Sir Alex Ferguson was left reflecting on a "marvellous day" for his Manchester United side as the reigning champions returned to the top of the English Premier League with a 1-0 win away to arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield here Sunday.
Carlos Tevez's goal two minutes before half-time secured a victory that left United nine points clear of Liverpool, who remained fifth, albeit with a game in hand. "It's a good result for sure and they (the players) know that," United manager Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"It's a marvellous day for us, a good result and a good team performance. We had to show discipline but I thought, in terms of playing football, we were the better team.
"It was a typical United-Liverpool game. The crowd creates such fervour, it's difficult for the referee. It's not about flowing football, it's about winning the game. The moments we did play football in the first-half we looked a better team (than Liverpool)."
Tevez's goal came after a well-worked corner move saw the Argentina forward, surprisingly left unmarked in the six-yard box, react first to turn in a cross from strike partner Wayne Rooney that was initially meant as a shot.
"Ryan (Giggs) had the opportunity of doing the corner-kick before that, to use Owen Hargreaves, because the edge of the box was free," veteran Scottish boss Ferguson explained. "The second time we took that opportunity and from a deflection Carlos has scored."
United and England centre-back Rio Ferdinand added: "Anfield is a hard place to come to, they defend very well and there is pressure all over the park. Today we dealt with everything they threw at us and got the goal.
"They are a very good side. One moment of brilliance, Wazza's shot deflecting to Carlos - well it was a bit fortunate but we'll take that.
"The whole team defended, closed them down, and everything they did get into the box we dealt with. "I think you can tell from the reaction of the lads after, and the fans, it's a great feeling to come to Anfield and win."
Ferguson, assessing the significance of this result, added: "I said before the game I thought the games between the top sides are going to be important this year and that was an important win for us."
Arsenal, who came into the weekend as league leaders, will be back in top spot if they beat third-placed Chelsea in the London derby later Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.
"At the moment we are top, but will we stay there by the end of the day?" said Ferguson. "It's going to be a long struggle and fight right throughout the season. But I've always said if we get to the end of December top or just about there, then we've an outstanding chance of retaining the title." Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admitted the Merseysiders had a "long way" to go to claim their first English title since 1990.
"We had our chances and didn't take them. They had just one, and that was the difference," the Spaniard explained. "When you play United you know you cannot create a lot."
Benitez, asked where Liverpool had let themselves down in attack, replied: "The corners. The second balls at corners. In this kind of game you know you won't have too many (chances).