United beats Liverpool as City, Arsenal draw


LONDON (AP) ― Robin van Persie ended Manchester United’s five-year wait for a win at Liverpool on Sunday, and Arsenal maintained its unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a draw at Manchester City.

Van Persie converted a late penalty kick to clinch a 2-1 victory at Anfield after both teams had paid tribute before the game to the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

It was the first game at Anfield since the release of a report into the tragedy that exposed the police cover-up and exonerated Liverpool fans.

In the emotionally charged match, United was a man up from the 39th minute on when Jonjo Shelvey was sent off.

Captain Steven Gerrard managed to give Liverpool the lead with a volley at the start of the second half ― only for Rafael da Silva to tie the score.

Van Persie’s winner prolonged Liverpool’s worst start to a season in more than a century, while lifting United to second.

City is another three points back after Joleon Lescott’s header put the champions ahead in the first half. But then they failed to clear a late corner, allowing Laurent Koscielny to give Arsenal a 1-1 tie.

Also, Jermain Defoe’s winner gave Tottenham a 2-1 win against Queens Park Rangers and Demba Ba gave Newcastle a 1-0 victory over Norwich.Spain

The Spanish league game between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano was postponed because the field lights at Vallecas stadium failed to work adequately in a presumed case of sabotage.

Rayo president Raul Martin Presa says unidentified “vandals” had “cut the cables” on some of the light towers at his club’s stadium and “unfortunately, because of an act of sabotage, we won’t be able to stage the game.” The game was called off less than an hour before it was due to begin after technicians failed to repair the damage. Presa says the match will be played Monday if the stadium’s wiring can be fixed.

Victor Casadesus scored a goal and set up another to help Mallorca beat Valencia 2-0, lifting it within four points of Barcelona.

Italy

AC Milan’s woeful start to the season got worse as it fell to a 2-1 defeat at struggling Udinese after having two players sent off in Serie A.

The loss heaped more pressure on Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, although he remained defiant despite starting the season with one win and three defeats.

Elsewhere, Sampdoria and Napoli both failed to maintain their perfect starts to the season as they were held to ties against Catania and Torino, respectively.

France

French league leader Marseille maintained its perfect start to the season with a 1-0 win at home to Evian, with Morgan Amalfitano scoring in the 33rd minute to extend the team’s winning streak to six matches in the league.

Marseille is now closing in on Lyon’s record of eight successive wins at the start of the 1936-37 season.

Also, Chakhir Belghazouani’s stoppage-time strike snatched a 2-2 tie for AC Ajaccio at Bordeaux.