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Liverpool 2 Manchester United 0: Fergie bullish despite defeat
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was in bullish mood after his side's 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end at Anfield.
Goals from Fernando Torres and substitute David Ngog secured a 2-0 victory for Liverpool after a run of four successive defeats.
United, who remain two points behind Chelsea, entertain Blackburn on Saturday after travelling to Barnsley in the Carling Cup tomorrow.
While Ferguson admitted the best side came out on top, he said: "Part of the challenge is to get over disappointments.
"Last season we lost at home 4-1 to Liverpool which was a travesty but we went on to win the league."
Arsene Wenger warned his young Arsenal side cannot continue to miss "major opportunities" like at West Ham if they are to go on to deliver the Barclays Premier League title.
The Gunners had looked in complete control at Upton Park yesterday following first-half goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas.
However, Carlton Cole pulled a goal back when rookie Italian keeper Vito Mannone pushed a free-kick into the six-yard box, before substitute Alessandro Diamanti netted a late penalty after Alex Song was adjudged to have tripped the England striker.
West Ham finished with 10 men when Scott Parker was shown a second yellow card, but were not to be denied a much-needed positive result as England keeper Robert Green - somewhat at fault for the opener - produced a fine reaction save from van Persie's bullet header during stoppage time.
While the draw moved Arsenal up into third on goal difference above north London rivals Tottenham, whom they host next Saturday, a fifth straight league win would have capitalised more on Manchester United's defeat at Liverpool and closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to three points, with a match in hand.
"It is very frustrating," said Wenger.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson sprang to the defence of striker Bobby Zamora whose glaring second-half miss almost cost his side dear against Manchester City.
Zamora skied a 47th-minute effort from six yards with the goal at his mercy after Clint Dempsey's initial effort had been parried into his path by Shay Given.
It was a miss destined to go down in bloopers compilations and looked to have swung the game in City's favour as Joleon Lescott and Martin Petrov swept Mark Hughes' men ahead.
But the lively Zamora played a full part in his side's improbable recovery with Damien Duff and Dempsey with the goals which gave the Cottagers a deserved point.
Hodgson said: "Unfortunately people who watch on the TV will see the miss and they won't see the 96 minutes and 45 seconds in which he was absolutely magnificent."
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Weather for Halifax
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
