Thursday 26 March 2015 10:42, UK
Ed Chamberlin looks back at Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool on Super Sunday, and thinks the game will go down in history...
Liverpool v Manchester United is our game's greatest rivalry and a fixture with the richest of history. The latest chapter on Sunday, particularly the second half, has to be near the top of the all-time list when it comes to drama.
Manchester United dominated the first half. Liverpool weren't at the races in that opening 45 minutes. On came Steven Gerrard and you can imagine the atmosphere inside the ground and the Sky Sports studio alongside Jamie Carragher, who himself had played 33 times against United, when Gerrard thundered in to his first challenge.
The place went mad. But then came his moment of madness. From there the drama flowed and we saw one of the best goals scored in my time presenting Super Sunday. Absolutely brilliant from Juan Mata.
It all meant a massive three points for Manchester United in the race for the top four. SkyBet shortened them to 2/7 to successfully negotiate the "rat race". Liverpool are out to 3/1 with a daunting trip to Arsenal (1/10) next.
Tottenham (9/1) and Southampton (10/1) did well to win last weekend but the pace has been relentless and both are up against it now.
It gives Manchester United a five-point gap on Liverpool and the rest of the chasing pack and crucial momentum with only eight games to go. It also feels like a real turning point for Louis van Gaal. The doubters were quietened after the win against Tottenham. They were silenced on Sunday.
Now the international weekend gives everyone one final breather before the big push for the finishing line. Chelsea are 1/12 to win the title and it looks a matter of when they will clinch it rather than if.
In the relegation battle it's looking bleak for QPR (1/8) and Leicester (1/6), though Sunderland proved last season that miracles are possible.
The other spot looks very hard to call with Burnley refusing to lie down at 8/11, Sunderland in deep trouble again at 6/4 and Hull with a horrible set of fixtures at 3/1. Aston Villa aren't out of the woods yet either at 9/2.
Horse Racing
As a big jump racing fan, the post-Cheltenham Festival depression is just about starting to subside, and the thought of the Lincoln and Dubai World Cup this weekend fills me with a small amount of dread. However, Aintree and Punchestown are just around the corner and by the time Doncaster kicks off I know I will be mad for it. Plus I think we've found the Lincoln winner.
I remember leaving Ascot on Champions Day telling myself I will back Gabrials Kaka again wherever he turns up next. Richard Fahey clearly left Ascot thinking he had one for the Lincoln as he didn't run the horse again and has targeted this season's first feature race.
I know plenty of people have already followed this horse over a few cliffs, yet I'm convinced Saturday will be his day again. Gabrials Kaka ran a screamer on Champions Day to easily win the race on his side of the course, which was only seventh on the day. That was desperately unlucky.
He was sixth in last year's Lincoln when well fancied but was too free that day and did not get home. He then bolted up under a more patient ride in Newbury's Spring Mile. That was off a mark of 95.
In the Lincoln he's off 101 but the excellent Jack Garritty will take 5lbs off to aid his cause further. Gabrials Kaka has been flying up the slopes at Musley Bank. I watched him work earlier this month and loved what I saw. He's in rude health and the great trainer has got the horse primed for this weekend.
The race is always competitive and there's every chance Mange All is a Group horse hiding in handicap company. However, Gabrials Kaka is far more battle hardened for a race like this and looks a rock solid each-way bet, especially if the ever generous Mike 'Shindog' Shinners is persuaded to go each-way five places again on Saturday.
Before then I hope to read another positive bulletin from the trainer's weekly column on the website ahead of a Fahey battalion being released on Town Moor.
In just over two weeks time the starter will release 40 runners - probably after at least two false starts - in the 2015 Crabbies Grand National. I had my first small play on the race this week backing Al Co at 25/1 with Sky Bet.
The Scottish Grand National hero has been running well over hurdles and been laid out for the race by the canny Peter Bowen. People will oppose Al Co after his poor jumping in the Becher Chase before Christmas.
I'm willing to give the horse another chance on better ground and because his trainer is an absolute master with horses over these fences. His record with horses over the National fences is superb. Al Co looks like have a great chance.
Hargam remains the nap for the Grand National meeting. Obviously.
