United stay top after downing 10-man Liverpool

AFP - 23 March 2008 17:22

Manchester United´s Portugese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates after scoring with Rio Ferdinand during the English English Premier League football match against Liverpool at Old Trafford, in Manchester, north-west England. United strengthened their Premier League lead with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford over arch-rivals Liverpool, who had to play more than half the game with 10 men.

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Manchester United strengthened their English Premier League lead with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford over arch-rivals Liverpool, who had to play more than half the game with 10 men.

Late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani added gloss to Wes Brown's first half-opener against a Liverpool side who, after going a goal behind, then saw Javier Mascherano sent off just before half-time.

Brown opened the scoring in the 34th minute before Mascherano was given a second booking by referee Steve Bennett, for showing dissent.

Reigning champions United failed to build on their lead for much of the second-half but Ronaldo's 34th goal of the season followed by Nani's strike gave them a convincing win in a game they had shaded from the start.

"It was a really good performance - a performance of maturity," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "We've seen a team mature over the last six months and today they hit their high peak."

United opted to play Wayne Rooney as a lone striker and the England international should have opened the scoring after five minutes.

Anderson threaded the ball through but Jamie Carragher's challenge put Rooney off balance and he shot straight at Jose Reina.

Liverpool were comfortable in possession but were creating next to nothing and again it was United's turn to threaten again midway through the first-half as Ronaldo touched Ryan Giggs's deep free-kick onto the post.

But just over 10 minutes before the interval, United took the lead.

United defender Brown cut out Fabio Aurelio's clearance and continued his run forward as the ball was played to the left by Paul Scholes.

Rooney crossed and, with Martin Skrtel failing to challenge as Reina flapped, the ball flew in off Brown.

But the game really exploded into life a minute before half-time.

Fernando Torres was chopped down by Paul Scholes but Bennett booked the Spain striker for dissent near the touchline.

Mascherano went across to question the official and was shown a second yellow card, with Xabi Alonso and Liverpool coach Alex Miller having to prevent him from confronting the referee.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez also attempted to calm the midfielder before he became embroiled in a row of his own with United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz.

Benitez insisted Mascherano had not been berating Bennett. "He was asking what happened. In these big games, to lose a player in this situation...it's strange because Javier Mascherano is a good professional and was really surprised with the sending-off."

Ronaldo should have doubled the lead a minute after the restart but failed to test Reina after Scholes chipped over the Liverpool defence.

Anderson wasted another great chance with just under 20 minutes left, slicing over after fine work by Rooney.

Carlos Tevez almost scored with his first touch but Reina pulled off a fine one-handed stop to deny he Argentinian striker.

Ronaldo was wasteful again after Tevez chested Brown's cross into his path, with Reina turning onto the bar from close-range.

But from the resulting corner, Alonso left the Portugal winger alone and he rose unmarked to head in Nani's cross, with Reina again nowhere near the ball after coming off his line.

And two minutes later, Nani made it three by collecting Rooney's pass and cutting across the Liverpool defence before hitting the corner of the net from 20 yards to seal what could be a key victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's men.