Old Traford becomes The ‘Theatre of Shattered Dreams!!’ – Second Half

First Half Details

After the few fireworks that went on in the first half you can imagine what each manager had to tell their teams. Earlier on in the season, Benitez’s formed allegations that Ferguson is rude to referees and is able to get away with it. But on this day he was out to prove a point to the Man Utd fraternity that anything is possible in the premier league.

The 2nd half started with a bit of intensity, each team looking on how they can beat the other. Every team kept their own vigil because they knew a small mistake would cost them greatly. Man Utd were able to provide some splendid attacks. At some point, Tevez got some clear opportunities at goal but he wasted. One that he got was a through pass that he wasn’t quite able to get to and sent the ball wide at the post. Another opportunity came when he got Ronaldo gave a lob to Rooney on the touchline, and he was able to angle it towards Tevez but he was unable to reach the ball as he tumbled down with the defender. But props have to be given to the ever so splendid Liverpool backline of Carragher, Skrtel, Hyppia and Aurelio. They were splendid in the defence.

I have to say that Man Utd played with a lot of heart and zeal believing that there was something in the offing. At some point, I actually thought they were going to score because they attacked more vigorously. After watching the game for a while, he thought a complete overhaul would be necessary, where he would prefer experience rather than the young talent. So he did a total overhaul of the team, putting attack minded players and opening the mid field. Out went Anderson, Carrick and Park, in came Scholes, Giggs and Berbatov. Where I was watching the match, many people had wanted Tevez to be replaced but personally, I think he tried…anyway so experience has been brought in.

No sooner had this move been done than a foul near the 18 yard box was committed on Gerrard by Vidic. Gerrard had already out maneuvered Vidic and as he went for the ball, Vidic fell him down. This led the referee to produce a straight red card for Vidic making the game more interesting. Honestly, I think the red card was a bit too harsh, but the premier league is always unpredictable. Candidates for the free kick were Gerrard and Aurelio. Aurelio took a splendid free kick that left Van der Sar flat footed! The wall made didn’t even move a bit as the ball flew passed their heads. It was splendid free kick taken at the most unexpected time.
Score Man Utd 1 Liverpool 3.

Liverpool went on and made changes by substituting Torres and Riera for Babel and Dossena. After the send off, the game became almost one-sided as the Liverpool attacks increased. This is because after bringing in the attack minded experience players, the midfield was left open for Liverpool to have as much control as they wanted. At some point, Dossena gave Babel a lovely cross which he was able to back-heel to Gerrard who shot it wide. By now, Man Utd knew there was no way of recovery but Rooney (ever so resilient) played as if they could still recover. If there is anyone I pitied the most I thought deserved a goal, it had to be him. But in the dying moments, a long lob by Reina bounced passed Oshea and met Dossena who lobbed the ball over Van der Sar, who had left the goal and was standing in ‘no man’s land’.
Final score Man Utd 1 Liverpool 4.

4 goals are too many at your home tuff, but hey, this is the English Premier League. This win for Liverpool means the race for the title is on…..