Saturday February 11, 2012 Day 25 Finished Old Trafford

Manchester United 2 - 1 Liverpool

  • Rooney 47’, 50’
  • Suarez 80’

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  1. Rooney fires United top against Liverpool

    Rooney fires United top against Liverpool

    Wayne Rooney scored twice to give Manchester United a 2-1 Premier League win over Liverpool, with Luis Suarez again the centre of attention. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • - Right that's me done - covering Fulham-Stoke next. If you want to get in touch about the game - not the handshake, as we've done that to death - feel free to Tweet me @Reda_Eurosport. Cheers and good to exchange views, even if we sometimes agree to disagree! FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!
    • - Evra is still grinning like a Cheshire cat as he is helped off by stewards. No need for the LFC players to get involved there, he has every right to celebrate a derby win with the home fans. Anyway, pots and kettles and all, sure United would have reacted equally badly.
    • - Evra bounds around in celebration, riding Ferdinand like a pony and gesturing in joy. Suarez slouches off. Evra is milking this and encouraging the fans with Suarez behind him - and it's kicked off! Liverpool players get the hump and it all gets silly! Deary me.
    • 90+4 United take their time over the short free-kick... they win a corner which will be taken short... But the final whistle is blown! United shade it 2-1, but they should have won more comfortably. Wayne Rooney made the difference in the end but Luis Suarez had his say in more ways than one!
    • 90+3 Break is on for United but Rooney takes it into the corner, winning a free-kick off a combined challenge by Enrique and Skrtel.
    • 90+3 Adam with a super cross AND SUAREZ but he heads wide with De Gea flapping - flag was up, he was offside.
    • 90+2 Bellamy's corner is cleared by Welbeck, and hooked away long by Valencia. Reina puts it back in but Rafael wins it off Carroll. Henderson crosses but cleared - Welbeck can free Rooney but he can't control the pass!
    • 90+2 Rafael clears Bellamy's free-kick, and it lands for JOHNSON WITH THE DRIVE but tipped over by De Gea! Fine save!
    • 90+1 Three minutes added time being played, for the substitutions as there have been no injury breaks. Free-kick to Liverpool on the left, Bellamy to take - could this be it?
    • 90' Quick free-kick from Enrique but Evans hoofs it awya from Suarez.
    • 89' United aren't taking any risks now, everyone bar Rooney sitting deeper than usual...
    • 87' Definitely the sting has been taken out of the match as the tiredness sets in from what has been a frantic encounter at times...
    • 86' Suarez is caught offside on Carroll's flick-on.
    • 85' Giggs is convinced the ball took a touch off Johnson but a Liverpool throw it is. Rooney wins it back though.
    • 84' Johnson with a foul on the right wing. United free-kick just inside their own half...
    • 83' The United fans are still in fine voice, as Carroll's flick on is wayward.
    • 82' Welbeck on the move, he gets away from a slack Johnson but fires well over. Nice ball by Scholes.
    • 81' Ha, well the pantomime villain of the piece gets an evil goal to make this very interesting. Ferdinand must be distraught to see his error allow Suarez to score.
    • 80' GOAL LIVERPOOL! Liverpool have a free-kick a good 30 yards out, Adam to put it in - great ball that goes all the way through and Suarez scores from close range! Ferdinand's block landed in his path!
    • 79' Suarez is fouled by Carrick from behind and he will be booked.
    • 78' Adam with a loose touch which United fans cheer. The hosts just playing keep-ball now.
    • 77' United take their time over the free-kick. United with 10 efforts on goal to Liverpool's 5.
    • 76' Carroll reacts with anger after being penalised for backing in.
    • 75' LIVERPOOL SUB: Kuyt comes off, Adam in his place as Kenny looks for more possession.
    • 75' Agger has a pop from range but it flies well wide.
    • 74' Suarez is jeered as his poor cross is cleared by Ferdinand.
    • 73' Good play by United as Giggs's low ball almost finds Rooney, and it struck with venom by Welbeck 12 yards out but Johnson got a good block in and it bounces into Reina's arms.
    • 72' Suarez has barely figured this half. Someone is accusing me of being biased against him in my commentary, but he's gone missing since the break. Maybe the incident in the tunnel rattled him?
    • 71' Rooney can bring it away with space in the middle, Giggs now on the left but his driven cross is blocked by Johnson.
    • 70' Suarez loses possession. Looks like it won't be his day.
    • 69' More on the Suarez-Evra handshake row, with a pic too. FULL STORY HERE!
