EPL 1997/98 - Liverpool vs Manchester United
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00:00The familiar surroundings of Anfield venue in December 1997 for another mouth-watering encounter between Liverpool and Manchester United.
00:09An early morning kick-off in what is always one of the most enthralling fixtures in the FA Premier League.
00:14The cream of English football head-to-head as the race for the title reached a critical stage, certainly for Liverpool.
00:21They needed maximum points if they were to maintain realistic hopes of keeping in touch with United.
00:26The Red Devils were eight points clear of their hosts going into the contest.
00:31Some interesting team news. Roy Evans included Robbie Fowler in the starting line-up following the completion of a three-match ban.
00:38Alongside him up front, Michael Owen, the 17-year-old replacing Karl-Heinz Riedler, who'd missed a hatful of chances in midweek.
00:4630 goals in seven matches illustrated United's sharpness in front of goal, but Alex Ferguson made one surprise change.
00:53Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left out despite scoring twice in his last outing.
00:57Ronnie Johnson came in for him, otherwise it was the same side that hammered Blackburn Rovers.
01:02Commentary at Anfield from John Helm.
01:05Interesting that Fowler's partner there is young Michael Owen and not Karl-Heinz Riedler.
01:12I had a bit of feeling that they might have started with Riedler and brought Owen on if need be later in the game.
01:18But that perhaps shows the Liverpool ambition and that they feel these two young strikers can gel together.
01:23And here is Fowler just toe-poking that ball back down and then via Redknapp and McAteer it's come to Kvarmor.
01:33And Manchester United have possession for the first time with Beckham and finds Andy Cole, a delightful ball from Beckham.
01:41Killick Neville, another wasteful, but then it's slewed off the side of Leonardson's boot.
01:48And the first free kick of the day goes Liverpool's way in against Andy Cole.
02:01There's always pressure on any manager, but Roy Evans knows better than most the pressures of management at this time.
02:07Liverpool disappointingly down in seventh position at the moment.
02:13But he still believes that they can apply pressure on Manchester United at the top.
02:17And they're applying pressure through Owen now and Fowler's taken up a good position and so has Leonardson.
02:22Here is Fowler now, he was edge of the area and it's flicked with the outside of the boot.
02:27Just wide of the side netting.
02:30So the first real chance of this game, falling to the home side.
02:34And it was a neat link up between Owen and Fowler.
02:37One touch and the second carried the ball just wide.
02:49It was a good climb by Sheringham who's got a second and they've stabbed it into Andy Cole's offside.
02:56And spectators all around the ground rose there as the manager and the fans were cheering.
03:04The referee's assistant Mark Warren flagged for offside.
03:07And I think we'll see from this that he wasn't, he was being played on by McAteer.
03:29It was easily broken up but it's back with Redknapp.
03:31Now with Owen, could be a booking here.
03:35The first of the day it was Redknapp flattened and it's Jansson who is called to task by Mr Ellery for the day's first yellow card.
03:49Ronnie Jansson and Mr Ellery's bad books.
03:53It's clearly Redknapp taking it but it's the short one.
03:57And then he gave Owen rather a lot to do in a harsh challenge by Button.
04:01That's a booking for him.
04:03Well that wasn't what they were attempting to induce with a short free kick.
04:08But it's the second United caution in the space of 60 seconds.
04:13But everybody in a white shirt is behind them.
04:17And it's over the top.
04:21Fowler came racing in to meet Björneby's perfectly placed and perfectly flighted free kick.
04:27He got in there between those United men.
04:30And will be bitterly disappointed not to have at least forced Schmeichel into a free kick.
04:36But it's the second United caution in the space of 60 seconds.
04:40And it's the second United caution in the space of 60 seconds.
04:43Will be bitterly disappointed not to have at least forced Schmeichel into a save.
04:53This is promising and Ryan Giggs with the shot.
04:56Didn't really get any purchase into it.
04:58And David James able to smother the ball.
05:03But it's lively stuff out there.
05:14Beckham.
05:16And Scheringham had attempted to play the ball back to Jonsson.
05:19Presented it to Owen.
05:21The referee allows their play to continue.
05:23Fowler's shot took the wicked deflection that carried it just over the top of the goal.
05:28Fowler's got a good goal scoring record against Manchester United.
05:43Four in the one season just a couple of years ago.
05:48And he's among those in there for this corner kick.
05:51Swung straight into Schmeichel's hands.
05:59Scheringham up there. Giggs in here.
06:14And James out. Scheringham in.
