“He is a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club,’’ United manager Alex Ferguson. “He shouldn’t be able to play for Liverpool again.’’
Police and stewards reportedly had to intervene as players from both teams clashed outside the locker rooms at halftime after Evra chased Suarez down the tunnel.
Evra then appeared to attempt to provoke Suarez with exuberant post-match celebrations on the field in front of the Uruguay striker, also forcing police officers to intervene.
Amid the mayhem, United managed to take an overnight lead in the standings, tightening the pressure on Manchester City ahead of its trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Third-place Tottenham stayed five points behind United by thrashing Newcastle 5-0 at home, while the fight for fourth place intensified following Chelsea’s 2-0 loss at Everton and Arsenal’s 2-1 victory at Sunderland.
Thierry Henry scored a stoppage-time winner in his final league game on loan for Arsenal, which climbed above Chelsea on goals scored. The two teams, who are four points ahead of seventh-place Liverpool, have the same goal difference.
“I know it was the last game in the Premier League and I wanted to say thanks,’’ Henry said. “I felt just like a kid who scores his first goal for the team he loves.’’
Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi scored Everton’s goals as Chelsea extended its winless run to four matches and threatened the club’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Landon Donovan fed Stracqualursi with a through ball for the second goal, Donovan’s fifth assist during his loan from Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.
U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey played a part in Fulham’s second goal in its 2-1 win against Stoke. Dempsey’s long shot hit the bar, struck Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and rebounded into the net.
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PARIS (AP) — American striker Charlie Davies made his return for Sochaux after an absence of more than two years in a 1-0 loss at Rennes in the French league.
Davies came on in the 78th minute as a replacement for Abdoul Camara and shot off target with two minutes left.
