In what was the 155 meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool, United ran out worthy winners but not before conceding a two goal lead for the second time in a week. Dimitar Berbatov was the star of the show, netting his first Manchester United hattrick against the old enemy. The Bulgarian has now notched up seven goals in six appearances in all competitions so far this season and has been superb in the matches he has played in.
He scored two headers either side of one of the best goals i’ve ever seen scored at the Stretford End. Berbatov’s control and overhead kick cannoned off the crossbar and over the line to give United a two goal lead. He quite possibly silenced many of his doubters with a sublime appearance and in scoring the winning goal, demonstrated his ability to deliver on the big occasions.
The first ten minutes saw United over power a Liverpool side who lined up 4-3-3, with new signings Cole, Poulsen and Meireles all included with the out of sorts Fernando Torres a lone front man. Manchester United lined up in usual 4-4-2 fashion with Fletcher and Scholes in the middle of the park, Giggs and Nani out wide with Rooney and Berbatov up top. United dominated the majority of the first half although were limited to wide areas, with Nani seeing a lot of ball. Nani twisted and tormented Konchesky for most of the afternoon and as the diagram below shows, United were more prominent down the right. For all the first half pressure, United didn’t manage a single shot on target out of nine attempts (to Liverpool’s two) until Dimitar Berbatov pounced at the near post after lackluster marking from Fernando Torres. Ryan Giggs’ out swinging cross was met by Berbatov at the near post to give United a 42nd minute lead. United lead 1-0 at the break.
United’s first half successful passing stats
After the break United continued where they left off, with a superb Nani shot that rattled the post. A few minutes later United doubled their lead with a superb strike from Berbatov. On the 59th minute Luis Nani crossed the ball ball from right to left, after a superb cross field pass from Darren Fletcher, and found Dimitar Berbatov. Berbatov proceeded to control the ball on his right knee before spinning around and smashing in an over head kick past Reina. A superb finish to round over a sweeping United move. At this point it was hard to see how Liverpool could get back into the match.
As against Everton last week United couldn’t hold onto to their two goal advantage and in the 63rd minute, Johnny Evans brought down Fernando Torres in the box to concede a penalty. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard stepped up to convert the spot kick and give the visitors a glimmer of hope having been second best in the match. Six minutes later Edwin Van Der Sar was picking the ball out of his net for a second time after Gerrard converted a freekick on the edge of the area. John O’Shea brought down Fernando Torres after a Meireles through ball. O’Shea was booked for the challenge although many Liverpool fans wanted harsher punishment for the Irishman. It was now Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool. Federico Macheda replaced Ryan Giggs, who proceeded to jog down the tunnel and Sir Alex Ferguson later revealed that Giggs was complaining of sickness at half time, with Wayne Rooney moving to the left flank.
United had to wait until six minutes from time to snatch the winner. John O’Shea picked up the ball on the right and launched in a cross towards the back post. Jamie Carragher found himself picking up Dimitar Berbatov and both proceeded to attack the ball. Berbatov’s leap was far greater than that of Carragher’s and United’s number nine headed the ball, again, past the helpless Reina. The mercurial Bulgarian had won the match for United as the game entered the final minutes. Many Reds are divided on the Berbatov – stating that his impact on the field doesn’t reflect the hefty price tag United paid for him from Tottenham in 2008. There is no doubting Berbatov’s talent as a footballer and the impact he has on football matches. Great goals, vision and moments of skill leaves United fans wanting more and opposing defenders on their backsides. Today he combined all of that into one unbelievable performance and received a standing ovation as he was substituted at the end, along with Nani, to be replaced by Darron Gibson and Anderson, who was making his first appearance since January.
Conclusion
Manchester United fully deserved the win today, although the margin should have been far greater than the single goal. I thought United dominated Liverpool today but nearly blew it by allowing them back into the game with two set pieces. Roy Hodgson has a lot of work to do with this Liverpool side after the shambles Rafa Benitez left the club in. Dimitar Berbatov was excellent, whilst Wayne Rooney worked all after to create space for his strike partner and switch play excellently on a number of occasions. Despite inaccurate reports that both United and Liverpool were coming into this match out of sorts, in United’s case anyway, Sir Alex Ferguson will be pleased with result and performance. Dimitar Berbatov scored one of the best goals i’ve ever seen and is proving to all his doubters the monumental class he has. United now travel to Scunthorpe on Wednesday in the League Cup and then onto the Reebok on Sunday.
Player Ratings:
Edwin Van Der Sar 7, John O’Shea 5, Nemanja Vidic 8, Johnny Evans 6, Patrice Evra 7, Luis Nani 7, Darren Fletcher 7, Paul Scholes 8, Ryan Giggs 8, Wayne Rooney 7, Dimitar Berbatov 10*
I was thoroughly bemused at Torres being assigned to Berbatov. Especially given he’s been in some good form I’d have thought Berbatov would have been considered the main in-box threat after Vidic.
Ian – funny you say that, never really considered how opposition teams must look at us in terms of who’s a threat from corners – apart from the centre backs there isn’t really anyone threatening unless o’shea goes up. Berba is good in the air, he times his jumps very well, surprising he’s not often more of a threat from set pieces
Time to give berbatov respect.what a hat-trick in the biggest game in English football.i have never seen a player do that in this fixture.in fact it has been 64 years since it has happened.i am savouring the moment now.it dosen’t get better than that.his second goal was so special he also made a monkey out of carragher when he done it.
He is class & truly the star of the show hopefully some united fans will support our players rather than dismiss them from the get go.
Vidic also deserves a mention for DOMINATING torres,a truely excellent captains performance.