Two goals from Juan Mata helped Manchester United take a huge step towards UEFA Champions League qualification with a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield.
The Spaniard struck in each half, his second goal a spectacular shot, as Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the league this year was ended.
Liverpool’s cause was not helped by having to play almost all the second half with 10 men after Steven Gerrard was sent off just 38 seconds into what will likely be his final Liverpool appearance against United. The Anfield captain was left on the bench by Brendan Rodgers before being brought on at half-time, only to be dismissed by referee Martin Atkinson less than a minute after his introduction.
Having contested a full-blooded 50-50 challenge with Ander Herrera, Gerrard saw red for stamping on the leg of the Spaniard, meaning he will serve a three-match ban that will leave him with just five more Barclays Premier League matches in a Liverpool shirt ahead of his move to LA Galaxy.
Herrera had set up Mata for the opening goal with a superb pass as United suffocated a Liverpool side who had not lost a league match since their 3-0 reverse at Old Trafford in December.
The visitors’ task was made easier in the second half thanks to Gerrard’s red card, with Mata subsequently doubling United’s advantage with a goal worthy of being a winner. He found the net with an acrobatic scissor-kick, and Van Gaal’s side were on their way to a five-point gap over Liverpool in the race for fourth.
Daniel Sturridge netted a consolation with Liverpool’s first shot on target with 21 minutes left, but the hosts never looked like mounting a comeback and had Simon Mignolet not saved a stoppage-time penalty from Wayne Rooney, United would have won more convincingly.
After a cagey start, a moment of brilliance from United broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, as Mata silenced the home fans with a goal on front of The Kop. The Spaniard timed his run down the right to perfection to meet a superb through-ball from Herrera and coolly slotted his shot across the face of goal into the bottom-left corner.
Liverpool struggled in midfield, as Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson found it difficult to retain possession. But for all their dominance, United failed to create any further clear-cut first-half opportunities and could have been punished by Adam Lallana in the 35th minute.
The England midfielder was teed up by Sturridge in the centre of the area but he could only turn his shot narrowly wide of David de Gea’s right post.
Gerrard was thrown into the fray in place of Lallana at the break, but was soon making his way off the field in ignominy. He appeared to win the ball in the initial challenge with Herrera, but then stamped on the United man’s leg, leaving Atkinson with little choice but to show a red card.
Liverpool’s task grew harder when Mata finished well from Angel Di Maria’s lofted pass after 59 minutes.
The hosts did rally, and they pulled one back in the 69th minute when De Gea was beaten by Sturridge’s shot from Philippe Coutinho’s pass at his near post.
There was to be no grandstand finish, though, with Rooney denied from the spot by a fine Mignolet stop to his right after Emre Can had brought down Daley Blind.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: “I was disappointed with the first half, our start position was way too deep. They were excellent and deserved their lead. But the players showed incredible bravery in the second half and showed character.
“Without playing great, we still had a good chance. We needed some luck but it wasn’t to be. We will get a reaction after this and finish the season strongly.”
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: “We played very well in the first half. Maybe as good as against Spurs [a 3-0 victory] but in second we didn’t play very well.
“Like always, when you play against 10 you forget to press. We had unnecessary ball losses and we brought Liverpool into the game. Most of the players were thinking, ‘Maybe [someone else] can do it.’
“We kept the ball and created a lot of possibilities, not big chances, but a lot of possibilities to score. I said whoever could beat the pressure shall win.”
source:premeierleague.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 