Rooney and Park down Reds

United back on top with victory over Liverpool

Last updated: 21st March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Park Ji Sung goal Manchester United v Liverpool 2010

Park dives in bravely to power home the winner

Fernando Torres goal Manchester United v Liverpool 2010

Torres heads Liverpool into the lead

Wayne Rooney Manchester United Liverpool Old Trafford Premier League

Rooney celebrates drawing United level
Man of the match: Darren Fletcher produced a committed display topped with an assist for the winner.

Goal of the match: Torres' opener with fine leap and header.

Moment of the match: Mascherano's foul for the penalty started outside the box and will no doubt spark debate.

Miss of the match: Torres missed an opportunity to equalise in injury time.

Talking points: Are United on course for a record 19th title? Have Liverpool given themselves too much to do for fourth place?

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Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-Sung fired Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League as they came from behind to beat Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The irrepressible England international fired home his 33rd goal of the season in the 12th minute to restore parity with midfielder Park diving bravely to head in the winner on the hour mark.

A blistering start to the eagerly-anticipated encounter saw Fernando Torres climb unmarked eight yards out to power a header beyond Edwin van der Sar following Dirk Kuyt's excellent cross from the right with just five minutes gone.

But United were soon level with Javier Mascherano penalised by Howard Webb for bringing down Antonio Valencia as he looked to burst into the box, with a spot-kick awarded by the referee even though the offence began outside the area.

Jose Reina made a superb save to initially deny Rooney from 12 yards, but the ball fell kindly to the in-form striker who made no mistake with his second chance as he rolled into the empty net in the 12th minute.

The pace dropped somewhat after the frantic opening, with the key moment arriving in the 60th minute as Darren Fletcher delivered a telling ball into the box from wide on the right for South Korea international Park to head home at the far post amid the flying boots.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side restored their two-point advantage over Arsenal at the top of the table, while a 10th defeat of the season for Liverpool leaves them four points adrift of Tottenham in fourth, having also played a game more.

Ferguson once claimed that a game of tiddlywinks between what the majority still believe to be England's biggest clubs could trigger the deepest of passions.

Certainly there was no sense of inferiority from the visitors despite their present status, and with good reason.

Mystique

It was the Merseysiders who had won the last three meetings - each of which featured the dismissal of Nemanja Vidic, who it seems in Torres has found someone he simply cannot handle.

Such is the mystique surrounding that duel there was an audible gasp the first time Torres ran at the Serbian. Like so much of the opening period's final half-hour, it petered out disappointingly. The spark had been ignited long before that, although Torres was the one who flicked the switch.

By his very demeanour, Torres gave the impression of being a man on a mission.

Five minutes into the contest, he seized on the loose ball after Michael Carrick had lost possession, sending Steven Gerrard away at top speed with an inspired backheel.

As Gerrard found Kuyt to his right, Torres continued his own run, United's defence never set properly to ensure the Spaniard remained under their control and by the time Kuyt dug out his cross, Torres was on his own.

Park's wayward effort from a similar position later on proved the goal was anything but the routine effort it looked to be as the Spanish star guided the ball out of Van der Sar's reach.

Quite apart from falling behind against such fierce rivals, an increasingly enthralling title race demanded a United comeback. For Liverpool, the equaliser came far too quickly. The controversy was immediate too.

Rafa Benitez argued Mascherano's attempt to haul back Valencia was outside the box, which, indeed, was where the infringement began. Ferguson countered the combative midfielder had prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity.

The managers - no friends these two - continued their finger-jabbing row long after Rooney had tucked home the rebound from a spot-kick awarded by Webb and saved by Reina.

Guided missile

That was it for the goal threat until the hour mark arrived.

During his long career, Gary Neville has gone on plenty of unselfish runs down the right wing, knowing David Beckham or, more latterly, Cristiano Ronaldo were never going to give him the ball.

Fletcher is not quite of that attacking calibre but Neville must have sensed his run was purely to provide space for the Scot.

So it proved. As Neville flew past on the overlap, Emiliano Insua edged to his right, and in an instant, Fletcher had exploited the gap and curled over a cross.

