(from Supplement front page)

However, McManaman, whose close-range shot was kept out by Gary Neville. Cole, allowed a free header as he met Giggs's short cross, came close to increasing United's lead soon afterwards, but Liverpool were imposing themselves and looked the more likely to score.

Briefly it seemed that their best moves would merely exaggerate how blatant their misses were. After 36 minutes a shrewd lob forward from Murphy coincided with a clever angled run by McManaman which left him clear and onside with only Schmeichel to beat. McManaman then undid the good work by wafting the ball over the bar.

Within a minute, however, they were level. Again Murphy played an important role, beating Johnsen in the air and nodding the ball towards the United area, but the danger would have been minimal had Gary Pallister and Schmeichel not left the tidying up to each other. Owen darted in to score. Then he was off.

Early in the second half a deft flick of Murphy's instep sent in Oyvind Leonhardsen, but Schmeichel's speed off his line denied Liverpool the lead and thereafter defence became their priority. At the last Rob Jones cleared a header from Cole off the line and Scholes shot narrowly wide, but a winner for United then would have done scant justice to Liverpool's spirit and, for once, their organisation at the back.

Manchester Utd: Schmeichel, G Neville, Irwin, Johnsen (May 43), Pallister, Beckham, Butt, Cole, Giggs (Thornley 38), P Neville (Sheringham 65), Scholes. Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Berg. Booked: Butt. Goals: Johnsen 12.

Liverpool: Friedel, Jones, Matteo, Babb, Harkness, McManaman, Redknapp, Ince, Leonhardsen, Owen, Murphy (Berger 75). Subs Not Used: James, Kvarme, Thomas, Carragher. Sent Off: Owen (40). Booked: Owen, Leonhardsen. Goals: Owen 36.

Referee: G Poll (Tring).