United demise talk premature

United went into the match after several days of criticism following its Champions League exit and the loss of captain Nemanja Vidic to a season-ending injury, but bounced back as Nani and Wayne Rooney scored their first league goals in months in a convincing display.

McCarthy said he had expected little else from United, and backed Sir Alex Ferguson to put them back on top once more.

"I don't look at Manchester United in a different way," said McCarthy.

"I can't remember when Manchester United, at Old Trafford, was an easy task.

"All the hype and talk about their demise is nonsense."

The result lifts United to within two points of leaders Manchester City, who visit Chelsea on Monday night (Tuesday morning AEST).

Luis Suarez shrugged off recent controversies to bag the winner for Liverpool, who beat QPR 1-0.

The Uruguay international scored his first Barclays Premier League goal since October 1 with an unmarked header five yards out to end a run of four successive draws at Anfield.

Suarez has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, receiving a second Football Association misconduct charge this week for an alleged offensive gesture after Monday's defeat at Fulham.

He is also awaiting a date for a hearing into a racism-related charge which dates back to October, and Kenny Dalglish was delighted to see him get in the news for the right reasons.

"The headlines don't matter - but they will be nice headlines," he said.

"He scored with a header which doesn't happen very often and he played really well. It was well deserved and well taken."

Robin van Persie's goal glut shows no sign of ending as the Dutchman scored a stunning volley to give Arsenal a 1-0 win over Everton and earn the plaudits of his manager.

The in-form Dutchman took his tally to 19 for the season with a superb left foot strike on 70 minutes which proved enough to send Arsenal back into the top four of the Barclays Premier League.

Arsene Wenger said: "Robin got us a goal which was at the moment of the game where we struggled a little bit to create chances.

"He delivered something special and three important points."

Newcastle's unbeaten start to the season seems a distant memory after three defeats in its last four matches, the latest coming at Norwich where they went down 4-2.

Alan Pardew pointed the finger at his injury list as his defence tried to cope without central pairing Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini.

"It's fairly obvious we missed them," Pardew said.

"Our squad has been stretched to the limit."

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers hailed the signing of Michel Vorm as a "steal" after the Dutch keeper performed more heroics in its 2-0 victory over Fulham at the Liberty Stadium.

After denying Bryan Ruiz and Andrew Johnson in fine style, Vorm saved a late Clint Dempsey penalty with the score 1-0 before Danny Graham made sure of the points.

And having brought the 28-year-old to south Wales from FC Utrecht for just £1.5million ($A2.3million) in the summer, Rodgers has no doubt he has secured one of the best goalkeepers in the top flight.

He said: "People will tell you that a good goalkeeper will get you up to 10-plus points and everyone knows we have a top keeper. The speed with which he got there to make the save was exceptional and he deserves the acclaim, it was very important for us.

"It was a great bit of business for us, it's a steal. He is a good guy, very professional. His family have settled well in Swansea and he is enjoying life in this fantastic league."

Aston Villa heaped more pressure on last-placed Bolton with a 2-1 win at the Reebok Stadium, but there was better news for Wigan who secured only its third win of the season with a 2-1 victory at West Brom.