As Rooney and Jamie Carragher tussled and tugged, Park arrived behind them, launching himself at the ball like a guided missile and powering the diving header into the corner of Reina's goal.

Rooney had one more chance before the end, which he fired wide.

Torres was on the end of a far better one when Gerrard drilled over a low cross near the end.

For once against United, the Spaniard miscued and Yossi Benayoun headed the loose ball straight at Van der Sar.

United could celebrate, Neville and Ferguson doing the cheerleading, while Liverpool's money men are staring at a big black hole marked Champions League, as Benitez appears in danger of failing on his guarantee of a fourth-placed finish.

Manchester UnitedTeam StatisticsLiverpool
2Goals1
11st Half Goals1
5Shots on Target2
5Shots off Target3
2Blocked Shots0
1Corners2
11Fouls17
1Offsides3
2Yellow Cards3
0Red Cards0
80.5Passing Success74.4
25Tackles29
76Tackles Success65.5
55.4Possession44.6
49.8Territorial Advantage50.2

Comments (91)

Ashley Sandison (Liverpool fan) says...

Please Sell lucas and Ngog and but a quality striker..Lucas plays we lose.I want watch liverpool anymore when lucas plays. Ive been to few livepool games this season and he is bad.he cant tackle,pass, and finish.he wouldnt get in the darlington team.

Posted 18:54 22nd March 2010

James Hamilton (Falkirk fan) says...

i watched the liverpool man utd game yesterday and that was never a penalty i should have been a free kick and as for rooney being the best player in the world i dont think so messi is far better

Posted 18:01 22nd March 2010

Chris Mccartney (Manchester United fan) says...

Great result for United. But what facinates me is the way in which Torres plays against the top teams, as if hes trying to prove Liverpool were the right club for him to move to. He comes out against sides like United aggressive and explosive, sliding in on every player wasting energy and getting frustrated. Reminds me of Rooney a few years ago. Torres is a world class finisher but it cant be good for him being an 18 carrot diamand amongst so many rocks.

Posted 10:10 22nd March 2010

Guiseppe Bennerivo (Juventus fan) says...

Its about time liverpool knew their place. they are just not a good team anymore, they are simply just a spent force living on past glories. when manchester win championship this year, their old record will be gone. The sign of a team in trouble, is when they blame everything other than their own players. torres likes just to sulk and shout at referees, gerrard is obvious that he does not want to be there. and all liverpool fans can do is blame the americans who have given the manager every penny he has asked for. europa league next year for liverpool, and out of europe the year later

Posted 21:07 21st March 2010

H J (Manchester United fan) says...

Wasn't the best game in the world, but a crucial three points - made even better by Chelsea drawing against Blackburn!! Found it amusing when Torres childishly kicked the penalty spot, then in the final minutes, it was the ruined penalty spot that caused him to miss kick to level it to 2-2!!! Never mind Liverpool!!

Posted 21:03 21st March 2010

Colin Wood (Manchester United fan) says...

Liverpool really raised their game and gave United a fairly hard game but the real test will come later in the season against Chelsea and Tottenham who, along with Arsenal, now make up the Premier League "Big Four..."

Posted 21:01 21st March 2010

Daniel Kim (Manchester United fan) says...

U must say..... ji sung park is a hell of a player...... u just see him every angle of the camera..its like camera is following him or something,, the winning goal was brilliant. i can;t say it in words...its just too great.. and he was bleeding too.. so great....keep it up ji sung park... PARK's on Fire !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 20:53 21st March 2010

Chris White says...

Well done to united....a very commited performance in a very important match. I thought Howard web actually did a pretty decent job...although Fergie should stop his ranting about a red card for Mascareno..it wasnt a penalty!! Face it Fergie United do get looked after at old trafford!!!..To me Rafa looked a little disinterested today. Smiling and relaxed where as normally very animated in such a big clash..his decison to withdraw kuyt and not Maxi was a mistake...and why did benayoun not come on earlier? To me rafa looked like a manager who already has decided his future...and it's not at liverpool.

Posted 20:51 21st March 2010

Nathan Egan (Manchester United fan) says...

About the penalty, from the fifa.com website... '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.'

