Giggs goals strengthen United

Ryan Giggs scored both of Manchester United FC's goals as the English Premiership's reigning champions recorded a
2-1 victory against arch-rivals Liverpool FC at Anfield on Sunday.

Tight at top
The win kept Sir Alex Ferguson's side a point behind Chelsea FC, who dispatched of visiting Newcastle United FC 5-0 at Stamford Bridge - and two behind leaders Arsenal FC, who beat Tottenham Hotspur FC on Saturday.

Quickfire double
In a competitive but tight affair at Anfield, United broke the deadlock when Giggs' 59th-minute cross from the left evaded the onrushing Ruud van Nistelrooij and goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek. Eleven minutes later the Wales winger doubled the advantage with a finish from an acute angle. Harry Kewell's reply for the home side proved to be no more than a consolation.

Welsh boost
Besides bringing joy to Sir Alex and the United fans, Giggs' double also delighted Wales supporters ahead of their national side's two-legged UEFA EURO 2004™ play-off with Russia. By chance, Welsh strikers John Hartson, of Celtic FC, and Robert Earnshaw, of Cardiff City FC, also scored twice for their clubs ahead of the international trip to Moscow.

Five internationals
There were five internationals on the scoresheet in the storming victory which kept Chelsea in second place. Comfortable conquerers of S.S. Lazio in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, free-scoring Chelsea continued where they left off with England pair Glen Johnson and Frank Lampard were on target either side of Argentinian international Hernán Crespo before half-time.

O'Brien off
Second-half goals from Republic of Ireland playmaker Damien Duff and Icelandic international Eidur Gudjohnsen completed the scoring against ten-man Newcastle, who had Andy O'Brien dismissed shortly before the interval.

Leicester joy
In the day's other game, Manchester City missed the chance to move fourth when they were beaten 3-0 at home by Leicester City FC. The visitors moved out of the relegation zone with the victory, which was recorded thanks to goals from Jordan Stewart and Marcus Bent either side of a succesful penalty by Paul Dickov, the Scotland striker in line to face the Netherlands next weekend.