Manchester United line-up: Van Der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic (c), Evans, Evra, Nani (Gibson, 88'), Giggs (Macheda, 82'), Scholes, Fletcher, Berbatov (Anderson, 88'), Rooney
Liverpool line-up: Reina, Johnson, Konchesky (Agger,81'), Carragher, Skrtel, Meireles (Jovanovic, 79), Gerrard (c), Cole, Maxi (Ngog, 62'), Poulsen, Torres
Today's opening 'Super Sunday' game saw the big derby between Manchester United and Liverpool. However unlike recent years the first half was rather tentative with now real heat or fire between the two. United were on the front foot from the start but didn't create a lot to trouble Reina. The only real chance came in the eighteenth minute when Nani was through on goal put despite the tight angle still should've scored, he blazed it wide. From there Liverpool grew into the game and started to keep hold of possession but again with no creativity in front of goal. But as Liverpool gained confidence they found themselves a goal down three minutes from half-time; Giggs swung in a corner which was met by Berbatov due to some lazy marking from Torres.
The second-half begun largely the same as the first ended and United doubled their lead a minute before the hour mark; Nani crossed which was missed by Rooney, Berbatov took it down on his knee and, facing back to goal, scored a sublime acrobatic second and United looked home and hosed. However after Everton's comeback last week Liverpool were given hope when Jonny Evans hauled Torres down in the box and earned Liverpool a penalty. Gerrard stepped up and scored to echo Everton all over again. Twenty minutes to go and O'Shea brought Torres down, this time just outside of the box and could have been sent off but wasn't. Gerrard took it and Fletcher dispersed from the wall to create a gap, Van Der Sar was standing too far over to the post which meant Gerrard could guide his free-kick into the empty portion of the net and put Liverpool level. Neither team settled for a point and Liverpool brought on Ngog and Jovanovic whereas United brought on Macheda. Six minutes from time a winner was scored; John O'Shea crossed and Berbatov grabbed his hat-trick to ensure United didn't throw away another two points and the score finished 3-2.
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