Manchester United extended their winning run to six Premier League matches courtesy of a 3-0 victory over rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford this afternoon.
The visiting Merseysiders created the better openings over the course of the 90 minutes, but clincial finishes from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie sealed all three points for Louis van Gaal's men, who tighten their grip on third spot as a result.
Raheem Sterling had the game's first chance in the 12th minute when he was picked out by an Adam Lallana through pass, but United goalkeeper David de Gea, not for the last time, was equal to his left-footed effort.
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Within the space of 25 seconds, the home side were in front. Antonio Valencia sprung forward and, having got the better of Joe Allen, he picked out Rooney on the edge of the area.
As Liverpool's stand-in goalkeeper Brad Jones, preferred to the dropped Simon Mignolet, dived to his right, the United skipper calmly curled the ball into the opposite corner of the net.
Sterling continued to cause problems to the United defence as the half wore on and he again called De Gea into action with 23 minutes played, but the Spaniard thwarted the Liverpool frontman at his near post.
That stop provided United with the springboard to extend their lead further. Ashley Young's inswinging cross from the left flank was flicked on by Van Persie and Mata headed home from an offside position five minutes before the break.
In spite of the deficit, Liverpool responded positively after the restart and created a chance almost instantly when Sterling swung over a cross for Jordan Henderson, but the midfielder headed well over from eight yards out.
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United then needed their goalkeeper again in the 51st minute as Sterling latched on to underhit backpass from Jonny Evans. However, De Gea stood tall and blocked the England international's strike.
Next to try his luck against the United stopper was substitute Mario Balotelli, who was picked out 10 yards from goal by Sterling. The Italian's strike was a powerful one, but De Gea got a hand on the ball to turn it on to the crossbar.
That proved to be game's defining moment because United secured the victory with a third goal in the 71st minute. Mata turned provider on this occasion when he cleverly picked out Van Persie and the Dutchman rolled the ball into an unguarded net, with Jones stranded.
The visitors continued to test De Gea as the game drew to a close, but the 24-year-old stood firm right until the final whistle to claim a clean sheet along with the points and the bragging rights for United.
Liam Apicella
