Source: Telegraph
Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1: match report
Ji-Sung Park marked his 100th start for Manchester United with a stunning diving header to seal victory against Liverpool at Old Trafford. [LNB]The South Korea midfielder sent United back to the top of the Premier League by netting his third goal of the season on the hour mark. [LNB] Related ArticlesMan United v Liverpool: as it happenedMan United v LiverpoolPremier League tableFulham v Manchester City: livePremier League actionTelegraph player raterLiverpool had earlier taken the lead through Fernando Torres before Wayne Rooney's 11th-minute equaliser put United on course for victory. [LNB]United were determined to avoid a fourth successive defeat against their traditional rivals, but Benitez's team put the home side on the back foot almost immediately by taking the lead through Torres on five minutes. [LNB]The Spaniard has become a thorn in United's side in recent fixtures, scoring twice in his last two games against the champions, and he maintained his goal run with a close range header to put Liverpool 1-0 ahead. [LNB]Michael Carrick's slip in the centre-circle saw him lose the ball to Torres and the forward laid the ball off to Steven Gerrard before sprinting towards the penalty area. [LNB]Gerrard's lay-off to Dirk Kuyt enabled the Dutch midfielder to cross for Torres, who was left unmarked to direct a bullet header past Edwin van der Sar from six yards. [LNB]Falling behind sparked United into life, though, and they were handed a route back into the game five minutes later when referee Howard Webb awarded a penalty following an apparent foul by Javier Mascherano on Antonio Valencia. [LNB]TV replays suggested that the foul had taken place outside the box, prompted Benitez and Ferguson into a finger-wagging row on the touchline. [LNB]Ferguson's ire was probably a result of his anger at Mascherano escaping a red card for the foul, although a straight red would have been harsh. [LNB]Amid the furore, Torres appeared to scuff up the penalty spot before Rooney placed the ball. [LNB]The United forward then saw his spot-kick saved by Pepe Reina, but Rooney converted the rebound for his 33rd goal of the campaign. [LNB]Neither side was prepared to give an inch as the first-half progressed and there were bookings for Park, Torres, Jamie Carragher as the game developed a spiky edge. [LNB]Liverpool were clearly up for the game and desperate to revive their hopes of securing fourth place, but aside from their goal, they offered little threat as an attacking force. [LNB]United looked most likely to add to the scoring and their second came in spectacular style through Park. [LNB]The former PSV Eindhoven star showed determination and bravery to direct Darren Fletcher's cross past Reina with a diving header from ten yards. [LNB]In the process, Park suffered a gash to the head from the boot of Glen Johnson accidentally but it will have been worth it, judging by his celebration. [LNB]Two minutes later, Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodgriguez underwent treatment for a similar head injury after coming off worse in a challenge with Gary Neville. [LNB]It was a clash that summed the game up spirited, committed and with a hint of malice. [LNB]But while both sets of players will count their bruises, United's will feel them less having emerged with the three points. [LNB]Torres could have snatched a point for Liverpool, though, when he scuffed a shot from six yards in the 90th minute. [LNB]
