United beat Liverpool resistance at Old Trafford

Sports - Football - Premier League - Man United 2:1 Liverpool

Manchester United held on to their 2-1 lead against bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford, the win keeping Sir Alex Ferguson's men ten points clear of City at the top of the Premier League table.

 

Liverpool showed much more spirit in the second half after a disappointing start to the game. Robin van Persie put the home side ahead comfortably after 19 minutes and could have added another goal to his United account before half time but slashed the chance high.

The visitors created no real threat, lacking in the final third and looking too careful at times, leaving United in total control.

The game looked all over when Patrice Evra's header off RVP's free kick deflected in off Nemanja Vidic thanks to some sloppy defending to make it 2-0 early on in the second half.

But Brendan Rodgers' changes soon payed off when a couple of minutes later Steven Gerrard saw his shot saved by David De Gea for Daniel Sturridge to net the rebound, scoring his first Premier League goal on his league debut for the Merseysiders to start the fight back for Liverpool at 2-1.

Sturridge and Luis Suarez created much more of a threat together with some fine one-twos and close shaves, the prior hitting one chance into the side-netting, the latter heading another into De Gea's gloves.

This was the seventh defeat of the season for Liverpool and saw them stay in eighth place, two points behind West Brom in seventh and nine points behind Tottenham in fourth, the last Champions League qualification spot.

United will be chuffed to bits after doing the double over their rivals and staying way ahead of their local rivals in the process too. But just like after the reverse fixture defeat, the Reds can take a lot from the game, no points, but a lot of heart and spirit (in the second half) and with it hope. Hope that the January transfer window can back them up and finally solidify their fine interplays and displays with more players, especially in the final third, and get them more goals, results and points.


Man United Goals: 1.: 18:16 min RVP (20), 2.: 53:36 min Nemanja Vidic (15).

Liverpool Goal: 1.: 56:50 min Daniel Sturridge (15).

Man United: 1 De Gea; 3 Evra (booked 73), 15 Vidic (12 Smalling 79), 5 Ferdinand, 2 Da Silva; 26 Kagawa (4 Jones 77), 23 Cleverley, 16 Carrick, 18 Young (7 Valencia HT); 20 RVP, 19 Welbeck. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 40 Amos, 8 Anderson, 11 Giggs, 14 Hernandez.

LFC: 25 Reina; 2 Johnson (booked 76), 5 Agger (booked 94), 37 Skrtel (booked 53), 47 Wisdom; 21 Lucas (booked 45+4, 15 Sturridge HT), 24 Allen (14 Henderson 80), 8 Gerrard; 31 Sterling (29 Borini 62); 7 Suarez, 19 Downing. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 23 Carragher, 33 Shelvey, 49 Robinson.

1st & 2nd half Stats: UTD-LFC
Attempts: 5-1 & 7-8
On target: 2-0 & 4-3
Offsides: 0-0 & 1-1
Corners: 1-1 & 2-0
Free kicks: 6-7 & 11-7
Possession:
57%-43% (15.min)
52.4%-47.6% (HT)
48%- 52% (2nd half - 69.min)
30%-70% (82.-87.min)
46%-54% (FT)
Action Areas:
UTD 10%-65%-25% LFC (27.min)
Passes: 404-487
Pass Success:
86%-81.74% (HT)
82%-85.01% (FT)
Shot Accuracy: 50%-30%
Crosses: 15-11
Cross Accuracy: 26.7%-0%
Tackles: 25-31
Tackles won: 60%-83.9%

Referee: Howard Webb
MOTM: Danny Welbeck

Liverpool's worst run continues against United

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 1:2 Man United

Ten-man Liverpool let the game slip away as Robin van Persie's second half penalty handed Manchester United a 2-1 victory on an emotionally charged afternoon at Anfield. 

 

The two rival sides showed unity before the match in remembering the Hillsborough victims and families. The fans held up "The Truth", "Justice" and "96" mosaics on three sides of Anfield for the first minute of the match whilst all players shook hands before kick-off, including Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra. 