Posted 20:40 21st March 2010

Shay Patel says...

It has to be said that Rafa will go down as a UNITED Legend.

Posted 20:37 21st March 2010

Nigel Dove (Liverpool fan) says...

My last few comments never got shown why. Liverpool are gutless and clueless, its like they not bothered if man u break record and get 19 titles and go ahead, and im not bothered if man u do as they most likely will if not this season they will eventually, and will probably go well past it before liverpool win it, It will be 20 plus titles to united and liverpool still on 18 within next 10 years. Shankly will be livid that what he created is now fading and come a spent force and liverpool turn into a mid table team. But im not bothered modern day football rubbish, no honesty or fair play, too much money and players to big for there boots, its a sport that isnt a sport anymore.

Posted 20:36 21st March 2010

Tony Brown (Liverpool fan) says...

United scraped past Liverpool with a dodgy penalty that took two attempts to score, United should have battered Liverpool with all the possession they had. They finished stronger due to the fact that was Liverpool's third match in a week, United were poor considering how poor Liverpool are supposed to be and how fantastic United are. Rooney did little again to prove he's better than Torres, only way he was going to score was from the spot. draw would have been a fair result , neither team did enough to win.

Posted 20:34 21st March 2010

Damian Steyn (Manchester United fan) says...

United the better team by far. Pool needs to find motivation off the field to try and combat their lack of enthusiasm and Rafa MUST stay. What a wonderful manager.

Posted 20:29 21st March 2010

Mark D (Liverpool fan) says...

Great start from liverpool but such a silly foul from masch was outside the box but it was given so get on with it but liverpool never got back into it they were slower to the ball all over the pitch some serious changes needed during the summer at anfield starting with rafa get mourinio in david villa and silva and maicon in. glen johnson out a useless defender

Posted 20:28 21st March 2010

Alan Tompkins says...

Yet again Mr Webb gives Utd 3 points. The foul was outside the box and should have been a free kick. As for Neville kicking the Liverpool player in the head, right in front of Mr Webb, and not even a free kick. I am not a Liverpool fan either before all you londoners (man u fans) start getting on your high horse. My team is in League one so I am a neutral but every time i see Webb and Man u, it reminds me of Mr Polls' love affair with Arsenal.

Posted 20:25 21st March 2010

Joe Brooks (Manchester United fan) says...

Just get one thing right Jamie,Liverpool HATE Man U Man U dislike Liverpool imensely,good game today best team won on the day.

Posted 20:17 21st March 2010

Ian Haydn (Manchester United fan) says...

to helen dawson - Liverpool 4th - your having a laugh! you can't get in the champions league by winning a penalty shoot out sweetheart - that rules liverpool out from winning any competition! not that it matters to you as you seem to be an ARSENAL FAN anyway!!! make your mind up who you support on your way back to the kitchen! ha ha

Posted 20:17 21st March 2010

Ognen Pepelarski (Manchester United fan) says...

Forza United !!!!! For all Liverpool fans : it was no penalty but was red card for Mash. Speaking of how great is Torres just remember his last chance. Who was better in this game? Lets ask neutral (beside statistic). I can imagine how it hurts for Reds that Man Utd is running to 19-th title, and they are not in position to be fourth. Blame it Howard Web.

Posted 20:13 21st March 2010

Jakes Mcintosh (Liverpool fan) says...

Amazing how short the short memory spans of United supporters. They have won one match in the last for meetings. They were humiliated 4-1 in front of their own fans only a few months ago and this season the points have been shared.

Posted 20:13 21st March 2010

Ryan Cowling (Chelsea fan) says...

Honestly, three years ago I didn't think much of Ji Sung-Park but this bloke is the most effective big-game player I've probably ever seen. He opened the scoring at the bridge two years ago and his name only seems to pop up whenever there's a lot at stake. Granted, this was a pretty low-excitement game, but big players show up in even boring games and that's what he did. Also, Rafa is rubbish and has always been rubbish. If Liverpool could get in a half-decent manager, they would be a team not-to-be-taken lightly. Right now, the rest of the league is laughing at them.

Posted 19:05 21st March 2010

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