[Liverweb] Man City Match Report

Liverweb Match Report

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Liverpool 1 Manchester City 0

Liverpool : Reina, Finnan, Agger, Hyypia, Riise, Alonso, Gerrard(C),
Kewell, Kromkamp, Morientes, Crouch

Subs Used : Hamann for Alonso (30), Garcia for Crouch (74), Traore
for Kewell (84)

Subs Unused : Dudek, Cisse

Att : 44,121

Ref : Dermot Gallagher

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The Reds took all three points against ten man Manchester City in
this dull affair. The early kick off as usual resulted in a poor
atmosphere but a solitary goal from Harry Kewell sealed the points.
The Reds made hard work of it against a ten man side and failed to
kill this game off.
The Reds were forced in to changes again and it was Crouch who
partnered Morientes up front whilst Jan Kromkamp played the right of
midfield. The Reds won the toss and defended the Kop end in the
first half. City got the game started. The Reds were the first on
the attack though as Kewell was sent clear down the left. His deep
cross though missed everyone and James caught the ball at the back
post.

The Reds were the better side in the opening minutes and created a
few chances. Morientes saw a shot deflected wide of the goal before
Crouch headed over the bar. This was about as exciting as the first
half got sadly until the goal came.On eighteen minutes there was a
clash of heads in the middle of the City half which saw Alonso and
Barton go down. Alonso had come off the worst and ran off down the
tunnel for stitches. Barton managed to get by with a bit of
Vaseline. Alonso was only away for three minutes before he returned.
Referee Dermot Gallagher examined the wound and sent him straight
off again for more treatment.

David James made a hash of one clearance midway through the half but
no Red was quick enough or alert enough to capitalise on the error.
Joey Barton picked up his first booking of the day on the half hour.
Agger slid across well to clear a ball for a throw in and then
Barton threw his studs in to hit Agger. It was a potential bone
breaker when you see it again and he was lucky to get away with a
yellow card.

Xabi Alonso was unable to carry on in the game and Hamann replaced
him a minute later. It took Hamann until half time to get started in
the game. The only goal of the game came towards the end of the
turgid first half. Gerrard played a superb ball over Mills on forty
minutes and Kewell raced through and despatched the ball past James.
Kewell turned straight for Gerrard and the pair embraced in
celebration.

The Reds did have one more chance before half time to score but
Crouch saw his header cleared off the line. Half time came and the
Reds needed the break to re-assess how they were playing. A bigger
tempo was clearly needed. Bradley Wright-Phillips replaced Sibierski
at the break but it didn't massively help City at all. David James
got a huge round of applause as he came out for the second half
which he returned to the Kop.

Morientes went close four minutes in to the half but his shot proved
easy for James. The game changed on fifty two minutes when Barton
was sent off for a second booking. I was watching from behind Barton
so didn't see the full effect of the tackle but Sami rarely crumples
like he did. Dermot Gallagher had no hesitation in producing a
second yellow and then a Red. Barton tried to hang around to moan
but slowly walked off. City stuck with two up top now and went a
little narrower in the midfield and it was now that they slowly
started to play better.

The Reds very nearly went two up shortly after the sending off.
Kewell played in a ball which Crouch flicked through his legs but
saw it go agonisingly wide. Everyone remembered the John Barnes
version of this away at Crewe and were left to think If only. Reina
was called in to action at the other end on fifty six minutes to
expertly save from Sinclair. Sinclair volleyed to the top corner
only for Reina to push it out for a corner. It was a rare moment
when Sinclair saw the ball. Sporting a face mask it seemed to hinder
Sinclair in the game as time and again he misjudged the ball.

Just short of the hour mark City really should have got the scores
level. They played a great ball through the middle of Hyypia and
Agger and Samaras raced on to it but with Reina out to narrow the
target the Greek striker spooned it wide. This was a huge let off
for the Reds who really needed to wake up. Playing against ten men
can be difficult but given its happened so many times already this
season we should be used to it.

Peter Crouch went close to scoring a second on sixty four minutes
but his shot beat James only to rebound back off the crossbar.
Crouch was then denied ten minutes later as James was out well to
beat away a Crouch effort. It was Crouch's last contribution as well
as he was subbed for Garcia. The Kop booed the decision - most were
expecting Morientes to go - although he'd have probably missed the
tunnel walking off anyway.

There was a scare late on for the Reds when Gerrard was sent clear.
With Richard Dunne struggling to catch up he was through on goal but
as he slowed down it gave Dunne time to get back and make an
outstanding tackle on Gerrard who then stayed down and required
treatment. Thankfully he got back up though and returned shortly
afterwards.

Djimi Traore came on for the last five minutes as a replacement for
Kewell which sent Riise to midfield. You feared a Josemi moment from
the defender at this point but thankfully the Reds controlled most
of the ball. Finally after three extra minutes of play Gallagher
blew his whistle one last time and the Reds could celebrate another
three points.

MotM : Sami Hyypia - played well at the centre of defence and stood
up to the task well against Samaras in particular. It was a very
dull game though and difficult to pick any player out at all.

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Match Stats
Liverpool Man City
62% Possession 38%
7 Shots On Target 2
7 Shots Off Target 3
5 Blocked Shots 1
12 Corners 2
5 Fouls 16
2 Offsides 1
0 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 1

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