Liverpool lift the cup after Wembley drama!

Sports - Football - Carling Cup Final - Cardif 2:2 Liverpool AET

Liverpool beat Cardiff 3-2 on penalties after a dramatic 120 minutes ended all evens at 2-2. Steven Gerrard's cousin Anthony missed the decisive spot-kick for the Welsh side, handing the Reds their record eighth league cup, first domestic trophy since 2006 and first cup celebration at the new Wembley. And with this Carling Cup, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish breaks another record, none other than Bill Shankly's (of seven trophies with the Reds).

Liverpool should have been walking home with the trophy with all the chances they had but wasted (22 in normal time + 5 in ET)! But Cardiff fought hard, held on and deserved the chance to grab a win from the penalty spot.

The underdogs were ahead at half time of regular play thanks to Joe Mason's fine finish. The striker had plenty of time and space in the box to send Kenny Miller's pass through Pepe Reina's legs and into the back of the net.

The goal came against the run of play as Liverpool dominated possession but wasted chance after chance, Andy Carrol and Luis Suarez the main offenders with the Uruguayan looking a shadow of his usual self.

Half an hour from regular play time, the Reds finally got something to cheer about when Martin Skrtel put the rebound of Suarez' header which came off the post through Tom Heaton's legs to make it 1:1.

Into extra time, Liverpool continued to dominate, but it took super-sub Dirk Kuyt to make the difference. Brought on in extra time, the Dutchman brought some freshness and speed to the Reds' game and his energy payed off when he netted a rebound, after a fine run. It looked like he was slipping, but he somehow got the ball in to put Liverpool aheade for the first time in the game on 108.

But Turner had a different idea and netted one of his own, right in front of the goal, Kuyt and Reina unable to stop him, to level the score at 2-2, 2 minutes from time.
His star role in the back line and on the scoreboard cam to no avail in the end thanks to three penalty misses by his side against the Reds' two misses, Reina not needing to make one save.

It was one of those dramas you will never forget, ending in Welsh tears and Scouser smiles. We will see if this is going to open the floodgates for a consistent run of trophies for Liverpool, who are still in the FA Cup and thanks to this cup win will be in Europe next season, no matter where the Reds will end in the league.

King Kenny has git his crown back, well, one little one of many more and bigger hopefully!

YNWA! For Jenny Kerwood (1989-2012)! xxx RIP xxx

1st & 2nd half stats
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 2-11 & 4-11
On target: 1-3 & 1-5
Offsides: 1-0 & 0-3
Corners: 0-4 & 0-10
Free kicks: 6-4 & 7-4
Possession: 34%-66% (17.min), 29%-71% (HT),
29.7%-70.3% (1st half), 36.8%-63.2% (2nd half)
Action Areas: Cardiff 18%-63%-19% Liverpool (HT)

ET 1st & 2nd half stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 1-3 & 4-1
On target: 0-1 & 3-1
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-1
Corners: 0-3 & 2-1
Free kicks: 1-1 & 0-0

Sky Stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Passing Success: 66.8%-84.4%
Tackles/Success: 26/80.8%-12/58.3%
Territorial Advantage: 50.2%-49.8%
Possession: 35%-65%

Penalty Shoot-Out:
Liverpool won the toss and chose to go first, at the red end of Wembley.

Liverpool: S Gerrard x, Adam x, Kuyt 1, Downing 1, Johnson 1 = 3 penalties scored, 2 missed.

Cardiff: Miller x, Cowie 1, Gestede x, Whittingham 1, A Gerrard x = 2 penalties scored, 3 missed.

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton (Blake 106), Hudson (A Gerrard 99), Turner (booked 98, scored 118), Taylor; Mason (scored 19, Kiss ET, booked 119), Whittingham, Gunnarson, Cowie; Miller, Gestede. 4-4-2
Subs not used: Marshall, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel (scored 60), Agger (Carragher 86), Enrique; Henderson (booked 52, Bellamy 58), S Gerrard, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll (Kuyt 103, scored 108). 4-4-2
Subs not used: Doni, Spearing, Kelly, Maxi.

Man of the match: Ben Turner
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Assistant Referees: Simon Beck and Mick McDonough
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

After ET & pen drama: Liverpool lift the cup!

