Goals from Ji Sung Park and Wayne Rooney put Man United in a very strong position in the final stages of the season against Liverpool. With the away team delivering an early shock goal, with Torres’ glancing header into the top left hand corner, United were left stunned. Crucial errors were made in defending, with neither centre back picking up Liverpool’s lone striker, with Gary Neville an observer when he could have arguably done more to challenge Torres.p
United hit back though, with Mascherano conceding a penalty that was just inside the box. Despite Rooney initially missing the penalty, his luck was in and he slotted home the rebound. After such a rapid opening twenty minutes, the game soon lost its tempo and both teams went back a few gears.
The second half started in the same fashion, although United were very comfortable in possession. The defensive line looked sound, and the full backs were making excellent runs down the wing. In fact, it was Gary Neville’s distracting run which allowed Fletcher some space free from the rather good Insua to get his perfectly delivered cross in for Park to apply the finish. The South Korean was his usual industrious self, playing in a far more central role with attacking freedom, and delivered yet another superb performance against one of the better teams in the league.
Despite desperate late attempts for Liverpool to earn themselves a point, United came out comfortable winners and maintain their position at the top.