So, both the fans and the players spared themselves from any kind of abuse and distasteful acts or chants as they were renowned for in the past. But from kick-off, the two great rivals produced a typically competitive and contentious encounter. 

Liverpool dominated possession and play giving United hardly any look into the game. Even after being reduced to ten men, the home side did not give up or way that easily. 
The sending off incident was controversial when after Jonjo Shelvey and Jonny Evans both went for the ball, clattering into each other, the prior seeing red for it whilst the latter played the victim and got away. 

The 20-year old Liverpool midfielder showed his discontent with the decision to the referee and Sir Alex Ferguson on his way down the tunnel. 

The Reds held their heads up high and skipper Steven Gerrard volleyed them ahead second after the restart. But only five minutes later, Rafael Da Silva smashed in a spectacular equaliser with a sweet left-footed curler over Pepe Reina and in off the far post. 

United took over the last 20 minuted and when Antonio Valencia raced clear 50 yards into the area after Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson collided, the Ecuadorian made the most of the latter's comeback challenge, the referee pointing to the spot. 

It was clear, luck/justice/goals/points were not on Liverpool's side that afternoon. From the spot, RVP drilled home the winner even though Reina was oh so close. It was a much more encouraging display by the Reds, hopefully the results will and must follow, eventually!

Liverpool Goals: 45:49min Steven Gerrard (8).

Man United Goals: 50:29min Rafael Da Silva (2), 80:11min Robin van Persie (20).

Liverpool: 25 Reina (bkd 77.); 2 Johnson, 5 Agger (23 Carragher - 80.), 37 Skrtel, 34 Kelly; 33 Shelvey (s.o. 39.), 24 Allen, 8 Gerrard; 31 Sterling (14 Henderson - 66.), 7 Suarez, 29 Borini (30 Suso - HT). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 3 Jose Enrique, 4 Sahin, 11 Assaidi.

Man United: 13 Lindegaard; 3 Evra, 6 Evans, 5 Ferdinand, 2 da Silva (19 Welbeck - 89.); 11 Giggs, 16 Carrick; 17 Nani (22 Scholes - HT, bkd 58.), 26 Kagawi (14 Hernandez - 81.), 7 Valenica; 20 van Persie (bkd 84.). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 De Gea, 8 Anderson, 23 Cleverly, 28 Buttner.

Sky Stats: Liverpool-Man United
Attempts: 14-8
On target: 6-3
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 7-3
Free kicks: 7-14
1st half Possession: 63.1%-36.9%
2nd half Possession: 41.2%-58.8%
Possession: 52%-48%
Passes: 459 - 420
Passing Success: 84.7%-85%
Tackles: 23 - 29
Tackling Success: 69.6%-72.4%

Referee: Mark Halsey
Man of the Match: Steven Gerrard

Week 4: Premier League Tops & Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

OMG!



Finally, over two decades late, the liars have come out and the Hillsborough victims have been recognised! Football and fans held together, it was great to see every team's thoughts and condolences - forget about a couple of chanting idiots! Football together forever! YNWA! Please show Rio and Anton Ferdinand, John Terry and Ashley Cole what it's all about and maybe they'll wake up, appreciate life and the game, forget their little stupid issues and handbags, grow up and shake hands!!! See what Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra will do next weekend! Please walk on with your head held high and don't slip over old stones that should have been thrown away and resolved ages ago!

WOW!

Arsenal crises? Where? They absolutely swept away newly promoted Southampton who had impressed with their display against United the previous week! The Gunners' buildup impressed, the goals were from formal to gobsmacking and there could have been more! After beating Liverpool at Anfield and this comfortable home win, Arsenal will feel more than confident heading to the champions' City ground next week.

TOP!

Tottenham, United and Arsenal all impressed with their performances. Whilst Spurs climbed up into the top half of the table thanks to a comfortable win at Reading, easing pressure on manager Andre Villas-Boas, the latter two jumped up into the top three with two thrashes against Wigan and Soutampton respectively and ten goals between the two, heating up the title race by closing the gap to league leaders Chelsea who only drew at QPR.

FLOP!

