Manchester City closed the gap on Manchester United to just three points on Sunday after they beat Wolves 2-0 and the Premier League leaders were held 4-4 by Everton in a remarkable game at Old Trafford.
Goals in each half at Molineux from Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri sealed a routine triumph, which confirmed their rock-bottom opponents to relegation in the process.
Should Roberto Mancini''s side now triumph in the Manchester derby on April 30, they will go top virtue of a better goal difference.
Earlier in the day, United threw away a two-goal lead in the final seven minutes as Everton salvaged an incredible point.
Behind to Nikica Jelavic''s header, United twice established winning positions as Danny Welbeck and Nani sandwiched a Wayne Rooney double.
But Everton refused to surrender to what seemed like the inevitable defeat.
Marouane Fellaini had already offered a warning before Rooney struck the 180th goal of his United career and 33rd of the season, just one short of his highest haul.
But when Jelavic grabbed another, the hosts allowed Steven Pienaar far too much space inside the United box a couple of minutes later and the midfielder duly buried the goal that could provide the turning point in a season filled with so many amazing results.
Throughout five heart-stopping minutes of injury time there was to be no final twist as Tim Howard tipped over Rio Ferdinand''s goalbound effort.
Roy Hodgson enjoyed a successful first return to Liverpool as West Brom snatched their first win at Anfield since 1967 with Peter Odemwingie scoring the only goal of the game.
Liverpool dominated throughout but were made to pay for a host of missed opportunities - including hitting the woodwork twice - as the Baggies went in front from Glen Johnson''s mistake 15 minutes from time.
Baggies manager Hodgson, sacked by Liverpool in January last year after a disappointing six months in charge, will no doubt have taken great satisfaction on his first return to his former club.
Liverpool have now won just one Barclays Premier League game at home in 2012 and scored only six goals in seven matches, and have dropped 27 points at Anfield in the current campaign.
Source: FOOTYMAD
