Rooney scored twice to help Manchester United claim all three points at Old Trafford
Two second-half goals from Wayne Rooney fired Manchester United to a 2-1 victory against Liverpool.
The game started in an aggravated fashion after Luis Suarez refused to shake the hand of Patrice Evra as the teams lined up.
Paul Scholes spurned the best chance of a tentative first-half, before a brace in the space of four minutes from Rooney put the hosts into the ascendancy.
Suarez’s late consolation goal aside, the Red Devils dominated a poor Liverpool for much of the rest of the game, earning them a vital three points in the defence of their Premier League title.
Handshake
The rivalry between two of England’s greatest club sides is perhaps the most ferocious in the country’s domestic game. Despite the best efforts of both club’s management to nullify the obvious emotions swelling round the meeting, the intensity for this particular contest had been stoked to dangerous levels.
The sour mood was exacerbated when Suarez, who started for the Reds for the first time since his eight week ban for racially abusing Evra in October, ignored the Frenchman’s outstretched hand. The United captain attempted to grab the Uruguayan’s palm, Rio Ferdinand refused the Liverpool striker’s offer of a handshake, before Referee Phil Dowd intervened.
Flashpoint
Unfortunately the first-half failed to match the off-field vehemence, with just one clear-cut chance apiece.
After four minutes Glen Johnson was able to drift inside from the right flank and bend a left footed effort from the edge of the area just past the post.
United responded by producing a swift move that should have been rewarded with a goal. Rolling back the years, Scholes picked out long-time Red Devils cohort Giggs on the left, however he could only head the Welshman’s resulting cross straight at Jose Reina.
The second flashpoint of the afternoon arrived when Suarez cannoned the ball into the crowd, furious that he has not been awarded a free-kick after Ferdinand’s last ditch tackle on the Uruguayan international, though the England international looked to have got a toe on the ball.
The incident spilled into the tunnel as the players headed off for the break, with rumours of angry exchanges between individuals outside the Old Trafford dressing rooms.
Brace
However, whatever vitriol surfaced at the break, it seemed to seem to act as a catalyst for the home side and their match-winner Rooney. On 47 minutes, the England international thumped home on the half-volley after Michael Carrick flicked on Giggs’ in-swinging corner.
Just three minutes later, the excellent Antonio Valencia harassed Jay Spearing into conceding possession, before slipping the ball to Rooney to poke through Reina’s legs.
Liverpool could offer nothing to counter their opponents impetus, with Kenny Dalglish’s side often looking aimless and devoid of attacking ideas.
They were spurred on by the introduction of Craig Bellamy and Andy Caroll, who have impressed in recent weeks, and the away team found themselves back in the game through Suarez’s instinctive strike. A foul on the goalscorer by Carrick allowed substitute Charlie Adam to clip a dangerous delivery into the box, and when Ferdinand stumbled on the ball the former Ajax striker stabbed home.
For the second consecutive game David de Gea was forced late on into an acrobatic save to protect his teammate’s position; after denying Juan Mata and Gary Cahill at Chelsea last Sunday, the Spaniard palmed over Johnson’s dipping long-range strike to keep the score at 2-1.
United’s resistance did not waver again though, as they sealed a victory which took them top of the Premier League. Unfortunately, little thought was lent to that achievement in the direct aftermath of the contest, as a clearly delighted Evra prompted demonstrations for Liverpool players with his lively celebrations in front of the home fans whilst Suarez walked past.
Manager’s thoughts
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish spoke to the BBC.
“I don’t think there was much [between the two teams]. It was pretty even and you expect the home side to have more possession.
“There wasn’t much in the game and those five minutes in the second half gave us a mountain to climb.
“We left ourselves too much to do and that’s why they walked away with a victory.”
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson added.
“I thought it was a great performance; I’m really pleased with the players. With Wayne scoring, and then scoring immediately after, it put us in a great position.
“[My] only thought was, instead of going for the killer goal, they tended to just keep possession. That’s a dangerous game to play – and of course with Liverpool scoring there was nervy moments towards the end.
“[Antonio] Valencia has been unbelievable and Jonny [Evans] has fantastic potential. He’s had the consistency of [playing] games and I think that helps with young players.”
Manchester United 2 – 1 Liverpool
Manchester United: De Gea, Evra, Ferdinand, Evans, Rafael, Giggs, Carrick, Scholes, Valencia, Rooney, Welbeck
Subs not used: Amos, Fabio, Park Ji-sung, Cleverley, Pogba, Berbatov, Hernandez
Goal scorers: Rooney 47′, 50′
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Gerrard, Henderson, Kuyt (Adam 75′ ), Downing (Bellamy 61′ ), Spearing (Carroll 61′ ), Suarez
Subs not used: Doni, Carragher, Kelly, Shelvey
Referee: Phil Dowd
Image Source: skysports.com
