By Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Old Trafford
Dimitar Berbatov's rejuvenation continued as his brilliant hat-trick gave Manchester United a fully deserved win against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The Bulgarian striker scored either side of the interval - the second a stunning overhead kick - to put Sir Alex Ferguson's side in complete control against a subdued Liverpool.
Liverpool were thrown a lifeline by United's frailty in defence as Steven Gerrard scored twice in six minutes midway through the second half from the penalty spot and a 20-yard free-kick, both awarded for fouls on Fernando Torres, to put the Merseysiders in sight of an unlikely point.
Berbatov was determined to have the final say, however, and he scored his and United's third with a towering header six minutes from time to seal the victory.
Ferguson will be delighted with United's attacking play, but once again lapses in United's defence threatened to throw away the good work from Berbatov and company further forward.
Liverpool, for so long locked up in a defensive shell, will be frustrated to lose a point late on, but boss Roy Hodgson saw his team come out as distinctly second best for long spells.
United were forced into a late change when Rio Ferdinand withdrew because of illness, while Liverpool were able to bring back Joe Cole after his three-game Premier League suspension.
The pattern was swiftly established as Manchester United's greater possession and territory was confronted by dogged defensive resistance from Liverpool.
Nani had an early opportunity to force Liverpool into a greater show of ambition when a brilliant interchange between Wayne Rooney and Berbatov left the Portuguese winger with space and time in the area, but he dragged an angled finish well wide.
Liverpool's patchy response consisted a long-range effort from Glen Johnson that flew harmlessly across the face of goal.
Just as it looked like Liverpool might survive until the interval unscathed, they were architects of their own downfall as Berbatov took advantage of poor marking at a set piece to give United a 42nd minute lead.
Hodgson disappointed after late defeat
Torres was the culprit, losing Berbatov in the battle to make contact with Ryan Giggs' corner, the Bulgarian powering a header past Pepe Reina.
United, encouraged by the goal, pressed for another and Rooney was then narrowly off target from the edge of the area.
Liverpool continued to be pushed back after the break, and rode their luck after 56 minutes when Nani cut into the area and unleashed a powerful effort that bounced back off the outside of an upright with Reina beaten.
It was a brief reprieve as Berbatov scored a stunning second goal to extend United's lead. Nani's cross was behind the striker, but he brought the ball under control and swept an overhead kick past Reina via the underside of the bar.
Liverpool looked on course for a long and painful afternoon at the hands of their fierce rivals, but they were given hope after 64 minutes when Jonny Evans fouled Torres in the area, allowing Gerrard to dispatch the penalty with ease.
Hodgson needs time - Gerrard
And a remarkable turnaround was complete six minutes later when John O'Shea was booked for fouling Torres on the edge of the area. The defender was arguably fortunate to escape a red card from referee Howard Webb, but Gerrard inflicted further punishment as he slipped a free-kick through a poorly assembled United wall and past Edwin van der Sar.
Berbatov had given a masterclass in the striker's art, and fittingly he completed his treble when he headed United back in front with six minutes left, soaring above Jamie Carragher to glance O'Shea's cross past Reina.
And this time there was no chance for Liverpool to recover - or for Manchester United to squander a lead once more.
90:00+3:35 Steven Gerrard challenges Oliveira Anderson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Patrice Evra takes the free kick.
90:00+2:46 Martin Skrtel concedes a free kick for a foul on Federico Macheda. Free kick taken by Paul Scholes.
90:00 The referee ends the match.
88:23 Steven Gerrard sends in a cross, Foul by Daniel Agger on John O'Shea, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Edwin Van
der Sar.
88:10 Milan Jovanovic sends in a cross, clearance made by Jonathan Evans.
87:04 Substitution Oliveira Anderson on for Dimitar Berbatov.
87:04 Substitution Luis Nani goes off and Darron Gibson comes on.
85:59 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Milan Jovanovic by Federico Macheda. Jamie Carragher restarts play with the free
kick.
83:40 John O'Shea provided the assist for the goal.
83:40 GOAL - Dimitar Berbatov:Man Utd 3 - 2 Liverpool Dimitar Berbatov grabs a headed goal from close in. Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool.
