RvP pen settles Anfield affair

23 September 2012 15:25
Robin van Persie scored the winning penalty as Manchester United came from behind to beat 10-man Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield on Sunday. On an emotional afternoon on Merseyside which began with touching tributes to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough tragedy, Jonjo Shelvey started for the hosts in midfield. However, his participation came to an end on 39 minutes when referee Mark Halsey showed him a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Jonny Evans. Liverpool were dominant in the opening period, however, and forged ahead soon after the restart when Steven Gerrard slammed home a shot from inside the box after good work down the left from substitute Suso and then Glen Johnson. Yet within five minutes, United were level. Shinji Kagawa chested down a right-wing cross, and Rafael adjusted his feet superbly in the box before shooting across Pepe Reina and in. Then, on 80 minutes, Halsey pointed to the spot when Antonio Valencia went down in the area after a challenge from Johnson. Van Persie stepped up to score past Reina. The victory moves United up to second in the table, one point behind Chelsea after five games. Liverpool remain 18th. More to follow...

Source: team_talk