Stunning defeats for Fergie and Houllier

14 April 2012

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier both saw their seasons threaten to fall apart yesterday.

Ferguson conceded the Premiership to Arsenal as more calamitous defending contributed to a humiliating 4-1 defeat at neighbours Manchester City.

And Houllier's hopes of a Champions League qualifying place took a huge jolt with the 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

United's worst defeat in the Premiership for five years, only their third to City in 24 matches under Ferguson, left the champions 12 points behind Arsenal with only 10 matches left.

Having led Arsenal by three points on January 7, United have fallen apart on the back of defensive problems and last night Ferguson pulled no punches. He said: 'This is a terrible result for us and you cannot mask that. It'll be very hard to catch Arsenal now.

'The defending was sloppy. It's been like that for two months to be honest. It's just simple. They should just clear their lines and get the ball out. We're not attacking the ball.'

City recorded their second successive home victory over United after mistakes by Phil Neville and keeper Tim Howard allowed Kevin Keegan's team to take a 2-0 lead in the first half. Paul Scholes pulled a goal back for United but another error - this time from Mikael Silvestre - allowed Trevor Sinclair to score a crucial third for City before Shaun Wright-Phillips added the goal of the game.

To add to United's problems, they expect to be without injured captain Roy Keane until the league game at Arsenal on March 28, while £12million striker Louis Saha has an achilles problem.

On Thursday, meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand appeals against his eightmonthban for missing a drugs test in September and Ferguson said: 'We're looking for a far fairer hearing than last time.' Keegan said: 'I think a 4-1 result flattered us but it's a great boost. We've played Chelsea and Manchester United in our last two games and have been outstanding against both.' Liverpool manager Houllier saw MIchael Owen miss a penalty, his second failure from the spot in three weeks.

As Liverpool stay behind Charlton, Newcastle and Birmingham in the quest for fourth place, Houllier said: 'We're not happy with the result but have 11 matches to play and know it's still in our hands.'

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Stunning defeats for Fergie and Houllier

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