In the first meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool since Luis Suarez completed an eight match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra, United and their French captain came out on top, thanks to a pair of Wayne Rooney second half goals in a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.
With the win, Manchester United now sits atop the Premier League table for the first time since October 14 (apart from a four-hour stretch on December 18). Here is a statistical look at today's action:
• Wayne Rooney has now scored 10 goals in his last nine starts in all competitions after failing to score in the eight starts before that. With only two goals in 19 career appearances against Liverpool coming into Saturday, Wayne Rooney doubled that total with two second half goals in the Red Devils' 2-1 victory.
• Antonio Valencia now has nine assists on the season, trailing only Manchester City's David Silva (12). After missing the first five weeks of the season due to an ankle injury, Valencia has since played every minute of the Manchester United's last 11 Premier League games. During this 11-game span United has scored 30 goals, netting two or more goals in 10 of these fixtures.
• Manchester United has now scored in each of its last 43 Premier League home games, the second best run in league history since Arsenal scored in 46 consecutive home matches (April 2001-Nov 2003).
• Luis Suarez is now tied with Craig Bellamy as Liverpool's top scorer in all competitions this season with nine. His 80th minute finish is just his second goal in his last 13 league appearances (scored four goals in first seven league appearances this year). Suarez last scored on December 10 (QPR) and had not scored an away goal in the Premier League since a 2-0 Liverpool victory over Everton on October 1.
• No matches featuring Manchester United this season have been won by the team conceding first, the only Premier League team to hold such a record this season. Wayne Rooney's 47th minute volley that broke the scoreless draw helped continue this trend. Manchester United is now unbeaten in its last 25 Premier League matches (23 W, 2 D) after scoring first. United's last loss after scoring first came on March 1, 2011 at Stamford Bridge.