Two goals from Diego Forlan secured a much-needed victory for Manchester United over their arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon. The Uruguayan international wrote his name into the Old Trafford history books with a double strike that ended a five-match losing streak against the Anfield side.
The first-half proved a tight, tense affair with both sides trying to find a way through but keepers Jerzy Dudek and Fabien Barthez made good stops to keep the match scoreless at the interval.
However, a massive blunder from Dudek in the second-half changed the course of this game as he gifted Forlan his first goal of the day. A headed back-pass from Jamie Carragher to the Polish international should have been collected without difficulty but it slipped right through his fingers and through his legs despite being under no pressure and Forlan was quick-footed to snatch possession and fire the ball into the back of the net much to the delight of the visiting supporters.
Within two minutes, United had extended their advantage and once again it was Forlan who finished off the move. This time, there was little Dudek could do, as Ryan Giggs fed Forlan on the right of the box and he blasted the ball into the top corner beyond the reach of Dudek.
Unsurprisingly, there were a few tempestuous moments between these two sides and none more so than on 68 minutes when the home side, still reeling from being two down, reacted when Forlan fouled Michael Owen and Silvestre and Danny Murphy tangled. Referee booked both United players, and then had to sort out another melee as the players awaited the free-kick and missed Forlan pushing Owen in the face.
Liverpool boss Gerrard Houllier made a few changes to try and earn at least a point from the game but it was just too late. Hopes were raised when Sami Hyypia reduced the deficit to one goal when he struck with a hard, low shot through a packed box on 82 minutes but it wasn't enough as United maintained their advantage to the final whistle.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
