LONDON — Manchester City's Sergio Aguero scored from a near-impossible angle to salvage a 2-2 home draw with Liverpool but a memorable Steven Gerrard goal still helped boost Premier League leader Manchester United Sunday. The irony of one of Liverpool's most battling displays of the season helping arch-rival United end the weekend nine points clear following Saturday's 1-0 win at Fulham will not be lost on either set of fans but their draw was fully deserved. Second-placed champion City took the lead midway through the first half and slightly against the run of play when Edin Dzeko slotted in James Milner's low cross from close range. Former City frontman Daniel Sturridge brought Liverpool level on 29 minutes with a fine finish before Gerrard and Aguero traded equally impressive efforts after the break. Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale earlier showed absent strikers how it was done by blasting in the winner in a 1-0 success at 10-man West Bromwich Albion which cut the gap to third-placed Chelsea to a point. Wayne Rooney's hot scoring streak continued Saturday as he fired Manchester United to a 1-0 victory at Fulham. Overshadowed by Robin van Persie this season, Rooney showed his predatory instincts after 79 minutes at Craven Cottage when he punished a defensive error to grab an unconvincing win. Despite a yawning gap at the top, Rooney said the title was far from being in the bag. “We're in a good position but we're not getting carried away,” he told ESPN. “Let's see where we are with three or four games to go.” United was not at its best and had an escape in the first half when Fulham's Brian Ruiz hit the inside of the post with a volley, although it carved out plenty of chances and Patrice Evra and Rooney were both denied by the woodwork. A scrappy second half came to life late on when Fulham defender Philippe Senderos misjudged a high ball and Rooney raced clear to put United in front. Van Persie was needed at the other end to clear a Senderos header off the line as United hung on for their 20th league victory of the season. — Agencies