06:16But into the side net and not into the main netting.
06:21Well a nervous moment for James just as Schmeichel had a nervous moment a few moments ago.
06:28And Scheringham's height is posing a few problems here.
06:32James got his knees in the way.
06:34But Scheringham smacked it into the side netting.
06:38Needs to do some work on his last touch I think.
06:46Let's see if Liverpool can take advantage.
06:50For the moment they can't.
06:51For the moment they can't.
06:55All the United are getting on to this one now.
06:57There was a moment's hesitation by Philip Neville there.
07:01Oh and now Philip Neville's involved in another loss of the ball.
07:05And that's a free kick.
07:10McAteer and Butt and Nicky Butt's already been booked.
07:15But Mr Ellery takes the view that this one isn't that bad.
07:22And Nicky Butt really is dicing with death at the moment.
07:26Some might consider him very fortunate there to stay on.
07:33Foul error.
07:35And it was driven through but Schmeichel on hand.
07:41Not much hope of beating a goalkeeper of Schmeichel's quality like that.
07:52Neville.
07:54And now Giggs.
07:56They expect him to run at them.
07:58And he'll supply a ball here for Nicky Butt which is encouraging.
08:01And Nicky Butt might get in!
08:04But he didn't have sufficient belief I don't think at the end of all that.
08:09Well what a good chance that was for Butt.
08:12It was Ryan Giggs who picked him out and he advanced beyond Matteo.
08:17Took the ball back from Cole and then really just toe-poked it up into James' hands.
08:24I wonder if Alex Ferguson has a criticism of this young player but it is that he doesn't score enough times.
08:41And that's a neat lay-off to the younger of the Neville brothers.
08:48Now the commanding figure of Pallister.
08:58Oh they finally got moving forward.
09:01Cole.
09:03Waiting his Giggs.
09:05And they've a lot of players up here and Cole advances!
09:08Oh my word it was almost an own goal.
09:11Cole didn't get the touch I don't think but a Liverpool head certainly did.
09:17And er...
09:19Oh maybe Cole did and then it brushed away after Liverpool body.
09:22Interesting one this.
09:24Still it's a United corner kick from Beckham.
09:28And Pallister inevitably in there.
09:30Made contact but can do no more than deflect it to Giggs but they've still a lot in there.
09:34And among them is Jonsson.
09:36Palmed out by James.
09:37And finally claimed by the goalkeeper.
09:44Took him two attempts to hold on.
09:48Go on!
09:50Go on!
09:51Go on!
09:54McManaman seems to be favouring the left side at the moment.
09:57And he's whipped this one away for Leonardson.
10:00Fowler will advance.
10:03Shattered by Pallister.
10:05Finally gets around to deliver a short ball for Redknapp.
10:11Fowler into McManaman!
10:12Fabulous football!
10:14Is it a fabulous finish?
10:15It's not.
10:16It's a corner.
10:18Well delightful one-two there between Fowler and McManaman
10:22who played so many times Juniors, Reserves, First Team
10:25and it showed the telepathy that McManaman's finish wasn't positive enough.
10:33It's yielded another Liverpool corner though.
10:38And Sheringham was equal to that.
10:41What can McAteer do?
10:43It's Owen!
10:44And Michael Owen just bucketed off the ball there by Beckham.
10:50He nearly got in behind those white shirts there.
10:58The other of his ball, Schmeichel.
11:15How to achieve a breakthrough?
11:17That must be on his mind as we approach half-time.
11:21So we look like having a scoreless first half.
11:27But an nonetheless interesting one.
11:35Well you can see that the players know now it's so close to half-time.
11:38In fact there it is.
11:39That's Mr Ellery's whistle on his even so far.
11:45Interesting stuff and Roy Evans just pondering now
11:48as to how to try and eke out a win.
11:50Teddy Sheringham has been in supreme form for Manchester United.
11:55Often threatening.
11:57But there have been chances at both ends.
11:59David James has occasionally looked shaky in the Liverpool goal.
12:03But we are still waiting for a breakthrough here at Anfield
12:07as the players make their way into the dressing room.
12:10It's a half-time score at Anfield.
12:12Liverpool nil, Manchester United nil.
12:30And we're underway again.
12:33One of the major talking points of that first half was about Nicky Butt
12:37and whether he was rather lucky to stay on
12:39having already been booked in the opening ten minutes.
12:41He went in rather rashly on another challenge.
12:54Fowler tries to knock the ball back to McManaman.
