England: Liverpool beat United

Michael Owen scored twice and Fabien Barthez committed another goalkeeping error as Liverpool FC recorded a 3-1 FA Premiership win over Manchester United FC on Sunday.

Cool finish
A cool Owen finish after 32 minutes and John Arne Riise's searing free-kick seven minutes later put Liverpool in control before David Beckham pulled one back just after half-time.

Missed cross
But within a minute United's 1998 FIFA World Cup winner Barthez, at fault for several goals already this season, missed a cross and England striker Owen nodded in the clincher.

'Terrible goals'
"We lost two terrible goals and that has been endemic throughout the season," said Sir Alex Ferguson, who is hoping to win an eighth title in his final season at Old Trafford stadium. "These are individual errors. It's inexplicable at times. Making mistakes is not an enjoyable part of the game."

Leeds on top
The deserved home victory, Liverpool's fourth in succession over the champions, briefly lifted them to the top of the table but they were replaced by Leeds United AFC who beat Tottenham Hotspur FC 2-1 in a later game.

Kewell winner
David O'Leary's side recovered from Gustavo Poyet's 55th-minute goal for Spurs at Elland Road stadium, with Australian Harry Kewell grabbing an 82nd-minute winner after Ian Harte had equalised. Leeds, the Premiership's only unbeaten side, have 23 points from eleven games, a point more than Liverpool, who have a game in hand. United languish in sixth place on 18 points.

Missed chance
Arsenal FC missed out on the chance to go second when they lost 4-2 at home to Charlton Athletic FC, while Chelsea FC climbed to seventh after beating Ipswich Town FC 2-1 thanks to a late Samuele Dalla Bonna winner.

Henry opener
Thierry Henry scored in the seventh minute to put Arsenal on course but they were caught out when Steve Brown converted Charlton's first chance as he glanced in a header from a free-kick in the 37th minute.

Wright blunder
It got worse for the hosts six minutes later when, under pressure from Jason Euell, goalkeeper Richard Wright punched the ball into his own net. Danish international Claus Jensen’s sublime chip four minutes after the break and a calm 53rd-minute Euell finish gave Charlton a 4-1 lead and although Henry pulled one back from the spot for the home side, Charlton held out for a famous victory.

Chelsea joy
Gianfranco Zola put Chelsea, who were elimated from the UEFA Cup by Hapoel Tel-Aviv on Thursday, ahead at Stamford Bridge stadium before Marcus Stewart converted an 83rd-minute penalty to seemingly salvage a point for Ipswich. However, Dalla Bona's spectacular last-gasp winner cruelly denied the Suffolk side a share of the spoils.