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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has won his second consecutive Barclays Manager of the Month Award after extending his side's winning run to ten matches in December. A 100% record in December helped Liverpool keep the pressure on Man Utd and Chelsea. Home wins were recorded against Wigan Athletic (3-0), Middlesbrough (2-0), Newcastle United (2-0) and West Bromwich Albion (1-0) as well as a decisive victory against Merseyside rivals Everton (3-1). The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans. Nic Gault, from the Barclays Awards Panel, said: "If this form continues then the Anfield faithful will have plenty of reasons to paint the town red in 2006. Benitez's achievement of back to back wins throughout November and December is a massive achievement." Benitez becomes one of only a handful of managers to win back to back awards in Barclays Premiership history. Ironically, his double success comes hot on the heels of Paul Jewell (Wigan Athletic) who won Barclays Manager of the Month for September and October. The only other managers to have achieved this feat include Kevin Keegan (Newcastle Utd, 1995), Joe Kinnear (Wimbledon, 1994) and Sir Alex Ferguson (Man Utd, 1996).
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