Manchester United claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory against Liverpool to edge closer to their Premier League title, thanks to some uncharacteristic play by Liverpool players.
Both sides were pretty even in the first 15 minutes, but United started to show more control later on, with Paul Scholes bossing the midfield.
Headers from Wes Brown gave United the lead on 34th minute, thanks to a mistake from Liverpool’s goalie Pepe Reina. Javier Mascherano made United’s life much easier by getting himself sent off just before half time with his second yellow card for dissent.
United continued to dominate the match in the second half. Liverpool did show a flash of hope in the 70s minute, but Ronaldo’s 79th minute header ended their hope altogether, before Nani pounced in United’s third on 81st minute.
It was Ronaldo’s 34th goal (25th league goal) of the season, and his first ever goal against Liverpool.
Manchester United showed no mercy for their former captain Roy Keane as they crashed his side, Sunderland 4-0 at the Stadium of Light.
United started without some of their key players, but they proved too much to handle for the Black Cats. Sunderland started the game decently and had a few chances, but couldn’t threaten United’s keeper. Experience tells that it would mean deep trouble for Sunderland, as United would be ready to pounce on when they started to control the rhythm of the game.
The Red Devils didn’t need to wait long, as Wayne Rooney scored the opener on 20th minute from a wonderful pass by Wes Brown. Rooney then turned provider on 30th minute… his cross found Louis Saha and the French didn’t waste the chance to make it 2-0.
Cristiano Ronaldo then sealed the game for United just before the half time whistle to make it 3-0.
The game was still very much under United’s control at the 2nd half… Alex Ferguson even had the luxury to substitute Ronaldo on 59th minute with Park Ji-sung, who was playing his first competitive game of the season after his operation.
Louis Saha’s 86th minute penalty was very much icing on the cake. Manchester United claimed the top spot and would stay there for at least a few days as Arsenal had only managed a draw with Portsmouth in a later match.