CHELSEA SLIP UP

CHELSEA SLIP UP

A second-half goal from Park Ji-Sung gave Manchester United a 2-1 win over arch rivals Liverpool to take them back to the top of the Premier League on a day which saw title rivals Chelsea slip up.

The Korean headed home bravely from close range following a superb Darren Fletcher cross to earn his side the points at Old Trafford.

Fernando Torres had put the visitors into a fifth-minute lead at Old Trafford with a towering header from Dirk Kuyt's cross, but Wayne Rooney soon equalised.

The England star netted his 33rd goal of the season, by scoring from the rebound after his penalty had been parried by Pepe Reina.

The spot kick had proved controversial with Javier Mascherano's foul on Antonio Valencia appearing to take place outside the penalty area.

Liverpool had a late chance to level but Torres was unable to control Steven Gerrard's cross. The ball looped up and Yossi Benayoun could only head straight at Edwin van der Sar.

United return to the top of the table, two points clear of Arsenal, with Chelsea now four back - albeit with a game in hand - after they could only draw 1-1 at Blackburn.

El-Hadji Diouf punished the Londoners for failing to take their chances in the first half with a superb header to pull Rovers level 20 minutes from time.

However, Chelsea felt they should have been awarded a throw instead of Blackburn just prior to the goal.

Didier Drogba's 22nd Premier League goal of the season had given Chelsea an early lead but for large parts of the game Blackburn defended well, led by the outstanding Christopher Samba, while 18-year-old debutant Phil Jones did not look out of place alongside him.

In the day's other game, Manchester City turned the heat on Liverpool with a 2-1 win away to Fulham.

The hosts still had their famous victory against Juventus fresh in the mind when they found themselves behind to Roque Santa Cruz's opener, with Carlos Tevez then extending the lead before the break.

Fulham are comfortable in mid-table and boss Roy Hodgson illustrated his Europa League and FA Cup priorities by taking off key players - but Danny Murphy pulled a goal back from the penalty spot and they could have snatched a point in a frantic final period.

City stay fifth but are now only two points behind fourth-placed Spurs with a game in hand. Roberto Mancini's men are two points better off then Liverpool having played two games less.