Tévez Strike Gives United Anfield Victory

[M|ch]

Liverpool 0 - 1 Manchester United

Catrlos Tévez snatched all three points for Manchester United just before half-time in a frenetic encounter and saw his side move to the top of the Premier League.


In a highly-competitive game, the Argentinian needed just one chance to break the deadlock moments before half-time and the visitors then battoned down the hatches as Liverpool pressed forward in the second period.

Despite Liverpool's domination of possession they were unable to find a way through the United rearguard and slipped to their first league defeat at home this term.

The fiercely competitive was played at a frenetic pace as both sides went at it with hammer and tongs and it was the hosts that started the brighter as they pressed their opponents back.

Sami Hyypiä stole forward to produce Liverpool's opening two chances of the match as he first flicked the ball over the bar and then sent in the same direction, albeit with more force with an ambitious 30-yard shot soon after.

The visitors first effort came in the ninth minute when Cristiano Ronaldo took aim from distance, only to see the ball ricochet off Jamie Carragher and away for a corner.

As the pace continued unabated, mis-placed passes, hefty tackles and every player hurtling along at full pelt became the order of the day.

Steven Gerrard's fierce challenge on Anderson did not warrant a free-kick, while John Arne Riise was not pleased with Owen Hargreaves crunching tackle moments later.

Liverpool were dominating the ball as they looked force an opener, with United only really threatening on the break, but the home team spurned the chances that came their way.

Edwin Van der Sar weakly punched a corner out and Kewell saw his shot from the rebound cleared off the line by Patrice Evra and as the ball span up int he air, Torres could only nod it wide.

Dirk Kuyt did not connect well enough after Van der Sar had fumbled a cross, befoe Riise attempted a long-ranger with his right foot that flew well wide of the target.

Fernando Torres then side-footed wide after Gerrard's free-kick deflected to him on the far post, before the Reds were caught napping.

Two minutes before the break, Ryan Giggs' corner to the edge of the are allowed Wayne Rooney to drive a low ball into the area and Tevez kept level with the keeper before clipping in the opener from point blank range.

After having had the upper hand for the majority of the match, Liverpool were stunned to be behind and Rafa Benítez was evidently not happy at half-time as his side came out firing on all cylinders.

Gerrard took aim inside the first minute of the second period, but Van der Sar was able to make a comfortable stop, before Riise, again failed to trouble the Dutch keeper.

With the crowd baying for an equaliser, Liverpool did not let United have a moment's breathing space, but the away team's back line stayed strong.

While the black shirts blocked everything that came through the middle, the Merseyside outfit tried the flanks but were were unable to win virtually anything in the air against the aerial power of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Yossi Benayoun, Gerrrd and Kuyt all took pot shots that failed to trouble Van der Sar, while at the other end Owen Hargreaves had a rare effort that flew over Pepe Reina's bar.

Ryan Babel was introduced to add some power on the left and he almost levelled with 14 minutes remaining, but his fierce drive curld inches wide of the far post.

United showed that their hosts still had to be prepared at the back as Evra raced up field before finding Ronaldo and the Portuguese star's cross was met by Rooney only for him to clip the ball wide.

In the closing minutes Gerrard shot over while Giggis fired the ball straight at Reina, before substitute Peter Crouch hit his only effort of the game off target.

Gerrard was given one final chance in injury time from a free-kick 20 yards from goal, but the Reds' captain lifted the set piece over the bar and with it went his team's chances of taking anything from the game.

Ian Dixon, Goal.com

[SysTaMatIcS]

MAN kiked liverpools ass in their hometown!! how cool is that?!

[TAREK®]

ana Man United ana ana

Wlok alla ytawil bi 3omrak ya Tevez

Really he shocked me

Man united 4 ever

[J()e]

i watched the game it was awwwsoome...ra2i3a_o and tevez was at his best with his goal..and hargreaves played good !! hard luck liverpool!!