Liverpool thrash Everton in derby
Manchester: Robin van Persie and Ashley Young scored as Manchester United recorded only their second Premier League victory of 2014 by beating Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Cardiff City 2-0 on Tuesday.
Juan Mata made his debut after a move from Chelsea and the Spaniard had a hand in both goals as David Moyes’s side breathed life into their hopes of a Champions League place.
Making his return from a thigh injury that had kept him out since December 10, van Persie took only six minutes to open the scoring and Young added United’s second in the 59th minute.
Mata played just behind van Persie, but those hoping to see how the duo would combine with Wayne Rooney were to be disappointed when the England striker replaced van Persie to make his first appearance since January 1.
The defending champions now have matches against Stoke City, Fulham, Arsenal and Crystal Palace that will give them a clearer indication of their chances of a place in the top four.
But this was undoubtedly an improved performance from a team that had already lost four times in 2014.
The hosts needed only a few minutes to make the breakthrough, with Mata’s cross-field pass helping to open Cardiff up.
The Spaniard played a long ball to the left flank, resulting in Young clipping over a cross that was headed onto the bar by Antonio Valencia.
Van Persie’s follow-up was blocked by Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall, but the Netherlands striker headed in from six yards to put United in front.
The hosts still looked far from convincing at the back and Cardiff, managed by former United favourite Solskjaer, could have levelled when Fraizer Campbell failed to make telling contact with Kevin McNaughton’s cross.
After the interval United were starting to look fragile and yet they moved further ahead.
Mata helped the ball to the left flank for Young and the winger drifted inside before striking a fierce shot into the bottom-right corner.
The new signing himself went close to adding a third when he was allowed the space to move forward and have a low right-foot shot that was saved at the near post by Marshall.
Meanwhile, in a Merseyside derby, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers enjoyed a first ever victory over Everton with a thumping 4-0 triumph thanks to goals from Steven Gerrard and striker Luis Suarez around a Daniel Sturridge brace.
Arsenal could only earn a point after playing out a 2-2 draw at Southampton, while Swansea beat Fulham 2-0. Crystal Palace moved up to 14th with a 1-0 win over Hull.
Southampton went ahead thanks to Jose Fonte, but Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla got the Gunners into the lead. Adam Lallana then ensured that the Saints came away with a point.
In the other match of the day, Newcastle and Norwich played out a goalless draw. (AFP)