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. 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.  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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. TV replays suggested that the foul had taken place outside the box, prompted Benitez and Ferguson into a finger-wagging row on the touchline. 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. Amid the furore, Torres appeared to scuff up the penalty spot before Rooney placed the ball. The United forward then saw his spot-kick saved by Pepe Reina, but Rooney converted the rebound for his 33rd goal of the campaign. 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. 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. United looked most likely to add to the scoring and their second came in spectacular style through Park. The former PSV Eindhoven star showed determination and bravery to direct Darren Fletcher's cross past Reina with a diving header from ten yards. 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. Two minutes later, Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodgriguez underwent treatment for a similar head injury after coming off worse in a challenge with Gary Neville. It was a clash that summed the game up spirited, committed and with a hint of malice. But while both sets of players will count their bruises, United's will feel them less having emerged with the three points. Torres could have snatched a point for Liverpool, though, when he scuffed a shot from six yards in the 90th minute.

Source: Telegraph