[lfc-news] Arsenal report - PA

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PA Sport 8 May 2005
Arsenal 3 Liverpool 1

Arsenal ended Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for next season's
Champions League thanks largely to first-half goals from Robert Pires
and Jose Antonio Reyes at Highbury.

The Londoners survived a second-half fightback to virtually assure
themselves of the runners-up spot in the Barclays Premiership and rule
out any hope of the Reds snatching the fourth and final Champions League
berth from near-neighbours Everton.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard gave the visitors some hope after the
break when he scored with a long-range shot in the 51st minute but Cesc
Fabregas put the game beyond doubt with a well-worked third in added time.

Liverpool went into the game needing to win their two remaining games
and hope that rivals Everton would slip-up as they both chased the
coveted fourth place.

Rafael Benitez's side, already assured of a place in this year's final
against AC Milan in Istanbul on May 25, will not be allowed to defend
the crown as things stand should they defeat the Italians.

Liverpool were the first to seek an opening in the sunshine of north
London but Milan Baros' control let him down when Luis Garcia put him in
the clear with a delightful chipped pass inside the opening three minutes.

Arsenal had a goal ruled out in the 11th minute when Sami Hyypia gave
the balla way to Fabregas. Robin van Persie's shot was pushed into the
path of Reyes by Jerzy Dudek but the Arsenal striker was adjudged offside.

At the opposite end, John Arne Riise was prevented from opening the
scoring by Jens Lehmann while Baros was booked for handball after
knocking it past Philippe Senderos and firing into the net through the
legs of the Arsenal goalkeeper.

In the 20th minute Liverpool defender Djimi Traore unleashed a crisp,
low drive that Lehmann momentarily fumbled before claiming correctly at
the second time of asking.

Liverpool escaped again in the 22nd minute when a cross from Pires was
met at the far post by Lauren but Dudek pushed his side-footed volley
onto the crossbar. Seconds later Pires went close with a drive from 20
yards.

Arsenal went ahead in the 24th minute with a stunning free-kick from
Pires. The Frenchman's goal was just reward for Arsenal after Dietmar
Hamann had been yellow-carded for bringing down skipper Patrick Vieira
on the edge of the penalty area.

Arsenal were now in rampant mood and Liverpool's dream of clinching
fourth appeared to have evaporated when Reyes fired a second a goal in
the 29th minute.

The Arsenal striker took control of a pass from Fabregas and burst into
the penalty area as the Liverpool defence backed off.

Reyes then completed a fine run with a low left-footed drive into the
bottom corner of the net to put the Gunners in total control.

Arsenal's youngsters were now enjoying plenty of freedom, especially in
attack, and van Persie brought another fine save from Dudek as
Liverpool's defence failed to cope with the fluidity of the home side's
football.

Gerrard was guilty of giving the ball away to Vieira in the 44th minute
but he was rescued by Traore who stopped the Arsenal player in his
tracks with a fine tackle.

Benitez made two changes during the interval with Baros replaced by
Djibril Cisse and Harry Kewell on in place of Riise.

The changes had an immediate impact and Reyes gave away a needless
free-kick with a push in the back of Kewell on the edge of the penalty
area in the 51st minute.

It brought Liverpool back into the game when Hamann laid the ball off to
Gerrard and the England midfielder's shot cannoned off Fabregas and into
the corner of the net. The Londoners were clearly stung by Liverpool's
goal and began to increase their own tempo. In the 57th minute
Liverpool's Xabi Alonso complained he was body-checked by Vieira but
referee Graham Poll took no action.

Five minutes later a sublime ball from Gerrard put Luis Garcia clear on
goal but Ashley Cole got back to block the Liverpool player's effort.

In the 88th minute, a Gerrard free-kick was met by the towering frame of
Hyypia but the Liverpool defender's header went wide of the target.

At the other end, Gilberto squandered a clear chance to put the game
beyond Liverpool's reach when he latched on to Dennis Bergkamp's pass
but blazed his effort over the bar from an acute angle.

Fabregas made it three in added time when he finished off a fine move.
Lauren cut in from the right and squared the ball to Bergkamp who
produced a sublime first-time lay-off to the 18-year-old Spaniard, who
poked a shot past Dudek.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Senderos, Cole, Fabregas, Vieira,
Silva, Pires (Bergkamp 68), Van Persie (Edu 68), Reyes (Aliadiere 86)
Subs not used: Campbell, Almunia
Booked: none
Goals: Pires 25, Reyes 29, Fabregas 90

Liverpool: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Hamann (Smicer 68),
Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Riise (Kewell 45), Baros (Cisse 45)
Subs not used: Carson, Biscan
Booked: Hamann, Baros
Goals: Gerrard 51

Att: 38,119
Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire)

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