It's a three-horse race

On the second 'Super Sunday' of the season the top four clubs in England played each other in what was a crucial stage of the race for the Premiership title.

Even before the game England manager Fabio Capello had won a victory with the FA by getting them to agree not to have such double headers played before an international match.

Thirteen of his key players were in action and the risk of injury loomed large in his plans but it was probably more a case of resolving the problem for future games rather than the game itself against France tonight.

The first match between Manchester United and Liverpool was a messy affair which became particularly one-sided once Javier Mascherano was sent off for dissent at the end of the first half. By then United were already one-nil up and in all probability would have gone on to win the game but the Merseysiders sealed their own fate with this lack of discipline.

This is particularly true given what has happened in the media mauling which followed Ashley Cole's reaction to his booking against Tottenham.

The press, phone-ins and all media were in general agreement that what Cole did was unacceptable and many have suggested that Mascherano's sending off is a direct result of this outcry and it is difficult to draw any other conclusion.

Benitez, of course, came out and defended his player, saying he was just asking the referee what he had done wrong, but if we let Premiership managers lead us on such issues we really are doomed.

Liverpool goalkeeper Reina had a mixed game with a string of excellent saves intermingled with some dreadful errors, one of which led to Wes Brown's goal. On his day he is a world class 'keeper but he is prone to moments of madness and at some point his role in Liverpool's continuing underachievement will come under scrutiny.

The second half, whilst not a formality for United ,was as comfortable as any one-nil scoreline can be, and, when Ronaldo scored his 34th goal of the season quickly followed by Nani's strike, the end result stayed the same but more of a gloss had been put on the performance - one the home side perhaps did not deserve.

One effect of United gaining three points was the second fixture between Chelsea and Arsenal was more open as both teams realised that a draw would not be enough for either side. In a pulsating, passionate encounter both teams played in a way that suggested they knew whoever won this game would become United's biggest challengers.

Arsenal, AC Milan apart, have had a tough few weeks drawing too many games but, as is often the case, they raised their game for such an important encounter and took the game to Chelsea who had started more cautiously. Gallas had already hit the post from five yards before Sagna put the Gunners ahead in the 59th minute, his first goal for the club.

Chelsea responded to this setback by allowing the game to open up even more and began to attack Arsenal.

Ballack and Drogba both wasted decent chances. However, it was the Ivory Coast striker who eventually got his side back level with a clean strike from the edge of box. It has been a quieter season for Drogba but he is still a potent force and if he runs into a goal scoring streak for the remaining seven games then who knows what it will inspire his team to achieve.

Ten minutes after his first goal he was again put through by Anelka and a cool flick beyond Almunia was enough to secure the three points.

It was a bitter blow for Arsenal and their poor run continues but at least they played well and are by no means out of this title race but they do need all of the first team to stay fit and Adebayor to find his scoring feet again.

As for Chelsea, and particularly manager Grant, it has been a tough period, but this result has given them the kick-start that could possibly lift them beyond United who they play in a crucial encounter on April 26.

United have played the best football of the season and a five point lead is significant given only seven games to go but titles have been lost with greater margins and teams on long-winning runs often are difficult to stop, so Chelsea will not think things are over, and nor should they.

These 'Super Sundays' are intriguing and infuriating at the same time: intriguing because they allow us to watch the best players compete against each other in a four-hour period but infuriating because it underlines the divisions that exist in the Premiership between the clubs at the top and all the others.

Only Liverpool are allowing the rest any chance of Champions League football and this is why out of the four managers their man remains under the most pressure from his employers.