    • 68' Bit of possession from the visitors but it's United's turn to sit deep and hold them off...
    • 67' Liverpool are hemmed right back in their half now, almost damage limitation - but, with the likes of Suarez and Bellamy in play they have a fighting chance...
    • 66' Valencia with a fine cut-back but Gerrard gets there before Rooney to hoof to touch.
    • 65' Good low ball from Giggs wide left but cleared well by Liverpool with Rooney and Welbeck lurking.
    • 64' Some of you are saying it's 'game over' - but if you saw Chelsea-United last week you would know anything is possible in the Premier League. Have your say on Twitter @Reda_Eurosport... FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!
    • 63' Valencia knocks it wide to an overlapping Rafael but his low cross is well gathered by Reina.
    • 62' Liverpool immediately put some pressure on United now as a lofted ball by Gerrard is headed away by Rafael with Carroll lurking.
    • 61' LIVERPOOL SUBS: Spearing off for Carroll; Bellamy finally makes an entrance for Downing.
    • 60' Bizarre miss from Rooney as, having been put in by a Scholes step-over from Valencia's low cross, he shanks it wide! Should have been his hat-trick.
    • 59' Giggs nicks it on the left and surges forward like a 17-year-old; unfortunately for him the cross is somewhat teenage, spinning over for a goal-kick.
    • 58' Piledriver from Rooney into the top left from range but the whistle had gone for an Evans foul. He got the ball but slid in two-footed.
    • 57' Welbeck almost turns Skrtel to race in but his touch lets him down.
    • 56' Rooney on the left almost slides Welbeck in but cleared by Henderson.
    • 55' The free-kick is centre-right, Downing will swing it in with his peachy left foot... Poor, low and headed away easily.
    • 54' Carrick fouls Suarez, who look as shell-shocked as any after that rampant start to the second half for United.
    • 52' ... United are indeed holding on to possession. Rooney almost sneaks in again but Agger clears, Downing winning a throw of Rafael too.
    • 51' United can just hold on to the ball as they did first half - Liverpool are chasing the game. I would bring Bellamy on asap if I was Kenny...
    • 50' Deary me - Spearing will be distraught after that. Dithering in your last third is a subbable offence.
    • 49' GOAL UNITED! Rooney again! Sliding a low finish through Reina's legs after a superb run and low cross from Valencia. Spearing gave the ball away!
    • 48' Liverpool come forward but it drifts out for a United goal kick. De Gea takes his time to take the sting out of things.
    • - Henderson got a touch on the corner but Rooney readjusted superbly to put United in front.
    • 47' GOAL UNITED! Rooney with a sweet volley from close range after Liverpool failed to clear the corner!
    • 46' Valencia wins a corner on the United right after running at Jose.
    • 46' The second half is underway. Doesn't appear to have been any changes.
    • - Ok, I'm not going to talk about the handshake incident in the second half unless it boils over on the pitch, or there is a substitution at half time. Let's talk about football now. Please. FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!
    • - We are hearing that there was a confrontation as the teams moved into the dressing room - police involved. Oh dear.
    • - (sorry about the error in comment 39. Things happen at fast pace in live text)
    • - Phew. Not the most enthralling half of football but pantomime villain Suarez certainly gives us talking points, doesn't he? I understand I have upset some by taking a strong line against Suarez's refusal to shake Evra's hand before the match - despite being told to by Dalglish.
    • 45+1 Half time and United's players are not happy with Suarez - Dowd intervenes, nothing actually happened just a bit moody.
    • 45+1 Suarez doesn't help himself does he? It was actually a brilliant clean tackle from Ferdinand but the flamboyant dive and appeal to the ref from Suarez not so good. It's hard to sympathise with him, it really is.
    • 45' Great tackle by Ferdinand on Suarez after he raced in following an error by Evra - Suarez is livid though, demanding a free-kick and a red card.
    • 44' Rafael is chopped down by Downing while in full flight on the right: Downing is booked.
    • 43' Spearing is now down after a collision with Valencia. Ow.
    • 42' LFC would do well to put De Gea under pressure here - Gerrard's corner is met by Skrtel but Rafael clears: dangerous return cross that Ferdinand has to chest behind for another corner with Skrtel far post. The second corner is flicked back to Skrtel, who shoots from 15 yards but well over.
    • 41' Gerrard shoots, heavily deflected and well over for a corner. Decent spell now for Liverpool after being up against it for a while.
    • 40' Good defending also from Skrtel down the other end as Welbeck looked to combine with Rooney on the edge of the box.
