Manchester United    3-2    Liverpool
Berbatov 42, 59, 84    Gerrard 64p, 70

So….the Old Enemy came to the Theatre Of Dreams and witnessed a real United performance unfold in front of them.

Bar ten minutes of madness from John O’Shea, Jonny Evans (both of whom Mez believed shouldn’t be in the starting 11 in the first place anyway) and Howard Webb, Liverpool would have been sent packing by at least three goals to nil.

At the centre of the show, a fans villain of old, Count Dimitar Berbatov. A hat-trick for Mr Chipchase no less! Who would have thought that a year ago. He opened the scoring with a excellent header from a Giggs corner – holding off the distinctly average “Fernando-Torres, Carraghers bit on the side” – followed it with a sublime overhead kick before Gerrard struck from a penalty (bloody Jonny Evans) and a free-kick (bloody Jonh O’Shea).

But unlike the Everton game last week, United still had time to strike back and it was Berbatov again with another excellent header. O’Shea redeemed himself slightly with a great ball from the right, and Dimi saved himself a place in United hearts forever by completing a rare United hat-trick against the Anfield lot.

Fergie will still be annoyed at United’s poor defending at times, but the Reds are keeping pace with Chelsea (who have had a ridiculously easy start to the season) just.

Full BBC Sport Match Report