Sports - Football - Carling Cup Final - Cardiff 2:2 Liverpol AET

ET notes:

Mason off, Kiss on, Cardiff kick off.

1 Suarez shot saved by goalkeeper, out for a corner. Suarez header cleared off the line by Taylor, how vital is that!

2 Another corner for Liverpool, Bellamy takes it, Gerrard blasts chance far, far away.

7 Good Cardiff free kick collected cooly by Reina.

8 Scuffed shot by Kiss, collected by Reina. Kiss gives away free kick with fowl on Bellamy.

9 Steven Gerrard's cousin Anthony Gerrard on for Hudson. This could get interesting!

10 Downing shot high.

12 Carroll header off corner just wide.

13 Kuyt on for Carroll who lets his hair down.

14 Bellamy right-foot curl aimed at the top corner goes wide, JUST. First real chance for the Welshman against his boyhood team.

HT 1:1, not much to write about apart from a couple of wasted chances by Liverpool.

Liverpool kick off second half of ET.

16 McNaughton off, Blake on for Cardiff.

17 Kuyt breaks free from the right, crosses to Suarez in the box who fails to control it. Argh!

18 And the Dutchman is the hero! Super-sub! His energy pays off, run, cross, nets the rebound, looked like he was slipping, but he somehow got it in. Liverpool ahead for the first time, 1-2, 107:24.

112 Turner turns one in well, blocked, long throw-in by Gunnarson, defended and headed away well by Liverpool. Gunnarson can hardly walk!

114 Gestede down, referee stops play.

117 Cardiff win a corner, their first of the game! Reina deals with it, clears it. Another corner, Reina spills it, shot cleared off the line! Another corner!

118 Turner nets it right in front of goal, Kuyt and Reina unable to stop him! Unbelievable, 2:2, 117:22! Under 3 minutes left, time for another twist?!

120 Corner for Liverpool with seconds to go... Comes to nothing... Another corner, Kuyt tries overhead kick, blocked by Cardiff, 1 minute added on... Liverpool pressing, Cardiff have all men back...

Final whistle 2:2! What a final! Penalties it is! (I'm gonna throw up...)
Liverpool should have been walking home with the trophy with all the chances they had but wasted! Cardiff held on, fought hard, deserve the chance! See notes below on the shoot-out...

ET 1st & 2nd half stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 1-3 & 4-1
On target: 0-1 & 3-1
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-1
Corners: 0-3 & 2-1
Free kicks: 1-1 & 0-0

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton (Blake 106), Hudson (A Gerrard 99), Turner (booked 98, scored 118), Taylor; Mason (scored 19, Kiss ET, booked 119), Whittingham, Gunnarson, Cowie; Miller, Gestede. 4-4-2
Subs not used: Marshall, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel (scored 60), Agger (Carragher 86), Enrique; Henderson (booked 52, Bellamy 58), S Gerrard, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll (Kuyt 103, scored 108). 4-4-2
Subs not used: Doni, Spearing, Kelly, Maxi.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Assistant referees: Simon Beck and Mick McDonough
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

Penalty shoot-out:

Liverpool win toss, so the spot kicks will be taken at the red end of Wembley.

Gerrard to take first, Heaton saves it!!! What a save!

Miller opening for Cardiff, sends Pepe the wrong way but hits the post!

AWEFUL high shot by Adam, SHOCKER!

Cowie scores, over Pepe.

Kuyt scores, sending keeper the wrong way.

Gestede hits the post!

Downing scores, keeper wrong way again, first cool one.

Whittingham scores, Pepe wrong side.

Johnson for Liverpool, hits it into the roof of the net, his first spot-kick for the Reds. Pressure on Cardiff... Another miss! By Anthony Gerrard! Family curse today! Wide on the left!
Liverpool won! Welsh tears! Scouser smiles! What a drama!

Liverpool: x x 1 2 3

Cardiff: x 1 x 2 x

Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties! Their 8th league cup, record, first domestic trophy since 2006. With this Carling Cup Kenny Dalglish breaks another record, none other than Bill Shankly's (of seven trophies with Liverpool)! YNWA

FT Summary: Cardiff 1:1 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Carling Cup final - FT Cardiff 1:1 Liverpool

2nd half notes:

Liverpool kick off the second half.

