All the talk was about the thrilling 3-3 draw between Chelsea and Manchester United. The Red Devils' powers of recovery were once again apparent when they had looked down and out following a four-minute blitz by Chelsea.
Everyone remarked that only Manchester United is capable of coming back and clinching a draw from the jaws of defeat. However, back in 1994, after a strong United scored three times within the first 24 minutes, Liverpool staged a colossal comeback and grabbed a well deserved draw on that eventful day. So anything United can do, Liverpool can do too.
Footymatters.com captured that remarkable match nicely in this brief summary,
LIVERPOOL 3-3 MANCHESTER UNITED
January 4, 1994.
Liverpool: Grobelaar; Jones, Wright, Ruddock, Dicks, McManaman, Redknapp, Barnes, Clough, Rush, Fowler.
Manchester United: Schmeichel; Parker, Bruce, Pallister, Irwin, Kanchelskis, Keane, Ince, Giggs, Cantona, McClair
An oft-recalled classic from the early years of the Premier League saw top of the table United in all black face a Liverpool side struggling in ninth, 21 points behind their bitter opponents.
United were already at this point starting to assert their dominance on the domestic game. It was the midpoint of the season and they’d only lost once. Having won the league the previous year for the first time in 26 years they’d go on to do the double at the end of this season.
Liverpool, featuring the likes of Julian Dicks and veteran eccentric Bruce Grobbelaar between the sticks, were having their worst season in over 15 years and this was to be one of their final games under Graeme Souness’ management.
It took United only nine minutes to take the lead, when a vaguely young looking Steve Bruce headed in a deep cross from Eric Cantona. Eleven minutes later Ryan Giggs beat Mark Wright to a short ball by Jamie Redknapp and ran through to sublimely chip over Grobelaar and double their lead. Only four minutes later and it was 3-0 thanks to Denis Irwin’s stunning free-kick.
United were on fire and Liverpool had barely got out their own half. Cue the immediate start of a comeback, triggered by an optimistic 30-yard drive by Nigel Clough that fizzed into the bottom corner just a minute after Irwin’s goal.
Clough had endured a frustrating time at Anfield since his move from Nottingham Forest 18 months earlier, but he notched his second with a sharp finish in the 38th minute to bring a sensational first half’s scoring to a close.
Both teams created further chances but it wasn’t until the 79th minute that Neil Ruddock charged into the box to head a cross from Stig Bjornebye past Peter Schmeichel and complete the fightback to rapturous home applause. A feast of entertainment, and note, only three starters from overseas.
Liverpool, in recent times, have been at their best when they have their backs against the walls. With the added motivation of ensuring Suarez goes one-up against Evra, the Reds players need no further push to go out and produce another memorable win over their most bitter rivals.
I am just praying that there will be no silly sending-off as has been the case in recent Utd-Liverpool clashes.
I am just praying that there will be no silly sending-off as has been the case in recent Utd-Liverpool clashes.
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5 comments:
Man Utd did it as an away team!
Man Utd did it as an away team with an extra man on the pitch.
Liverpool did it in the final of the Champions League
we are talking about present tense. That feat by Liverpool was like, 18 years ago? Since then MU became the powerhouse of English football; when did Liverpool won the EPL again?
With the referee, you get some you lose some.
Can't expect to get the decision in your favour all the time, can you?
i hate scouser c*nts but that CL final was memorable and played on a very visible stage. (I put the CL finals right after WC and Euros)
you can blame the italians for choking but at that level and in a match of taht importance, it is simply unbeatable.
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