Robin van Persie's late penalty secured Manchester United's first Anfield win since December 2007 against 10-man Liverpool as the visitors triumphed 2-1 on an emotional afternoon on Merseyside.
The Reds were hosting their first game since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report - which absolved the club's supporters of any responsibility for the 1989 disaster. And in a poignant pre-match tribute to those who lost their lives, both sides wore tracksuit tops donning the number 96, with respective skippers Steven Gerrard and Nemanja Vidic helping to release 96 red balloons into the Merseyside air.
On the pitch there was one issue to deal with before the opening whistle as Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra shook hands to put an end to their public fallout. The Reds then lost Jonjo Shelvey to a straight red card six minutes before half-time after the Liverpool man recklessly lunged in on Jonny Evans - although the United man was every bit as guilty for the same offence.
Liverpool still managed to take the lead as Steven Gerrard volleyed home a 46th-minute opener but it lasted all of four minutes though as United were suddenly sparked into life, equalising through a super left-footed strike from Rafael.
Despite continuing to dominate, Brendan Rodgers' side were thwarted in their attempts to snatch a winner and were made to pay for their profligacy when Johnson felled Antonio Valencia with 11 minutes remaining. Van Persie dispatched the spot-kick through the powderpuff hands of Pepe Reina.
