Premier League action - in pictures

Wayne Rooney gets a tempting offer from three Stoke City fans before kick off. It's his 25th birthday today, in case you hadn't guessed. But he'll not get a chance to play any football as he's still nursing an ankle injury Photograph: Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport

In Rooney's absence, Javier "Chicharito" Hernández is leading United's attack. The Mexican scores the opening goal in the 27th minute - somehow back-heading the ball into the top corner of Sorensen's goal Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Hernández looks pretty pleased with himself and rightly so. That goal was extraordinary Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images

United fail to add a second goal and, in the 81st minute, they are punished as Tuncay Sanli equalises with a fine strike from the edge of the box Photograph: John Clifton/Action Images

The home fans show their support ... Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

... while Alex Ferguson seems less excited Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Fortunately for United, Hernández bags his second of the match in the 86th minute by turning a wayward shot into the net from close range. The victory keeps United five points behind league leaders Chelsea Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

At Anfield, Liverpool are chasing only their second win of the season. Sotirios Kyrgiakos heads in the first goal of the game in the 48th minute Photograph: John Walton/EMPICS Sport

Former Liverpool striker El-Hadji Diouf tries to poach an equaliser ... Photograph: John Walton/EMPICS Sport

Paul Konchesky clears the ball off the line, straight into the face of Jamie Carragher Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

... and, you've guessed it ... the ball rebounds into his net. 1-1 Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Liverpool's lead is swiftly restored by Fernando Torres when he side-foots Joe Cole's cross beyond Robinson to make it 2-1 Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

It's Torres's first goal since August, and it's enough to give Liverpool a vital win Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images