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發表於 2006-1-23 10:52 AM
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Match Report: United 1 Liverpool 0
Rio's Late Winner Sends Old Trafford Wild
FA Barclays Premiership
Manchester United 1
Liverpool 0
Old Trafford, Sunday 22 January, 2006
![](http://picsrv.manutd.com/?fif=/manu/img_10_12542.jpg&obj=iip,1.0&wid=230&hei=270&rgn=0,0,0,0&cvt=jpeg)
United left it late. Stoppage time, in fact. But a thoroughly satisfying win after a tight North-west contest against Liverpool arrived courtesy of a dramatic winning header from Rio Ferdinand.
It was hardly a classic, but beating Liverpool carries with it local pride and so victory does not necessarily need to be pretty.
Liverpool’s fans came to Old Trafford brandishing ‘5’ banners, referring to their European Cup conquests and also sang the slightly bemusing chant: “Where were you in Istanbul?”
Although the song may not have made much sense, their European success points toward a resurgence taking place at Anfield under Spanish boss Rafael Benitez. United haven't been operating at the peak of their powers in recent seasons, meaning the two sides are as close in terms of quality as they have been for some time.
This win gives United a four-point cushion over Liverpool, the main contenders for what has become a battle for second place behind Chelsea, although the Anfield club still have two games in hand.
Liverpool arrived at Old Trafford having lost just once on the road this season. Despite not being prolific in front of goal they are solid in defence. But it is their midfield that boasts the most talent, a cause for concern for United, who have openly admitted needing to strengthen in that area.
Without the injured Ji-sung Park and Paul Scholes and the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for this clash, Sir Alex had to make some alterations in the middle of the park to cope with the threat posed by Alonso, Gerrard and Sissoko.
Darren Fletcher and Kieran Richardson operated down the right and left flanks, with Ryan Giggs and John O’Shea taking up the central positions. For added muscle, Wayne Rooney dropped into his favoured role between midfield and attack.
Neither team took immediate control of the game in the opening ten minutes, but Liverpool were first to register a shot at goal. Steven Gerrard latched onto a loose ball but sent his 25-yard shot wide.
Talking Reds : United 1 Liverpool 0
"While it may not have been the greatest game ever, it's always nice to beat the Scousers! Rio was magnificent defensively and obviously he took his goal brilliantly, while Wes Brown was also outstanding. While it's heartening to finally gain some points on Chelsea, today was all about strengthening our grip on second place."
Posted by : Billy Barthez
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Rooney created an opening for the Reds moments later. He took charge of the ball to the right of the centre circle and dribbled his way to the corner of the 18-yards box, before pulling his cross back for Giggs to volley at goal. However, a posse of Liverpool defenders closed the Welshman down quickly and blocked his attempt.
Rooney is built for these occasions; full of passion, determination and ability in all areas of the game, he delivered another stirring display. He scampered back to prevent John Arne Riise from getting to the byline, then two minutes later received the ball midway in the United half and surged past four Liverpool players to the edge of the penalty area. He tried to slip a pass to Fletcher on the right, but could only be stopped by a fifth challenge from a white shirt.
The only downside to Rooney’s energetic approach all over the pitch is that it should be saved for areas of the field where he can truly influence the outcome of games. Too often he is drawn deeper to aid United’s cause in midfield. In that sense, United’s lack of strength in central midfield positions sometimes detracts from the Croxteth-born striker's work in the final third.
Gerrard should have been booked for a foul on the 20-year-old Reds frontman midway through the opening 45. Having been dispossessed by Rooney, Gerrard took a hack at his fellow Liverpudlian’s legs. The Liverpool skipper should have been the third name in Mike Riley’s book after Richardson and Mohamed Sissoko were yellow carded for squaring up to each other following a strong tackle from the United youngster.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said before the game that the winner of this match could lay claim to be favourite to take second spot in the Premiership. That may well explain why neither team really grabbed this game by the scruff of the neck in the first half.
Wes Brown needed to be at his most intuitive just before the break to prevent Liverpool from taking the lead. The Reds surrendered possession to Sissoko and, from his lofted pass into the area, Cisse flicked the ball on to Peter Crouch, whose shot from an acute angle was blocked by the desperate lunge of Brown’s left leg.
The half-time break brought with it a much needed change from Sir Alex, Louis Saha replacing O’Shea. The Frenchmen went up front alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy, Fletcher moved into the centre of midfield and Rooney switched to the right flank.
One for the cameras: Wayne Rooney celebrates Rio Ferdinand's last-gasp winner.
![](http://picsrv.manutd.com/?fif=/manu/img_10_12543.jpg&obj=iip,1.0&wid=230&hei=270&rgn=0,0,0,0&cvt=jpeg)
But Liverpool were the team to take charge of the second half and enjoyed an early period of pressure. Edwin van der Sar did well to beat lanky Liverpool forward Peter Crouch to a probing Gerrard cross, while Benitez’s men continued to threaten from set pieces.
Liverpool’s pressure almost earned them the lead when, just after the hour, Ferdinand deflected the ball past van der Sar and had to recover with an acrobatic goal-line clearance. Harry Kewell followed up and struck a left-foot volley towards the bottom corner, which van der Sar did well to palm clear.
The intent to win the game was certainly there from both teams, a goal just didn't seem likely. Benitez brought on Morientes and Sinama-Pongolle for the ineffective Crouch and Cisse, while United created half-chances, but were not opening up Liverpool’s tight defence enough to create clear goalscoring opportunities. In summation, Liverpool looked blunt in attack and United lacked bite in midfield to create openings for Ruud, Rooney and Saha.
But, as the match entered the last ten minutes, United increased the pressure. Giggs had to be tugged back by Xavi Alonso, who was booked, after a slaloming raid down the right. Then Ruud had a turn and shot on the edge of the area saved by Jose Reina. Rooney also went close with a blistering low 25-yard shot just past Reina’s right post.
United's late pressure paid off in the most dramatic fashion in added time. Patrice Evra earned a free-kick wide on the left, which Giggs delivered into the Liverpool area. Rio Ferdinand, who has developed something of a taste for goals recently, rose above everyone in the area to head home his third goal of the season. Cue wild celebration from United's fans, and dejection in the away end.
Team Line-ups
United: Van der Sar, Neville (c), Ferdinand, Brown, Evra, Richardson, Fletcher, O’Shea (Saha 46), Giggs, Rooney, van Nistelrooy.
Subs not used: Howard, Vidic, Silvestre, Rossi.
Booked: Richardson (19), Rooney (87).
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Sissoko, Alonso, Gerrard, Kewell, Crouch (Morientes, 60), Cisse (Sinama-Pongolle, 75).
Subs not used: Dudek, Kromkamp, Traore.
Booked: Sissoko (19), Alonso (81).
Attendance: 67,874 |
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