Soccer: Liverpool and Man Utd in stalemate

LONDON - Liverpool and Manchester United played out a dull 0-0 draw in the English premier league this morning.

There was little creative flair on show at Anfield, Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy missing the best opportunity just before halftime when he chipped the ball on to the top of the net from a tight angle.

Liverpool, the European champions, recorded their third draw in four league matches this season while United slipped seven points behind champions Chelsea, who won 2-0 at Charlton Athletic yesterday.

"The intensity of the game meant you could see it had 0-0 written all over it from early in the match," United manager Alex Ferguson said.

"We showed good professionalism and good composure but maybe lacked a bit of cutting edge."

Liverpool improved in the second half and their captain Steven Gerrard tested United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar with a fierce long shot.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, whose side have scored only one goal and conceded none in four league games, was satisfied with the performance.

"It was a tough game, two good teams and neither team created a lot of opportunities," the Spaniard said.

"A draw was a fair result."

The match was littered with fouls and two players from each side were booked, although United's England striker Wayne Rooney, sent off in a Champions League match at Villarreal last week, escaped a yellow card.

in other matches today, Michael Owen scored his first Newcastle United goal to help them beat Blackburn Rovers 3-0 away.

Newcastle notched their first win of the season with three second-half goals, Owen finding the net with a neat header in his second game for his new club, and Bolton Wanderers needed a stoppage-time penalty to win 1-0 at Manchester City.

Striker Alan Shearer put Newcastle ahead at his former club Blackburn with a rasping 20m shot just past the hour and Owen doubled the lead four minutes later.

The England forward, who joined Newcastle from Real Madrid for more than £15 million ($39 million) last month, escaped his marker at the near post and rose to head home Charles N'Zogbia's pinpoint left-wing cross from 6m.

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor was sent off for a second yellow card but N'Zogbia added a third goal to seal an emphatic win that lifted the northeast club out of the relegation zone and eased the pressure on manager Graeme Souness.

"It is always nice to score but it was much more important for us to get the three points today," Owen said.

"Hopefully, we can go on a run now and start climbing up the table."

Bolton Wanderers climbed to fourth after inflicting Manchester City's first defeat of the campaign, veteran midfielder Gary Speed converting a penalty after defender Richard Dunne was adjudged to have handled in the area.

Promoted Wigan continued their encouraging start to the season with a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough, substitute Henri Camara cancelling out Aiyegbeni Yakubu's early goal for the visitors.

Arsenal host Everton tomorrow.

- REUTERS