Match Reports
Liverpool 3-1 Man United Liverpool went top of the league briefly, after a memorable victory over the Champions, Man United. In a match between the sides which was as hotly contested as ever, Liverpool started much more brightly, getting forward early on and Michael Owen helped himself to a couple of half chances, which failed to test Barthez. But after enjoyed most of the ball in the opening half hour, it was Owen who finally gave his side some reward. Smicer played the ball to Heskey, who stood back to goal with Wes Brown closely marking him. Heskey let the ball run past him though, and Owen charged towards goal and finished delightfully, curling a shot over Barthez and into the top corner of the goal in a very similar fashion to the goal he scored against Boavista. After half an hour of deafening noise all around Anfield, part of the Anfield Road stand now sat in silence as Liverpool continued to attack, looking for a second goal before the break. and the second goal was not long in coming. Owen was tripped by Silvestre just a few yards outside the area and Riise unleashed a stunning drive against the underside of the bar and into the net, giving the keeper no chance. At 2-0, Liverpool looked comfortable but United have a big reputation for getting themselves back into games no matter what the deficit and early in the second half, David Beckham scored, to the delight of the away fans who finally found their voices. A cross played ino the edge of the area reached Riise, and his attempted clearance bounced off Beckham, who fired low btween Dudek and the post. United immediately looked for a second goal, but a Liverpool counter attack was quick to follow and after a cross looped into the United penalty area, Barthez came to claim the ball but was outjumped by Heskey, and Owen nodded in the ball as in landed to restore the two goal cushion. The visitors had most of the ball for the final half hour of the game, but Dudek was only forced into one save, coming from a David Beckham shot late on. Liverpool's defence stood firm for the remainder of the game though, and it was a fully deserved victory. The win saw Liverpool go top of the league, but only until the end of Leeds United's game with Spurs, which ended in a 2-1 win to Leeds. Liverpool have a game in hand over everyone else at the top though, and could go clear with a win. View match pictures from this game!
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