Liverpool powered up to third place in the English Premier League with a convincing 4-0 win over Bolton at Anfield on Sunday.
An early strike by Sami Hyypia and Fernando Torres's 11th goal of the season, just before half-time, were followed after the break by a penalty from skipper Steven Gerrard and a late effort from Dutch winger Ryan Babel.
It was Liverpool's fifth consecutive victory and the margin of it reflected the overwhelming superiority of Rafael Benitez's side, who are unbeaten in the league this season and now stand six points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
PHOTO: AFP
In Sunday's other match, a stunning last-minute winner from Sebastian Larsson ensured Alex McLeish's first match in charge of Birmingham ended with a 3-2 victory over Tottenham.
The former Scotland boss had seen his side take the lead against the run of play with a Gary McSheffrey penalty midway through the first half.
Tottenham got back in charge of the match after the interval with two goals from Robbie Keane, the first from the spot.
But a Cameron Jerome equalizer just after the hour mark was followed by a straight red card for Keane after a lunge at Johan Djourou and Birmingham took full advantage of their numerical advantage to claim an unlikely win.
■ FA CUP DRAW
Aston Villa will host Manchester United in the pick of the third round ties in this season's FA Cup.
It will be the fourth time in seven seasons that the two clubs have met at this stage of the tournament with United having knocked Villa out in 2002, 2004 and last season.
Sunday's draw for the round which sees Premier League and Championship sides enter the competition was kinder to holders Chelsea.
Avram Grant's side will be at home to west London neighbors Queen's Park Rangers, who are currently struggling near the bottom of the Championship table.
Liverpool and Arsenal will also face lower league opposition on the first weekend of next year.
Liverpool were drawn away to the winners of a second round replay between Luton Town and former European champions Nottingham Forest, while Arsenal face a potentially tricky trip to on-form Championship side Burnley.
The Villa versus Man United clash is one of four all-Premiership ties, with Tottenham at home to Reading, Sunderland facing Wigan and West Ham entertaining Manchester City in the others.
There were no glamorous opponents for the only non-league side certain to be involved in the third round.
Havant and Waterlooville, who knocked out Notts County in the second round, were drawn away to the victor of a replay between Horsham and Swansea.
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