This is especially so given his burgeoning understanding with Sheringham who, once again, is drawing the best from a partner "Teddy is a great footballer," Evans said. He had a lean spell before he was successful, he nearly went - so people say - but they stuck with him and he stuck at it."Was this a plea to his own board, or a salutary reminder? Either way, there was another example on show of the virtue of patience: Andy Cole, who is rapidly emerging as the most likely understudy to Alan Shearer.He is unfortunate that England do not play again until February but, if he is still in this form it will be impossible not to choose him. Liverpool, with two teenagers and no one over 27, averaged 24."It hurts to lose to them even more than losing to Everton," Evans said, "because they are major rivals Fergie's done a fantastic job. "They are a young side," said Ferguson of Liverpool, and, although United are perceived as young, he was right. United had four players under the age of 23 on Saturday, but experience ran through their spine (Peter Schmeichel-Gary Pallister-Ronnie Johnsen-Teddy Sheringham, all 28 or over) and their average age was 26. David Beckham, linking the play, closing people down, scoring a marvellous goal, symbolised their combination of poise and graft. No spice boy this, nor his team-mates - can anyone recall one of Alex Ferguson's players wearing coloured boots as, in the recent past, John Barnes, Stan Collymore and Michael Thomas have for Liverpool?There are signs that Evans is getting Liverpool's egos under control - though signing Paul Ince probably has not helped - but more time is needed.

"Everything is very simple, they work hard for each other and work well as a team. That is the essence of all the great teams I have known here."This team has a great chance to be successful in Europe - their other teams that won the championship in recent years haven't quite been equipped to do that."United did everything together - even when they conceded a penalty, Michael Owen was crunched simultaneously by Nicky Butt and Phil Neville. As Roy Evans said later, out of honesty rather than expiation, "you have to give credit to the opposition - they are an excellent team."Evans is not alone in believing that the current United side is the best of the Ferguson era and, though he would not compare them to the great Liverpool sides - "I will always be biased" - he recognised similar qualities."They believe they are going to win games and have the confidence that springs from that," he said. It is hard to be generous when suffering from envious poverty and the current crowd are more likely to condemn their own team than acclaim others but, on Saturday, a significant number made an exception.

Almost as telling was the relative absence of boos for their own side from the rest of the ground. For 20 minutes the north end of Anfield's Main Stand had been taunted by the celebratory chants of the away support to their left. Now, their torment ended by the final whistle, they responded by recognising Manchester United's quality. In times past, Liverpool supporters were recognised for their generosity of spirit - but in those days they were winning. Liverpool 1 Manchester United 3 It was only a ripple of applause but it had the impact of a thunderclap.

"They were magnificent," Dallaglio said afterwards.Even then, England's supporters may not have believed that the chance of victory was real, but it was within grasp until Jeff Wilson's tackle prevented a try. When Grayson's third penalty tied the match it had the understandable effect of a triumph.Still a lot of work for England to do - "As a one-off performance it was OK but we have to sustain it game after game against these guys," the England coach, Clive Woodward, said sensibly - but a stirring game As the man said, bloody marvellous.. Down but not out, England piled back into the contest, dredging up their last reserves of energy Like never before the Twickenham crowd was behind them. All over bar the shouting you thought, the battle anthem silenced A lone voice broke it. "Come on England," someone shouted, and the cry was taken up in a second.The came the the most stirring twist in a match that will go down in memory. Given the All Blacks' reputation, England's 23-9 lead did not look unassailable, and tackling had already taken a great deal out of Neil Back, Dallaglio and Richard Hill, who gave an outstanding performance.After England had been worn down by Jonah Lomu's battering, Mehrtens crossed for a simple try, and when Walter Little carved a route through three defenders New Zealand were ahead for the first time.

"It really does look as the old conservative way of playing has been abandoned. If so only good can come of it."The view held generally at half-time was that England could expect a second-half onslaught and might buckle as they did last week against South Africa. Time waits for no player, and it had not slowed respectfully to a crawl for Brooke and the other All Black veteran, Frank Bunce. As New Zealand found England ever in their faces, one error begat another. Complacency became frustration, much of it the result of England's splendidly positive attitude.Respected voices were raised in praise for England's improvement. "At last they are realising the importance of keeping the ball in hand and having the fly-half standing flatter so that he can provide better service," a former international said.