Juan Mata’s marvellous volley helped Manchester United beat Liverpool in the duel for Champions League qualification while his former club Chelsea nervously regained their six-point lead in the Premier League yesterday.

At the end of a week where English clubs have failed to reach the last eight of the Champions League for the second time in three years, attention has quickly turned to next term’s competition with United now handily placed for a return.

Their Mata-inspired 2-1 win at Anfield left them five points clear of their old rivals in fourth, the Champions League play-off spot, as United seek a return to Europe’s top table after this season’s glaring absence.

They were aided by pumped-up Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard being brainlessly sent off for stamping on Ander Herrera 38 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute.

By that time Liverpool trailed 1-0 through Mata’s neat first-half finish and the Spaniard added his second after Gerrard’s dismissal with a stunning left-foot acrobatic volley.

Daniel Sturridge pulled a goal back before Wayne Rooney missed the chance to add a third when Simon Mignolet saved his injury-time penalty.

“I think it’s my best game in a United shirt,” Mata, a bit-part player under Louis van Gaal until recently, told Sky Sports.

“The second goal has to be up there with my best. After Steven Gerrard was sent off we needed a second goal because they pushed us to the end.

“It was important for me. The last few months I’ve not had the best moment. It is the manager who decides but I’m happy today.”

Juan Mata scores his second Manchester United goal with a majestic volley. United beat Liverpool 2-1.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was disappointed with his team’s first-half performance.

“We were still in the game until the end and take great pride in that. The first half cost us more than the second,” said Rodgers, who thanked the soon-departing Gerrard for apologising for his moment of madness.

Chelsea remain well on course for the title despite a lacklustre performance in a 3-2 win at Hull City. They now boast 67 points with nine matches left and have a game in hand on second-placed Manchester City.

Eden Hazard’s thumping strike gave Chelsea the advantage inside the first two minutes and Diego Costa added a second to put Jose Mourinho’s side seemingly in control.

But Hull responded in blistering fashion to score twice in 74 seconds.

Ahmed El Mohamady first turned in Andrew Robertson’s precision cross before Abel Hernandez capitalised on a defensive mix-up between Branislav Ivanovic and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to level the scores just before the half hour.

Courtois atoned for his error by producing a stunning treble-save to deny Hull going in front and Chelsea substitute Loic Remy made sure the West Londoners went six points clear when his 77th-minute shot squirmed under Allan McGregor.

“After the international break we will go back to one match per week, except our game in hand. I believe we can finish the season very strong,” said Mourinho.

Queens Park Rangers’ hopes of Premier League survival were dealt a blow by 13th-placed Everton, who stole a 2-1 win at Loftus Road through on-loan Spurs winger Aaron Lennon.

QPR remain 19th, four points adrift of fourth-bottom Sunderland.

Gerrard apologises

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard apologised after he was sent off for a rash stamp having been on the pitch for just 38 seconds of their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United yesterday.

Gerrard entered the fray as a half-time substitute but received a straight red card after reacting to a poor tackle from United’s Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera.

With Gerrard set to quit Liverpool for MLS side LA Galaxy in the close season, this was almost certainly his last appearance for the Merseysiders against their fierce north-west rivals.

“I need to accept it; the decision was right. I’ve let down my team-mates and the fans. I take full responsibility,” Gerrard told Sky Sports.

“I don’t know what caused it. Probably just a reaction to the initial tackle.

“I shouldn’t say more about it really. I’ve just come out here to apologise to the dressing room and supporters.”

Summaries, standings

Hull City 2
El Mohamady 27; Hernandez 28;
Chelsea 3
Hazard 2; Costa 9; Remy 77;

HT: 2-2. Att: 24,598.

Liverpool 1
Sturridge 69;
Man. United 2
Mata 14, 59;

HT: 0-1. Att: 44,405.
Missed penalty: Rooney (MU) 90.
Red card: Gerrard (L) 46.

QPR 1
Vargas 65;
Everton 2
Coleman 18; Lennon 77;

HT: 0-1. Att: 17,706.