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| Thursday 24th
September 1998 FA Carling Premiership Man United (1) 2 Liverpool (0) 0 Irwin 19 (pen) Scholes 80 Liverpool`s Old Trafford jinx continued as they still looked for their fisrt win at the stadium since March 1990 and have never won in the Premiership at the ground. The first half was a bit of an oddity with both sides having a prolonged spell of possesion for twenty minutes or so. United began far and away the better side but took time to create any chances it was only when Friedel let a weak Solskjaer shot squirm under him and dribbled over for a corner that the American keeper had a goal bound effort to stop, however he had fluffed a couple of clearances and from the Beckham corner his punch went up rather than away which resulted in Jason McAteer handling under pressure from Scholes, the ref with help from his assistant awarded a penalty, easily converted by Dennis Irwin. It was then Liverpool`s turn to have the ball again creating little though, a free kick from Redknapp was pawed around the post by Schmeichal and late on a shot by Ince who had been roundly booed by the home fans all game, was deflected and the Dane did well to keep it out. Few chances but high tempo and occasionally fiery as referee Steve Lodge booked six players in the first half. After the interval it was almost incessant Liverpool pressure and the half chances that were being created were invariably falling to Berger who did his best to half hit the shot or screw it horribly wide. His best effort midway through the half was fumbled by Schmeichal and the rebound put in by Riedel although it was correctly ruled out for offside. United had breaks and looked as though they may cause problems and eventually did from a Liverpool corner!!! The ball was swung in and the clearance found Yorke, whose long pass found Cole, he held play up well and when the cross came in it was lashed into the top corner by Paul Scholes who earlier became the eighth player booked. Scholes and Cole could and perhaps should have added a third late on but a fine second half defensive performance was what ultimately won this for United. -- Gary Dowden - Joint Administrator (ISFA) Premiership Mailing List Leeds United and Scotland and proud of it http://www.footiemad.demon.co.uk *THE* Unofficial UK Football Site - Updated *daily* Comprehensive coverage of the Premiership, Nationwide Euro2000 and all three UEFA Competitions. Plus much more besides!!! |