83:38 John O'Shea delivers the ball,
82:32 The ball is sent over by Darren Fletcher, Glen Johnson manages to make a clearance.
80:52 Substitution Federico Macheda comes on in place of Ryan Giggs.
80:52 Substitution Daniel Agger comes on in place of Paul Konchesky.
80:12 The ball is sent over by Wayne Rooney, Paul Konchesky makes a clearance.
79:42 Luis Nani sends in a cross, comfortable save by Jose Reina.
78:22 Substitution Milan Jovanovic on for Raul Meireles.
76:26 Shot by David Ngog from outside the area goes high over the crossbar.
75:33 Patrice Evra concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven Gerrard. Jose Reina restarts play with the free kick.
75:22 Ryan Giggs produces a cross, blocked by Glen Johnson.
74:40 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Darren Fletcher by Christian Poulsen. John O'Shea restarts play with the free
kick.
71:28 The ball is swung over by Christian Poulsen, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Raul Meireles misses to the right
of the target.
70:56 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Raul Meireles by Patrice Evra. Direct free kick taken by Glen Johnson.
69:54 GOAL - Steven Gerrard:Man Utd 2 - 2 Liverpool Steven Gerrard finds the net with a goal direct from the free kick from just outside the penalty box to the bottom right corner
of the goal. Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool.
68:18 Booking John O'Shea is shown a yellow card.
68:07 John O'Shea gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Fernando Torres.
67:37 Steven Gerrard restarts play with the free kick.
67:37 Booking Paul Scholes booked.
67:32 Foul by Paul Scholes on David Ngog, free kick awarded.
67:04 Ryan Giggs delivers the ball, Martin Skrtel makes a clearance.
66:14 Christian Poulsen concedes a free kick for a foul on Luis Nani. Paul Scholes takes the free kick.
65:26 Free kick taken by Darren Fletcher.
65:26 Booking David Ngog is shown a yellow card.
65:20 Unfair challenge on Darren Fletcher by David Ngog results in a free kick.
64:48 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Jose Reina makes a comfortable save.
63:37 Assist on the goal came from Fernando Torres.
63:37 GOAL - Steven Gerrard:Man Utd 2 - 1 Liverpool Placed penalty scored by Steven Gerrard. Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool.
62:36 Booking Caution for Jonathan Evans.
62:24 Unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Jonathan Evans results in a Penalty.
61:36 Substitution David Ngog comes on in place of Rodriguez Maxi.
58:44 Assist on the goal came from Luis Nani.
58:44 GOAL - Dimitar Berbatov:Man Utd 2 - 0 Liverpool Goal scored by Dimitar Berbatov from the edge of the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool.
58:42 Luis Nani produces a cross,
57:32 Shot from outside the box by Joe Cole misses to the left of the goal.
56:39 Rodriguez Maxi restarts play with the free kick.
56:39 Booking Wayne Rooney is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
56:35 Wayne Rooney concedes a free kick for a foul on Fernando Torres.
56:10 Luis Nani has an effort at goal from just inside the penalty area that bounces off the post.
55:44 The ball is crossed by Darren Fletcher, Glen Johnson manages to make a clearance.
53:11 Foul by Rodriguez Maxi on Patrice Evra, free kick awarded. Patrice Evra restarts play with the free kick.
52:57 Fernando Torres is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Paul Scholes.
52:08 The ball is swung over by Glen Johnson, Close range header by Fernando Torres goes over the crossbar.
51:14 Darren Fletcher takes a shot. Christian Poulsen gets a block in.
50:45 Rodriguez Maxi is penalised for a handball. Ryan Giggs restarts play with the free kick.
49:21 The ball is delivered by Joe Cole, Jonathan Evans makes a clearance.
Correction - 48:05 Luis Nani takes a shot. Martin Skrtel gets a block in.
48:05 Luis Nani takes a shot. Blocked by Martin Skrtel.
46:35 The ball is crossed by Raul Meireles, John O'Shea manages to make a clearance.
45:01 The referee starts the second half.
Half Time
45:00 The match has reached half-time.
