United 2 vs Liverpool 0

Liverpool’s challenge lasted only slightly longer than the time spent by Paul Scholes at his pre-match ceremony. People, led by the press, are now pointing out the failings of Liverpool but few are concentrating on the quiet efficiency with which United re-took top spot on Sunday. No matter, as United talked too much last season and achieved too little. This season the quiet approach is the right approach. Many will point to the deficiencies of the Liverpool performance and some will go down the road of attacking Benitez’s rotation policy. Personally, I don’t care. I care that United did a number of things well on Sunday.

Firstly, United’s midfield operated as a well-balanced 4-4-2. Lets not forget the more recent fixtures against Liverpool have often seen Rooney deployed on the left of a 4-5-1 system that also used Keane as a holding midfielder. That system seemed to be chosen due to a lack of faith in United’s central midfield. Enter, Giggs, Scholes, Carrick and Fletcher. The selection of Fletcher worried me (but not for the reason it worries most United fans). In my pre-match talk I had talked about the need to dominate the wings. However, on form the selection of Fletcher was justified. Ronaldo was creative, exciting but ultimately wasteful against FC Copenhagen whereas Fletcher has been displaying more of the qualities he has as well showing more maturity. He has obviously benefited from the guidance of Fergie but also more recently from Craig Brown when playing for Scotland.

United took time to settle against Liverpool but once they did they seized the initiative. Fletcher was more combative than creative but he set the tone for a series of strong tackles on Liverpool that seemed to shake their confidence and lifted the home crowd. His combative approach was ably supported by the fluency and guile provided by Carrick and Scholes. On the wing, Giggs carried the danger to Liverpool with some fine runs that were less speedy and more sensible in approach.

Upfront Rooney was purposeful and proved a handful all game without really providing a direct goal threat. He almost took a wonderful lifted pass from Carrick in his stride but a difficult opportunity to take was not taken and Liverpool cleared the danger. Fletcher muscled his way down the right side, rebounding of challenges to find himself hunting down a 50/50 with Reina. His eagerness told, as the ball came loose and found its way towards Liverpool’s goal only for some fortuitous defending to result in the score staying 0-0.

The breakthrough came from the wing as predicted. And as predicted it was Scholes that appeared in acres of space from a well placed cross from Giggs to hit the back of Liverpool’s net. Reina’s save from Scholes’ side-footed effort merely slowed down the inevitable, as Scholes extended his leg to finish off the move.

Saha spent most of the first half showing a mixture of strength and skill by collecting and then turning his markers on a number of occasions. He was only stopped by a foul from Sissoko. Yet, he managed to find some space later in the first half to test the abilities of Reina with a powerful low shot that was destined to result in celebration until the hand of Reina intervened. It was a great save.

The second half was more surprising as most expected to witness Liverpool really attack, after all they needed the win. However, what we witnessed was a rather flat performance from both sides which was only really lifted by a very memorable goal from Rio Ferdinand. A clever right footed cross from Giggs was well taken by the big defender who turned inside on to his left foot, leaving Riise too stretched to intervene, and unleashed a cracking drive into the top corner of the net beyond Reina. It was a goal for the cameras and one that meant the 3 points were United’s.

3 pleasing points: The attacking ability of Evra; the continued good form of Fletcher; and 3 points needed and taken to restore our position at the top of the table.

3 concerns: The occasional slip and space afforded to a sole striker; the speed of and accuracy of our passing needed to last for longer spells; and, knowing Scholes can’t play another 500 games!