O'Shea snatches Anfield win for United
Sir Alex's men moved a step closer to the title
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Saturday, 03, Mar 2007 08:03
John O'Shea's last-minute goal secured a barely deserved 1-0 win over Liverpool for Manchester United at Anfield to put the league leaders within touching distance of a ninth Premiership title.
The game had seemed destined for a goalless draw before Cristiano Ronaldo's 90th minute free kick was fumbled by Pepe Reina and fired home by O'Shea in the resulting confusion.
It was a huge turnaround for United after a series of second half events seemingly had them hanging on against their bitter rivals.
Wayne Rooney had hobbled off following a challenge by Jamie Carragher, while Paul Scholes was sent off for lashing out at Xabi Alonso with five minutes still to play.
Edwin van der Sar then magnificently pushed away a close range Peter Crouch volley in what looked like being the last chance of the game before O'Shea struck.
An uneven first half had seen John Arne Riise and Mark Gonzalez both go close for the home side, with Sir Alex Ferguson's side only firing sporadically.
It was more of the same after half time as Liverpool increased the pressure, with Craig Bellamy slotting past Van der Sar only to have the goal disallowed for offside on 49 minutes and Riise then firing over the from the edge of the area.
The subdued Henrik Larsson, playing his last game for United before returning to Sweden, was replaced by Louis Saha, but when Rooney's injury saw O'Shea come on with 15 minutes left it appeared that the Red Devils were happy to settle for a draw.
But the Republic of Ireland international's injury time winner against the run of play was perfectly in keeping with the habits of United's all conquering sides of the mid-90s, and suggested that the team could go all the way once again this season.