    • 39' Brilliant defending from Ferdinand to hold off Kuyt, nick the ball away from him and get it away from the arriving Suarez despite a shirt-pull from Kuyt.
    • 38' United combine well at the back to clear as Carrick nicks it forward - Rooney could be in but he holds on to it too long and Gerrard tackles perfectly.
    • 37' Rooney finds Welbeck, great feet from the England forward but the angle is too tight and the stretch too much as he drags the shot well wide. Possibly could have gone down as LFC defenders lunged in.
    • 36' United still with the ball - would be interested to see the half-time possession stats - but again a stray pass allows Liverpool to break; Kuyt cross headed away by Evans.
    • 35' Evra arrives far post with a flying header from Valencia's cross but well off target. United moving the ball well now.
    • 34' An oddly poor pass from Scholes is nowhere near Giggs and easy for Johnson to clear; now Spearing with a wayward ball wide and it's a throw.
    • 33' United are suddenly finding the gaps in Liverpool's defence after half an hour of probing - down the other end Kuyt fouls Carrick as he tries to meet Suarez's pass.
    • 32' Liverpool clear the corner but United come again - Welbeck in wide left but his low cross is nicked away by Agger just in time! Rooney would have tapped it in! Maybe should have shot, Welbeck.
    • 31' SCHOLES WITH A CLOSE-RANGE HEADER BUT BATTED AWAY BY REINA! Lovely passing football by United - Scholes involved to release Giggs down the left - and a trademark late run from Scholes but too close to the keeper. Corner.
    • 30' Rooney with a dribble and cross from the right but Agger nods it away from Welbeck.
    • 29' Gerrard now clears to touch, sitting increasingly deep. Throw United, Rafael takes short.
    • 28' United come again but with everyone back for LFC unable to get through...
    • 27' The flag is up as what is now becoming a rare foray forward for Liverpool sees Henderson offside.
    • 26' Rooney pings in a low drive from around 20 yards but well wide. United feeding off scraps re: shooting.
    • 25' United still bossing possession with LFC looking for the counters... Cagey from the visitors...
    • - @thompson_oliver: "I'm the biggest liverpool fan but suarez as a person is despicable, starting with wc handball, bite, and now this saga..." FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!
    • 24' Just seen a video of Ferdinand rejecting Suarez's hand immediately after Evra was snubbed. Tit for tat, but Suarez the provocateur in this case. What is wrong with him? Does he not get it?
    • 23' Great touch from Rooney, now Welbeck and Valencia combine, Giggs on the left but a poor pass inside is cleared by Skrtel.
    • 22' Evans with another timely intervention as Gerrard almost put Suarez through: Ferdinand completes the clearance. Johnson crosses from the right but into De Gea's chest.
    • 21' Welbeck concedes a throw on the United left wing. Johnson takes it but United retrieve possession, Evans gliding away from Suarez like a younger Rio.
    • 20' Martin - video evidence? Who needs it when Suarez admitted using the offending word, but whose defence was based on context? Come on. Meanwhile, the match is in a lull as the frantic start takes its toll...
    • 19' Gerrard with a nice ball wide to Kuyt, inside to Suarez, he's on the right now but runs it out under pressure. Cheers from the home fans.
    • 18' Rafael is forward, cutting inside from the right to shoot and Welbeck almost flicks it past Reina, the Spaniard holding on!
    • 17' United still with most of the ball but unable to break LFC down as Carrick's ball is cleared by Agger.
    • 16' United dominating possession but Liverpool have arguably looked the more dangerous. I am heartened that most LFC fans acknowledge Suarez was out of order - but the ones still backing him on this need to take a long hard look at themselves. Remember, Dalglish said Suarez would shake Evra's hand so he has acted against his manager's wishes.
    • 15' Good pressure from United but Skrtel does well to clear Welbeck's cross to touch.
    • 14' Gerrard finds Agger who surges forward, back to Gerrard, Suarez booed as he gets a touch to Kuyt but the cross is cleared; back to Kuyt but his next delivery sails out for a goal kick.
    • 13' Evra seems a touch distracted by this once more as he allows Kuyt to nick it off him. Evans then fouls Suarez and United have a free-kick. Highish boot as the Uruguayan ducked into the header.
    • 12' @andrevvrees: "as a 'pool fan, i love suarez, but his attitude is getting on my nerves. just shake his hand, he's just stirring it up again." HAVE YOUR SAY ON TWITTER!
