The 180th time Manchester Uited and Liverpool went head to head and boy was it a game that will be remembered for years to come?! The first half lacked excitment. A few pieces of action now and again but not much to jump out your seat. United's number 10 Wayne Rooney had a penalty shout when Martin Skrtel apparently had a hold of his shirt although the reply showed Rooney with his hand on Skrtel's back. 'El Nino' or Torres (as the opposition know him) had a chance to put his side in front, a perfect run and perfect positioning as he recieved the ball at the edge of the box but an initial shot failed to make Van Der Sar work. The first half, despites its lack of excitment, did see a goal. Giggs whipped in a corner which reach Dimitar Berbatov (whom was being held all over by the Spainiard Torres) but  he still managed to header the ball past Reina and bury home the opener for United.
       The second half was by far the most exciting 45 minutes the Barclays Premiership has seen so far this season, in my opinion. It too had a slow start but it only took 15 minutes after the restart for United's Bulgarian star to get his and United's second. This time an absolute beauty. Fletcher played a fantastic ball over the top to Luis Nani, who then found Berbatov lurking in the 18 yard box. Berbatov took a touch with his knee then made an astonishing over-head kick against the bar and past Pepe Reina, amazing! Happy faces around Old Trafford (but for how long?) 3 minutes after Berbatov's moment of magic Liverpool were awarded a penalty. Torres making a good run in the box and an even better turn past Evans who then brought him down. Gerrard stepped up and knocked it past Van Der Sar, a well struck penalty. The momentum was now in Liverpool's favour. Less than 10 minutes after Gerrard's first he added another this time a free kick. O'Shea pulled down Torres and recieved a yellow card. Gerrard hit the free kick with pin point precision, curling past the United wall. A very well executed set piece. 'Stevie G' then kissed the camera as you may remember he did two seasons ago at OT. Conceding two goals in 10 minutes isn't the best confidence for United's defence but the held on for a good while (15 minutes) until United found their winner. United's winner was scored by their saviour Dimitar Berbatov. The first United player to score a hat-trick in this fixture for over 60 years. John O'Shea crossed into Berbatov who then headed the winner. The momentum pendulum was swinging and staying with Manchester United. The goal was scored on 84 minutes and United held on to win the game. Next up United face a League cup fixture away to Scunthorpe whilste Northampton Town are on the recieving end of this upset for Liverpool, good luck Northampton (you'll need it!) So at the end of the day distraught for Liverpool, delight for Man United and 'da match ball' for Dimitar Berbatov.
         

Exceptional fotball at Excelsior stadium

A game which included 8 yellow cards, 2 red cards and 2 goals. Airdrie versus Brechin has never been a dull encounter. Airdrie United whom have partly Brechin to blame for there relegation last season. When Airdrie finished 9th last year they were up against Brechin in the play-offs, unfortunateley for the Glasgow side they lost both encounters. Losing 2-1 in the first leg Airdrie then hosted Brechin in the 2nd leg losing 1-0 that time round. Airdrie had a goal chopped off, the goal was a replica of Frank Lampards shot against Germany, Airdrie then had another shot blocked off the line by the hand of City man Steven Canning. So you can see Airdrie's frustration with the "Hedgemen". Well new look Airdrie weren't wanting another beating from City. Brechin started possitive with good passing and long balls which eventually created a great chance for City's number 9, Rory McAllister, who couldn't find the net. A one two with "Chukie" King and a shot which was well saved by Airdries number 1 Szpilcynski. Brechin did break the deadlock 23 minutes in, on-loan Callum Booth played a fantastic ball across the pitch to Rory McAllister who kept the ball then released Kevin Byers, Byers cut out to the left then hit a left footed shot which curled round Szpilcynski. Just before the half time whistle Airdrie had a free kick fantastically saved by City goalkeeper Craig Nelson . It only took 3 minutes to change the game for Airdrie. 8 minutes after the restart an Airdrie corner which worried the Brechin defence reached the head of Scott Gibson and he headed home the equalizer. 3 minutes after the goal Rory McAllister saw a second yellow for a tackle on keeper Szpilcynski, however there were arguements whether it was a bad tackle or an unfortunate 50/50. As it was a second booking City will not be able to appeal against it, meaning Rory will unfortunateley miss the important fixture at home to Livingston. Charlie King then had a chance to put the game to bed for City but failed to convert a one on one chance with the keeper. King then had another chance to put Brechin into the lead as he was agian one on one, this time he passed it to Jamie Redman whos shot was cleared off the line twice. Airdries scorer Scott Gibson was then sent off with a second bookable offence for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Doing this he conceded a free kick which was beautifully struck by Charlie King and very well saved by the United goalkeeper. This was the last exciting movement of the game, a draw leaves just one team (East Fife) between Airdrie and Brechin in the table. Brechin 4th with 9 points and Airdrie 6th with 6 points. Next week Airdrie host Peterhead whilst Brechin have a tough game at home to Livingston.