LONDON: Robin van Persie’s late penalty earned Manchester United a fortunate 2-1 victory against 10-man Liverpool in an emotionally-charged Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday, while Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Arsenal.
The prolific van Persie sealed the victory when he fired his spot kick past the despairing dive of Pepe Reina after Glen Johnson had brought down Antonio Valencia.
Despite being well below their best United moved into second spot with 12 points, one point behind leaders Chelsea.
The first match at Anfield since the Hillsborough report cleared Liverpool’s fans of blame for the deaths of 96 of their number at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, sparked into life after 39 minutes when Jonjo Shelvey was red-carded for a dangerous lunge.
However, the home side deservedly went ahead after halftime through Steven Gerrard’s volley.
United hit back after 51 minutes through Rafael’s curler before van Persie’s late strike meant that after five games Liverpool are still looking for their first league win of the season – their worst start to a Premier League campaign.
“The last three or four years we have come and played better but not got anything, that is the way it goes sometimes,” United skipper Ryan Giggs said.
“Liverpool wanted to put on a performance because of the occasion and they did that. They played well, but we can play better.”
One of the fiercest rivalries in world football was briefly put to one side before kickoff as players and fans from both clubs respectfully marked a tribute to those killed in the Hillsborough tragedy.
Even the race row between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra was finally put to bed as they shook hands before kickoff.
Once the whistle went, however, it was Liverpool who settled down quicker, controlling the much of the first period.
The first flashpoint came after 39 minutes when Liverpool’s impressive young midfielder Shelvey lunged in feet first in a 50-50 tackle with Jonny Evans and was shown a red card.
United again looked half asleep as Johnson surged into the area and when the ball looped up to Gerrard the England skipper had time to slam a precise left-footed volley past Anders Lindegaard.
It sparked wild celebrations around Anfield but they were soon silenced when Rafael equalised six minutes later, curling a shot beyond the reach of Reina from a tight angle.
Making their extra man count, United began to enjoy more possession although Liverpool, despite being down to 10 men, continued to show the greater hunger.
But Valencia seized possession in his own half and set off on a blistering run that was ended by the lunge of Johnson.
The Gunners were the better side in the first half though found themselves 1-0 down at the interval after Joleon Lescott headed the home team into the lead.
City became the dominant force after the break, but conceded an 85th minute equalizer after Laurent Koscielny rifled home from inside the box.
The result extends City and Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season, though both have now drawn three games out of their opening five Premier League fixtures.
Roberto Mancini recalled Sergio Aguero to the City starting lineup at the expense of Carlos Tevez while Koscielny made his first start of the season for the visiting side with captain Thomas Vermaelen ruled out by illness. (Agencies)