Premier League on Betfair: 89/1 Mata is the main man as United defeat Liverpool

Has Juan Mata fired United into next season's Champions League?

Manchester United have done the double over Liverpool thanks to two-goal Mata and a helping hand from Steven Gerrard...

Manchester United struck a decisive blow in the Top Four battle with a 1-2 win at Anfield today but it will be Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard who will dominate the headlines.

The Anfield hero lasted 33 seconds of his final match against Liverpool's fiercest rivals after receiving a red card for stamping on United's Ander Herrera. That episode in the early minutes of the second half was just one of many notable moments in what was a captivating match.

Juan Mata was United's star, scoring a goal in each half to give his team a major boost in their attempt to finish in the qualifying positions for next season's Champions League. The Spaniard was backed at a high of 90.089/1 to score two or more goals.

United (59 points) now hold a five point advantage over Liverpool, and trail Arsenal by one and second-placed City by two. Next up for United is Aston Villa while Liverpool travel to London for another huge top-flight match, this time against Arsenal.

Louis van Gaal's men are 1.321/3 to finish top four while Liverpool trade at 3.7511/4.

League leaders Chelsea were strongly fancied to beat Hull in the latter kick-offs, and they were swiftly into their stride with a pair of goals in the first 10 minutes. That had punters backing the Blues at 1.011/100 to hold a halftime lead - cue a pair of goals for the home team.

A combative second half saw chances for both sides but predictably enough it was Chelsea who scored the game's fifth. They were backed at 3.45n/a for the win, while the 2-3 final score was backed at 60.059/1.

In the day's other game Everton inflicted another defeat on QPR, though they needed a late Aaron Lennon goal to seal the deal. The Toffees were backed at a high of 4.94/1. Rangers are 1.141/7 to go down.