BBC Sport - Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool

BBC Sport - Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
12/15/14, 1:06 PM
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Man Utd 3 0 Liverpool

Rooney 12
Mata 40
van Persie 71
FT 90 +4
HT 2-0
14 December 2014 Last updated at 16:00 GMT
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Old Trafford
Clinical Manchester United increased the pressure on Liverpool manager

Brendan Rodgers as they capitalised on some poor defending to run out
comfortable victors at Old Trafford.
Rodgers - who dropped struggling goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for Brad Jones - can point to a
succession of brilliant saves from United's David De Gea and a controversial second goal from Juan
Mata as significant factors in defeat.
This, however, will do little to ease the growing concerns for Rodgers and Liverpool, with the memory
of their thrilling 3-0 win here in March - in a sequence that almost took them to their first title in 24
years - seeming an age away.
United captain Wayne Rooney gave them an early lead and Liverpool had every right to feel aggrieved
when Mata headed in from a clearly offside position to take the game away from them just before halftime.
Even before United took the lead, De Gea made an important save from Raheem Sterling, denying the
England youngster on four occasions as well as producing three vital contributions to stop Liverpool
substitute Mario Balotelli getting his first Premier League goal for the club.
Robin van Persie's third for United at the end of a lightning counter-attack only added to Liverpool's
pain and gave the scoreline a lopsided look given the amount of work done by De Gea.
United's sixth successive league win continued United's resurgence under manager Louis van Gaal
and put Liverpool's decline since they came so close to winning the Premier League into even sharper
relief. Liverpool now trail third-placed United by 10 points.
Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, intend to give Rodgers until the end of the season at least
to turn matters around given the credit he still has after last season, but after a miserable Champions
League campaign was confirmed by their exit at the group stage following the midweek draw with
Basel, these are crucial days for the northern Irishman.
He now faces a huge seven days with a Capital One Cup quarter-final at Championship leaders
Bournemouth on Wednesday before Arsenal visit Anfield next weekend.
The reshuffled team sent out at Old Trafford by Rodgers gave Liverpool and their manager cause for
optimism in an energetic early spell but the momentum shifted crucially in the 13th minute as De Gea
saved from Sterling at one end and Rooney scored at the other.
In the space of 25 seconds, Liverpool should have taken the lead but then found themselves behind as
Antonio Valencia nutmegged Joe Allen and pulled the ball back for Rooney, who scored with Jones
diving in the wrong direction.
De Gea thwarted Sterling - utilised as a lone striker - once more before United doubled their lead in
controversial fashion five minutes before half-time.
Mata was clearly offside when he headed in after Van Persie got a slight touch to Ashley Young's
cross. There was daylight between Mata and the last Liverpool defender, so it can only be assumed
linesman Mike Mullarkey did not believe Van Persie got a touch.
It was a demoralising blow for Liverpool who, having had to replace Glen Johnson with Kolo Toure in
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30366041?print=true
Page 1 of 9
12/15/14, 1:06 PM
the first half after he suffered a groin injury, replaced Adam Lallana with Balotelli at the restart.
Whereas United had taken the chances that had come their way, Liverpool had wasted every
opportunity, as Sterling did once more early in the second half.
Michael Carrick, who had been immaculate, inexplicably allowed Jonny Evans' pass to roll straight to
Sterling, who hesitated, even when he seemed to have rounded De Gea, allowing the goalkeeper to
get back and save.
De Gea's development into a world-class goalkeeper has been confirmed by a series of stellar
performances this season and he showed his quality and reflexes again to turn Balotelli's close-range
shot on to the bar.
The difference between the sides was illustrated once more as Van Persie wrapped up United's win.
Dejan Lovren scooped Rooney's pass hopelessly into the path of Mata, who found Van Persie to
score, with Jones once again on the wrong foot.
Page 2 of 9
12/15/14, 1:06 PM
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (7) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)
Manchester
United
01 de Gea
04 Jones (McNair - 89' )
16 Carrick
06 Evans
25 A Valencia
31 Fellaini
10 Rooney (Falcao - 78' )
18 Young
08 Mata
20 van Persie
49 Wilson (Herrera - 71' )
Substitutes
09 Falcao
11 Januzaj
13 Lindegaard
21 Herrera
24 Fletcher
33 McNair
42 Blackett
Liverpool
01 Jones
02 Johnson (K Tour - 26' )
37 Skrtel
06 Lovren
14 Henderson
08 Gerrard
24 Allen
18 Moreno (Markovic - 68' )
10 Coutinho
31 Sterling
20 Lallana (Balotelli - 45' )
Substitutes
04 K Tour
09 Lambert
21 Lucas
22 Mignolet
23 Can
45 Balotelli
50 Markovic
Ref: Martin Atkinson