13:00Held up by Sheringham and then bucked with a first-time ball.
13:04Straight to McAteer.
13:06And Leonard Simmonds, his own little battle with Giggs.
13:10Not just once, but twice.
13:15Power stir.
13:22An offended resolve about Liverpool now
13:24as Manchester United's Sheringham stayed down, clutching his ankle.
13:29But as he picks himself up, the ball is blown out.
13:35Sheringham felt there might have been some retribution for that.
13:42Now it's Owen.
13:44Very headed, directed, directed to Janssen.
13:47Nothing's happened as yet in the half.
13:49It might now, though.
13:50Cole streaking away.
13:52Kovar up against him.
13:53Cole with the shot.
13:54And it dribbled along the ground.
13:56Certainly not one of Andy Cole's better efforts.
14:00He scored in the 3-1 win here last April
14:02and was on his way there.
14:03Turning inside, Kovar made the space for the shot
14:06but really never hit it.
14:0813 so far this season, though.
14:19This is Dominic Mateo.
14:28Forward again with Mateo.
14:34A touch from McManaman.
14:36Leonardson with time to turn
14:38but there's hardly anybody ahead of him in a red shirt.
14:42And now there's nobody.
14:44They'll have to go back as Neville tries to pinch a yard or two down the touchline.
14:52Quite a bristling start to the first half.
14:55It's been a much quieter start to the second
14:57and with five minutes of that half gone,
14:59we're looking for something to happen here.
15:04Again, it's Kovar but he's made the slip this time.
15:06It's Andy Cole.
15:07Surely now it's goal number one
15:10and it's gone to guess who?
15:14Well, I was just saying we're waiting for something to happen
15:17and there's only one man to look to these days.
15:19The slip by Kovar
15:21and the finish from Andy Cole.
15:24So, a moment for the United fans to relish
15:27but Kovar has made the slip.
15:30So, a moment for the United fans to relish
15:32but Kovar has been dependency itself so far.
15:36Made the slip and was punished.
15:41Andy Cole is really on fire with his game at the moment
15:44and he nipped inside Matteo and drove it beyond James' right hand.
15:49McManaman dancing through the United ranks.
15:52Oh, brilliant play from McManaman.
15:54The ball then is thrown.
15:55Down he goes.
15:56The referee looks and points.
15:58Penalty given.
16:00Fury in the United defence.
16:03Referee Ellerick will not be dissuaded though.
16:07McManaman had done all the hard work.
16:09Now, there is a chance.
16:10He's got it.
16:11He's got it.
16:12He's got it.
16:13He's got it.
16:14He's got it.
16:15He's got it.
16:16He's done all the hard work.
16:17Now, there is Owen and there's the tackle by Butt.
16:20Philip Neville was in there too
16:22but it must have been Butt's challenge from behind
16:25that concedes the penalty.
16:29Nicky Butt who conceded it
16:31and has already been shown a yellow card, remember.
16:35Can do no more than stand and watch though
16:37along with Owen and everybody else
16:39because Robbie Fowler said,
16:40give me the ball, give me the goal.
16:43Liverpool level.
16:46And drama on the hour at Anfield.
16:51Well, there was Fury in the United ranks
16:53and a cleverly taken penalty kick by Robbie Fowler
16:58has given us some game now.
17:12Philip Neville.
17:14Now some clear ground
17:16and who to run into it but McManaman.
17:19Terrifying sight for Manchester United supporters
17:21especially the way McManaman's playing at the moment
17:23and he's played the ball in for Owen
17:25and makes the space and then slips
17:27still looks to give a ball
17:29Leonardson and it takes two deflections
17:31the last one off Berg, corner for Liverpool.
17:37And you'll have to wonder there
17:38what might have happened if Mike Lyon hadn't slipped
17:40because he was around the defender.
17:44What a fairy story that would be
17:45if the 17-year-old scored the winner.
17:48Liverpool are coming forward
17:50and having a corner out of that as well.
18:03It's a pulsating contest
18:05and the ball will drop for Lyonardson
18:07who hooks it high into the cock.
18:13FULL-TIME WHISTLE
18:36It's one there by Lyonson
18:38and tipped over by Cole to Buck
18:40to Sheringham to Cole
18:41lovely football from United
18:43and a free kick right on the edge of the D.
18:48And no complaints from anybody in a red shirt about that
18:51Mr Ellery had no doubt
18:53and here is another chance for United to regain the lead.
19:00Beckham, Giggs and Sheringham discussing tactics here.
