Kuyt Hat-Tricks United On Anfield
Kuyt hit three past leaders United as Liverpool go sixth (Foto: eurosport.com)
Liverpool got their first-leg revenge over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon as Kuyt hat-tricked Alex Ferguson’s side to allow Arsenal go just three points behind the leaders.
The Reds grabbed a well-deserved 3-1 victory and climbs sixth in the Premiership standings with 42 points in 29 matches, two above Bolton Wanderers and five behind fifth Tottenham Hotspur. Kuyt brought the first lead in the 34th minute after newly-arrived on Anfield Luis Suarez created more than a half of the goal-action. The Uruguayan managed to dribble three defenders before testing Edwin Van der Sar. Suarez’s shot trickled over the line but it was Kuyt to do the rest from close range.
The Dutch striker made it 2-0 just five minutes later. In his attempt to clear the air, Nani headed the ball towards the same Kuyt whose second close-range shot went beyond Van der Sar as United were still sleeping. The last few minutes of the first half found Carragher and United’s keeper have been both booked for a clumsy challenge on Nani and complaints respectively. Rafael has also been booked with a yellow following a crazy foul on Lucas. Finally, Ferguson introduced striker Javier Hernandez for Nani.
Hardly did the second part begin that Liverpool were very close from their third goal. Suarez and Meireles combined in front of the United’s net, but the finish couldn’t beat vigilant Van der Sar whose save kept the Devils in cards.
Manchester got theirt first big chance in the 55th minute. Rooney fed veteran Ryan Giggs with a lovely cross the Welsh couldn’t send the ball but over the bar. Berbatov was also very close from United’s first goal. Gigg’s long corner met Rooney’s header inside the box, the striker looking for a back-cross for Berbatov whose header was saved by Meireles.
Meireles got his first chance to score in the 62nd minute after Lucas served the Portuguese with a lovely pass but which he couldn’t strike it but straight into the keeper’s hands. Kuyt completed his hat-trick just three minutes later after Liverpool won a free-kick in a very dangerous area. Suarez took the responsibility for it but the shot was poorly saved by Van der Sar, whose rebound found Kuyt making it 3-0 and game over. The last minutes included another yellow card taken by Scholes and United’s late consolation.
Hernandez made it 1-3 in the 90th minute but Kenny Dalglish knew it would be too late for a United to save at least one point.
Liverpool – Reina; Fabio Aurelio, Skrtel, Carragher, Johnsonl Lucas, Rodriguez, Gerrard, Raul Meireles; Kuyt, Suarez. Reserves: A. Carroll, D. N’Gog, J. Cole, C. Poulsen, J. Spearing, S. Kyrgiakos, P. Gulacsi.
Manchester United – Van der Sar; Rafael, Brown, Smalling, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs; Berbatov, Rooney. J O’Shea, G. Obertan, T. Kuszczak, D. Fletcher, D. Gibson, Fabio, J. Hernandez.
Premier League results:
Wolverhampton Wanderers 3 – 3 Tottenham Hotspur
Bolton Wanderers 3 – 2 Aston Villa
Manchester City 1 – 0 Wigan Athletic
Birmingham City 1 – 3 West Bromwich Albion
Arsenal 0 – 0 Sunderland
Newcastle United 1 – 2 Everton
Fulham 3 – 2 Blackburn Rovers
West Ham United 3 – 0 Stoke City