    • 11' United with some short passing on the right but the door is closed so they go all the way back to De Gea.
    • 10' Cool defensive header by Evans as Enrique tried to send Suarez through. He's mostly alone up front, Kuyt playing deeper in a workhorse role.
    • 9' Gerrard with a through-ball to Suarez, he lays it off but heavily; it lands for Johnson on the right wing - he cuts inside Evra too easily, and drives in a bouncing low shot that flies across goal and inches wide of the back stick! Fine effort from Johnson.
    • 8' Rooney is angry with Dowd as Liverpool are awarded a free-kick on halfway. He felt United should have had one. Not too angry mind - Dowd can be lenient, but is good at keeping a lid on things, probably why he was picked today.
    • 7' Giggs's corner is flicked on near post to Rooney, whose header is weak and easy for Reina - no pace on it so impossible to generate any power.
    • 6' Surprised that wasn't a booking by the way. Giggs to curl it in... nicked away by Johnson for a corner, Rooney was waiting far post.
    • 5' Rooney wide to Valencia, who races away from Enrique, going down on the edge of the box and winning a free-kick. Was a few yards outside the box when the Spaniard pulled his shirt.
    • 4' Great run from Welbeck inside from the left, slipping it wide right to Valencia, whose clipped cross is gathered by Reina ahead of Rooney - just.
    • 3' Ferdinand is okay and we restart with a Liverpool throw. Johnson with a give-and-go but his low drive is easy for De Gea. First shot on target.
    • 2' Apparently Ferdinand withdrew his hand for Suarez after the Evra snub. I did not see that so cannot confirm.
    • 1' The first half is underway. Ferdinand collides with Evra and is down holding his head - he was pushed by Suarez, into Evra.
    • 12:44 What do you think about Suarez's refusal to shake Evra's hand? Let me know, and please keep it clean(ish). ON TWITTER!
    • 12:43 Suarez - what a fool. He just refused to shake Evra's hand, with the Frenchman offering his hand and reacting angrily to the snub. I don't care what your club affiliations are but to continue to play the victim when you've been found guilty of a racial incident is just stupid. He's just made it worse - again.
    • 12:43 The teams are out to a reception as hearty as the boos are baritone for Suarez.
    • 12:42 Today's ref is Phil Dowd, by the way, who is NOT Howard Webb. I repeat, he is NOT Howard Webb.
    • 12:41 A little fact to highlight why Dirk Kuyt is preferred to Andy Carroll (Bellamy not a hold-up player, and KK likes to use hold-up players) - the Dutchman has scored four goals in his last three appearances against Manchester United in all competitions (Opta).
    • 12:40 Suarez is getting booed gleefully by United fans during the pre-match warm-up. Could be fruity...
    • 12:35 King Kenny: "From Luis's point of view, we have spoken to him and I know he will shake the hand of Patrice Evra and the other Manchester United players before the game."
    • 12:30 'If you were Bellamy' question gets a first-person response from @ipademojisola: "I play for the team glory, am 32, play lots of times in suarez absence so managing me is vital against burn out" HAVE YOUR SAY ON TWITTER!
    • 12:25 Sir Alex Ferguson: "There is nko issue with Evra. The build-up to these games have not been right and I think a lot of this is down to Liverpool. They're always hard to beat, it's the biggest derby game in the country and if we perform well we have a chance. I didn't know they were going to start Suarez - Bellamy (dropped) is a surprise. It was difficult to see what they would do with Suarez and Carroll."
    • 12:20 Asad Z: "Bellamy should have started. He is excellent and his­ never die attitude is wonderful."; "Dino: Playing Evans and Ferdinand is a mistake."; @lienks_6up: "bellamy is adecent player, typical hard working player but sometime his emotion.."
    • 12:15 How would you feel if you were Craig Bellamy right now? Arguably Liverpool's best player since Suarez's absence, he is relegated to the bench on his return. It almost doesn't matter how well Bellamy plays, he's just never seen as number one at the big clubs. Have your say on Twitter @Reda_Eurosport... FOLLOW HERE!
    • 12:10 We're up to nearly 250 user comments over half an hour before kick-off, bringing the usual high level of reasoned debate. So, who IS more likely to kick an opponent in the guts - Scholes or Suarez?
    • 12:05 Some stats courtesy of Infostrada: This will be Sir Alex Ferguson’s 52nd league match against Liverpool. He has won 23, drawn 13 and lost 15 of the previous 51. This will become the outright most-played league fixture he has had against another club (Arsenal 51). He has lost five of 25 at home against them – only Chelsea (6) have beaten him more. His next home defeat will be his 50th ever in the league at Old Trafford.
