the name of the game,' said Ferguson. 'We have been very consistent in the last two or three months.
'It's always difficult to lose a goal and come back and win, it's a great quality that Manchester United have and it was that quality that won us the game today.'
Benitez claimed he was casting no aspersions on referee Howard Webb, describing him as 'very professional'. But he took a veiled swipe at Ferguson when the subject of what United's manager said on Friday - when he claimed Liverpool had been receiving preferential treatment from the FA - was raised.
'Just on Friday?' he said. 'Which Friday? This Friday and every Friday. We know about the influence of Sir Alex in everything but these referees are very professional.'
Chelsea led in the fifth minute at Ewood Park through Didier Drogba but lost their way in the second half and Blackburn deserved their equaliser that came from El Hadji Diouf in the 69th minute.
Ancelotti added: 'This is a difficult moment. We can't afford to lose our confidence. United are top and we have to do better and get over this as soon as possible. We have less possibility of winning the title now but we have to move forward.'
source: dailymail
