|
MANCHESTER, England -- Liverpool underlined its new-found superiority over Manchester United with a humbling 3-0 victory over its great rival on Sunday, virtually ending the beleaguered champions chances of qualifying for the Champions League. Jarret Johnson Authentic Jersey . On the darkest day of David Moyes tumultuous first season at Old Trafford, United was outclassed as Steven Gerrard converted two penalties -- and missed a third -- and Luis Suarez completed the crushing win with his 25th goal of the campaign. Liverpool moved up to second and within four points of leader Chelsea with a game in hand, and can realistically aim to win a first league title since 1990. "To come here and dominate from start to finish, were still going away slightly disappointed that we didnt score more goals," said Gerrard, whose penalties came in the 34th and 46th minutes. "Weve showed today that we are genuine contenders and we are going to fight to the end for this." While Liverpool capitalized on Chelseas 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday with another effervescent attacking display, United couldnt be at a lower ebb after being humiliated in arguably the biggest match in English football, which was watched by Argentina great Diego Maradona. Their defending was shambolic and reckless -- there could have been more than three penalties awarded -- and Nemanja Vidic was sent off for his second booking in the lead-up to the third spot kick that Gerrard struck against the post in the 78th. Moyes has a massive job to pick his team up in time for Wednesday, when United tries to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Olympiakos in the Champions Leagues last 16. That is their final shot at silverware. "Its a nightmare," United striker Wayne Rooney said after the teams fifth home defeat in the league, which left it 12 points off fourth-place Manchester City having played two more games. "Its one of the worst days Ive ever had in football." Liverpool had lost on its previous six visits to Old Trafford and seemingly had an inferiority complex whenever it came to the home of its biggest foe. No more. Brendan Rodgers men were brighter and more courageous on the ball, played at a quicker tempo and were more incisive going forward. For the first time in a generation, they were widely seen as favourites for a match at United, even in the opinion of Moyes. It could have been 6-0 or 7-0 by the end as Liverpool ran amok. In the closing stages, with United down to 10 men and having virtually given up, it evoked memories of the 6-1 home loss to Manchester City two seasons ago. Liverpool has gone from finishing 28 points behind United, the champions last season, to being 14 points ahead of them this season. "The biggest thing of where we have come in the last year is belief," Rodgers said. "I was probably surprised before the game when we were supposedly coming to Old Trafford at favourites. I would never say that at Liverpool, even if we were bottom. Anfield is Anfield and we expect to win. We have a mentality that I have been developing that we expect to win." United hadnt had a chance of note by the time Liverpool deservedly went ahead, at the culmination of a disastrous 90 seconds for Rafael da Silva. Soon after earning a yellow card for a reckless lunge at Gerrard, the Brazilian right back was caught out of position from a deep cross from Liverpools right, allowing Suarez to bring the ball down and past Rafael in one touch. Rafael flicked out a hand and gave away a penalty that Gerrard dispatched into the corner with some aplomb. Fans were still filtering back to their seats after halftime when Phil Jones barged into Joe Allen in the area, 23 seconds after the restart. There were no complaints when the referee awarded a penalty and Gerrard found the right corner again, this time low down, for his seventh successful spot kick in 2014. By the middle of the second half, Liverpool was stringing passes together to a soundtrack of "Oles" from the Liverpool visitors. The superiority of the visitors was marked and United was just way off the pace. "Its difficult to explain," Moyes said. It got even worse for Moyes beleaguered side when Vidic was given a second yellow card for bringing down Sturridge in the box in the 77th. Gerrard struck a low effort against the post but Liverpool wasnt to be denied a third, Sturridge slipping a pass through for Suarez to collect and shoot home. Manti Teo . -- The linebacker with 100 per cent attendance says theres a 99 per cent chance hes done. Danny Woodhead . Doneil Henry, the man who scored Toronto FCs last-gasp game winner Saturday, knows that probably better than anyone.Nail Yakupovs two-game exile ends Tuesday night when the Edmonton Oilers face the Penguins in Pittsburgh. Yakupov was scratched on Saturday in Toronto and despite the loss to the Maple Leafs, Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins rewarded his forwards by maintaining status quo Monday in Washington - which meant another night in the press box for the first overall pick in 2012. The Oilers concern with Yakupov is his play away from the puck and wanting to do everything himself. And with the message received, expect Eakins to lean on Yakupov tonight in Pittsburgh with additional ice time to get him going. In other news, the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to get calls on the availability of defenceman Jake Gardiner. Sources tell The Dreger Report an additional two teams called last week to inquire about the possibility of a trade. But unless a substantial offer surfaces, Gardiner will not be traded and the Leafs insist they are not shopping him. Its believed last weeks interest was generated by the ongoing media speculation. To date, Toronto has not received an offer for Gardiner. Now the USHL provides the latest example of the frightening risks hockey players face when fighting. Dylan Chanter - a defenceman for the Dubuque Fighting Saints - was injured on Saturday when his helmet slipped off during a fight just prior to Chanter smashing his head on the ice. Warning: The attached video link of Saturdays incident is disturbing and very graphic. Chanterr was released from hospital on Saturday and has since used Twitter to announce his improving status. Ryan Carrethers. The USHL, its hockey operations department and USA Hockey are investigating the incident and the leagues existing fighting sanctions, while analyzing additional procedures to further reduce this type of incident. Prior to introducing a comprehensive player safety initiative in 2012 - which includes a rule to keep helmets on in all situations - sources say the USHL considered adopting a fighting rule similar to what is used in college hockey, where a fight earns a player a five-minute major penalty plus a one-game suspension. However, the USHL opted not to follow the NCAA path and instead assesses fighting majors for those who drop their gloves. USHL president and commissioner Skip Prince is quick to point out that the USHL averages one fight every two and half games. Its unlikely the USHL will drastically alter its rule book in-season, but USA Hockey is watching closely and could intervene if its viewed that this matter isnt being properly addressed. Meanwhile, a number of NHL general managers believe fighting should be banned from junior hockey, or at the very least, game misconducts should be applied to further manage the risk of significant injury...or worse. However, while open to do more to protect their players, some junior hockey executives challenge the NHL to set a new standard of fighting sanctions all development leagues might follow. ' ' ' |