Southampton and Liverpool are till waiting for their first win. Brendan Rodgers' men were condemned to their worst league start in over a centurs after having to settle for just a point at the Stadium of Light which takes their total to two points out of four games so far. It was a much better display for the Reds than against the Gunners last week, but once again, they will rue the missed chances and with United next on the list, they will have to learn to convert, FAST!

HERO!

Suarez saved a point for Liverpool after gleefully smashing in Titus Bramble's deflection off Raheem Sterling's cross from the right. Dimitar Berbatov impressed for Fulham. The Bulgarian striker worked hard for his new team and proved his quality with a couple of goals for the Cottagers, the opener being a curling beauty into the top corner.

ZERO!

Red cards, bookings, penalties underlined inconsistencies by the officials once again this week, Suarez' yellow and Danny Welbeck's penalty being just one example! Both players have and are adding to their reputation of drama queens, but referees should be professional enough to take on and decide about every situation individually by what happens right in front of them rather then going by their thoughts and prejudices!

My Predictions => Actual Results:
Norwich 0-0 West Ham => 0-0
Arsenal 6-1 Southampton => 6-1
Aston Villa 2-0 Swansea => 2-0
Fulham 3-0 West Brom => 3-0
Man United 4-0 Wigan => 4-0
QPR 0-0 Chelsea => 0-0
Stoke 1-1 Man City => 1-1
Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool => 1-1
Reading 1-3 Tottenham => 1-3
Everton 2-2 Newcastle => 2-2

No, I'm not that good in predictions! Just forgot to put in my scores this week! Ups, typical! ;-P

Week 25: Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League- Picks of the Weekend

Top game and team: If you wondered for one second whether Tottenham could cope with all the stress and attention around their manager, with the court case and England speculation, please join the laughing stock! The team got together and smashed their opponents to pieces 5-0! I feel sorry for Newcastle who could never have predicted what was ahead of them, after most probably favouring their chance, thinking they could catch out Spurs, that they were at a weak or crises point. The London side quickly put that to bed with three goals inside 19 minutes. Unbelievable!

Top player: Wayne Rooney made the difference at Old Trafford and got the ground rocking with two goals inside three minutes at the start of the second half. It was a scruffy, intense encounter with Liverpool matching their rivals and staying in the competition with a shout eventhough the home side dominated most of the game. But the former Evertonian stole the show, the first goal summarising his top class, an unstoppable volley off a Ryan Giggs corner.

Top goal: Thierry Henry's last minute winner for Arsenal was another one of those too-good-to-be-true goals! The Frenchman ended his return just as he started it, like a scripted dream. Jamie Mackie's late two goals, especially the second for QPR, was an unstoppable smacker and unbelievable show by the sub striker. Too little, too late though in their 3-2 defeat at Blackburn.

Top news: Harry Redknapp said a part-time role as England manager would be possible... Really?! That would be too good to be true for England. I don't think the Spurs Director quite agrees with his manager, no surprise there... :-P

Flop game: Manchester City's 1-0 win at Villa Park was not much to write home about. City dominated the game from the first second to the last minute, Joleon Lescott grabbing the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute from close range against his boyhood club. It saw Aston Villa drop down to 15th and the fans showing their frustration towards manager Alex McLeish.

Flop team: Wolves' 5-1 thrash defeat against West Brom was sad, no, annoying to watch. As soon as the first goal fell, the home side crumbled to bits. It looked like no one wanted to shoulder the blame, eventhough they were all contributors to their downfall, no one took the responsibility to grab the side and get a grip. In the end, it saw the side drop into the relegation zone and cost Mick McCarthy his job and after six successful years at the club, it is sad to see him leave. Chelsea's Andre Villas-Boas is the most likely candidate next on the sacked list after his side's dire 2-0 defeat at Everton. Pressure is moutning on the Portuguese - his side dropping out of the top four into fifth, level points with Arsenal in fourth, tehn points behind Tottenham in third.

