The simmering feud between Luis Suarez and Patrice
Evra exploded at Old Trafford as Manchester United went
top of the Premier League after a 2-1 win over Liverpool.
• Ferguson brands Suarez a "disgrace"
On his first start since serving an eight-match ban
for racially abusing Evra at Anfield in October, Suarez
refused to offer his hand during the traditional pre-match
handshake.
Evra reacted angrily and after apparently trying to
confront Suarez in the tunnel at the end of the first
half celebrated victory in close proximity to a disconsolate
Suarez.
The Uruguayan continued to walk down the tunnel as
some of Liverpool's players took umbrage at Evra's celebrations,
remonstrating with the defender as tempers threatened
to boil over. Rio Ferdinand had earlier refused to shake
Suarez's hand either, emphasising the depth of his feeling
at recent events.
Amid the rancour, United emerged with three precious
points as Wayne Rooney's second-half double sent them
top of the Premier League.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men had to survive a nervy 10 minutes
at the end though after Suarez's close-range finished
had halved the deficit.
Reaction to Suarez was swift and damning and Evra was
so obviously not amused.
Ferdinand might not have thought so, but it was probably
just as well he bore the brunt of Evra's intended challenge
on Suarez inside the first minute, otherwise the United
skipper would have been in trouble.
Nothing much happened for a long time after that, with
the game getting stuck in a midfield scrap.
Glen Johnson had the clearest opportunity, only to
curl his shot wide after skipping inside Evra.
Rafael responded with a similar opportunity, which
was saved by Pepe Reina.
It was not long before United opened their visitors
up though.
Paul Scholes continued his run after finding Ryan Giggs
with a quite brilliant pass to the left touchline.
When Giggs delivered the cross, Scholes was all on
his own on the edge of the six-yard box.
It should have been the opener. Instead, the veteran
midfielder's header went straight at Reina, who batted
it away.
After the flurry of activity, the contest reverted
back to the mundane.
That was until the final minute of the half, when Ferdinand
sent Suarez to the deck with a tackle TV replays showed
was perfectly legal.
Suarez felt differently and when referee Phil Dowd
refused to award the free-kick that would surely have
brought Ferdinand's dismissal, he reacted furiously.
Booting the ball at towards the dug-out as the half-time
whistle blew, Suarez had to be escorted down the tunnel
by team-mates.
Once inside though, the whole thing exploded once more,
with Evra apparently intent on confronting the Uruguayan,
with players from both sides involved in a melee that
required police intervention.
The Football Association will be wanting to know more
about that but the spark suited United better judging
by the way they began the second half.
When Jordan Henderson could only get the faintest of
touches to Giggs' curling corner, it sent the ball straight
to Rooney.
On his own at the far post, the England striker swept
home a first-time shot.
The home fans barely had time to catch their breath
before Rooney struck again.
This time, Liverpool only had themselves to blame as
Jay Spearing surrendered possession to Valencia in a
dangerous area.
Unselfishly, Valencia found Rooney immediately and
the United man finished off his 17th Premier League
goal of the season.
The whole complexion of the afternoon had changed.
After Michael Carrick had sent Suarez flying, Rooney
was denied a hat-trick when he brilliant effort was
ruled out for an earlier foul by Jonny Evans.
More good work from Valencia presented Rooney with
another opportunity, which he spurned.
It triggered a double substitution from Kenny Dalglish,
who introduced Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy.
Then, after Danny Welbeck had scuffed a shot straight
to Reina, Charlie Adam came on.
Suarez remained throughout, so was on hand to finish
off after United's defence had got themselves in a tangle
as they tried to clear Adam's free-kick and the ball
bounced kindly off Ferdinand.
Welbeck would have eased a few nerves if he had not
wasted a good chance on United's next attack.
However, after an excellent save from David de Gea
to deny Johnson in stoppage time and Suarez missing
from close range when he was offside anyway, the hosts
held on to claim a valuable win, even if the hope of
both clubs that the match should remembered for the
football was sadly not met.
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