Manchester United produced a classic smash-and-grab performance to snatch a famous 1-0 victory against Liverpool on Mar 3 at Anfield to maintain a 9-point lead against 2nd place Chelsea in the English Premiership.

The league leaders were looking to increase their grip on the title as the season begins its final leg, but Liverpool was equally keen on smashing United’s title hopes with a victory at Anfield.

In fact, Liverpool started off the better of the two, dominating the first 10 minutes of the game as United struggled to get their free-flowing, attacking style going.

But the Red Devils got the cue in the 11th minute to get going when Liverpool defender Daniel Agger delivered Liverpool’s intentions with a long range scorcher that whizzed just over the bar.

From the resulting goal kick, the Red Devils exhibited a glimpse of their trademark attacking football and nearly went in front, only for midfielder Christiano Ronaldo to fire just wide from 15 yards out after a cross from left back Patrice Evra.

The battle for dominance in the middle of the park left the first half with a lack of clear-cut chances. Liverpool’s John Arne Riise came close to getting his name on the score sheet from a free kick, after Dirk Kuyt had been fouled by Rio Ferdinand on the edge of the box.

The only other notable incident in the 1st half was when Liverpool’s Mark Gonzalez accidentally landed a kick to Gary Neville’s groin following a tussle for the ball near the Red Devils’ goal line.

The 2nd half started off on a more frantic note with Liverpool pressing for a goal straight from the kick off. Craig Bellamy, who played a critical role in the victory over Barcelona in the Champions League nearly added another goal to his name when he was put through by strike partner Kuyt in the 47th minute, but his shot lacked power and Edwin Van der Sar had no problem saving it.

Liverpool also had a goal correctly ruled off for offside by referee Martin Atkinson when Bellamy struck a shot past Van der Sar from 12 yards out, following a miscued volley from Riise, which had rebounded off team mate Momo Sissoko who was interfering with play by being in an offside position.

In the 72nd minute, Manchester United were seemingly dealt a massive blow when England striker Wayne Rooney limped off with a gash on his right thigh, and had to be replaced by defender John O’Shea, following a challenge from Jamie Carragher.

And their luck seemed to be getting worse when they had a legitimate penalty claim waved away in the 78th minute when Louis Saha was fouled in the penalty box after being brought down by Agger.

The situation got even stickier for United when they were reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute after veteran midfielder Paul Scholes reacted violently to a challenge from Xabi Alonso. His flailing arm at Alonso was caught by the referee who showed no hesitation in sending Scholes off for an early shower.

Sensing that victory was theirs, Liverpool pushed on in attack and were nearly rewarded in the 88th minute when a cross from midfielder Jermaine Pennant was met by England striker Peter Crouch.

Instead of heading the ball first time, the Englishman attempted to volley the ball but couldn’t get the necessary power behind the shot, which allowed Van der Sar the chance to pull off the save.

That miss would prove to be Liverpool’s undoing because in the 91st minute, United midfielder Ryan Giggs who was making his 700th appearance in a Red Devil’s shirt was fouled on the edge of the box following a challenge by Steve Finnan.

The resulting free kick was sent into the penalty box low and while Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina should have caught the ball, he could only palm the ball away onto the path of substitute O’Shea who coolly dispatched the ball into the back of the net to seal an infamous win.

Liverpool may feel hard done about the defeat but their profligacy in front of goal proved to be their undoing and as Rafa Benitez assesses how his charges failed to make their chances count, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson must surely be delighted as his team edges ever so much closer to their 16th league title.