Flop player: Luis Suarez, what were you thinking?! It was your chance to wipe the slate clean with Patrice Evra, but instead you spat on it and poked it into his face! It caused unnecessary trouble adding to the already intense rivalry and atmosphere in the game and ground. It cast an unnecessary and unwanted shadow over the game, teams and the whole competition and sport. I know apologies have now been officially given by both player and manager Kenny Dalglish and accepted by Manchester United, but there is still something crucial missing: Suarez and Evra shaking hands and drawing a line under it! Sir Alex Ferguson's post-match interview was a bit harsh (the striker should never play for the honorable Merseyside club again) but understandable. I hope the Uruguayan has slowly but surely come to his sences now!


Flop goal: The top sides' defenders seemed to be asleep this weekend. The Chelsea back line let Everton's Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi to the ball too easily, giving away open chances they both netted with thanks. David Luiz and Jose Bosingwa were especially poor, seeming completely unaware of play and where the ball is on more than one occasion. 
Liverpool's Jay Spearing and United's Rio Ferdinand both saw giveaways they will want to forget, the former losing the ball to Antonio Valencia who eventually found Rooney to net it and the latter pushing the ball ón to Saurez right in front of the goal.
Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen's own goal against Fulham was cruel, he didn't see any of it, Clint Dempsey's shot from 25 yards hitting the cross bar and bouncing off the goalkeepers back and over the line.

Flop news: Aaaaaand Carlos Tevez is back, whining on, blaiming manager Roberto Mancini and painting him as the booman... Zzzzzz...

My predictions-Actual results:

Man United 2:1 Liverpool - 2:1

Blackburn 1:1 QPR - 3:2

Bolton 4:1 Wigan - 1:2

Everton 1:0 Chelsea - 2:0

Fulham 2:0 Stoke - 2:1

Sunderland 1:1 Arsenal - 1:2

Swansea 2:0 Norwich - 2:3

Tottenham 3:1 Newcastle - 5:0

Wolves 1:2 West Brom - 1:5

Aston Villa 0:1 Man City - 0:1

Match Report: Rooney double beats Liverpool

Sports - Football - Premier League - Man United 2:1 Liverpool

Man of the match Wayne Rooney stole the show with two goals at the start of the second half which saw Manchester United beat Liverpool 2:1 at Old Trafford and return to the top of the Premier League table (for the night).

There were some ugly scenes at the end of both halves, with the saga between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra hanging over the teams after the Urugayan striker had refused to shake the United defender's hand before the match and clashes continuing into the tunnels. Shame on the players, forgetting the meaning of the word respect, you would have thought the managers would have had a word!

Moving on (as I hoped the teams would and going by their statements, they finally have), the game was more ill-spirited than tempered with only two bookings and both teams cancelling each other out, leaving the main action and possession in the centre of the field.

United bossed the game throughout but Liverpool stayed solid at the back and stubborn in the centre looking like they would not give up that easily and break and get something out of the game.

However, Rio Ferdinand's giveaway to Suarez ended up to be just a consolation goal. It spiced up the end of a game which United controlled and Liverpool held onto as much and long as they could.

But a certain former Evertonian striker had made sure the visitors would not get much out of the match, doubling his tally against the Merseysiders, smashing in a Ryan Giggs corner on 47 and tapping in an easy chance from a fine Antonio Valencia cross three minutes later after Jay Spearing lost the ball to the Ecuadorian winger.

It was not a match to write much about, if it weren't for all the ill temper of certain players, Evra's OTT-celebrations after the match right in front of Suarez not helping the matter much.

I hope now both players and managers had a chance to look back, consider and apologise their actions, we can move on and come back to what it is all about, the game and not a couple of idiots/idiotic actions that are taken out of all proportions and try to spoil and destroy the team spirit of it!

As John Barnes put it best on BBC: "...We are making a mountain out of a molehill. There are worse things happening in the world."

United: De Gea; Evra, Evans, Ferdinand, Rafael da Silva; Giggs, Scholes, Carrick (booked 80), Valencia; Welbeck, Rooney (scored 46:17 & 49:04). 4-4-2
Subs not used: Amos, Fabio da Silva, Park Ji-sung, Cleverley, Pogba, Berbatov, Hernandez.