Att: 75,331
MATCH STATS
Page 3 of 9
12/15/14, 1:06 PM
Possession
90
mins
55%
Manchester United
45%
Liverpool
Shots
11
19
On target
6
Corners
2
Fouls
13
14
Live Text Commentary

Full Time
Match ends, Manchester United 3, Liverpool 0.
90:00
+3:25
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester United 3, Liverpool 0.
90:00
+2:56
Falcao (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive

half.
90:00
Foul by Martin Skrtel (Liverpool).
90:00
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Patrick McNair.
90:00
+0:01
Antonio Valencia (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the

defensive half.
90:00
Foul by Mario Balotelli (Liverpool).
89:02
Attempt blocked. Falcao (Manchester United) right footed shot

from outside the box is blocked.
89:00
Attempt blocked. Falcao (Manchester United) right footed shot

88:34
Substitution
+2:56
+2:14
+0:01
Substitution, Manchester United. Patrick McNair replaces Phil

Jones.
87:47
Ander Herrera (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the

attacking half.
87:47
Foul by Kolo Tour (Liverpool).
86:04
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Bradley Jones.
86:02
Attempt saved. Robin van Persie (Manchester United) left

footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top
centre of the goal.
Page 4 of 9
84:19
Attempt saved. Mario Balotelli (Liverpool) right footed shot

from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Assisted by Lazar Markovic with a through ball.
83:39
Booking
12/15/14, 1:06 PM
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card.
83:27
Attempt missed. Mario Balotelli (Liverpool) right footed shot

from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted
by Raheem Sterling.
81:48

Assisted by Jordan Henderson.
80:24
Attempt saved. Robin van Persie (Manchester United) left

footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the
goal. Assisted by Ander Herrera.
77:28
Offside, Manchester United. Falcao tries a through ball, but

Robin van Persie is caught offside.
77:19
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester United. Falcao replaces Wayne
Rooney.
73:36
Ander Herrera (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left

wing.
73:36
Foul by Kolo Tour (Liverpool).
73:09
Booking
Mario Balotelli (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad
foul.
73:05
73:05
Phil Jones (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the

defensive half.
70:52
Goal!
Goal! Manchester United 3, Liverpool 0. Robin van Persie
(Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box
to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Juan Mata.
70:27
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester United. Ander Herrera replaces
James Wilson.
67:58
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Lazar Markovic replaces Alberto
Moreno.
67:37
Offside, Liverpool. Philippe Coutinho tries a through ball, but

Mario Balotelli is caught offside.
66:55
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Robin van Persie.
66:53
Attempt blocked. Mario Balotelli (Liverpool) right footed shot

from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Kolo Tour.
66:52
Attempt missed. Kolo Tour (Liverpool) right footed shot from

outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Steven Gerrard
with a headed pass following a corner.
66:27
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Antonio Valencia.
66:21

from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the
goal. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.
64:55
Foul by Juan Mata (Manchester United).
Page 5 of 9
64:55
Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
63:34
Michael Carrick (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the

defensive half.
63:34
63:09
Attempt missed. Robin van Persie (Manchester United) left

footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to
the right. Assisted by Antonio Valencia.
62:46
Hand ball by Alberto Moreno (Liverpool).
59:08
Attempt blocked. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) right footed

shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alberto
Moreno.
59:02
Attempt blocked. Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) left footed shot

from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Steven Gerrard.
56:44

55:55
Foul by Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United).
55:55
Joe Allen (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
55:43

from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Dejan Lovren.
54:40
Attempt missed. James Wilson (Manchester United) left

footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted
by Juan Mata.
52:18
Foul by Antonio Valencia (Manchester United).
52:18
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive

half.
51:19
Robin van Persie (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the

defensive half.
51:19
51:01
Attempt saved. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) left

footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom
right corner. Assisted by Robin van Persie.
50:08
Attempt saved. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) left footed shot

