LONDON, Sept 21: All eyes were on Rio Ferdinand as he returned after an eight-match ban on Monday but it was his central defensive partner Mikael Silvestre who stole the show with both goals in Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool.

But it was Silvestre, heavily criticised during United's stuttering start to the season, who secured the much-needed Premier League win with headed goals in each half either side of a John O'Shea own goal.

Coming after four successive draws it was only United's second win in six Premier League games and takes them eighth place on nine points, seven behind leaders Arsenal.

Liverpool, who looked second-best for almost the entire match, slipped to 12th on seven points. Always one of the highlights of the league season, Monday's clash between the north-west powerhouses was given extra spice by their desperate need for points after poor starts.

United took charge from the first whistle and went ahead after 20 minutes when Ryan Giggs swung in a free kick from the right wing and French defender Silvestre was left totally unmarked to head home from six metres.

In the previous four years Liverpool had won the fixture three times with a score line 1-0. The visitors suffered a further blow five minutes before halftime when captain and midfield driving force Steven Gerrard went off with a foot injury.

Liverpool did look livelier after the break and scrambled an equaliser in the 54th minute. Xabi Alonso delivered a deep free kick that Steve Finnan headed down and the ball struck O'Shea on the foot and rolled over the line. The French international did not score a single league goal last season but had now managed two in one game. -Reuters