Oct. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Fernando Torres scored his ninth goal of the season to help Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-0 in English soccer’s Premier League and end the club’s worst run in 22 years.

The Spain striker scored after 65 minutes, while David Ngog got a goal in injury time at Anfield to give the Reds a first victory in five games. Liverpool had suffered four straight defeats, two in the Premier League and two in Europe’s Champions League.

United center-back Nemanja Vidic was shown a red card in the 89th minute, the third successive time he has been dismissed against the Reds. Liverpool also finished with 10 men after Javier Mascherano got a second yellow card soon after.

Liverpool climbs three spots to fifth on 18 points, one point behind Arsenal and Tottenham, and ahead of Manchester City on goal difference. It is six points adrift of leader Chelsea, while second-place United has 22 points.

West Ham rallied to draw 2-2 at home against Arsenal, Manchester City was held to a 2-2 tie by Fulham, and Bolton defeated Everton 3-2.

A group of Liverpool supporters staged a protest ahead of today’s game against the tenure of co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who were both in attendance.

Their team appeared the most likely to get a goal during a scoreless first half.

Double Save

United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar made a double save to keep his team level after 16 minutes, beating away a Fabio Aurelio free kick before blocking a close-range effort by Dirk Kuyt.

Dutch forward Kuyt then fired a low shot across the goal and Aurelio had a chance from a header later in the half. Wayne Rooney had United’s best chance, heading toward goal from an Antonio Valencia cross. Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina kept out the effort.

Play switched quickly from one end to the other early in the second half and after 65 minutes Torres made the breakthrough. He held off a challenge from Rio Ferdinand and fired a shot into the net.

United responded eight minutes later by introducing ex- Liverpool striker Michael Owen. He was jeered by the home fans as he replaced Dimitar Berbatov.

Owen set up Valencia for a shot which cracked against the crossbar with six minutes remaining and provided his team with a free-kick opportunity after being brought down by Jamie Carragher.

Vidic Off

United’s Vidic then received a second yellow card for bringing down Kuyt, before Mascherano was also dismissed. With both teams down to 10 men, Ngog finished a breakaway move in the final seconds.

West Ham scored twice in the final 20 minutes and survived the late dismissal of Scott Parker to tie Arsenal at Upton Park.

Carlton Cole and Alessandro Diamanti scored for the Hammers, which trailed 2-0 at halftime on goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas.

West Ham remains second-last in the 20-team standings, but moves to six points, two ahead of Portsmouth.

Manchester City’s run of three straight home league wins was ended by a Fulham fightback at Eastlands. Joleon Lescott and Martin Petrov put City two goals up, before Damien Duff and Clint Dempsey secured a point for the visitors.

Chung-Yong Lee, Gary Cahill and Ivan Klasnic scored for Bolton at the Reebok Stadium today as the Trotters secured a first home win this season. Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini replied for Everton.

Yesterday, Chelsea beat Blackburn 5-0, Stoke won 1-0 at Tottenham, and Wigan defeated Burnley 3-1. Wolverhampton Wanderers tied 1-1 against Aston Villa, Birmingham beat Sunderland 2-1, while Hull and Portsmouth shared a 0-0 draw.

To contact the reporter on this story: James Cone in London at jcone@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: October 25, 2009 14:33 EDT