United stumped by Murphy's law

13 April 2012

As the most enthralling title race in years took another extraordinary twist, the problems that so undermined Manchester United's efforts earlier in the season returned at Old Trafford in timely fashion.

This was far more than a Premiership defeat. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have enjoyed watching their rivals knock lumps out of each other these past few weeks, but when it came to rejoining the five-way fight for the Championship, they were once again discovered to be suffering from fundamental deficiencies.

If Ferguson is to end his managerial career with more than a fond farewell, then something has to be done to make them less vulnerable to what is now Liverpool's trademark as masters of the sucker punch. Danny Murphy delivered his blow in a manner that is becoming alarmingly familiar to the Premiership champions.

For the first hour of this tense contest it was a duel between the cavalier and the cautious, the bold versus the rather less beautiful. Liverpool sat back and soaked up every ounce of United pressure, then struck when their hosts least expected it.

Victory completed Liverpool's double over their great rivals for the second year running. Not even the arrival of a second witch could break Liverpool's spell. The signing of Diego Forlan, 'The Witch' who now heads Old Trafford's South American coven with a nickname that supersedes Juan Sebastian Veron's 'Little Witch', did nothing to inspire the Premiership leaders.

Murphy's 84th-minute strike, a delicate lob that floated over a stranded Fabien Barthez, condemned United to their fifth successive defeat against the Merseysiders and so denied them the chance to establish a commanding lead at the top of the table. It also meant recently resurgent United failed to secure a ninth consecutive Premiership win.

It left Ferguson with much to ponder, because it was not just the sight of his defence being beaten that would have caused him concern. Ruud van Nistelrooy may have been scoring for fun when faced with the likes of Southampton, Fulham and Blackburn, but against stronger opposition his partnership with Ryan Giggs did not provide the solution that must quickly be discovered.

There are more tough League games to come and, in a few weeks, the Champions League resumes. Forlan could be of use, but this defeat underlines the need for someone of Paolo Di Canio's ability.

A Liverpool team boasting just one win in nine Premiership matches before last night had no such worries. What has been a desperate spell for them appears to be drawing to a close, even if the quality of their football still left something to be desired here. The return of Gerard Houllier, their manager who continues to recover from major heart surgery in France, cannot come soon enough for Phil Thompson or the players he has in his temporary charge.

Murphy, a player who considers Houllier his inspiration, would doubtless agree, but last night he at least answered his critics with yet another winning goal at a place that has become his Theatre of Dreams. Booed off by Anfield supporters during the disappointing draw with Southampton last weekend, he responded in the best possible way.

He secured Liverpool's win here last season with his memorable free-kick and a player who remains on the fringes of the England team did the same again.

To begin with, Liverpool could sense United's insatiable appetite for victory and, for the opening few minutes, defended with a degree of desperation. The superior quality of United's passing allowed them to apply the pressure at a time when a Liverpool team still struggling to regain their early season form found retaining possession rather difficult.

For United there were no such problems, Ryan Giggs going close with a left-foot strike before Paul Scholes threatened from the right.

Owen might have done better when a mistake by Scholes presented him with a chance but, at the sound of the half-time whistle, Liverpool must have been somewhat relieved to have survived the opening 45 minutes unscathed.

After the break, however, Liverpool slowly gained confidence and gathered momentum - Nicolas Anelka and John Arne Riise forcing fine saves from Barthez. But when Murphy met Steven Gerrard's pass with a first-time, right-foot chip, United's goalkeeper was powerless to prevent his side suffering another demoralising defeat. It was their seventh of the season - and one that leaves the Premiership crown in an inviting position for the chasing pack.

Premiership table
Man Utd v Liverpool - match stats

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