Match Reports
MAN UNITED 1-2 LIVERPOOL Liverpool claimed yet another victory at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff with a 2-1 win over rivals Man United. In an exciting game between the Premiership favourites, it took less than 50 seconds for Liverpool to earn a penalty. After good wrk by Owen, Murphy took the ball in the area only to be brought down by the United captain, Roy Keane. Gary McAllister, who finished the season as the reglar penalty taker, stepped up to send Barthez the wrong way and put the Reds ahead after less than a minute of playing time. The 37 year old could have had a second just minutes later after Owen was brought down on the edge of the United box by Silvestre, whose foul was just a few inches away from being the second penalty inside 4 minutes of the match. But the free kick was deflected into the air and Barthez made a comfortable catch. Both teams were intent on going forward at every opportunity and after Beckham had seen a header go close, Owen had a chance of his own. With just Gary Neville to beat when he collected the ball, Owen left the United defender for dead as he turned inside Neville and with only the 'keeper to beat, Owen coolly picked his spot, wrong footing the helpless Barthez. The chances kept coming for both teams though, and Westerweld was in top form all afternoon with his best save of the afternoon coming from a powerful close range header by Keane which was brilliantly pushed over the bar. Keane then came even closer to getting a goal back with a long range effort that looked certain for the top corner, but came back off the bar with Westerweld reduced to a spectator. Liverpool's best opportunity other than their goals was through .... , who saw a looping header cleared off the line with Barthez nowhere. After seeing Liverpool enjoy most of the chances of the first half, Man United came out strong in the second half and dominated most of the half. Van Nistelrooy came close in the opeining minutes, forcing Dutch teammate Sander Westerweld into a fingertip save. But United's new striker didnt give up and just a couple of minutes later, he was played into a great position by Giggs. Rather than shoot first time, Van Nistelrooy took a quick step past the keeper and fired into an almost empty net from a narrow angle. Despite Man United's pressure the Liverpool back line was rarely broken as the long range shots came from all areas. Beckham, went close and Keane saw a fierce shot well parried away by the Liverpool 'keeper. But despite having almost no clear cut chances in the second half due to insufficient support whenever someone went forward with the ball, or by giving the ball away when in attacking positions, Liverpool held onto the lead and they now hold every domestic honour with the exception of the biggest prize of all, the League title. View exclusive photographs from this match! View match pictures from this game!
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