Manchester United's resounding 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday is a result that suggests a procession, but that could not be further from the truth.
David De Gea was superb once again -- the bedrock of his side's sixth league win in a row -- and their hold on third place in the Premier League looks both secure and fully deserved. It was a great win against their greatest rivals and one whose key characteristics, apart from De Gea's almost weekly heroics, were resilience and an unforgiving efficiency in front of goal.
Player Ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK David De Gea, 10 -- The Spain goalkeeper was exceptional throughout. His good early stop from excellent initial positioning denied Raheem Sterling and was the beginning of an afternoon in which he was dominant. Shortly after that save, Wayne Rooney put his team ahead, and so De Gea was responsible for changing the momentum of the match. What made his showing so remarkable was not only his magnificent stops -- such as one in which he tipped Mario Balotelli's crashing close-range drive against the crossbar in the second half -- but his footwork that made difficult saves look routine, such as his one-on-one stop from the vibrant Sterling.
De Gea's concentration was relentless, and without him Liverpool could well have claimed victory. It is hard to think of any goalkeeper in the world at a higher level, save for Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer or Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois.
DF Michael Carrick, 8 -- Assured from the opening whistle, passing the ball out perceptively from the back and covering several gaps left by Phil Jones and Jonny Evans. His distribution was missed higher up the pitch, but his composure further back was vital. As good an outing at centre-back as he has produced for United.
DF Phil Jones, 6 -- Still on his way back from injury, he made a rash challenge after only 20 minutes or so, leading to a yellow card. However, there was also great merit in his play, particularly a superb challenge to stop Sterling when the score was 2-0 to the home side. A reasonable performance, all told.
DF Jonny Evans, 5 -- Earned a yellow card for a lacklustre challenge in the first half, and then was extremely fortunate that De Gea bailed him out in the second. With his side two goals to the good, he played an awful back pass that put Sterling clear through. He looked some way below his best, and should be thankful that the score sheet does not reflect this.
MF Antonio Valencia, 7 -- Made a very accomplished start, executing a Cruyff turn after two minutes just by his own corner flag to play his team out of trouble. He assisted the game's opening goal, shimmying between two men and nut-megging Joe Allen before squaring for Rooney. All of a sudden, it felt like the 2009-10 season again when Valencia and Rooney combined to deadly effect. He also covered well at the back, preventing too much trouble down his flank.
MF Ashley Young, 7 -- Looks like he is enjoying his football as much as any time in his career at Old Trafford. He ran at players throughout and only allowed Jordan Henderson, his opposite man, to escape him just once. He tackled carefully, broke smartly and passed well out from the back. A testament to Louis van Gaal's encouragement and tactical wisdom in reinventing him as a wing-back.
MF Marouane Fellaini, 7 -- He started the match with a horrible early pass with the nearest player 10 yards away and then received a yellow card with his next involvement, all within the first five minutes. He then stuttered through much of the first half, displaying poor pass selection and missing challenges here and there. But then he made an elegant dispossession of Sterling and he was off. He seemingly rose sharply in confidence after that, perhaps helped by Rooney dropping deep alongside him, and by the end of the game was not only repelling Liverpool's attackers with ease but also starting counterattacks, one of which led to the final goal.
MF Juan Mata, 7 -- He looked set for a disappointing afternoon, failing to get on the ball too much in the game's early stages, but he was revitalised by his goal. That strike, owing much to Young's fine cross and a little to Robin van Persie's flick, was the platform for an impressive second half. Admittedly, he was offside for his goal but managed to escape being seen.
MF Wayne Rooney, 8 -- A performance as fine as his finish. His opening goal was swept home with the ruthlessness that marks most of his forward play at present, and he worked hard in midfield, spreading the play with confidence and providing much-needed assistance to Fellaini at the base of midfield. As the cliche goes, this was a true captain's performance.
FW Robin van Persie, 7 --The joy with which he celebrated his goal shows a man who is back to something like his happiest, his seventh league strike of the season almost joined by an eighth near the end, which Brad Jones tipped over. The good times have returned for the Dutchman.
FW James Wilson, 7 -- Van Gaal's intention was that Wilson would use his pace to unsettle the visitors' back line. He did not directly influence any of the goals, but his acceleration and movement was a constant threat. Another promising appearance.
Substitutes:
MF Ander Herrera, N/R -- Showed neat touches, always willing to get on the ball. It's surprising he doesn't feature as a starter under Van Gaal at present.
FW Radamel Falcao, N/R -- Smacked the wall with a free kick and then the follow up. No goal for the Colombian, again, but his runs are intelligent.
DF Paddy McNair, N/R -- Good man management to get him straight back on the pitch following a chastening experience in the 2-1 win at Southampton. It may have only been a few minutes, but it showed that Van Gaal has him in his thoughts even when he has played poorly.