Van Persie penalty sinks Liverpool
Robin van Persie's late penalty gave Manchester United victory
Robin van Persie's late penalty secured a 2-1 victory for Manchester United against 10-man Liverpool on an emotional afternoon at Anfield.
The hosts played 51 minutes with 10 men after Jonjo Shelvey's sending-off but still managed to take the lead through Steven Gerrard's volley seconds after the interval.
However, Rafael equalised soon after and Van Persie, one of three United players to miss from the spot this term, scored his fourth goal in as many games against the Reds - although three of those had come for former side Arsenal - nine minutes from time.
In the end it was something of a relief the talking points were all generated on the pitch as Liverpool marked their first home match since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report which exonerated fans in relation to the 1989 disaster.
Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra shook hands in a show of unity before the game - the Liverpool forward had refused to shake the United defender's hand in the league meeting between the sides at Old Trafford in February, having previously been found guilty of racially abusing Evra in the corresponding fixture at Anfield last season.
Shelvey robbed Ryan Giggs in midfield but as the ball broke free he launched himself at Jonny Evans and the inevitable outcome was a red card.
The visitors would have been pleased to reach the interval with their goal intact but it took just 50 seconds after the restart for that to change.
Second-half substitute Suso, making his Premier League debut three days after his first-team bow in Switzerland, saw his cross half-cleared to Glen Johnson. A tackle from Paul Scholes, on for Nani at half-time, succeeded only in diverting the ball towards Gerrard who volleyed home left-footed in front of the Kop.
It was short-lived, however, as within five minutes United were level when Shinji Kagawa laid the ball off for Rafael to brilliantly curl left-footed over Jose Reina and in off the far post.
Daniel Agger and Johnson collided to allow Antonio Valencia to race 50 yards into the area and although Johnson got back he could only bring down the Ecuador international. Van Persie drilled home - although Reina went the right way and almost made the stop.
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good cracking game i thought the sending off was unjust, maybe a yellow card, certainly not a red, the penalty was dubious, but thats football, well done utd on a good and respectful game, we are 3rd from bottom and its looking bad, we played very well, no luck in the result, i think a 1-1 would have been a justifiable result, but the games about goals, we didnt get enough to gain victory, and a special thanks to the fans, as respect was shown on both sets of fans, myabe we can move on from past disrespect from both sets of fans
p.s the referee had a stinker on both sides, we need to improve the standard of referee's
Well where to start?
Well played both sets of fans who showed everyone what respect is.
Unlucky Liverpool, although I'm delighted to have the 3 points i have to say that we didnt deserve it. We all knew Liverpool would play from the whistle but they kept that going even into the 2nd half with 10 men, they did not let Utd get any foothold.
The LFC players and fans were appealing for every touch but you never know what will happen when you have Suarez flying all over the place. Could he of had a penalty? Possibly, i have seen them given but he didn't help himself with the theatrics.
Should Shelvey of been sent off? Yes it was reckless and his studs were up, but Evans was clumsy himself and the only thing that saved him was his leg was off the ground when contact was made and his studs werent up.
Valencia penalty? I have to say dodgy, apart from the little clip on the heel when Johnson ran past there was little in it. There were many decisions which were debatable for both sides but if the shoe was on the other foot i would feel abit aggreived.
Ingredients to Man Utd Victory against Liverpool.
Dodgy ref.
Red Card
and 1 Penalty.
You won't belewive how much I won at the bookies after betting on a red card & Penalty being in the game.
Not being funny, but when was the last time Man Utd beat Liverpool 11 against 11 and no penalty.
Even Gary Neville said Jonny Evans was out of control AS WELL.
Ah well, at least the crowd were well behaved, and much respect goes to Fergie for his part.
First of all great show of respect from both teams before the match, fergie actually has gained alot of respect from LFC fans especially after finding out that he sent letters asking as much to all traveling fans today. so for that we are grateful.
prematch aside id say overall we outplayed them but that doesnt matter when the official just isnt up for the pressure cooker derby. the shelvey tackle was bad but evans did exactly the same either both should have been punished or neither should have just because evans is a wimp and acted the martyr shelvey got punished. Also have a look at van persie's tackle on suso, studs off the floor same sort of dangerous tackle but only gave a yellow( no refereeing consistency at all), im not even gunna get started on the rediculous amount dives i saw from man u players today that the ref fell for. kagawa and valencia inparticular. Fergie says midweek that Man u dont get penalties at anfield, coincidentally valencia takes a dive and is rewarded a pen.
on reflection it was a decent game, but it was again a match spoiled by a poor, weak willed ref( and there was me thinking it was hard to be anyworse than howard webb). oh well positives can be taken from this game, 2 points from 5 games certainately doesnt tell the full story, arsenal and wba we were poor but city, sunderland and man u could have and probably should have been 9 points gained. avenge the loss against wba in cap 1 cup midweek and the kickon with a few wins. Heres to Hoping ( which should be our club motto as it seems thats all we can ever do)
