Reds down United in Cup final

CARDIFF: Liverpool enjoyed one of the most memorable days in their recent history yesterday,  when they beat arch-rivals Manchester United 2-0 to win the League Cup football final and secure a place in next season’s UEFA Cup.

Goals near the end of each half, at the Millennium Stadium from Steven Gerrard (39) and Michael Owen, (86), gave them a deserved victory over United and secured their sixth piece of silverware under French coach Gerard Houllier and a record seventh success in the competition. The win also lifted some of the gloom surrounding Anfield following a dramatic slump in their domestic league form over the last three months, which has brought them just two wins in their last 16 league matches. Houllier, who paid tribute to his keeper Jerzy Dudek, told Sky Sports: “We’ve beaten a good team today, it was a good Manchester United, don’t get me wrong. “Jerzy was the hero at times. I told him before the fixture ‘Today it will be your match.’” As for the significance of the win, which carries a UEFA Cup place, he said: “It will probably get us a bit of relief. I think we can play in the Premiership with less pressure on us because we know we’ll be in Europe, so let’s go now for the best.” Owen told Sky Sports: “That was the first real chance I had in the match — but you have to play until the 90th minute. “I’m delighted for everyone, for the fans who made the long journey down and the players — we have taken a bit of stick this year, we haven’t had a great year.”

Liverpool were always more determined and lively than United in what has become a happy “second home” for them. Yesterday’s win was their third here after victories in the 2001 League and FA Cup finals. They also beat Manchester United 2-1 in Cardiff in the 2001 Charity Shield match. Alex Ferguson’s team created enough chances, especially in the second half to earn Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek the “Man of the Match” Award, but overall, Liverpool were more incisive and took their chances when they came. Gerard’s booming 30-metre drive in the 39th minute, which took a deflection off David Beckham as he tried to block it, looked to have settled the clash which only came to life after his goal, following a largely scrappy opening half. But Owen, whose two late goals sank Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup final, raced away on the break after Rio Ferdinand, United’s 30-million pound England defender, had given away the ball on the halfway line, to fire a second past Fabien Barthez and put the result beyond doubt.  United went close to an equaliser just before the interval when a shot from Juan Sebastian Veron was punched clear by Dudek and a follow-up shot from Paul Scholes was cleared off the line by Stephane Henchoz. Ruud van Nistelrooy twice forced excellent saves from Dudek in the second half, but Beckham, Veron and Wales’ most famous footballing son Ryan Giggs failed to deliver for United who were well-beaten in the end. Owen, who tucked home his 19th goal of a season, sent Liverpool’s fans into raptures with most of them forgetting the disappointing season they have endured so far.