Ji-Sung Park's second half header settled a predictably contentious meeting with Liverpool and returned Manchester United to the top of the Premier League.The South Korean struck just before the hour with a diving effort that converted an accurate cross from United midfielder Darren Fletcher.
The game had opened in intense fashion with each side claiming a goal within the opening ten minutes, Liverpool as early as the fifth when Fernando Torres was unmarked six yards from goal and headed home a cross from Dirk Kuyt.
United responded five minutes later when Javier Mascherano tugged at Antonio Valencia just inside the Liverpool area with home players and Sir Alex Ferguson claiming, with some justification, that the Argentine should have been sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
Wayne Rooney's initial spot kick was well saved by Jose Reina but the England forward easily netted the rebound for his 33rd goal of the season as Ferguson and Rafa Benitez waged a finger-wagging war of words on the touchline.
REACTION:
Benitez effectively accused Valencia of diving to win his side the crucial penalty at Old Trafford, an incident that also saw the rival managers in a touchline dispute.
"One situation changed everything," said Benitez. "I've seen three replays and the last one was very suspicious, seeing the replay and how he fell to the ground.
"From the bench, I was asking the people who were below with the TV and they said it was a penalty. Did Valencia dive? Yes, I think so. It's not clear. There is maybe a contact but the way he fell down - strange."
Benitez was also asked whether Ferguson's comments late last week that Liverpool receive preferential treatment from the FA's disciplinary arm could have had a bearing on the performance of referee Howard Webb.
"I'm really surprised when you talk about things like this," said Benitez. "We know the influence of Sir Alex on everything but I think Howard Webb is still a very good ref.
"When you have different opinions, you have to express your opinion."
Benitez was also less than impressed by an incident which left midfielder Maxi Rodriguez requiring treatment to a head wound inflicted by a high kick from Gary Neville.
"Maybe it was a bird flying around that did it!" deadpanned the Spaniard.
For Ferguson, the return of fit-again defensive pair Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic has convinced the veteran manager that his team can record a record 19th league title, a fourth in as many years. "I don't think anyone's getting away," said Ferguson of the challenge posed by Chelsea and Arsenal. "We are all opening doors.
"But I think that with Vidic and Ferdinand looking fresh, they have been out for most of the season, that was only their eighth game together today, I think those two back to that form gives us a great hope and opportunity.
"It's at the stage of the season where winning is the name of the game. We have been very consistent in the last two or three months. For periods of the game we played very well, other periods we had to dig in and concentrate.
"It's always difficult to lose a goal and come back and win, it's a great quality that Manchester United have and it was that quality that won us the game again today."
Ferguson also heaped praise upon his match-winner Park, who played just behind Rooney, a slightly new role for the South Korean international.
"He's one of these players that we can give him roles to play because of his intelligence and discipline and today we found another role for him," said Ferguson. "It was slightly different from the Milan games but, nonetheless, really important for us. He's such a bright little lad that his courage got him the goal."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Frantically, certainly in the opening 10 minutes which brought two goals, a pen, a penalty save and should have brought a red card for Mascherano.
To be fair to referee Webb, having failed to send off the Liverpool man, he completely ignored a second half incident in which Fletcher blatantly kicked Kuyt in retaliation after a foul - an act which should have been an automatic red for the United star.
It was that sort of afternoon at Old Trafford as one of the most traditionally bitter rivalries in English football did not fail to deliver. The melee that followed the penalty award, and which saw Torres deliberately scuff the penalty spot in an attempt to put Rooney off his kick, was one of pure chaos.
But once the sting was taken out of those early exchanges, United were much the better side and, until a last minute miss when Torres completely miskicked at a Steven Gerrard cross some eight yards from goal, Liverpool failed to create another meaningful chance.
WHAT IT MEANS:
United are top, Liverpool's chances of fourth place take another massive hit. So, business pretty much as usual in this, a season that looks like one to remember for United and one to forget for their rivals.
This was a big test for United, after Arsenal's win yesterday, and they showed plenty of character while not always playing at the peak of their own high standards. For Liverpool, a perfect start was allowed to slip by poor defending and ill discipline and, thereafter, they struggled to create any chances of note until Torres' miss in the final minute.
Benitez tinkered with his line-up, and ended the game with Gerrard wide on the left of midfield with the England star's body language telling all exactly what he thought of his manager's tactical acumen. It also means that Benitez's recent hold over United - three straight wins before today - is well and truly over.
QUOTABLE:
"It's interesting. We've lost our last three to Liverpool and Darren Fletcher has missed all three games."
- Ferguson discovers the secret to beating Liverpool.
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 (Rooney 10, Park 59) LIVERPOOL 1 (Torres 5)
PLAYER MARKING:
Manchester United (4-4-1-1): Van der Sar 6; Neville 7, Vidic 7, Ferdinand 7, Evra 7; Valencia 8, Fletcher 8, Carrick 6, Nani 7 (Giggs 79, 6); Park 8 (Scholes 86); Rooney 7.