Liverpool: Reina; Jose Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson; Downing (booked 45, Bellamy 61), Gerrard,  Spearing (Carroll 61), Kuyt (Adam 75), Henderson; Suarez (scored 79:55). 4-5-1
Subs not used: Doni, Carragher, Kelly, Shelvey.

1st & 2nd half stats:
United-Liverpool
Attempts: 6-4 & 5-3
On target: 3-2 & 3-2
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-3
Corners: 2-2 & 1-1
Free kicks: 5-4 & 5-4
Possession: 62%-38% (BBC, 22 mins), 57.8%-42.2% (Sky, 23 mins), 55.9%-44.1% (1st half, Sky), 52%-48% (BBC, 67 mins), 54.1%-45.9% (Sky, 67 mins), 47%-53% (2nd half possession up to 76. minute, Sky) , 54.6%-45.4% (2nd half, Sky), 54%-46% (FT, Sky), 47%-53% (FT, BBC).

Sky Stats:
United-Liverpool
Passing Success: 87.9%-81.7%
Tackles/Success: 23/78.3%-21/76.2%
Territorial Advantage: 50.1%-49.9%
Action Areas: United 13%-74%-13% Liverpool

Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney

2nd half notes: Rooney double beats Liverpool

2nd half notes:
United kick off the second half and win an early corner.

46:17 Rooney smashes in Giggs' corner, right footer, close enough to give Reina no chance, caught Liverpool cold, what a start to the second half! 1-0

49:04 Spearing loses the ball against Valencia who rolls it into the path of Rooney, easy finish, 2-0. The former Evertonian is running riot! Liverpool must be thinking they are in a nightmare second half! Half time team talk out the window!

56. Soft free kick by Downing, easily cleared by United. Carroll is warming up on the sideline.

58. Rooney blasts one in but the referee had already blown the whistle for a Liverpool free kick for Carrick's tackle on Downing, although it looked like he got the ball cleanly.

59. Rooney in the box, chance for a hat-trick with a challenge coming in from his left, the striker puts it wide to the right.

61. Gerrard cross into the box, Downing chests ball out, wastes chance, his last touch of the game.

Double change for Liverpool: Carroll on for Spearing, Bellamy on for Downing.

64. Rafael cross from right picked up by Reina. Nothing coming from or for Liverpool, the visitors keep on losing the ball.

65. Johnson gives the ball away to Welbeck on the left, pass to Giggs, ball cleared by Spearing.

67. Gerrard kicks Rooney's back legs and gives away a free kick.

73. Liverpool building up a little bit more pressure with Bellamy on the left, but keep losing the ball when it matters. Manchester United looking comfortable, Rooney looking for his hat-trick.

74. Welbeck shot deflected by Henderson, Reina gets his gloves on it.

75. Agger has a go, high and wide.
Last change for Liverpool: Adam on for Kuyt.

77. Carroll gives away a free kick, looking very frustrated indeed.

80. Suarez gets his body across and is brought down by Carrick, the latter sees yellow for it.

79:55 What a gift for Suarez of all people! Adam takes the free kick, Ferdinand gives the ball to the controversial Uruguayan who thankfully puts it into the back of the net. 2-1, this should make the last 10 minutes more interesting, although United are the team who have scored most goals in this late period of the game.

82. Welbeck puts a shot high in the sky, Rooney not happy.

87. Liverpool heading the ball around the United box, eventually Carroll flicks the ball on to Suarez who is flagged offside, harsh, on the line.

Liverpool not making much of the momentum of the Suarez goal.

3 minutes added on.

Bellamy takes free kick on the left, Johnson shot saved well by De Gea, finger tip save of a fine left-foot shot, corner for Liverpool, cleared. Finally some urgency by the Reds.

Suarez header! High and wide. Flagged offside anyway.

Wayne Rooney easy pick for man of the match, his two goals early in the second half the difference between the two sides.

United win a free kick in the corner with only seconds to go, win a corner, teasing Liverpool in the final seconds.

