O'Shea's late winner stuns Liverpool
Liverpool, England (Sports Network) - John O'Shea scored the lone goal of the match in stoppage time to lift Manchester United to a huge 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
Despite being outplayed for much of the game, United hung around but looked to have no chance in the 86th minute when midfielder Paul Scholes was sent off for throwing an elbow at Liverpool's Xabi Alonso. However, the Red Devils made the most of their lone shot on goal as O'Shea tallied from close range and United held on for three massive points to keep its advantage at nine atop the Premiership standings after Chelsea's 2-0 win against Portsmouth.
As expected, the opening was cautious with both sides well aware of the importance of the match.
Daniel Agger's 25-yard effort was the first sign of intent from either side, but the ball sailed over the bar. One minute later, United had a chance for the opener when Ryan Giggs, who was making his 700th appearance for United, sent Patrice Evra to the end-line with a pass. The defender then crossed for Cristiano Ronaldo at the near post, but the Portuguese winger couldn't steer his shot on net.
Liverpool started to take over towards the end of the first half as John Arne Riise saw his free-kick from 20-yards out sail just inches wide of the goal and Dirk Kuyt just barely missed connecting with a Craig Bellamy cross inside the six-yard box.
The Reds continued to outplay their Manchester rivals as the game became increasingly physical and cards were thrown around. Peter Crouch came on as a second-half substitute and created a pair of good scoring chances for himself. With just 10 minutes to play, Crouch took a cross at the far post and volleyed it on goal only to be turned away by a nice save from keeper Edwin Van der Sar.
After Scholes received his marching orders four minutes from time, the Reds nearly capitalized right away with Crouch once again creating the opportunity. However, the lanky striker was thwarted by Van der Sar for a second time as the Dutchman made a fine diving stop to keep the match goalless.
Just when it looked like both sides would settle for a point, O'Shea scored the goal that could prove to be the difference in this season's Premiership title race. After coming on in the second half for an injured Wayne Rooney, O'Shea made the most of his chance. Despite being down a man, United had a free-kick deep in Liverpool territory with Ronaldo on the ball. He swung a shot in on goal that keeper Jose Reina stopped. However, the ball fell for O'Shea inside the six-yard box and the Irishman slammed it home to set off a wild celebration that will last for days in Manchester.
In other Premiership action on Saturday, Arsenal moved to within one point of Liverpool for third place with a 2-1 win against Reading, Fulham and Aston Villa played to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage, Caleb Folan's 18th-minute goal handed Wigan a 1-0 win against Manchester City, moving the club eight points clear of relegation and Newcastle and Middlesbrough played to a scoreless tie. Everton and Sheffield United split the points at Bramall Lane in 1-1 fashion and Charlton scored twice in the second half to earn a 2-2 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road Stadium.
On Sunday, Bolton hosts Blackburn and will try to maintain its top-five spot, while Tottenham's trip to West Ham rounds out the weekend's action.
Comments
Manchester United are living dangerous. I'm glad a fellow Irish person scored for them but this is the third game in a row where they had to pull a rabbit out of a hat in the end to win a match. They really need to step it up if they expect to take the Premiership & go further in the Champions League as there are too many good team just waiting to take them out.
Posted by: DynastySoccerFC ... Rasputin | March 5, 2007 01:38 PM
I was over the moon when Fatty O'shea stuffed that home. 3 points is 3points, down a man, at anfield a draw would have been a good result...we have players hurt not a ton of options currently. Worry not mate the Mighty Reds Devils will not buckle!!! The trophy is ours
Posted by: rouge7 | March 6, 2007 11:37 AM
No surprise there, either team could have won.
Posted by: wolfen | March 7, 2007 10:44 AM
Ferguson is a genious. He took out Rooney late in the second half and guess who he put in. That's right O'shea. Anybody else would have left Rooney in for the full 90. Ferguson has that purpose and drive about him lately. He kind of reminds me of Lippi in the world cup. All the players respect him and his tactics are like daggers to his opponents. I think if Ferguson were to coach England minus Beckham they would win Euro 08. Nobody knows the English players better than him and nobody can handle their egos better than him. We all know though that it won't happen and England will flounder again in the spotlight and the coach will be blamed--and rightfully so. I truly think Sir Alex is the only one for that position.
