Liverpool 0-2 Manchester United: Red Devils continue to impress with win against rivals | OneFootball

First-half goals from Hinata Miyawaza and Ella Toone were enough to secure victory for Manchester United against fierce rivals Liverpool at St. Helens Stadium.

Manchester United will play European football this season for the first time in history. Following that massive achievement, focus for the club is now on ensuring they can compete with the best, succeeding last weekend with a goalless draw against UWCL champions Arsenal.

Heading into this derby against Liverpool, the Red Devils had a unique opportunity to usurp the Gunners at the top of the table: they dropped points on Saturday as they drew 1-1 with Aston Villa at the Emirates.

Sunday afternoon’s derby also had a more poignant edge: it was the first league game for Liverpool following the unexpected passing of former manager Matt Beard last Saturday. A minute’s silence was held ahead of kickoff as the rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone took on new meaning

As it happened

United pressed aggressively from the first whistle, with an early reward. Jess Park reached the byline and swung a cross into the middle, meeting Miyazawa via Elisabeth Terland on the edge of the box. Miyazawa hit at the first time of asking, beating Rafaela Borggräfe with a powerful strike. A spectacular finish from the Japanese international and United were on the scoresheet within the opening five minutes.

The rest of the first half continued in similar vein, with Liverpool struggling to cope with United’s press. The home fans tried to lift their team, but they struggled to retain possession, especially in the opening half hour. United looked threatening every time they approached the hosts’ penalty area, however lacked the clinical finish to put themselves further ahead.

The visitors had chance after chance: Jayde Riviere made a darting run down the right-hand side and aimed a low effort toward the near post, but it went wide. Ella Toone delivered a cross towards the back post that nearly curled into the far corner, but Gemma Bonner got her head to it. Perhaps the best chance, Miyazawa came close to scoring her second of the game – curling a shot toward the far post, but it struck the woodwork.

It looked like the hosts would head into half-time with a one-goal deficit, however just before the whistle, Toone struck. Terland did well to get the better of Gemma Evans, passing to Toone in the middle of the box. The midfielder slotted home to give United their second.

Following the break, the momentum was shared as Liverpool gained more control of the midfield. The Reds were more creative, however lacked the end product to create clear cut chances. One shot hit the post on its way wide, but the visitors were rarely troubled. Although their momentum dropped, United put in a professional performance to finish the game, focusing on ensuring a big three points in this fiercest of rivalries.

The lineups

LIV: Borggräfe; Fisk, Bonner, Evans, Woodham; Nagano; Kerr, Maclean, Kapocs, Roman Haug; Holland

MUN: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Rolfo; Zigiotti Olme, Miyazawa, Park; Toone, Malard, Terland