48:50
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
48:26
Delay in match Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United)

because of an injury.
47:57
Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the

right wing.
47:57
Foul by Alberto Moreno (Liverpool).
47:30
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the

defensive half.
47:30
Foul by Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool).
46:33
Attempt missed. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) header from

the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Raheem Sterling
with a cross.
45:42
45:42
Mario Balotelli (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.
12/15/14, 1:06 PM
45:00
Second Half begins Manchester United 2, Liverpool 0.
45:00
Substitution
Page 6 of 9
12/15/14, 1:06 PM
Substitution, Liverpool. Mario Balotelli replaces Adam Lallana.
45:00
+2:16
Half Time
First Half ends, Manchester United 2, Liverpool 0.
45:00
+0:29
Attempt missed. Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) left footed shot

from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a
corner.
44:55
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Jonny Evans.
43:50
Foul by Ashley Young (Manchester United).
43:50
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.
42:55
Booking
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card
for a bad foul.
42:51
Foul by Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).
42:51
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking

half.
42:40
Foul by Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).
42:40
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive

half.
41:53
Attempt saved. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) header from the

centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by
Jordan Henderson with a cross.
39:46
Goal!
Goal! Manchester United 2, Liverpool 0. Juan Mata
(Manchester United) header from the right side of the six yard
box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Robin van Persie.
39:44
Attempt missed. Robin van Persie (Manchester United)

header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted
by Ashley Young with a cross.
36:57
James Wilson (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the

defensive half.
36:57
Foul by Martin Skrtel (Liverpool).
36:05
Booking
Jonny Evans (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card
for a bad foul.
35:45
Foul by Jonny Evans (Manchester United).
35:45
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive

half.
33:47
Attempt blocked. Joe Allen (Liverpool) right footed shot from

outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho.
33:18
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Antonio Valencia.
28:56
Booking
Joe Allen (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
28:49
Antonio Valencia (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the

right wing.
28:49
Foul by Joe Allen (Liverpool).
27:43
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Jordan Henderson.
Page 7 of 9
25:15
12/15/14, 1:06 PM
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Kolo Tour replaces Glen Johnson
because of an injury.
22:50
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by David de Gea.
22:49

from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom left
corner. Assisted by Alberto Moreno.
20:57
Booking
Phil Jones (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a
bad foul.
20:51
Foul by Phil Jones (Manchester United).
20:51
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking

half.
19:24
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the

attacking half.
19:24
Foul by Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool).
17:33
Attempt saved. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) right footed shot

from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Assisted by Raheem Sterling.
17:00
Foul by Michael Carrick (Manchester United).
17:00
Adam Lallana (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
15:45
Offside, Liverpool. Bradley Jones tries a through ball, but

Raheem Sterling is caught offside.
15:04
Foul by Ashley Young (Manchester United).
15:04
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the

defensive half.
11:56
Goal!
Goal! Manchester United 1, Liverpool 0. Wayne Rooney
(Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the
box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Antonio Valencia.
11:33

Assisted by Adam Lallana with a through ball.
10:51
Juan Mata (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the

attacking half.
10:51
Foul by Joe Allen (Liverpool).
4:10
Booking
Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) is shown the yellow
card for a bad foul.
4:06
Adam Lallana (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
4:06
3:53
Joe Allen (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
3:53
1:19
Attempt blocked. Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) right footed shot

from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Steven
Gerrard with a cross.
0:46
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Phil Jones.
0:00
First Half begins.
Page 8 of 9
0:00
12/15/14, 1:06 PM
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
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Premier League ! Results Fixtures Table

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Man Utd 3 0 Liverpool

14 December 2014 Last updated at 16:00 GMT

Clinical Manchester United increased the pressure on Liverpool manager