Liverpool overcame an unexpected test of their title credentials to beat last-place Sheffield United 3-1 on Thursday and move back to the top of the Premier League.
Manchester United’s season, meanwhile, descended deeper into crisis after conceding two goals in stoppage time in a 4-3 loss at Chelsea.
It doesn’t get any easier for Erik ten Hag’s team, which hosts Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
English soccer’s biggest rivalry resumes with Liverpool chasing the title and United on the slide.
A 12th league defeat of the campaign for United was played out in front of new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe at Stamford Bridge and will likely see pressure intensify on manager Ten Hag.
LIVERPOOL LEAD
Alexis Mac Allister’s second-half strike inspired Liverpool to victory after Sheffield United had threatened to spring a surprise in the race for the title.
Conor Bradley’s own goal had evened the game at 1-1 after Darwin Nunez opened the scoring in the first half.
But Anfield erupted as Mac Allister unleashed an unstoppable effort from the edge of the area in the 76th to restore Liverpool’s lead, and substitute Cody Gakpo made it 3-1 with a header in the 90th.
UNITED STUNNED
Boyhood United fan Cole Palmer scored a hat trick as Chelsea came back in the final minutes to stun United.
Deep into stoppage time it looked like the visitors were going to walk away with a morale-boosting win after recovering from a disastrous start.
United had come back from going 2-0 down early through a goal from Conor Gallagher and Palmer’s penalty.
Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes evened the score at 2-2 before halftime and Garnacho headed his team in front after the break.
But Diogo Dalot’s clumsy challenge on Noni Madueke earned Chelsea a second penalty and Palmer converted in the 110th.
The drama wasn’t over yet. A minute later, Palmer’s effort from outside the box was deflected past Andre Onana to seal a spectacular comeback.