Liverpool revive title hopes after 4-1 win at Man. Utd

Liverpool revive title hopes after 4-1 win at Man. Utd

LONDON, March 15 -- Liverpool stormed back into the Premier League title race with a stunning 4-1 victory at leaders Manchester United on Saturday.


Liverpool's players celebrate after Fabio Aurelio (hidden) scores as Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) looks on during their English Premier League soccer match in Manchester, northern England, March 14, 2009.

United looked on course to extend their advantage at the top of the table to ten points when Cristiano Ronald's penalty gave them an early lead.

But Rafael Benitez's side, fresh from their midweek thrashing of Real Madrid in the Champions League, responded in remarkable fashion and left the champions reflecting on the most goals conceded on home turf in 17 years.

The win lifted Liverpool within four points clear of United, who have a game in hand, and left the title race open also to Chelsea, who could level Liverpool on 61 points if beating Manchester City on Sunday.


Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic (R) challenges Liverpool's Fernando Torres during their English Premier League soccer match in Manchester, northern England, March 14, 2009.

Arsenal, though out of contention for the title, moved back up to fourth as record signing Andrei Arshavin opened his Arsenal account with a double in a 4-0 home success over struggling Blackburn.


Blackburn Rovers' Stephen Warnock (L) challenges Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin during their English Premier League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London March 14, 2009.

Everton pushed travelers Stoke City back into the drop zone with a 3-1 success while Fulham claimed a first triumph away this season after beating Bolton 3-1.


Stoke City's Tomas Sorensen (R) punches the ball away from Everton's Joleon Lescott (C) during their English Premier League soccer match in Liverpool March 14, 2009.

Relegation battle remains tight and tense. Portsmouth were forced to settle for a point against 10-man Middlesbrough at the Riverside after conceding a last-gasp leveler; Hull City Newcastle were similarly tied 1-1, which did little for either side's hopes of avoiding being sucked into the bottom three; and Sunderland slipped back towards the wrong end of the table after going down 2- 1 at home to Wigan.

United took the lead after 23 minutes through a Ronaldo penalty after Liverpool's keeper Pepe Reina unnecessarily brought down Park Ji-Sung when there appeared to be no imminent danger.

Nemanja Vidic's dismal defending allowed Fernando Torres to equalize soon and the visitors were suddenly 2-1 up a minute before the interval when Steven Gerrard scored from the spot after being upended by Patrice Evra.

Vidic's day got even worse as he was sent off for fouling Gerrard 15 minutes from time and Fabio Aurelio brilliantly curled home the resulting free-kick from 25 yards.

United's torment stretched into stoppage time when Liverpool substitute Andrea Dossena added a late fourth.


Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (2nd L) celebrates with teammates after scoring during their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester United in Manchester, northern England, March 14, 2009.


Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin (L) celebrates after scoring against Blackburn Rovers during their English Premier League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London March 14, 2009


Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (C) scores from the penalty spot during their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester United in Manchester, northern England, March 14, 2009.
(Xinhua)