The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Liverpool lop off the rotting head of United: EPL wrap Matchday 17

Autoplay in... 6 (Cancel)
Up Next No more videos! Playlist is empty -
Replay
Cancel
Next
Expert
16th December, 2018
10

It is well and truly official. Manchester United are the B-grade team their fans never thought they would become.

Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at Anfield returned the home side to the top of the Premier League table and proved to everyone that the Red Devils are mired in a desperate chase with other mid-table clubs for sixth position.

Now 19 points off the league lead and 11 points from the top four, Sunday’s loss to the Reds made the most categorical of statements.

That being, United are well and truly boys when up against the men from the blue side of Manchester, Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

But for the goalkeeping clanger from Alisson Becker in the 33rd minute that allowed Jesse Lingard to tally an undeserved goal, it was one-way traffic for the home side.

So one way that Liverpool managed 36 shots on the opposition goal whereas the Red Devils could muster just a measly six.

In reality, it was a domination from ‘go to whoa’, and nothing like the insane, rose coloured spin that Jose Mourinho attempted to put on the match.

Advertisement

The Portuguese labelled the match a 1-1 draw, citing two deflections as the difference between the teams.

He did acknowledge the fine play of Liverpool, yet appeared intent on removing some of the gloss from the two goals scored by Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Swiss found the net in the 73rd and 80th minutes to gain the numerical rewards the Reds deserved after dominating the contest.

Sure, there were deflections and Liverpool had become a little frustrated as they unsuccessfully pounded the United box time after time.

However, the goals were deserved, inevitable and Mourinho is somewhat lucky there wasn’t two or three more on the day.

Lingard’s earlier goal had levelled things up after Sadio Mane had put the home side in front after 24 minutes.

It was a statistical, stylistic and emotional domination from that point on and Liverpool’s successful week has been rounded off in the most perfect of ways.

Advertisement
Jose Mourinho

(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Sunday also produced a stunning upset as Southampton ended Arsenal’s unbeaten, 22 match run with a 3-2 win at St Mary’s Stadium. Chelsea held on for a 2-1 victory over Brighton at Falmer Stadium.

In the weekend’s earlier matches, Manchester City temporarily reclaimed top spot on the table with a 3-1 home win over Everton.

Gabriel Jesus was back in the starting line-up and he enjoyed his day with goals in the 22nd and 5oth minutes.

Crystal Palace, Wolves and Tottenham enjoyed home wins with Spurs prevailing against a gritty Burnley with a stoppage time goal to Christian Eriksen.

Watford also won at home in a high scoring encounter with an unlucky Cardiff.

The Bluebirds mounted a stern comeback after the home side had earlier set up a three-goal lead. Goals in the 80th and 82nd minutes had them within the grasp of a point but it was not to be.

Advertisement

There were two significant away winners on Saturday with Newcastle snatching another win (their fourth of the season) that sees them skip well clear of the relegation zone.

Despite more possession and shots on goal, Huddersfield were unable to find the net against the Magpies in a 1-0 result.

West Ham found its 10th and 11th goals in just 13 days in a 2-0 win against bottom of the table Fulham.

The Irons have lost just one of their past seven matches, that being a 4-0 loss to Manchester City, and loom as one of the big improvers as the Premier League turns the corner and heads into the second half of the season.

Sports opinion delivered daily 

   

However, it was the Reds and the Red Devils upon whom all eyes were fixed on Sunday and Liverpool inflicted a comprehensive defeat on a side once feared and respected across the world.

Advertisement

United are officially second rate and just how long the club can persist with a manager that is failing to produce results while in possession of such expensive cattle is anybody’s guess.

close