Subs (not used): Berbatov, Rafael, Evans, Obertan, Kuszczak.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina 7; Johnson 5, Carragher 7, Agger 7, Insua 5; Lucas 6 (Benayoun 84), Mascherano 7; Kuyt 6 (Aquilani 73, 6), Gerrard 6, Rodriguez 5 (Babel 76, 6); Torres 7.
Subs (not used): Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, N'gog, Kelly.
ATTENDANCE: 75,216
NEXT UP:
- Manchester United v Bolton (Away), Premier League 27/03, 1730 GMT
- Liverpool v Sunderland (Home) Premier League 28/03, 1600 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Ji-Sung Park (Manchester United): A relatively quiet, if hard-working, first half from the South Korean made way for a second period in which he was involved in most of United's better moments and claimed the decisive goal. A versatile and valuable member of the United squad at present.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
CHAMPIONS AGAIN
Barry here you are, I've been looking for you everywhere! Been on hols?
Nice to see Man U winning again with the ref's assistance, giving a penalty for an offence which started outside the box. I bet you money if it were any other team they'd have got a free kick. But what the heck it's Old Trafford and the FA love & support you.
Can't wait for Man City to get 4th, CL spot and their money to kick in, Man U'll need more than refs & FA to bail them out, a bloody miracle more like.
Now Arsenal's squad of kids are coming good as well.
When SAF retires it's gona be all down hill, rapidly.
I agree with you. Almost identical foul in the Rangers match outside the area but continuing into penalty area, but Rangers oponents given free kick not a penalty. The refereeing decisions this season are the worst I can remember.
Every week there are several bad decisions.It's time for the replay ref to be introduced to stop all this nonsense.
Dave you got a crystal ball?! Funny. We will see.
This is always the case in Old Traford. The hidden truth is referee do support MU. Needless penalty.
Utd v city in the cup this year - bellamy gets penalty after a sniper shot him in the area after Rafael tickled him outside the area?
Didn't need a crystal ball to predict the outcome of today's games, Man U were only gona get a result with the assistance of the ref/officials at Old Trafford. Really sad that they couldn't beat a Liverpool that has been dire all season without help even with England's blue eyed boy on fire, FACT!!! Chelsea were gona drop points as them have done all season playing away from home against a Blackburn team that has been quite good at home. Chelsea are a team that don't handle pressure well and never have done so, no disrespect just a fact. Man U & Arsenal are too close for comfort breathing down their necks, players with personal problems affecting the team and refs (especially in Europe) & UEFA don't like them.
As for Man City coming good at some point in the future, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out. The current owners have money to burn and they'll keep throwing money at City until something sticks. Man City's problem is they're not a big famous club with a well known international pediree or history to attract well known players but should they qualify for the CL and get a quality well known manager that can attract quality players it'll be curtains for Man U, Fact. SAF won't be around for much longer and the jammy ref decisions will dry up, BYE BYE Man U!
Arsenal's squad are starting to come good now next season they'll be stronger. If Chelsea win nowt this year Abramovich will either jump ship or more likely revamp the entire team. I can also see someone taking over Liverpool and them getting back up there, they're too big a club for them to stay down. Then we'll see what all you cocky Man U fans have to say.
NO TEAM IS REALLY THAT GOOD OR CAN BE EVEN CONSIDERED GREAT IF THEY NEED ASSISTANCE FROM REFS AND FOOTBALL GOVERNING BODIES TO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crystal ball definetly not needed for that last sentence, sheer logic.
Valencia gets his hand tickled 2 yards outside the box, falls down in the box, result penalty to united and a yellow card. Gary geriatric flies in with a tackle (?) 5 feet of the ground nearly decapitating a player, result FXXX All. Howard Webb our refereeing representative at the world cup, they`re having a laugh. Another poodle, hand picked by Ferguson. Any ref who gives a major decision against united at old trafford,never refs there again. Remember Andy Durso? The first ref to give a penalty against United after about 10 seasons of premiership matches (in favour of Liverpool) Hes never reffed at old trafford since and incidently, where is he now? Mr Ferguson
continues to get away with murder, slagging of the FA accusing them of bias, Its about time the footballing authorities stood up to the bullying jock and his manc mafia.
i dont like football but well done UTD
when liverpool get knocked out of uefa are they still going to blame ref rotten losers bad sports
Even my mate FrankieBlueMoon thought it wa a penalty. What about Torres and kicking the penaltyspot immediately before a penalty. "Outrageous" Frankie said as he watched the replay over.
Talking of replays, Rafa says only on the 3rd angle did he see something 'suspicious'. Hard to base a facht on that quality of evidence Rafa old son.
Preferential treatment for Man Utd? Why don't you take the blinkers off for a second, although he didn't do a lot today, why was Gerrard on the pitch after his assault on Michael Brown in mid-week? shouldn't that have been a red card & a ban? Get a grip, the best team won - end of!
Let's be serious now and look at things properly!
