Report: Manchester United 2- 1 Liverpool

Manchester United ran out deserved winners against Liverpool at Old Trafford as they look to keep the pressure on Chelsea in the title race.

After conceding the first goal, United came back well and thoroughly deserved the 3 points after outplaying Liverpool for much of the game.

Liverpool had opened the scoring through Fernando Torres, but goals from Wayne Rooney and Ji Sung Park sealed the win for United.

Liverpool started the game well and were in front inside 6 minutes as Dirk Kuyt’s cross was headed in by the unmarked Torres.

it looked like it might be another one of those days, but United fought back well and earned a penalty when Antonio Valencia charged into the Liverpool penalty area and was hauled down by Javier Mascherano. He was lucky to stay non the pitch.

For any lurking Liverpool fans who want to claim the foul started outside the box, have a read of this from FIFA:

“If a defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continues
holding him inside the penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick.”

Fernando Torres was then lucky to escape punishment after scuffing away all of the grass on the penalty spot in an attempt to unsettle Wayne Rooney. Rooney took the penalty to Reina’s right and it was saved well, but Rooney reacted well and tapped in the rebound to level the score.

Torres was booked 10 minutes later for a lunge on Darren Fletcher. Had the referee seen his early unsporting behaviour he may well have been sent off too.

United continued to press for the second goal and it was Nani who tested Reina next. He cut inside from the left wing and fired a low shot, but Reina tipped it wide.

Valencia then burst forward past Insua and put the ball on plate for Park Ji Sung, but the Korean could only put his header wide.

Carragher was next to go into the book after a foul on the edge of the area on Darren Fletcher. Rooney took the free kick on the stroke of half time, but Reina again saved it comfortably.

United started the brighter of the two teams in the second half as Darren Fletcher didn’t allow Liverpool’s midfield time on the ball. Nani and Valencia were dropping back to defend when we lost the ball and Steven Gerrard – the man who Liverpool often look to for inspiration – was invisible throughout the game.

Park continued to be a threat to Reina’s goal, but his tame shot was caught with ease by the Spanish ‘keeper – Liverpool\s best player on the day.

The winning goal finally came after good work by Fletcher down the right wing. He passed Insua and put in a dangerous ball between the defence and goalkeeper; which Park managed to get his head on and divert past Reina.

Liverpool didn’t put up much of a fight after going behind. A couple of fluffed chances from Fernando Torres produced a few heart in mouth moments, but United were comfortable and deserved winners in the end.

It feels good to finally do a match report about us winning after the last 3 horror shows against the game raising scousers. But more importantly it’s a very tough game out of the way and 3 points closer to winning the title. There’s still a long way to go, but with Chelsea still to visit Old Trafford we have our destiny in our own hands. As for Liverpool, they’ll struggle to finish 4th which will mean more Europe League football for them next season. Can they keep hold of Gerrard and Torres? Who knows.

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