Manchester United Gift Victory to Liverpool

Liverpool beat Manchester United today by two goals to one to record their first league victory over their bitter rivals since April 2004.

The match started promisingly for United, who went into an early lead thanks to a Carlos Tevez strike after good work by Dimitar Berbatov.

Manchester United were looking good for their lead until an edgy Van der Sar mistake at a corner. He recovered to save well from Dirk Kuyt, however.

But that defensive unease set the trend for the match for United, who were pegged back by a Wes Brown own goal after more poor work from Van der Sar. The rest of the first half was a tight affair, with Carlos Tevez unlucky not to add to his tally as he stabbed over a good opportunity.

Liverpool were much the better team in the second half, however. They pressed United all over the pitch, with the tenacious Javier Mascherano at the heart of things. Despite their possession, however, Liverpool were unable to seriously test the United back four.

Steven Gerrard's introduction from the substitutes' bench gave Liverpool added drive, and their search for a winner was rewarded after good work from Mascherano and Dirk Kuyt, who picked out Ryan Babel.

The goal itself was again fortuitous. Ryan Giggs' attempt to let the ball run out caused confusion at the back which Kuyt promptly capitalised on. It was a horrific error from the Welshman, and it proved very costly. Babel's finish was scruffy, although the delirious Liverpool fans won't care in the slightest.

Nemanja Vidic compounded United's poor performance in the second half by collecting a second yellow card. He will miss the match away at Chelsea next weekend.

In truth, if it had ended up a draw, neither side's supporters could have complained, as chances were at a premium. But Liverpool did more to deserve victory, whereas United just weren't at the races.

So, it ended as a bad day for United that started so promisingly. United's expensively acquired front line misfired, with Wayne Rooney again isolated on the right wing.

The result is a blow for Manchester United, but only a fool would not expect them to come back strong. Liverpool will be hoping to use the result as springboard to further success over the course of the season.

All I can do, as a Manchester United fan, is lament my teams below-par peformance but also congratulate Liverpool.

So what was everone else's thoughts on the game? A deserved victory for Liverpool but are Manchester United fans worried?