Two Steven Gerrard penalties helped Liverpool to a crushing 3-0 victory over Manchester United yesterday to leave it breathing down the necks of Premier League leader Chelsea.

Gerrard's strikes either side of halftime put the visitors in control and Luis Suarez sealed only Liverpool's second win at Old Trafford in nearly 10 years with a well-taken third.

Skipper Gerrard could have completed a rare hat-trick of spot kicks but struck the foot of the post after Nemanja Vidic was red-carded for tripping Daniel Sturridge.

Liverpool's run of five consecutive league wins has left it four points behind Jose Mourinho's side.

Liverpool, seeking a first English title since 1990, could have won by an even bigger margin as it underlined the incredible turnaround in fortunes for English's football's two great rivals. It ended last season 28 points behind champion United, which managed one shot on target yesterday, but is now 14 clear of David Moyes' side which now looks almost certain to finish outside the Premier League's top four for the first time.

"I got a bit cocky with the third penalty," Gerrard told Sky Sports. "I've come here many times and been played off the park and but to come here and dominate like we did, we're even a bit upset we didn't get more goals. I don't think their defence has ever had a more difficult 90 minutes."

Gerrard's first penalty after 33 minutes followed a deliberate handball by Rafael that could have earned the Brazilian a second yellow card, while his second was for a clumsy Phil Jones challenge on Joe Allen.

United's day went from bad to worse when Vidic sent Sturridge sprawling in the area and though Gerrard could not beat David de Gea again Suarez's neat finish after 84 minutes capped a dazzling Liverpool display.

Vidic now has four red cards against Liverpool in his United career, more than any other player against one opponent in the history of the Premier League.

United's ninth defeat of the season, a new record for the club in the Premier League, left it languishing in seventh place with 48 points.

On Saturday, Manchester City beat Hull 2-0; last-place Fulham edged Newcastle 1-0; Cardiff conceded a goal three minutes into injury time to lose 1-2 at Everton and Sunderland drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace.

West Bromwich Albion won 2-1 at Swansea; Norwich remained in trouble after losing 2-4 at Southampton while Stoke drubbed West Ham 3-1.