Liverpool overpower United, Arsenal down Spurs

Steven Gerrard scored two penalties and missed a third as Liverpool FC overpowered Manchester United FC 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Brendan Rodgers' outfit find themselves just four points adrift of league leaders Chelsea FC with a game in hand after inflicting a ninth defeat of the season on David Moyes' side – United's joint worst ever tally of Premier League losses. Captain Gerrard led by example and got the opening goal his endeavour deserved when he converted a 34th-minute penalty following Rafael's handball.

The 33-year-old midfielder put paid to any ideas of a fresh start for United when he again beat David de Gea from the spot moments after half-time. Remarkably, the Reds were awarded a third spot kick on 77 minutes after Nemanja Vidić felled Daniel Sturridge – a transgression which earned the Serbian international a second yellow card. Gerrard was denied a hat-trick, however, as his effort came back off the left upright.

De Gea's stunning save foiled Luis Suárez late on, but the Uruguay striker got in on the act when he finished smartly after collecting Sturridge's mishit shot.

In Sunday's other game, Arsenal FC kept themselves level on points with Liverpool in third courtesy of a 1-0 north London derby success at Tottenham Hotspur FC. Tomáš Rosický struck the only goal of the game with a blistering shot high into the far corner after just two minutes, and the Gunners defended resolutely to hold onto their lead.