Park seals vital victory (From Haringey Independent)

Park seals vital victory

3:47pm Sunday 21st March 2010 in

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Manchester United came from behind to reclaim the Premier League's top spot with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Fernando Torres gave the visitors a fifth-minute lead, only for Wayne Rooney to equalise in controversial fashion, tucking home the rebound from a penalty given for a Javier Mascherano foul on Antonio Valencia that started outside the area.

In a second half of few clear-cut chances, Park Ji-sung headed home the winner after an hour when he came through a crowd of bodies to finish Darren Fletcher's superb cross.

In the early stages, by his very demeanour, Torres looked a man on a mission. Five minutes into the contest, he seized on the loose ball, sending Steven Gerrard away with a backheel.

As Gerrard found Dirk Kuyt to his right, Torres continued his own run, United's defence never set properly to ensure the Spaniard remained under their control and, after Kuyt dug out a cross, Torress planted a header into the goal.

For Liverpool, the equaliser came far too quickly. The controversy was immediate too.

Rafael Benitez argued Mascherano's attempt to haul back Valencia was outside the box, which, indeed, was where the infringement began.

The managers continued their finger-jabbing row long after Wayne Rooney had tucked home the rebound from a spot-kick awarded by Howard Webb and saved by Pepe Reina.

Then, on the hour mark, as Rooney and Jamie Carragher tussled in the area, Park arrived behind them, launching himself at Fletcher's cross and powering the diving header into the corner of Reina's goal.

Torres was then on the end of a great chance when Gerrard drilled over a low cross near the end, but the Spaniard miscued and Yossi Benayoun headed the loose ball straight at Edwin van der Sar.