Posted by: giova * * * * | March 7, 2007 10:42 PM
McClaren? I don't think even Sheffield would hire him to coach their team. What's going on with England? Somebody fill me in.
Posted by: giova * * * * | March 7, 2007 10:45 PM
Giova I'm pretty much in the dark about what's going on with the English national team as well. It's hard to figure out when you consider the F.A. there demand wins' & they seem to be sitting back, doing nothing. It's a lot of politics as well when you consider they still have Lampard in there crowding Gerrard's space in the middle. McClaren is in way over his head & he hasn't a clue as how to use the players' he has properly. As for Manchester United, well, I have to say I'm happy their in the final eight but unless they can turn up their offense by at least a half dozen notches somebody will stop them dead in their tracks. There is no weak teams in the remaining eight & if United is not able to score early on they will not score at all. Last four games for them which includes the ones played in the EPL have very nerve racking to watch as the offense has just been lacking in more ways than one.
Posted by: DynastySoccerFC ... Rasputin | March 8, 2007 04:52 AM
Giova,I conquer with you, Sir Alex is a real coach and I am delighted the way is controling his players and the team in general. But you know what, for the team to win and be in good progress needs respect and discipline,players needs to be under control of the coach. Those teams which have lost the games were because of indiscipline-take example of Lille,Lyon,Enter-milan and Valencia is the next to exit for the coming round of champions league. Recall what Fergason did to Gary Neville bcoz of misconduct during the showdown with Lille in the first leg!He burned him two games and you could see him in the last game the way he played-so nicely!!
Rasputin-I have some feelings like what you have over Manchester United but stil I find that the team is at all time taking the control of the game depending on which team they play. For example, the style which they used when played with Liverpool in the EPL was quite different from that they used with Lille in the 2nd leg. This gives me the confidency that may be Manchester can absolutely go to the final.
Posted by: Revelian S. N | March 9, 2007 09:41 AM
I sure hope they do. They just need to find a way to score early & score often. Their defense is holding strong. I think as far as clubs go they happen to have one of the best back lines in the world. No weak links in the chain their. Up front Larrson is gone now. Saha is out for at least a month, maybe more so Ronaldo, Rooney, O'Shea really have to step it up. I would like to see them take it as they have been having a very good year so far but like I said. There are no weak teams in the final eight.
Posted by: DynastySoccerFC ... Rasputin | March 9, 2007 01:35 PM
the problem with the englisd squad.
for many years spain and italy had lots of
overseas players in there league.
now the english league is doing the same but
so remember that club and country differnt . so lampard rooney and a few more
just will not changed the old english stile of soccer .many more need to step up from the old way there use to.
Posted by: soccer dr nyc | March 9, 2007 03:42 PM
dr nyc try checking your spelling before posting. What do the words englisd & stile mean anyway?
Posted by: Jetson | March 9, 2007 05:08 PM
Here's my take on the up coming Manchester United/ Roma meeting ... Unless Manchester United really comes on fire offense wise they will be the loser in this encounter period! It's hard for me to say this as I'm a United fan to the end but it's true. They have a great side with great players but the past five games or so they have been more cold than hot. On the other side Roma look great. They have some fine players'. Totti in particular but Totti really has his work cut out for him as he's going up against one of the best back lines in the business. I almost feel sorry for Totti as they will really make him pay on that back line when he makes his moves to blow past them. That back line of United is as tough as they come & it would be the last line of defenders' I would ever want to face. They are a tough & focused group to say the very least.
Posted by: DynastySoccerFC ... Rasputin | March 10, 2007 01:33 AM
I don't think that back line of United's is going to make life easy for Totti. I think he's in for a tough time. That back line for United is like a death squad of head hunters & they are the real reason United have done so well this year in the EPL as well as the Champions League. That's the magic key for them. The defense has won more games for United than the damm offense.
Posted by: Johnny Wyatt | March 10, 2007 05:53 AM
It was very lucky that he scored
Posted by: Keeeper King | March 10, 2007 09:25 AM
Keeper king do u even no who O'shea is? Just wondering cause tht shot was excellent and O'shea is a great player.
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