By Chris O'Brien
January 23 2006

Rio Ferdinand headed home in the dieing seconds to send Old Trafford into ecstacy and to secure another famous victory over "European Champions" Liverpool. The gap has closed on run-away leaders Chelsea to 14 points, and United established themselves in second spot.

Rio Ferdinand headed home an injury time effort to give United a valuable 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool, erasing the hurt of last weekend's Manchester derby and, perhaps most amazingly, closing the gap on run-away leaders Chelsea to a mere 14 points!

The England defender has never hit the net for United only a month or so ago, but has now struck the net 3 times in 8 appearances and his prolific form also seems to be aiding his defensive abilities. Rio was solid alongside the passionate Gary Neville, Wesley Brown and new signing Patrice Evra. Frenchman Evra was making his first appearance at Old Trafford for the club after his less than inspiring debut at Eastlands last Saturday.

Ryan Giggs was superb in midfield, running Liverpool ragged throughout and showing glimpses of the tearing pace and charging threat that made him such an invaluable youngster. It was his free-kick, a pin-point effort right into the danger zone, that saw Ferdinand nod home to clinch an amazing win. The celebrations that followed were superb - the entire team danced in delight, Neville running the whole length of the pitch to taunt the travelling supporters whilst Wayne Rooney, ex-Evertonian, pranced around like a mad man. Fantastic stuff, and, for a change, an amazing atmosphere inside Old Trafford.

The game looked to be heading to a 0-0 draw. Both teams defended stoutly but lacked that cutting edge in the final three, with Liverpool clearly needing a top class marksmen if they are ever to fulfil their potential and challenge, god forbid, for league championship honours again. United too created little and the lack of opportunities and finishing power was a concern until Ferdinand, once the most unlikeliest of scorers, rose highest to direct the ball past Jose Reina in the Scouse goal.

The win is invaluable for United. Any slim glimmer of hopes about a title charge remain, with Chelsea only mustering a 1-1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic. 14 points is one hell of a gap, but if the big-spending 'money is no object' cocky Londoners do slip up, then Sir Alex Ferguson looks sure to keep his men on their coat tails. Next up is the League Cup semi-final; crucial to hopes of silverware, with Mark Hughes returning to his old stomping ground with his in-form Rovers for a game that promises to be yet another fierce Lancastrian derby.
 

Full Time - Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool
Attendance - 67,874

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Evra, Giggs, Fletcher, O'Shea (Saha 45), Richardson, Rooney, van Nistelrooy.
Substitutes Not Used: Howard, Vidic, Silvestre, Rossi.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko (Kromkamp 89), Kewell, Crouch (Morientes 59), Cisse (Sinama Pongolle 75).
Substitutes Not Used: Dudek, Traore.