Super Sub Babel Hands Benitez First Ever EPL Victory Over United

Super substitute Ryan Babel came off the bench to hand his manager, Rafael Benitez, a first ever Premier League victory over Manchester United at Anfield today.

Dutch winger Babel scored in the 77th minute in front of the Kop, to hand his manager a long awaited EPL victory over the Red Devils.

Action

It was Manchester United who made the perfect start, scoring with just three minutes gone. £30 million man Dimitar Berbatov made an immediate impact on his United debut, setting up Carlos Tevez.

After bursting into the area, Berbatov held off the challenge of Jaime Carragher, and cut the ball back perfectly for Carlos Tevez, who made no mistake and calmly slotted past Pepe Reina, to give the Red Devils a 1-0 lead.

But Liverpool were soon back in it, when an own goal from Wes Brown levelled the score on 26 minutes.  

It was a shocking error from United keeper Edwin Van der Sar. After a long range Xabi Alonso shot was deflected goalwards by Patrice Evra, Van der Sar came out, and instead of gathering the ball, tried to palm it clear.

However, he succeeded in clearing it only to Wes Brown's thigh, and the ball rebounded off the defender and somewhat apologetically over the line. It was a comical error from the EPL champions, and one that put Liverpool back into the game.

And Manchester United were made to pay for that comical error deep into the second half.

After robbing the ball from Ryan Giggs, Javier Mascherano battled down to the right and gave the ball to Dirk Kuyt, who played it across for Ryan Babel, whose smash into the ground bounced up into the top corner.

Things then went from bad to worse for Manchester United, when Nemanja Vidic saw red after receiving a second yellow. Vidic clattered Xabi Alonso as the two contested a high ball. It was a poor challenge that prompted referee Howard Webb to give Vida his marching orders.

The Red Devils just about managed to put some sort of pressure on Liverpool for the remaining few minutes, but it was not to be as Liverpool hung on, and secured Rafael Benitez his first ever victory over Manchester United in the Premier League.