Game, Set, Mata

Steven Gerrard's last game against Manchester United ended with an ignominious red card as Juan Mata's superb double condemned Liverpool to a 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

In his final appearance against his club's eternal foes before leaving for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Liverpool captain Gerrard came on at half-time, only to be sent off after 43 seconds for a crude stamp on Ander Herrera, who had created Mata's 14th-minute opener.

Mata added a glorious, volleyed second goal and despite Daniel Sturridge's reply and Wayne Rooney seeing a late penalty saved, United held on to condemn Liverpool to a first league defeat since their 3-0 loss at Old Trafford in December's reverse fixture. Liverpool's run of 13 games without defeat had given them an opportunity to knock United out of the Champions League places, but instead Louis van Gaal's side remain fourth, a healthy five points above their rivals with eight games of the season remaining.

After a fourth consecutive league win -- and only a second success at Anfield in eight visits -- United will now anticipate forthcoming games against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea with something approaching the confidence of old.

With Pele and United greats Alex Ferguson and Bobby Charlton in the directors' box, there was no shortage of football royalty in attendance as the two teams -- both unchanged -- took to the field beneath warm spring sunshine.

Visiting goalkeeper David de Gea had to slide out and foil Raheem Sterling early on, but it was United who took control, patiently stringing passes together in defence and probing for gaps in a Liverpool side who displayed uncharacteristic carelessness with the ball.

At the KC Stadium, Chelsea survived some self-inflicted wounds to secure a 3-2 win against Hull City that kept them firmly on course to win the title for the first time since 2010.

The Blues are now six points clear again over Manchester City, with a game in hand making their position even stronger.

Jose Mourinho's side took just 78 seconds to go in front with strike from their Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard and in the ninth minute Diego Costa curl a fine finish into the far corner for his 19th league goal of the season.

But Hull reduced the deficit in the 26th minute thanks to Egypt international Ahmed Elmohamady, who swept home Andrew Robertson's cross from close range. And Steve Bruce's team equalised just two minutes later after a disastrous piece of play from Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois redeemed himself with a series of second half saves and Chelsea grabbed a priceless winner in the 77th minute when McGregor allowed a fairly tame shot from French forward Loic Remy, who had only been on for three minutes, to escape his grasp and trickle into the net.