Berbatov opens up his bag of tricks

Manchester Utd 3 Liverpool 2:A VICTORY of this sort ridicules the idea that football is a team game. Everything rested with the vision and touch of Dimitar Berbatov.

Liverpool had the tenacity to pull level from 2-0 down, but those attributes were not sufficient when Manchester United had the majesty of the Bulgarian. The sheer range of his work was beyond the scope of the opposition’s defence and he headed the winner from John O’Shea’s cross with six minutes remaining.

His hat-trick had also begun with a header, but the centrepiece was a moment of unforgettable imagination and technique. In essence, it is to Liverpool’s credit that they competed so effectively and scored with each of their two efforts on target. If the heritage and passion that attach themselves could be stripped away, this would be seen as a creditable display by visitors much diminished in terms of budget and, therefore, in the distinction of the squad.

Roy Hodgson’s men had plenty of character, yet too much rests with the contributions of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. Even so, United are still to impose their authority on this campaign. The blessing for Alex Ferguson lies in the fact he continues to have a few men who can sway a game as their striker did here.

Berbatov’s efforts dispelled talk of all other issues, but concerns do exist. Wayne Rooney, for instance, operated in a deeper position and although that ensured involvement it took him no closer to the rediscovery of his habitual impact. The topic was a minor matter because United had no need to count on him when another striker teemed with a virtuosity that was encapsulated in his second goal.

There had been a presumption that the creativity of the Old Trafford side would swamp the visitors, and that goal was exquisite. Nani’s low cross in the 59th minute went behind Berbatov, but he flicked it up and, on the turn, put a lob high into the net while Jose Reina scarcely moved. To Liverpool’s great credit they did not let themselves be discouraged, but perseverance was not quite sufficient.

Manchester United do suffer from some hindrances of their own. Rio Ferdinand reappeared from injury last week to face Rangers and so had his first outing since May, but illness ruled him out of this encounter.

Stability will presumably be regained in due course, but the condition of United overall is intriguing.

A crowd that was elated at full-time can scarcely be expected to brood, but United did falter here against opponents who, broadly speaking, are not of the calibre of their predecessors in the Liverpool shirt.

Despite that, Liverpool might conceivably have got themselves into a position to win. Momentum was with them once Torres, taking a Joe Cole pass, was fouled by Jonny Evans and the referee’s assistant rightly signalled for a penalty that Gerrard converted after 64 minutes.

The Liverpool captain had been fielded in an orthodox midfield position, presumably because Hodgson believed it essential to have him at the core of the play. With that decision taken, it was left for Raul Meireles to fill the post just behind Torres. Regardless of the logic, it was essential for Gerrard to advance and cause alarm.

Liverpool will suppose that the crux of the matter was a decision taken by the referee Howard Webb. Evans fouled Torres once more and avoided a red card because the official seemed to judge, correctly, that a goalscoring opportunity had not been denied since the ball was running into the hands of the goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Gerrard exacted as much punishment as he could by flighting home the set-piece in the 70th minute.

The thrills and fluctuations ought not to distract anyone from the inherent truth about the clash. Ferguson had promoted the match beautifully when he deemed it the greatest of all fixtures in the Premier League but the recent meetings do not suggest that the occasion retains the grandeur of days gone by.

Liverpool’s 4-1 victory here in March 2009 was certainly memorable, but no one should forget that United have now won six of the last seven engagements with these opponents on this pitch.

While the visitors were on the verge of a memorable draw, the Liverpool regulars appreciate that encouragement must be restricted while the finances and ownership of their club are so problematic.

The visitors suffered lapses in concentration and organisation. From Ryan Giggs’s corner in the 42nd minute Berbatov got in front of Torres and no one could stop his header from reaching the net.

Liverpool can hardly afford that sort of lapse. There was still a partial recovery and that testifies to morale within the squad, but it will be hard for Hodgson to get his men into the upper reaches of the table. United will be among the elite, but they are still to suggest that the Premier League trophy can be recaptured.

Guardian Service