Sky - Reds edge ahead

by Paul Higham - created on 11 Jan 2005

Liverpool hold just a slender advantage in their Carling Cup semi-final with Watford after grinding out a 1-0 win at Anfield.

Rafa Benitez's side struggled in the first half, but put in a much improved display at the start of the second period, and Steven Gerrard's 56th minute strike eventually proved the difference between the sides.

Ray Lewington's side finished the match strongly and with just one goal in it, the Championship side will fancy their chances in what promises to be an intriguing second leg at Vicarage Road in a fortnight.

Liverpool started the game brightly at a blustery Anfield, with Florent Sinama-Pongolle volleying over from close range after a good cross from Antonio Nunez.

The home side's early flourish soon burnt away and Watford visibly grew in confidence, as Hameur Bouazza stole into the box unmarked but rushed his effort, slicing the ball wide.

It did not go out of play, however, and Brynjar Gunnarsson arrived in the box with a powerful header from the resulting cross from the right, but he planted it straight at Jerzy Dudek.

Didi Hamann's cross was inviting for Neil Mellor, but he could only muster a weak effort that was easily picked up by Paul Jones.

Watford were showing more desire in the tackle and a largely disjointed and deliberate Liverpool struggled to make any inroads.

The hosts' best spell of the half came in the dying minutes, when Nunez whipped in a great ball which Neil Cox shinned over the bar with Mellor lurking behind him.

Benitez had words at half time, and they took immediate effect as Liverpool came out a much brighter side in the second period.

Mellor was slipped in by Gerrard but miss-hit his finish under pressure from Jermaine Darlington, and it was gathered by Jones.

Milan Baros was introduced for Mellor on 54 minutes, and he played a part in Liverpool taking the lead two minutes later.

Baros raced onto Pongolle's through ball down the left and his cutback was only half cleared by a combination of Cox and Jones, and Gerrard's rebound came off Cox's head on its way into the net.

Watford had lost their first half confidence and Liverpool started to dominate, but The Hornets showed they were not about to lay down and die, as Bouazza blazed over from six yards after great work from Heidar Helguson.

Baros had made a big difference to Liverpool, and he wriggled free on the edge of the box on 75 minutes, before drilling a low shot just wide.

Watford finished the match strongly and nearly wiped out Liverpool's slender advantage when Helguson raced clear two minutes from time, but Djimi Traore's superb late interception denied him a shot at goal.

The Reds held out for a 1-0 win to take into the second leg, although it is sure to be a tough match down at Vicarage Road.