44:56 Patrice Evra delivers the ball.
43:07 Shot from just outside the box by Wayne Rooney misses to the left of the target.
42:42 Luis Nani produces a cross.
41:23 Ryan Giggs provided the assist for the goal.
41:23 GOAL - Dimitar Berbatov:Man Utd 1 - 0 Liverpool Dimitar Berbatov grabs a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Man Utd 1-0 Liverpool.
40:30 Dimitar Berbatov delivers the ball, clearance by Glen Johnson. Outswinging corner taken by Ryan Giggs from the left by-line
played to the near post, clearance by Steven Gerrard. Corner taken by Ryan Giggs played to the near post,
39:49 Patrice Evra concedes a free kick for a foul on Glen Johnson. Jose Reina takes the free kick.
38:34 Centre by Paul Konchesky.
38:02 Centre by Christian Poulsen.
37:49 A cross is delivered by Glen Johnson, Jonathan Evans makes a clearance.
35:45 Foul by Luis Nani on Paul Konchesky, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed by Steven Gerrard, Nemanja Vidic manages to make
a clearance.
35:05 Unfair challenge on Darren Fletcher by Rodriguez Maxi results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Darren Fletcher.
32:59 Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan Giggs on Steven Gerrard. Free kick crossed by Raul Meireles, clearance made by Nemanja
Vidic.
31:18 John O'Shea delivers the ball, Dimitar Berbatov has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left
of the target.
30:59 Ryan Giggs produces a cross, Christian Poulsen makes a clearance.
29:20 Shot from outside the box by Fernando Torres misses to the left of the target.
27:06 The offside flag is raised against Dimitar Berbatov. Jose Reina takes the free kick.
26:48 The ball is delivered by John O'Shea, Martin Skrtel manages to make a clearance.
26:12 The ball is crossed by Ryan Giggs, Martin Skrtel makes a clearance.
25:53 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Darren Fletcher by Steven Gerrard. Paul Scholes restarts play with the free kick.
24:16 Short corner taken by Glen Johnson, Glen Johnson has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of
the goal.
23:49 The ball is swung over by Wayne Rooney, Jose Reina makes a comfortable save.
22:43 Glen Johnson sends in a cross, save by Edwin Van der Sar.
21:30 Free kick awarded for a foul by Dimitar Berbatov on Martin Skrtel. Jose Reina restarts play with the free kick.
20:15 Corner taken left-footed by Ryan Giggs to the near post, Fernando Torres manages to make a clearance. Paul Scholes takes a
shot from inside the box clearing the bar.
19:22 Paul Scholes concedes a free kick for a foul on Raul Meireles. Christian Poulsen restarts play with the free kick.
18:37 Ryan Giggs delivers the ball.
16:43 Rodriguez Maxi delivers the ball, Paul Scholes manages to make a clearance.
15:21 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Christian Poulsen gets a block in. Luis Nani produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the
six-yard box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
10:59 The assistant referee signals for offside against Dimitar Berbatov. Christian Poulsen takes the free kick.
10:14 Free kick awarded for a foul by Wayne Rooney on Christian Poulsen. Jamie Carragher restarts play with the free kick.
8:01 Ryan Giggs produces a cross, Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Wayne Rooney misses to the right of the target.
7:11 John O'Shea takes a shot. Glen Johnson manages to make a clearance.
6:39 Corner taken right-footed by Luis Nani.
5:57 Luis Nani crosses the ball, blocked by Paul Konchesky. Corner taken by Luis Nani from the right by-line to the near post,
Steven Gerrard makes a clearance.
5:04 Unfair challenge on Luis Nani by Paul Konchesky results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Darren Fletcher.
3:45 Luis Nani takes a shot. Blocked by Paul Konchesky. Corner taken by Ryan Giggs from the left by-line, Headed effort from deep
inside the penalty area by Nemanja Vidic goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
2:02 The ball is sent over by Patrice Evra, clearance made by Paul Konchesky. Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul
Konchesky by Dimitar Berbatov. Jose Reina takes the direct free kick.
0:44 Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul Scholes on Joe Cole. Steven Gerrard takes the direct free kick.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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