19:07Well it looks as though either
19:09Beckham or Giggs is going to try
19:11and curl this one somewhere
19:13around the line or is Beckham going to crack it in?
19:15He certainly is!
19:16It's a wonder strike from David Beckham.
19:21With 70 minutes gone
19:23Manchester United show
19:25their credentials yet again.
19:28What a glorious strike from Beckham
19:30it was the tightest of angles for him
19:34but it wasn't too difficult.
19:36Over the top of the wall
19:37into the corner
19:38off the bar
19:39the upright
19:40the ball in the net
19:41and a quite spectacular free kick.
19:47So what a 20 minutes we've got in prospect
19:49as Owen takes the pass
19:50and in towards Lyonson
19:52was cut out
19:53but only got it as far as McAteer
19:56and a teaser of a ball in
19:58was aiming for McManaman
20:00and had to be put away
20:01by Gary Neville.
20:09But it's Liverpool now looking for something
20:11with Riedler.
20:16Manchester United break like lightning
20:19Giggs
20:22has come 50 yards
20:23and then found Cole
20:24there's trouble here for Liverpool
20:26Cole, give him a glimpse
20:27and he might get a goal!
20:28It's rattled him to the side
20:29and it's in.
20:31Well he's speared the ball wide
20:33of James' right hand
20:35after the thrilling gash from Giggs.
20:42It's such a high quality contest
20:43it's got to go down as one of the games
20:45of the season.
20:48McAteer
20:52and what else can it produce?
20:57And Favreau
20:58And what else can it produce, this absorbing contest?
21:02Well, United have three up against three now.
21:05Lost three against two, Cole's pulled away.
21:08But they look to take Carragher on on the inside,
21:12and it's a cross here for Beckham.
21:14That's about the end by the defender Carragher.
21:22Beckham, Sheringham, Giggs, Cole, they're all on song.
21:29Well, it's a thrill of a minute.
21:36Bryants as the referee, Sheringham to win the corner.
21:48Well, Liverpool were so excited to get the level,
21:53they forgot that Manchester United are very capable of coming again,
21:56and Alex Ferguson pointing the way.
21:58I think he's telling Philip Neville and Pallister to stay back.
22:03They don't get too ambitious at moments like this.
22:05It's Sheringham, it's Cole, it's 3-1.
22:09Wonderfully worked routine in the 74th minute,
22:13Manchester United surely have done enough now.
22:16The scoreline identical to the one here last season.
22:20There's the corner, Sheringham up for it,
22:23and a simple finish for Andy Cole in the right place at the right time
22:27as he always seems to be these days.
22:29No more than three or four yards out,
22:32nothing either Leonardson or James could do about that.
22:36But Sheringham's power in the air,
22:38and Cole's devastating ability to be in the right place
22:42when he has to be, have taken United into a two-goal lead at 3-1.
22:48Riedler starting from a very withdrawn area of the field.
22:58But it really is a daunting prospect for the rest of the Premier League
23:01that Manchester United are about to go six points clear.
23:05That's a good touch from Berger though,
23:07and in here for Riedler, and Riedler squeezes the shot in
23:11and it just goes across the face of Schmeichel's goal.
23:14That was good centre-forward play from Calhoun's Riedler.
23:19The 31-year-old just managing to turn away from Berg
23:23but deliver the shot across goal.
23:26McManaman really set up the goal.
23:42McManaman really set up the goal, Owen Hall down by butt
23:51Liverpool were back in it there at one apiece but Manchester United then took the game by the scruff of the neck again
23:57Redknapp's going to try his luck, well he can pop them in
24:01He's only got the one goal this season against Spurs in a 4-0 thrashing
24:06But today it's this man who's found the target, 15 times he's done that this season now as well
24:16Happy days for Andy Cole
24:30Manchester United again showing they really are the yardstick
24:33By which anybody would judge themselves and Andy Cole's two goals have done the trick again for Alex Ferguson's side
24:40They extend their lead at the top of the Premier League for now
24:44And a bitter disappointment for Roy Evans who saw his side come back into it at one stage
24:50But Andy Cole had the first word and the last word
24:54And the final score at Anfield, Liverpool 1, Manchester United 3
25:01Another gripping spectacle between two teams who love to hate each other
25:05The three points added further momentum to Manchester United's title charge
25:09But come May it was Arsenal and not United who became champions
25:14Liverpool were unable to keep up with the top two and they eventually had to settle for third place
25:19Not quite good enough for a team steeped in tradition