FT: 2-1 Man of the match Wayne Rooney stole the show with two goals at the start of the second half which saw United beat Liverpool at Old Trafford and return to the top of the Premier League table. There were ugly scenes at the end of both halves, with the Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra saga hanging over the teams and continuing into the tunnels. Shame on the players, forgetting the meaning of the word respect, you would have thought the managers would have had a word.
Moving on (as the teams hopefully will from here), Suarez' goal ended up to be just a consolation goal but it spiced up the end of a game which United controlled and Liverpool held onto as much and long as they could. But former Evertonian Rooney made sure the visitors would not get much out of it, doubling his tally against the Merseysiders.

1st & 2nd half stats:
United-Liverpool
Attempts: 6-4 & 5-3
On target: 3-2 & 3-2
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-3
Corners: 2-2 & 1-1
Free kicks: 5-4 & 5-4
Possession: 62%-38% (BBC, 22 mins), 57.8%-42.2% (Sky, 23 mins), 52%-48% (BBC, 67 mins), 54.1%-45.9% (Sky, 67 mins), 47%-53% (2nd half possession up to 76. minute, Sky) , 54%-46% (FT, Sky), 47%-53% (FT, BBC).
Action Areas: United 13%-74%-13% Liverpool

United: 1 De Gea; 3 Evra, 6 Evans, 5 Ferdinand, 21 Rafael da Silva; 11 Giggs, 22 Scholes, 16 Carrick (booked 80), 25 Valencia; 19 Welbeck, 10 Rooney (scored 46:17 & 49:04). 4-4-2
Subs not used: 40 Amos, 20 Fabio da Silva, 13 Park Ji-sung, 23 Cleverley, 42 Pogba, 9 Berbatov, 14 Hernandez.

Liverpool: 25 Reina; 3 Jose Enrique, 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 2 Johnson; 19 Downing (booked 45, 30 Bellamy 61), 8 Gerrard, 20 Spearing (9 Carroll 61), 18 Kuyt (26 Adam 75), 14 Henderson; 7 Suarez (scored 79:55). 4-5-1
Subs not used: 32 Doni, 23 Carragher, 34 Kelly, 33 Shelvey.

Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney

1st half summary: United on top

1st half notes:


No handshake from Suarez for Evra, good start!


Liverpool kick off the game.


2. Evra and Ferdinand clash (going for Suarez), Rio lands awkwardly there.


3. Soft Johnson shot from the right, easy hold for De Gea.


4. Reina gathers the ball well in the box after a promising attack by Welbeck and Valencia, Rooney was lurking and ready.


6. Enrique brings down Valencia JUST outside the box, free kick to United, headed wide by Johnson for a corner. Rooney header, soft, Reina picks it up easily.


10. Johnson from the right again, cuts inside and has loads of space for a shot, goes out wide on the left, goal kick.


14. Enrique's free kick cleared cooly by Ferdinand.


15. Kuyt cross from right blocked, second cross out for a goalkick, Dutchman apologises for wasted chance.


18. Welbeck and Valencia fighting for the ball well, making Liverpool's back line work hard.


19. Rafael shot, off balance, awkward one for Reina as he saw it late and Welbeck ready to pounce in front of him but the Spaniard still holds on to it.


27. Far shot from outside the box by Rooney, had the space, right foot shot goes wide.


31. SCHOLES! His header off Giggs cross from the left straight into Reina! What a chance! Following corner comes to nothing.


32. United pressure stretching Liverpool with Welbeck, Giggs, Valencia, Rooney, ball cleared by Agger eventually.


35. Evra header wide, goal kick.


40. Kuyt and Suarez in United box, Ferdinand takes and clears the ball confidently.


Liverpool regaining some control after all the main pressure was created by United.


41. Gerrard ball deflected over the goal for a corner. First corner for the Reds, cleared, Gerrard puts it back in the box, chested out by Ferdinand, another Liverpool corner, Skrtel shoots it out, claiming it brushed Ferdinand, goal kick given.


In case you wondered, the black arm bands worn by United players as this is their first home game since 54th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.


45. First booking of the match goes to Downing for bringing down Rafael, free kick to United, headed away by Johnson. Counter, Suarez goes down fuming and claiming last man Ferdinand fowled him. There was a touch but he got the ball, good defending.