    • 12:00 So, it's Evra against Suarez - we are hearing the players will shake hands before the game. Let's hope so. United hugely experienced in midfield with both Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs starting.
    • 11:55 TEAMS: MAN UTD: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Welbeck... Subs: Amos, Berbatov, Park, Hernandez, Fabio, Cleverley, Pogba... LIVERPOOL: Reina, Enrique, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Spearing, Gerrard, Henderson, Downing, Kuyt, Suarez... Subs: Doni, Carragher, Bellamy, Carroll, Adam, Shelvey, Kelly.
    • 11:50 Sir Alex Ferguson has addressed the Patrice Evra/Luis Suarez situation in his programme notes: "My own feeling is it that it is time to move on...as far as we are concerned, it's over... My biggest regret is the way Patrice has been castigated in some quarters for standing up to racism." And we're hearing that both players start!
    • 11:45 Welcome to LIVE coverage of Manchester United v Liverpool from Old Trafford!

  • Summary

    • 90+2 Rafael clears Bellamy's free-kick, and it lands for JOHNSON WITH THE DRIVE but tipped over by De Gea! Fine save!
    • 80' GOAL LIVERPOOL! Liverpool have a free-kick a good 30 yards out, Adam to put it in - great ball that goes all the way through and Suarez scores from close range! Ferdinand's block landed in his path!
    • 73' Good play by United as Giggs's low ball almost finds Rooney, and it struck with venom by Welbeck 12 yards out but Johnson got a good block in and it bounces into Reina's arms.
    • 60' Bizarre miss from Rooney as, having been put in by a Scholes step-over from Valencia's low cross, he shanks it wide! Should have been his hat-trick.
    • 58' Piledriver from Rooney into the top left from range but the whistle had gone for an Evans foul. He got the ball but slid in two-footed.
    • 49' GOAL UNITED! Rooney again! Sliding a low finish through Reina's legs after a superb run and low cross from Valencia. Spearing gave the ball away!
    • 47' GOAL UNITED! Rooney with a sweet volley from close range after Liverpool failed to clear the corner!
    • 45' Great tackle by Ferdinand on Suarez after he raced in following an error by Evra - Suarez is livid though, demanding a free-kick and a red card.
    • 32' Liverpool clear the corner but United come again - Welbeck in wide left but his low cross is nicked away by Agger just in time! Rooney would have tapped it in! Maybe should have shot, Welbeck.
    • 31' SCHOLES WITH A CLOSE-RANGE HEADER BUT BATTED AWAY BY REINA! Lovely passing football by United - Scholes involved to release Giggs down the left - and a trademark late run from Scholes but too close to the keeper. Corner.
    • 18' Rafael is forward, cutting inside from the right to shoot and Welbeck almost flicks it past Reina, the Spaniard holding on!
    • 9' Gerrard with a through-ball to Suarez, he lays it off but heavily; it lands for Johnson on the right wing - he cuts inside Evra too easily, and drives in a bouncing low shot that flies across goal and inches wide of the back stick! Fine effort from Johnson.
    • 12:43 Suarez - what a fool. He just refused to shake Evra's hand, with the Frenchman offering his hand and reacting angrily to the snub. I don't care what your club affiliations are but to continue to play the victim when you've been found guilty of a racial incident is just stupid. He's just made it worse - again.
    • 11:55 TEAMS: MAN UTD: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Welbeck... Subs: Amos, Berbatov, Park, Hernandez, Fabio, Cleverley, Pogba... LIVERPOOL: Reina, Enrique, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Spearing, Gerrard, Henderson, Downing, Kuyt, Suarez... Subs: Doni, Carragher, Bellamy, Carroll, Adam, Shelvey, Kelly.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.1 -
      Defenders
      6 -
      5.9 -
      5.9 -
      6.1 -
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 5.9 -
      6.6 -
      7.1 -
      6.5 -
      Strikers
      Goals ×2 7.5 -
      6.3 -
      Subs
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.8 7
      Defenders
      5.4 6
      5.5 7
      5.4 6
      5.4 7
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out61′ 4.8 5
      5.2 6
      Substitution Out75′ 5.8 6
      6 6
      Yellow Card Substitution Out61′ 5 6
      Strikers
      Goal 5 7
      Subs
      Substitution In61′ 5.7 6
      Substitution In75′ 5.4 7
      Substitution In61′ 4.8 6

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