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 Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 1:58 am Post subject: Liverpool 1 Manchester C 0 |
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November 25, 2006
STEVEN GERRARD'S ferocious long-range strike allowed Liverpool overcome a battling Manchester City.
The Kop skipper scored a cracker in the Champions League in midweek, and more than matched it with the goal that broke City's defiance.
Liverpool have now stretched their unbeaten home league record to 23 games back to October 2005 while City have now won just one of their last 19 away league games.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez hailed his talkisman's efforts after the match.
Benitez said: "He is now playing well, happier when he scores goals and happier with his performances generally.
"This is the positive message from him now, he can get better and better.
"It was certainly important for him to score his first in the Premiership this season.
"It will give him more confidence and he is a player of such quality we know he can do things like that.
England boss Steve McClaren was at Anfield to see Micah Richards start on the left of midfield despite impressing at right-back on his England debut last week.
Liverpool had the first chance when Richard Dunne misplaced a header and Dirk Kuyt fed Peter Crouch.
But Richards' England team-mate managed to waste the chance by lifting a shot over Nicky Weaver's bar.
Boudewijn Zenden saw a 20-yard effort drift wide, but after 18 minutes Steven Gerrard went much closer, his effort flashing past a post.
City responded when Hatem Trabelsi burst down the right but as he reached the area he rushed his effort and put the ball into the Kop.
Those same fans were soon on their feet giving old favourite and City substitute Dietmar Hamann a remarkable ovation as he warmed up.
City went close after 25 minutes when Richards' pass found Bernardo Corradi who produced a clever drag-back to gave him the space for a shot which went wide.
Liverpool should have taken the lead after 32 minutes when Hyypia's 60-yard crossfield pass dropped into the box for Luis Garcia.
The ex-Barcelona man moved in on Weaver, but he managed to hit the side-netting from six yards.
Ten minutes later, Kuyt found Garcia on the edge of the box, but his weak effort from a good position failed to trouble Weaver.
The pressure intensified as Liverpool attacked the Kop, but they continued to find Distin and Dunne in defiant mood.
City were containing them well and Liverpool clearly needed to change their method of attack.
Benitez chose to replace Luis Garcia with Pennant on 59 minutes.
Almost immediately City wasted a good chance when Darius Vassell surged at the heart of Liverpool's defence.
When the ball was only partially cleared to Corradi his low drive flew just wide.
After Reyna fired wide from 18 yards Benitez had to act.
On 65 minutes he sent on Robbie Fowler for Crouch.
But as all too often with the Reds, it was their talisman Gerrard who stamped his mark on the game.
Kuyt robbed Distin and the Liverpool skipper surged onto the ball and blasted it past Weaver from 20 yards.
That goal was hard on City, so much effort having gone into their defensive defiance.
But they now had to put more into attack and Samaras was sent on after 74 minutes in place of Onuoha.
Barton was leading he fightback, taking on Gerrard and forcing City forward.
Samaras forced Jose Reina into a save at his near post and Reyna brought the Spanish keeper to his knees from 25 yards.
City sent on Stephen Ireland for Trabelsi on 85 minutes, with Liverpool replacing Kuyt with Bellamy three minutes later.
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Luis Garcia (Pennant 59), Gerrard, Zenden, Riise, Crouch (Fowler 65), Kuyt (Bellamy 89). Subs Not Used: Dudek, Paletta.
Booked: Luis Garcia, Carragher.
Goals: Gerrard 67.
Man City: Weaver, Onuoha (Samaras 74), Dunne, Distin, Thatcher, Reyna, Trabelsi (Ireland 85), Richards, Barton, Vassell, Corradi. Subs Not Used: Hart, Dickov, Hamann.
Booked: Thatcher.
Att: 44,081
Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).
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