[Liverweb] Portsmouth Match Report

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Liverweb Match Report

Liverpool 3 Portsmouth 0

Liverpool : Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock, Zenden,
Garcia, Gerrard (C), Hamann, Crouch, Cisse

Subs Used : Morientes for Garcia (22), Alonso for Cisse(69), Josemi
for Gerrard (83)

Subs Unused : Dudek, Traore

Att : 44,394

Ref : P.Walton

Goals : Zenden 22, Cisse 38, Morientes 79

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Well that has to be the easiest and dullest 3-0 win we'll have this
season. As I write this I'm shocked that Alain Perrin is still in a
job. Portsmouth were the worst side so far at Anfield and the score
flattered the visitor's. With a Champions League game coming up this
week this was ideal a we certainly shouldn't be tired after this
match.

The two sides came out on a cold and sharp Saturday afternoon with
the Reds looking for their third straight league win. The Reds lost
the toss and were forced to attack the Kop end in the first half.
From very early on you could see how poor Portsmouth were and this
game was there for the taking. The Reds kicked off and were on the
attack early doors. The first great chance of the day fell to Peter
Crouch on twelve minutes when he headed a Gerrard corner to the Kop
goal only to see Ashdown put up an instinctive arm to deflect the
ball away. Four minutes later and Cisse headed goalwards from Finnan
but his one was to weak for a goal.

Luis Garcia took a bad knock shortly after and was hobbling around
for ages. The lack of activity on the bench for me was poor as no-
one seemed to realise he wouldn't be able to continue. You really
got the gist when he just didn't want the ball played to him.
Finally midway through the half Morientes came on in place of him
and pushed Cisse out right.

The Reds took the lead shortly after a penalty was awarded. Bolo
Zenden cut in from the left side and megged his man before falling
down. Our first reaction was 'get up son' but then we heard the
whistle from the ref and he gave a penalty. We were completely
shocked but then Crouchy went over to grab the ball. With Cisse
standing on the penalty spot waiting for the ball Crouch took
command. Crouch stepped up and hit the kick in the ideal place for a
keeper to save. However Zenden followed in the rebound and headed
home despite a late attempt to save it by Vignal.

Crouch got away with the spot kick but he certainly didn't let it
get to him. Three minutes later Crouch showed that he's been
watching too many Cisse videos lately as he attempted an overhead
kick from the edge of the box. At the other end Portsmouth simply
weren't causing any problems to the Reds. They had one feeble shout
for a penalty but Viafara just fell over as he got to the box.

The Reds doubled their lead six minutes before half time through
Djibril Cisse but there's no way he intended to score for me. He
broke down the right and went to cross the ball towards Morientes
and Crouch in the middle. He misjudged his cross but suddenly
Ashdown started flapping at it and it sailed over his head and into
the back of the net. Cisse knew it wasn't meant and you could see
that from his celebration but the goal was welcome all the same.

The second half was pretty much a none event to be honest. The Reds
knew they were home and dry whilst playing in second gear so why
over exert. Peter Crouch went through on goal ten minutes into the
half but his shot from the edge of the area was saved by Ashdown and
it just wasn't gonna happen from the lad. He's trying really hard to
score and the main thing is he's not hiding away. He's there in the
position to score it just needs to go in.

The nearest Portsmouth came to scoring in the match was on sixty
eight minutes as they won a header from a corner. Reina half saved
it and Finnan completed the job by clearing off the line. The Reds
brought on Xabi Alonso for Cisse just after this to alter things
around a bit - Gerrard went right midfield but the game simply was
dull. One very noticeable part of the afternoon though was the
lovely Red sky over the top of the Kop stand. Yes that's how dull
the game was - we watched the sky go Red.

The Reds did finally get a third goal on seventy nine minutes thanks
to Morientes. Finnan crossed the ball to the back post. Crouch
knocked it down and between Hyypia and Morientes the ball was
brought under control and Nando smacked it home for a third goal on
the day. Portsmouth fans were still singing away determined at least
to enjoy the long trip to Anfield. Josemi came on for Gerrard and
Carra took the captains armband on. One minor late scare in the game
came when Alonso limped off after a tackle in the centre circle. Not
able to carry on Alonso limped down the tunnel to leave the Reds
with ten men for the remaining three minutes.

Overall this was dull but certainly job done for the Reds which was
important. You can only beat what is put in front of you at the end
of the day as well so the Reds win was good from that respect.
Crouch is going to score one day soon and he deserves credit on this
because he had the guts to heap pressure on himself to score with
the penalty and even after the miss his head stayed up and he had
chances.

MotM : Bolo Zenden - best game for the Reds so far. Bolo was
involved throughout the game and worked hard going either outside or
inside his man. When you come in to the side it's important to work
hard and play to stay there and that's exactly what the Dutch man
did.

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Match Stats
Liverpool Portsmouth
66% Possession 34%
8 Shots On Target 4
3 Shots Off Target 2
2 Blocked Shots 1
5 Corners 5
7 Fouls 8
3 Offsides 1
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0

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