Liverpool's excellent recent record against arch-rivals Manchester United came to an abrupt end thanks to a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford. Park Ji-Sung was the match winner for United, heading in Darren Fletcher's inch-perfect cross to send Alex Ferguson's side once more to the summit of the Premier League table, three points clear of main rivals Chelsea, albeit having played a game more. It could have been very different for however, as after just five minutes United's serial tormentor Fernando Torres was afforded an unprecedented degree of space to head in Steven Gerrard's floated cross from the right. With memories of Liverpool's crushing 4-1 victory at Old Trafford this time last year still fresh in the minds of many United players, the Champions responded well to this set-back, and Antonio Valencia won a hugely controversial and contested penalty seven minutes later. Following a tangle with Mascherano, Valencia tumbled shortly after entering the area. Chaotic scenes ensued as referee Howard Webb appeared firstly to award a free-kick to United on the edge of the area, and then change his mind and give a penalty to the home side. Television replays clearly showed that Mascherano began holding onto Valencia's shirt outside the area, and this caused several Liverpool players to protest vociferously to Webb about his erroneous decision. Torres in particular chose to vent his frustration by kicking at the penalty spot, an offence pointed to by many United fans as a key reason why Wayne Rooney fired his subsequent penalty at Pepe Reina, apparently deeply unsettled by the Liverpool protests and length of time between the decision being made and the kick being taken. However Reina's save fell extremely kindly for the England striker to slot away the rebound, which was followed by an angry exchange between Rafael Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson resulting in the pair having to be separated by Fourth Official Andre Marriner. United grew in stature as the game went on, with Antonio Valencia giving Emiliano Insua a torrid time down the right flank, and Park heading narrowly over from a Valencia cross. Pepe Reina was tested in the Liverpool goal through shots from Nani and a Rooney free-kick before Darren Fletcher's wonderful cross was met bravely by a diving header from Park Ji-Sung, ahead of Glen Johnson's outstretched foot, to claim the victory for United. However United were extremely lucky to hold on for all three points, as Steven Gerrard, a largely anonymous and deeply disappointing figure on the day, played the ball in for Torres who, just needing to strike the ball cleanly to equalise, somehow contrived to balloon the ball into the path of Yossi Benayoun whose subsequent header was straight at Van der Sar. United move three points ahead of Chelsea and two ahead of second-placed Arsenal, and are set for what will be a dramatic showdown against Carlo Ancelotti's side on April 3rd. Liverpool remain sixth, four points off Tottenham Hotspur in the final Champions League place, hoping to bring a positive end to what has been a miserable campaign for Rafael Benitez's side.
Sunday 21 March 2010
United Park themselves in the driving seat in the Title Race
Liverpool's excellent recent record against arch-rivals Manchester United came to an abrupt end thanks to a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford. Park Ji-Sung was the match winner for United, heading in Darren Fletcher's inch-perfect cross to send Alex Ferguson's side once more to the summit of the Premier League table, three points clear of main rivals Chelsea, albeit having played a game more. It could have been very different for however, as after just five minutes United's serial tormentor Fernando Torres was afforded an unprecedented degree of space to head in Steven Gerrard's floated cross from the right. With memories of Liverpool's crushing 4-1 victory at Old Trafford this time last year still fresh in the minds of many United players, the Champions responded well to this set-back, and Antonio Valencia won a hugely controversial and contested penalty seven minutes later. Following a tangle with Mascherano, Valencia tumbled shortly after entering the area. Chaotic scenes ensued as referee Howard Webb appeared firstly to award a free-kick to United on the edge of the area, and then change his mind and give a penalty to the home side. Television replays clearly showed that Mascherano began holding onto Valencia's shirt outside the area, and this caused several Liverpool players to protest vociferously to Webb about his erroneous decision. Torres in particular chose to vent his frustration by kicking at the penalty spot, an offence pointed to by many United fans as a key reason why Wayne Rooney fired his subsequent penalty at Pepe Reina, apparently deeply unsettled by the Liverpool protests and length of time between the decision being made and the kick being taken. However Reina's save fell extremely kindly for the England striker to slot away the rebound, which was followed by an angry exchange between Rafael Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson resulting in the pair having to be separated by Fourth Official Andre Marriner. United grew in stature as the game went on, with Antonio Valencia giving Emiliano Insua a torrid time down the right flank, and Park heading narrowly over from a Valencia cross. Pepe Reina was tested in the Liverpool goal through shots from Nani and a Rooney free-kick before Darren Fletcher's wonderful cross was met bravely by a diving header from Park Ji-Sung, ahead of Glen Johnson's outstretched foot, to claim the victory for United. However United were extremely lucky to hold on for all three points, as Steven Gerrard, a largely anonymous and deeply disappointing figure on the day, played the ball in for Torres who, just needing to strike the ball cleanly to equalise, somehow contrived to balloon the ball into the path of Yossi Benayoun whose subsequent header was straight at Van der Sar. United move three points ahead of Chelsea and two ahead of second-placed Arsenal, and are set for what will be a dramatic showdown against Carlo Ancelotti's side on April 3rd. Liverpool remain sixth, four points off Tottenham Hotspur in the final Champions League place, hoping to bring a positive end to what has been a miserable campaign for Rafael Benitez's side.
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