David Moyes was delighted with Manchester United's response to the heavy defeat to Manchester City in the derby, after the Red Devils got the better of great rivals Liverpool in the Capital One Cup third round.
On a night when Luis Suarez mad a comeback to the Liverpool side, it was Moyes and Javier Hernandez who were basking in the glory of a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
After going down 4-1 to Manchester City in the English Premier League last weekend, it was paramount for United to put in a good performance, as well as come out with a positive result against Liverpool.
The home side did just that with Hernandez's winner in the 46th minute enough to take them to the fourth round.
"It was a big game for us," Moyes said. "We lost at Anfield a few weeks ago (in the Premier League by the same scoreline as Wednesday's victory) and at the Etihad last week, so we wanted to put that right.
"Every game everyone says about me, it's the first at something or a monkey off my back or something else. It's going to be the way. I thought it was a really good game -- an exciting game of football between the two teams.
"If you look at the first game (between United and Liverpool) and this game, they were both won by setpieces and there was not an awful lot in the games. Obviously I made a lot of changes tonight (Wednesday) as well and made sure we used the squad and it was good to see some of them get some playing time."
Moyes, whose side will next play Norwich City in the fourth round, insisted there was no risk involved in naming some of the players, that have hardly got a game, in the starting lineup against Liverpool.
"It was certainly not a risk with the players I have got at Manchester United," the Scot added. "All are international players and all of them are first-team players. There is no first team and reserves -- everyone can play in the team. Some of the performances were exceptional tonight, they really were, and they had to be.
"I thought it was a brilliant atmosphere at Old Trafford tonight. I've come to a lot of games here before but tonight was a brilliant atmosphere. It was a great cup tie and the supporters have done great. I'm just pleased to get the game won."
Moyes is still reeling from that 4-1 defeat, and while this win would have softened the blow considerably, the manager knows United need to get back on track in the Premier League, starting with a home game against West Brom on Saturday.
"I think it was important that we showed the whole club were hurt by the game on Sunday," Moyes said. "We didn't perform to our levels but the players have done a great job to get us a big result and I'm really pleased with it.
"It (the start) was really tough. Nothing has changed. I said that. Now we've got games we've got to show we are capable of winning. We've got to do that in the next month or so.
"We know we've got to improve. I'm getting to know them and they're a really good team that won the Premier League last year but we need to make sure we are looking to improve as well."
