Dirk Kuyt’s 55th-minute header settled the Merseyside derby in Liverpool favor, while Manchester United moved to the top of the Premier League with a 5-0 thrashing over Portsmouth.
The Merseyside derby has seen more red cards than any other game in the Premier League and today’s match extended that record. Liverpool defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos was sent off for a challenge on Marouane Fellaini left Rafael Benítez’s side a man down after 34 minutes.
But Dirk Kuyt 50th goal for Liverpool in the second half was enough to give the red side of Liverpool all three points and move Liverpol back into 4th place in the table.
There was also a change at the top of the table as Manchester United hammered struggling Portsmouth. Two own goals by Pompey players did not help their cause, and Wayne Rooney continued his tremendous run of form with another goal.
It was not a good day for the Big Four Pretenders. Manchester City lost 2-1 to Hull City as Jozy Altidore got his first goal in the Premier League. Altidore has played really well in the last two games for Hull, and that bodes well for the U.S. this summer. Neither Spurs nor Aston Villa could find the net in a scoreless draw which left Spurs in 5th place, one point behind Liverpool.
Elsewhere Burnley beat West Ham United 2-1 while Stoke beat Blackburn Rovers FC 3-0. Wigan grabbed a big point at Sunderland , who are really struggling, and Bolton draw 0-0 with Fulham.