MX23RW : Tuesday, April 23 11:41:49| >> :60:434:434:

On this day: Diego Forlan brace guides Manchester United past Liverpool

On this day in 2002, Diego Forlan scores twice as Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield.

In a difficult three-year spell with Manchester United, high points were all too rare for Diego Forlan, but on this day in 2002 the Uruguayan guided his side to a 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Liverpool headed into the game confident of extending their impressive home record, having last tasted defeat Anfield almost a year earlier.

Diego Forlan of Manchester United celebrates scoring the second goal of the match with team-mates Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Liverpool and Manchester United held on December 1, 2002© Getty Images

However, Forlan would make the difference on Merseyside as United continued their bid for the Premier League title by earning a valuable win over their fierce rivals.

It was Sir Alex Ferguson's side who made the brighter start, but chances were few and far between as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tested Jerzy Dudek with a speculative long-range strike.

Despite starting slowly, Liverpool improved as the first half progressed and were denied an opening goal when Gary Neville made a crucial last-ditch tackle to dispossess Michael Owen.

United continued to look the more dangerous early in the second half, and they were rewarded with the opening goal in the 65th minute thanks to a mistake from Dudek.

There didn't appear to be any threat to the Liverpool goal as Jamie Carragher headed back to Dudek, but the Polish goalkeeper somehow allowed the ball to slip between his legs, which gifted Forlan the chance to tap the ball into an empty net.

The lead was doubled just two minutes later when Ryan Giggs sent a through-ball into the path of Forlan, who kept his composure to fire past Dudek at the near post.

Despite being forced onto the back foot by their goalkeeper, Liverpool managed to set up a dramatic finish when Sami Hyypia latched on to a loose ball in a congested box to pull a goal back for the hosts.

A late spell of pressure did arrive, but United held on for all three points thanks to Fabien Barthez, who pulled off a stunning save to tip Dietmar Hamann's powerful strike against the crossbar.

When asked about Forlan's performance after the game, Ferguson told reporters: "Today his perseverance has been rewarded in a big way because the fans will never forget it."

Ferguson was right. Two goals against Liverpool will never be forgotten, and despite enjoying success after leaving the club, it will be Forlan's match-winning brace at Anfield which will remain fresh in the memory of United supporters.

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Traore (Riise), Murphy, Gerrard, Hamann, Smicer (Diouf), Baros, Owen

Man Utd: Barthez, O'Shea, Brown, G. Neville, Silvestre, Solskjaer, Scholes, Fortune (P. Neville), Giggs, Forlan (Stewart), van Nistelrooy (May)

ID:191067: cacheID:191067:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5661:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A stoic-looking Brendan Rodgers ahead of Liverpool's game with Man City on August 25, 2014
Read Next:
Basel vs. Liverpool: Previous meetings
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal33235577265174
2Liverpool33228375324374
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33127144653-743
12Fulham34126165054-442
13Bournemouth33119134860-1242
14Crystal Palace3399154256-1436
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton33108153448-1430
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3337233188-5716


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!