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It was one of the big games of the season yesterday, with Manchester United playing Liverpool at Old Trafford. It was about 53 weeks since the same fixture last time when Liverpool easily beat United 4-1. That was a bad day!! However, the result yesterday was much better and was a nice belated birthday present. United won 2-1.

United went into the game as the team most in form but Liverpool had a couple good games with a win against Pompy and also in the Europa Cup. Also there top striker Torres had scored 4 games in those 2 games.

The game started of fast for about the first 15 minutes. Torres scored with a good header after some poor defending by United. Still cant take anything away from a good Liverpool goal. However, United equalised after about 11 minutes with a Rooney penalty.

There was all sorts of debate whether it was a penalty or not. There is no denying that Macherano had hold of Valencia out of the box and a bit of pulling. Valencia fell in the penalty box but there is lots of debate saying he let go just before getting into penalty box. With the tugging and pulling, just because he let go doesnt mean he isnt a penalty. Thats what I thought anyway and I later found out that by the letter of the law – it WAS a penalty.

The law states:

If a defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continues holding him inside the penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick.

Anyway, after the first 15 minutes it was a bit of an odd game. Liverpool played very defensively and Torres had very little service. Gerrard once again was annonymous. Not too bothered as a United fan but its not a good sign as an England fan – hes not played well this whole season.

United pretty much controlled the midfield with 5 midfielders. Fletcher had another excellent game and was MOTM. Personally, I though Park was MOTM. He was playing in the middle of the midfield and was pretty much playing just behind Rooney. He made some great runs, had some chances he maybe should have done better but he scored with a diving header from a great cross by Fletcher (and excellent run outside by Neville). I loved his celebration!!

One thing I have to mention is the behaviour of Torres. It seems to have gone down recently. Hes clearly frustrated. When United were awarded the penalty, he kicked the penalty spot trying to take a chunk out of it. Arguably could have got a yellow card for that. He had a few all moments as were having a go at Park thinking he dived and then waving an imaginary card. I do like Torres and think hes a clearly world class player and admire the loyalty he has shown and what hes said but his recent petulance is not a good side to him. He seems really fired up and on another day and maybe with a different ref he could have been sent off?? Well maybe??