( CNN ) -- When the two most successful teams in English football meet , the stakes are high . Not only is there the bragging rights fought for between the bitterly opposed tribes of Manchester United and Liverpool , but the result can bear more resonance than just the effect it has on the Premier League title race . `` Winning against Liverpool is important . It does n't matter where you are in the league , '' United manager Alex Ferguson said after his team 's 2-1 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday . `` Manchester United-Liverpool games are fantastic challenges . They are the two most successful teams in the country . Today , hopefully , those three points will be very important . '' Sunday 's win gave United a 74-62 advantage in the 187 clashes between the two teams , and a season double after winning by the same score at Anfield in September . Just as importantly , it meant that United ended the weekend seven points clear of second-placed defending champions Manchester City , who beat 10-man Arsenal 2-0 in Sunday 's other match . It leaves the club in pole position for a record-extending 20th English title -- two more than Liverpool , whose last came in 1990 , before the start of the Premier League era . `` I would have taken that score before the game , '' Ferguson told reporters . `` The first-half performance , and until we scored the second goal , was absolutely brilliant . `` It was as good a performance as we have had for a long time and we should have been three or four up , but when they got their goal they got inspired by it . Their supporters got going and it was hard work after that . I am just glad we won . '' United took the lead in the 19th minute through Robin van Persie , who netted his 21st goal this season and a leading 17th in the EPL from Patrice Evra 's low cross . The second goal came after Evra evaded his marker Glen Johnson and headed Van Persie 's 54th-minute free-kick into the net via a deflection off fellow defender Nemanja Vidic , who was credited with the score . Evra was a focal figure last time the teams met at Old Trafford in February 2012 , when Liverpool striker Luis Suarez refused to shake his hand before the match in their first encounter following the Uruguayan 's eight-match ban for racially abusing the France left-back . The anticipated duel this time was not between these two , but Suarez and Van Persie -- the EPL 's leading marksmen . Suarez has almost singlehandedly carried Liverpool 's attack this season , scoring 15 league goals , but it was his new forward partner Daniel Sturridge who reduced the deficit on his Premier League debut for the club . The former Chelsea striker scored in the FA Cup win against Mansfield , and again impressed after coming on at halftime to replace Brazil midfielder Lucas Leiva . The 23-year-old England international was fastest to react after captain Steven Gerrard forced a parried save from United keeper David de Gea just three minutes after Vidic 's goal . However , despite all the late pressure Liverpool could not force an equalizer and ended the match 24 points behind United in eighth place . `` We 're 24 points behind United -- but we 're not 24 points behind in quality , '' said defiant Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers . `` The points difference is due to the squad -- the depth in the squads is the difference for us . `` Once we close the gap in the squad over these coming windows , I 've got great faith we 'll be able to challenge . I 've seen enough hope in these opening months to suggest we will do that -- and today was another example of it . '' Last season Manchester City overhauled an eight-point deficit to win the club 's first league title in 44 years on a dramatic final day of the season , and a similar effort will again be required this time . Roberto Mancini 's team ensured Arsenal 's focus will be a top-four finish , ending any remaining hopes of title contention with a victory that left the sixth-placed London side 21 points adrift of United . The match turned early when Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny was sent off for manhandling City striker Edin Dzeko in the penalty area . The Bosnian 's 11th-minute spotkick was saved by a combination of the legs of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and the woodwork , but it was only another 10 minutes before James Milner put City ahead after being set up by Carlos Tevez . The Argentina striker has never scored against Arsenal , but he was also involved in the second goal as Dzeko doubled the lead just after half an hour for his 10th in the league this season . The only blot on City 's day came when captain Vincent Kompany was sent off for a sliding two-footed tackle on Jack Wilshere , though the Belgium defender appeared to win the ball . Mancini said he planned to appeal the decision , even though an unsuccessful petition to the Football Association could mean Kompany is banned for four games instead of three . `` This is not a red card , absolutely not , '' the Italian said after City 's first win at Arsenal in nearly 38 years . `` He has one foot in and takes the ball . I think the referee made a mistake . ''
Alex Ferguson 's seven points clear in Manchester City after beating United at home . Victory gives Alex Ferguson 's United a season double over 19th -placed archrivals . Premier League champions Manchester City keep pace with seven -0 victory at Arsenal . Both teams have a player sent off , with Arsenal 's Laurent Koscielny red-carded early .