Manchester United inch closer to record 19th title

Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1. Another chapter has been written in what is probably the bitterest rivalry in English football, as Manchester United took a significant step to surpassing Liverpool's haul of 18 league titles thanks to a narrow win at Old Trafford. It was also the first time they have beaten their old enemy for two seasons.
 
Relations between the two clubs have never been cordial and there was no sign of either party mellowing in another incendiary clash that saw the managers involved in a heated exchange on the touchline, Fernando Torres vandalise the pitch and two players  needing treatment for head wounds.

The game got off to an explosive start as the visitors stunned Old Trafford with a goal after five minutes. Steven Gerrard glided past Rio Ferdinand and fed Dirk Kuyt. The Dutchman sent in a cross and an unmarked Torres planted a powerful header past Edwin Van der Sar to make it 1-0.

United did not rest on their laurels however, and the biggest flashpoint of the game came just seven minutes later when Antonio Valencia won his side a penalty after being hauled down by Javier Mascherano.

The decision sparked strangely similar reactions on the sideline. Liverpool were furious as the offence appeared to have been committed outside the box, and United were also furious as they believed Mascherano was the last man and should have been sent off.

In the aftermath of the decision Rafa Benitez and Alex Ferguson had a frank exchange of views on the touchline, and that was not the only drama. As Wayne Rooney prepared to take the kick, Torres took a wild kick at the penalty spot itself - apparently in an attempt to make it harder to place the ball.

Rooney did spot the ball and stepped up to take the penalty, only to see Pepe Reina make a wonderful save to his left. However the rebound fell to Rooney and he slotted it home to level up the scores.

In the second half United took the lead when Park Ji-Sung - who was utilised as a withdrawn striker, playing just behind Rooney - burst into the box and bravely converted Darren Fletcher cross with a diving header, despite the proximity of Glen Johnson's boot to his face.

Liverpool had chances to equalise, most notably at the death when the ball fell to Torres - on the penalty spot he had earlier excavated with his boot. The Spaniard miskicked horribly, but the miscue sent the ball looping towards the far post where Yossi Benayoun arrived, but his header went straight into the arms of Van der Sar.

After the game Rafa Benitez was less than impressed, and utilised his unique brand of Iberian sarcasm to display his displeasure.

He accused Valencia of diving to win the penalty and then reprised the theme of his famous rant from last season and said that Ferguson was influencing referees. When asked about Ferguson's comments on Friday about Liverpool getting preferential treatment, Benitez said: "Just on Friday he said something? Which Friday? This Friday or every Friday? Or every Friday of every year?"

As for United, they were pleased to finish with 11 men as Nemanja Vidic ended his unfortunate run of three successive red cards against Liverpool. The result sent United top of the table and puts them on course for a 19th league title.

When Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford in 1986 his stated aim was to end Liverpool's dominance of the English league. But even he could not have expected to see the club overtake Liverpool's record during his reign. For fans of the Anfield club it would be the ultimate ignomony. ·