Anfield delight for Man U
24 Sep 2012 3:16 AM GMT
Ten-man Liverpool were left searching for their first Premier League win under new manager Brendan Rodgers as arch-rivals Manchester United came from behind to win 2-1 at an emotional Anfield on Sunday.
This was Liverpool’s first home match since an independent report cleared their fans of any responsibility for the 1989 Hillsborough disaster where 96 of the Merseysiders’ supporters were crushed to death during an FA Cup semi-final.
Liverpool played more than half the match a man down after Jonjo Shelvey was sent off in the 39th minute for a two-footed challenge on Jonny Evans.
But they still took a 46th minute lead when captain Steven Gerrard -- whose 10-year-old cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, was the youngest fan to die at Hillsborough -- volleyed home from near the penalty spot.
However, United only had to wait five minutes for an equaliser when Rafael curled in a superb shot from the right-hand side of the Liverpool area.
And with 15 minutes to go United -- who had missed their last three penalties -- were awarded a spot-kick when Liverpool defender Glen Johnson brought down Antonio Valencia. There was a delay of several minutes as Liverpool defender Daniel Agger received treatment for an injury before Dutch striker Robin beat goalkeeper Reina. Victory saw United move to within a point of Chelsea while defeat left Liverpool languishing in the bottom three.
HILLSBOROUGH TRIBUTES IN ANFIELD
Players and fans from Liverpool and their arch-rivals Manchester United paid an emotional tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster ahead of their clash on Sunday.
The words ‘The Truth’, ‘Justice’ and ‘96’ were spelled out by spectators holding red and white cards in Liverpool’s first home match since a report absolved their fans of blame for the 1989 disaster in which 96 supporters died.
The tone was set when Manchester United’s players emerged on to the pitch at Anfield with ‘96’ on the backs of their tracksuits, earning loud applause.
Then in the pre-match lineup, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez shook hands with United’s Senegalese-born French defender Patrice Evra whom he racially abused in the equivalent fixture last season.
In another gesture, Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton presented former Liverpool striker Ian Rush with a bouquet of red roses, and United captain Ryan Giggs released 96 red balloons, one for each of the dead.
ARSENAL HOLD CITY AT ETIHAD, MAGPIES WIN
Manchester City were held at the Etihad by Arsenal. Joleon Lescott put City ahead in the 40th minute. Arsenal drew level late with a Laurent Koscielny goal in the 82nd minute to silence City fans.
Meanwhile NewCastle United won 1-0 at home with a Demba Ba goal. Papris Cisse missed a penalty but the Magpies got their three points over the Canaries.
Tottenham Hotspur handed Andres Villas Boas his second win by beating QPR 2-1 at home. A Defoe goal, was added with an own goal to seal the match.
This was Liverpool’s first home match since an independent report cleared their fans of any responsibility for the 1989 Hillsborough disaster where 96 of the Merseysiders’ supporters were crushed to death during an FA Cup semi-final.
Liverpool played more than half the match a man down after Jonjo Shelvey was sent off in the 39th minute for a two-footed challenge on Jonny Evans.
But they still took a 46th minute lead when captain Steven Gerrard -- whose 10-year-old cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, was the youngest fan to die at Hillsborough -- volleyed home from near the penalty spot.
However, United only had to wait five minutes for an equaliser when Rafael curled in a superb shot from the right-hand side of the Liverpool area.
And with 15 minutes to go United -- who had missed their last three penalties -- were awarded a spot-kick when Liverpool defender Glen Johnson brought down Antonio Valencia. There was a delay of several minutes as Liverpool defender Daniel Agger received treatment for an injury before Dutch striker Robin beat goalkeeper Reina. Victory saw United move to within a point of Chelsea while defeat left Liverpool languishing in the bottom three.
HILLSBOROUGH TRIBUTES IN ANFIELD
Players and fans from Liverpool and their arch-rivals Manchester United paid an emotional tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster ahead of their clash on Sunday.
The words ‘The Truth’, ‘Justice’ and ‘96’ were spelled out by spectators holding red and white cards in Liverpool’s first home match since a report absolved their fans of blame for the 1989 disaster in which 96 supporters died.
The tone was set when Manchester United’s players emerged on to the pitch at Anfield with ‘96’ on the backs of their tracksuits, earning loud applause.
Then in the pre-match lineup, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez shook hands with United’s Senegalese-born French defender Patrice Evra whom he racially abused in the equivalent fixture last season.
In another gesture, Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton presented former Liverpool striker Ian Rush with a bouquet of red roses, and United captain Ryan Giggs released 96 red balloons, one for each of the dead.
ARSENAL HOLD CITY AT ETIHAD, MAGPIES WIN
Manchester City were held at the Etihad by Arsenal. Joleon Lescott put City ahead in the 40th minute. Arsenal drew level late with a Laurent Koscielny goal in the 82nd minute to silence City fans.
Meanwhile NewCastle United won 1-0 at home with a Demba Ba goal. Papris Cisse missed a penalty but the Magpies got their three points over the Canaries.
Tottenham Hotspur handed Andres Villas Boas his second win by beating QPR 2-1 at home. A Defoe goal, was added with an own goal to seal the match.
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