Manchester United could not have allowed their chance to return to the top of the English Premier League slip away after their main rival Liverpool’s slip at Anfield Road. They beat Portsmouth 2:0. United’s goals came from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick.

Rooney had to score in this game to return to the World Top 23, and he did just that. He earned 23 rating points in the process. The goal was a classic United schematic construct, with Ryan Giggs sending a low cross into the area and Rooney connecting. Rooney now has 198.06 points over all, the best rating among Premier League forwards.

The game was settled definitely by Michael Carrick when he found the far corner of the net after a defense-splitting pass from Paul Scholes. With a bonus of 10.68 rating points in the game, Carrick has now joined the club of best midfielders of the Premier League.

United were also able to take advantage of rivals Chelsea’s flop against Everton. The goalless draw also seriously damaged the ratings of the Blues’ leaders: forward Didier Drogba, who needed to earn 26.88 rating points in the game to move up in the rating, lost instead 18.19 points. He has now exited the World Top 23. The Ivory Coast international now has 193.27 points, which is not enough for a spot among the world’s best.

The Red Devils now have their 18th Premiership title almost within reach, with a game in hand. Liverpool are trailing by 3 points, while Chelsea are 6 behind.