by Ben Lyttleton (Sky Sports)
This is one way of forgetting about a hangover on a Saturday morning. A relaxing game round Stanley Park way
this was not - it had goals, gaffes, late tackles, great saves and a sending-off as
United notched their sixth successive league win with a 3-2 victory.
Few players were busier than Jamie Carragher. The England U-21 international scored two own goals in a
first half to forget as Liverpool's defensive frailites - forgotten about after successive wins against Leeds and
Arsenal - came back to haunt them.
United got off to the perfect start as Carragher's first own goal put the visitors ahead as early as the fourth minute.
After Nicky Butt won the ball on the edge of the area, he found Ryan Giggs via Dwight Yorke, and the Welshman's
cross was diverted past his own keeper for the 13th Premiership own goal of the season.
Carragher is fast becoming the Frank Sinclair of the North-West. His two own goals against Spurs last year
made this glancing header gaffe number three in twelve months. Number four arrived not long after.
A minute before half-time, David Beckham swung in a free-kick which Henning Berg - one of a few unmarked
United players - rose to meet. The ball cannonned of Song (scorer of one o.g. this season too) straight into
Carragher, who could do nothing but watch as the ball
trickled into the corner.
Though Liverpool came back strongly from their early blow, they were limited to longshots by Robbie Fowler
and Patrik Berger and it was United who looked more threatening.
They could have doubled their lead when Yorke miscontrolled a bobbling ball two yards out - but they
didn't have to wait long to breach a Liverpool defence that withstood Arsenal's onslaught a fortnight ago.
It was David Beckham that created the second. He jinked past Steven Gerard on the right flank and was
blatantly brought down. The England midfielder then curled an exquisite free-kick - the kind that was
conspicuous by its absence in Warswaw on Wednesday - onto the head of Andy Cole. For some reason he was
unmarked and from six yards out bulletted a header past Westerveld.
History has seen United lose these leads before. Just last season, Liverpool drew 2-2 after being two goals
down. They threatened to do the same when Sami Hyypia popped up at the far post after debutant
Massimo Taibi flapped at Redknapp's free-kick to bring Liverpool back into the game.
At 2-1 Liverpool were still in it - and they had penalty appeals turned down when Butt seemed to punch a
corner clear. The referee was linked to his assistants with a mic and receiver for the first time, but
communication seemed minimal.
It was a similar story in the Liverpool defence, where massive gaps were appearing. Ryan Giggs was denied
in a one-on-one by Westerveld and as he chased the ball out of the area, his shirt was clearly yanked by David
Thompson. No penalty.
It was a let-off Liverpool failed to capitalise on. Carragher's nightmare first 45 minutes saw to that.
He almost made amends by distracting Andy Cole when the striker had a clear header after Giggs' clever chip.
His stray boot saw to it that Cole missed the target. Then Carragher tried to give United some of his own medicine
by threading a ball across the visitors' six-yard line. Fellow debutant Silvestre guided a low header that Taibi
had to dive to keep out.
The Italian was called upon again when Redknapp's ball gave substitute Vladimir Smicer a great chance from
eight yards out. But the former AC stopper stood his ground and parried the Czech's shot.
Even more impressive was his stop from the resulting corner. A free header from four yards out by Robbie
Fowler - it was that kind of game, low on defensive quality but great to watch - was blocked brilliantly by Taibi.
His confidence was growing and just after Michael Owen came off the bench with 25 minutes to go, he frustrated
Fowler again with a sharp stop at his near post.
The pressure soon told - a delightful ball from Matteo released Berger who held off Berg to slip the ball beyond
Taibi. Twenty minutes to go - and it was game on.
It's at Anfield where the story between the two teams repeats itself. In last season's draw, United were
reduced to ten men after Denis Irwin was dismissed. It was Andy Cole who saw red when he retaliated to
Rigobert Song's hefty challenge.
Cole received a second yellow for the offence, which merely added spice to a second half dominated by
Liverpool as they strove for an equaliser.
Owen nearly provided it, but his toe-poke slipped under
Taibi and inches past the post. It was to be that kind of day for the hosts.
United have not dropped a point since the opening day of the season against Everton. On that occasion, it was
United's below-par second-half performance that cost them.
Everton's Merseyside rivals pushed them mighty close this time, but Sir Alex Ferguson's defence withstood the
onslaught. Taibi and Silvestre look like money well spent.
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