HT: 0-0, Suarez kicks the ball away on the half time whistle in frustration, temperatures rise again as the Uruguayan finds it difficult to remain cool. Temperamental end to a tense half, United on top but Liverpool not letting go.


Report has just come through of fights continuing down the tunnel, Evra and Skrtel clashing and pulling their team mates into it.


1st half stats:
United-Liverpool
Attempts: 6-4
On target: 3-2
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 2-2
Free kicks: 5-4
Possession: 62%-38% (BBC, 22 mins), 57.8%-42.2% (Sky, 23 mins), 58%-42% (BBC, HT), 57%-43% (Sky, HT)


United: 1 De Gea; 3 Evra, 6 Evans, 5 Ferdinand, 21 Rafael da Silva; 11 Giggs, 22 Scholes, 16 Carrick, 25 Valencia; 19 Welbeck, 10 Rooney. 4-4-2
Subs: 40 Amos, 20 Fabio da Silva, 13 Park Ji-sung, 23 Cleverley, 42 Pogba, 9 Berbatov, 14 Hernandez.


Liverpool: 25 Reina; 3 Jose Enrique, 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 2 Johnson; 19 Downing (booked 45), 8 Gerrard, 20 Spearing, 18 Kuyt, 14 Henderson; 7 Suarez. 4-5-1
Subs: 32 Doni, 23 Carragher, 34 Kelly, 26 Adam, 33 Shelvey, 9 Carroll, 30 Bellamy.


Referee: Phil Dowd

Cup double over Manchester: Kuyt k.o. United

Sports - Football - FA Cup - Liverpool 2:1 Man Utd

Liverpool did the double over Manchester, beating United 2:1 to eliminate them from the FA Cup after they had battled out a 3:2 aggregate win over their City rivals to reach the Carling Cup final earlier in the week.

It was not a quite as feisty affair at Anfield, roaring boos against Patrice Evra being the only dark clowd and reminder of the Luis Suarez racism row of the last meeting between the two rivals.

Liverpool had the upper hand early on with more chance before taking the lead accordingly thanks to a Daniel Agger header off a corner with United's goalkeeper David De Gea too busy pushing away Andy Carroll rather than covering his line and goal.

But the trend soon shifted with United pulling back possession, territory, chances and in the end a goal when Ji-Sung Park poked in the equaliser. 

It ended a fascinating first half which saw United's growing hold on the game reflected by the score line. But the second half panned out less fascinating but more hard work as both sides pressed but did not get much in the opposition's box. Liverpool looked more attacking, the changes reflecting that and showing clear intentions.

Both sides saw two penalty shouts denied by the officials, fair dues, both hand balls but inadvertent, impossible to get away from, good refereeing at both ends. 

The game continued frustrating, with more pressure by Liverpool, but all attacks dell to bits in the box, no close shouts or shots by either side.

With minutes left, Dirk Kuyt smacked in Carroll's cross-header off Pepe Reina's goalkick, giving De Gea no chance and Liverpool the lead. Kuyt's 50th goal for the club saw the Reds through to the next round of the FA Cup and deservedly so, King Kenny can be more than proud of his club's display and achievements over the last week.

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 20:04 min Daniel Agger (5), 2.: 87:20 min Dirk Kuyt (18).

Liverpool: Reina; Skrtel, Carragher (Kuyt 63), Agger; Kelly, Gerrard (Bellamy 72), Henderson, Enrique; Downing, Carroll, Maxi (Adam 63). (3-4-3)
Subs not used: Doni, Johnson, Coates, Shelvey.

Man United Goals: 1.: 38:38 min Ji-Sung Park (13).

Man United: De Gea; Rafael (booked 66), Smalling, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Scholes (Hernandez 76), Giggs (Berbatov 90); Valencia, Welbeck, Park. (4-3-3)
Subs not used: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, da Silva, Keane, Pogba.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Man United
Attempts: 5-3 & 9-5
On target: 3-2 & 4-0
Offsides: 1-0 & 1-0
Corners: 3-0 & 2-1
Free kicks: 6-5 & 5-4
Possession: 38%-62% (37.min), 43%-57% (FT)

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Man of the match: Dirk Kuyt