Two goals from Wayne Rooney fired Manchester United to a 2-1 victory against Liverpool in a hostile encounter at Old Trafford.
Tensions ran high in Manchester, as Luis Suarez returned to the Liverpool starting 11 for the first time since he was suspended for racially abusing United defender Patrice Evra.
The Uruguayan intensified the drama by refusing to shake Evra's hand before kick-off, but poached a late goal to give Liverpool hope when United seemed to have control of the match.
Rooney, though, stole the show, as his two goals early in the second half proved enough to hand United three points and send them top of the Premier League table, with Manchester City still to play on Sunday.
The game itself began at an encouraging pace as Antonio Valencia caused Jose Enrique problems on the United right, while Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson almost opened the scoring when he shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
Ryan Giggs then found space on the left after a tremendous United move to cross on to the head of the unmarked Paul Scholes, who was denied at point-blank range by Pepe Reina.
After the on-field antagonism reportedly spilled over into physical confrontation as the two teams made their way into the dressing room, the second half started in explosive fashion for football-related reasons.
Giggs' corner from the United right-hand side was inadvertently flicked on at the near post by Jordan Henderson and into the path of Rooney, who volleyed beyond Reina from close range to open the scoring.
Jay Spearing was then hounded down by Valencia around the edge of his own penalty area, allowing the Ecuadorian to roll a pass into the path of Rooney, who steered the ball into the back of the net to leave Liverpool reeling.
Rooney should have had his hat-trick by the hour mark after Valencia's pass across the edge of the penalty area, but the 26-year-old could only poke the ball wide of goal from little more than eight yards out.
United were looking comfortable until an innocuous free-kick into the penalty area was mis-controlled by Rio Ferdinand, allowing Suarez to bring the away team back into the game from inside the six-yard box.
David De Gea saved well from Johnson in the dying stages, but United were able to hold on to ensure that the Reds continue to trail Chelsea, Newcastle and Arsenal in the race for a place in next season's Champions League.