Sturridge sinks United

Daniel Sturridge provided a fitting tribute to the memory of Bill
Shankly with a fourth-minute winner in the 1-0 victory over Manchester
United that maintained Liverpool’s 100 per cent start to the Barclays
Premier League season.
In contrast, Manchester United Manager, David Moyes, endured a depressing day.
Moyes failed to claim a hoped-for first win at Anfield following 12
unsuccessful visits with Everton.
Liverpool’s match-winner against Stoke and Aston Villa on the Reds’
perfect opening to the season, Sturridge bagged another as the hosts
made a lightning start.
The former Chelsea man had already given warning of his threat when he
seized on the loose ball after Jordan Henderson had harassed Ashley
Young into a mistake.
Rio Ferdinand turned away his shot on that occasion.
But when Daniel Agger leapt highest at the corner, Sturridge was
afforded far too much room inside the six-yard area to turn the ball
home.
Robin van Persie was not far away with an overhead kick after Patrice
Evra had knocked down a Ryan Giggs free-kick, but largely it was an
opening period of unremitting frustration for the visitors.
Van Persie was one of three United players cautioned and the half
ended with an angry exchange of words between Steven Gerrard and Van
Persie, whose focus appeared to have slipped somewhat after an earlier
tangle with Agger.
United did return with a bit more purpose at least.
Michael Carrick started to find his passing range, which allowed
Young, and then his replacement Nani to threaten from wide positions.
Nani forced Simon Mignolet into his best save of the match 15 minutes
from time, just before Johnson became the latest member of Hodgson’s
squad to depart, limping pretty badly after a crunching clash with
Evra.