Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez took his side to the top of the Barclays Premier League with victory over West Ham - then challenged Manchester City to blow the title race wide open.
Benitez's men are above Manchester United on goal difference following the 3-0 win at Upton Park, courtesy of two goals from Steven Gerrard and a late Ryan Babel strike. The focus is now on how United, with two games in hand, get on against their neighbours.
"We have done our job," Benitez said. "We have to keep winning, that's all we can do. We needed to get three points and put them under pressure, and now we will be cheering and supporting Manchester City."
He added: "It's a derby and if they make a mistake they will be feeling the pressure. Manchester City are a difficult team to play against."
Fernando Torres returned to Benitez's starting line-up after a hamstring injury and took 76 seconds to make an impact, sending Gerrard through to round Robert Green for the opener.
"If you have Torres and Gerrard on the pitch, it's a massive difference," Benitez said.
"The other team are always thinking 'who will score - Gerrard or Torres?'. It's more difficult for them."
Gerrard's second came seven minutes before the break after Torres was hauled down by Luis Boa Morte, who was furious at being denied a free-kick just before conceding the penalty.
Gerrard's penalty was saved but he tucked home the rebound.
"We're happy with the result, happy with the clean sheet. We've put a little bit more pressure on United," Gerrard told Setanta Sports 1. "If they win their games, fair play to them, they deserve it, but we've got to keep the pressure on. City have just come into a bit of form and derby matches are never easy. We wait and we hope that City can do us a favour - but the important thing is that we do our job."
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MAN UTD HAVE 3 GAMES LEFT IF MAN U DRAW AT WIGAN AND LOSE AT ARSENAL AND DRAW OR LOSE TO HULL AND LIVERPOOL WIN LAST 2 GAMES IN THE TITLE AND LIVERPOOL WIN THAT WILL BE BRILLIANT
Sorry to disappoint you Rafa. But you are right you should focus on your own team and not talk about other teams. Man United have given you a great favour by playing in the World Club Cup but you failed to grab them and now you are asking for favours from Wigan, Arsenal and Hull. How pathetic can you be. But you have the right to live in hope.
4 points out of a possible 9 to win Arsenal without a defense a mid table Wigan both teams with nothing to play for and then Hull near the drop zone hardly pressure Benitez hopes for a favour the word he is looking for is miracle
Yap City did you a big favour by loosing by 2-0. Hope that Looserpool loose their last two games and Chelsea finish second. Still dreaming about the EPL you BIG FAT LOOSER Spanish, ya just do your job by giving the LOOSERPOOL hope LOL
Manchester united 2 Manchester city 0.
A credible attempt liverpool.see you njext year!
Your gonna lose for yet another year
What you scallies got now
Bugg*r all as usual
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Howay lfc u can win the league just hope 4 man city 2 win the wigan then arsenal. CANT WAIT TILL TRANSFER SEASON
Saw Macherano commit yet another dirty tackle and get away with it Scot Free. He like some Chelsea players is a disgrace to fair play and the game. Fouls like he commits could possibly result in ending a players entire career Gerrard was quick brilliant and deserved his goal and the penalty. Must be remembered though that Liverpool may be top on goal average this morning but United still have two games in hand and an equal number of points. This is a massive hurdle to overcome especially as it appears that United are in their stride again. But todays game is a Manchester Derby and as in all Derby's anything can happen.
He'll kick the ball 40 yards....
steve gerrard gerrard!!!!!!!!
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