No disrespect Liverpool fans but Liverpool have been dire this season with Gerrard a shadow of his former self. Benitez is really a piss poor manager spending a small fortune on a mediocre team, he is the real reason Liverpool are not doing so well and not the owners whom have given him every penny he's asked for. His cautious tactics really cost Liverpool the game, should have played Babel & Benayoun from beginning instead of Lucas & Mascherano.
Man U on the back of Wayne Rooney's outstanding performances have been quite good this season.
So why is it that Man U lost at Anfield and only just manage to beat Liverpool with the refs assistance at Old Trafford??? If it wasn't for Torres' horrendous uncharacteristic miss at the end of the game it would have been a draw.
Just a thought!
Something that you cocky over confident Man U fans might want to consider!
Man U aren't that good as you would all like to believe and sooner or later your gonna be found out.
If your that good a team as you think you are why don't you play Arsenal in a real game of proper football instead of playing anti-football tactics kicking and fouling Arsenal players to gain an advantage, let the QUALITY of your football speak for itself. You know perfectly well you'd be torn to shreds. An Arsenal 1st 11 team all injury free against a Man U 1st 11 all injury free without anti-football tactics, without Wayne Rooney's simulation gamesmanship, without SAF intimidation of match officials, fair unbias FA/refereeing. Beat Arsenal then and I'd have more respect for you.
How much did your current squad cost? I bet it's a damn sight more than what Arsenal's cost but yet you are only 2 points ahead when you have beaten us TWICE this season. We've got a squad primarliy full of kids for Christ sake, defensive frailties, 2 piss poor goalies and been most of the season without an effective striker but still are top scorers.
Now put that all into perspective and you'll see your not a great team or as good as you'd like to think you are. You have been winning titles on the backs of the frailities of other teams and preferential treatment from FA/refs not on your own performances. Paying over the odds for players and using your financial muscle to out bid your rivals over the years to secure titles. Why don't you develop a squad from scratch like Wenger has instead of buying one then we'll see how good you are.
my god there are some pathetic bitter liverpool fans out there same old excusses year after year, if course man u are lucky/cheats/buy the ref/ thats why they keep winning year after year after year. get used to being down there with the also rans because based on this years performances thats where liverpool will be staying
MAN UTD ALL THE WAY, DRY YOUR EYES LIVERPOOL FANS AND GET ON WITH IT!
Man U could get found out, and I think a fit Torres and a better rested Liverpool team would have won it in my opinion. Clear penalty though. Man U got to say however are a complex animal who can play so many different ways and for that they might make the CL final again. For ther idiot who slammed Man U's squad building, look at Gibson, Brown, Neville, Scholes, Giggs, etc, all on the free, plus Arsenal have no Brits in their team, plus Man U are in the 1/4's of the CL where there is no preferencial treatment from refs. Triple champions, back-to-back CL finals. Am I missing something? And they have played some stunning football during this reign. Credit where it's due, please.
grattanmc, this is why the average football supporter is considered a bit of a retard by the general public!
Arsenal have no Brits in the team, Campbell, Walcott, Ramsey??? do you wish me to go on and embarass you some more or shall I stop now that I've made my point clear to you. At least know what your talking about before you open your gob!
Man U are only 2 points ahead of Arsenal, all that money invested in your squad compared to Arsenal and that is all you have to show for it against a buch of kids with the worst injury list in the clubs history!
Man U JUST repeat JUST beat a dire Liverpool with the assistance of the match officials, FACT!!! NO PENALTY, IT'S A DRAW!!!!
Let's hear your argument about that one!
As for Man u being able to play different ways, funny that I've never seen them play Arsenal in a 'proper' game of skillful football without adopting anti-football tactics to try to put Arsenal off their game.
Man U may well win the title this season as they've got the points currently and the title is theirs to lose, but with the other big teams starting to be more competitive and now coming good, including Man City, Man U will not be dominating EPL for much longer. How's that big debt of yours weighing you down yet? SAF will retire soon especially when Man U win nowt and that will be it for you.
So all you Man U fans stop taking the mickey out of Liverpool fans living on their past glory because you'll be joining them very soon, enjoy.
DAVIDDEMONDAVE what is it with some people, Man Utd won regardless of what you might think about the pen.Man Utd have won more than they have lost does that mean in every game they played the ref was on there side? i don't think so. And with regards to playing Arsenal at proper football what planet are you from, it's a mans games ( or so they say) and Man Utd had there tatics, Arsenal were out played in all area's of the pitch and Utd showed a greater desire to win the ball, if that means playing a physical game then so be it they can ajust there tatics when needed and Arsenal couldn't handle it. I don't know who you follow and to tell you the truth i couldn't care less just show so repect to a side that has dominated demestic football for nearly 20 years. And as you pointed out about teams coming through, what happened to Blackburn all those years ago, Chelsea had the money to dominate what happened to them?
when ho when are liverpool going to stop whinging about manu the only reason the won last year was because they got manu players sent offthey cant win aganst eleven as regards to diving in the box they ought to know the got some of the best in the world havent they
how many of the arsenal team have come up threw there youth teams oh sorry u have bought most of them