Manchester United 2 v 1 Liverpool

Old Trafford, Manchester
20th September 2004

Rio Ferdinand's return to Professional football after an 8-month suspension coincided with united's first convincing win of the season, with Liverpool on the receiving end of a 2 - 1 defeat.

Ferdinand played well, but rather than him taking all the credit for the United victory, it was his defensive centre-back counterpart Mickey Silvestre taking the lions share of the lime-liht and plaudits, having cored both goals for the Reds.

Ferdinand seemed to steady tha ship, with Keane now allowed to concentrate on getting the ball in the centre of the park rather than constantly running back to help out a dodgy defence. Ferdinand, after 8-months out, looked as sharp as in the game he last played, against Wolves last Febuary.

United started as the more likely team, with Ronaldo causing the defenders problems with his dancing runs. He jinked past caragher early on and was unlucky to only strike the post. It was a sign of things ton come.

Van Nistelrooy had a snatched chance before the goal came on 20 minutes. United's other winger Ryan Giggs crossed in a free-kick from the right, won by Ronaldo, which was met by the head of Silvestre.

United continued to create chances and were unlukcy not to be two or three ahead by half-time.

The second half had a similar ring to it, although Liverpool came into the game a litle more, with Xabi Alonso causing a few problems for Carroll, in for the dropped Tim Howard, with his long shots. On 54 minutes Liverpool grabbed the equaliser, rather luckily. A free-kick was thrown into the box. It was met by Finnan outside the near post. His header rebounded off the hapless O'Shea and dribbled into the bottom of the net.

This gave United the impetus they needed to get up there and grab a second. A draw simply wouldn't have been good enough, with the Press already writing off their chances of winning the title prior to the game. Ten minutes later Silvestre again stole in to the box and, unmarked, headed past Dudek to regain the lead.

Liverpool tried but failed to grab a second equaliser, and te game ended with three points for United, and possibly the start of a run of good games.

Man Utd: Carroll, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Keane, Giggs, Scholes, van Nistelrooy.
Subs: Phil Neville, Smith, Kleberson, Fletcher, Ricardo.

Liverpool: Dudek, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Finnan, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Luis Garcia, Cisse.
Subs: Baros, Diao, Hamann, Traore, Kirkland.

Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).