47 Free kick to Liverpool on the left, after Miller pushed Enrique, soft one, Gerrard takes it, blocked, Henderson blasts it nowhere near goal.

49 Miller shot wide, after clever flick by Cowie.

50 Suarez nicks the ball into the Cardiff box, Carroll stuck on his feet, could have had a chance there.

51 Free kick cleared, following corner cleared, Cardiff's back line tested, so far so solid. Another block, corner, Cardiff hold on tight.

52 Henderson booked for diving challenge on Mason, first yellow of the day.

55 Poor ball by Agger, Cardiff into attack, ball out for throw-in. What a bunch of wasters in red! High and far throw, punched out by Reina, rebound taken and thrown out for counter. Spaniard under pressure.

57 Fantastic tackle by McNaughton on Suarez who was just about to pull the trigger in the box, corner comes to nothing.

58 Bellamy on for Henderson, was about time for Liverpool, the Welshman is cheered by both sets of fans, goosebump moment.

60 Carroll shot off corner, Suarez heads it onto the post, Skrtel puts rebound past Cardiff defence through Heaton's legs! 59:31, 1:1! FINALLY something to cheer about for the Reds!

65 Mason pops one shot into Reina's gloves, could have been an awkward one.

66 Downing corner comes to nothing, Cardiff working hard.

67 Downing forces another corner on the right, ends in a goal kick. Finally there's some signs of hunger from the Reds.

71 Gerrard smashes into Gunnarsson who goes down injured, requires treatment. The Red skipper is lucky to get away with that one without a card to his name!

74 Skrtel volley off corner stopped by goalkeeper.

75 Carroll heads one wide, looked like he didn't have a clue where he or the ball was.

77 Now Hudson is down, with a cramp, in his box, play is stopped.

78 Downing shot from outside the box saved by Heaton, fine jump to his left.

80 Push by Downing on Miller, looked more like a slip, but free kick given, in dangerous position, goes straight into the wall. Gunnarson's long throw into box cleared.

82 Johnson puts one wide, 8 Cardiff players in front of him!

84 Cardiff get ball into box, Turner heads it just wide. Excellent chance.

86 Agger smacker held well by Heaton.

87 Carragher on for Agger. Corner taken by Liverpool comes to nothing, goal kick.

88 Golden chance again for Cardiff, goal gaping, missed again, Miller puts it high. Brilliant first touch, looked promising, 2nd touch let down.

90 Ball smacks off Clattenburg to Cardiff's advantage, Carragher not happy, gives away a free kick.

4 minutes added on.

91 Suarez onside, takes to long, wastes it wide.

92 Gerrards shoots high off corner.

94 Suarez takes ball beautifully to see it deflect out for a goal kick. Sarcastic smile by the Uruguayan.

FT 1:1 Liverpool comeback not complete after promising header by Skrtel made it 1:1, Cardiff holding on, hard! 30 minutes of extra time coming up and if it stays level it goes to penalties! 

2nd half stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 4-11
On target: 1-5
Offsides: 0-3
Corners: 0-10
Free kicks: 7-4

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor; Mason (scored 19), Whittingham, Gunnarson, Cowie; Miller, Gestede. 4-4-2
Subs: Marshall, Kiss, A Gerrard, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor, Blake

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel (scored 60), Agger, Enrique; Henderson (booked 52, Bellamy 58), S Gerrard, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll. 4-4-2
Subs not used: Doni, Carragher, Spearing, Bellamy, Kuyt, Kelly, Maxi.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Assistant referees: Simon Beck and Mick McDonough
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

HT Summary: Cardiff 1:0 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Carling Cup Final - Cardiff 1:0 Liverpool

1st half notes:

Cardiff's 1st, Liverpool's 11th League Cup final. The Welsh side kick the game off.

2 Johnson shot from outisde the box comes off the bar and bounces clear! What a start that would have been!

5 Carroll heads one over but is penalised for a push on Hudson.

6 Downing from left, wins corner, Gerrard takes it.

7 Corner headed out by Cardiff defence, another corner headed into the goalkeeper Heaton's gloves by Skrtel.

10 Miller left-foot shot high over the bar.

13 Carroll gives away another free kick in the box pushing around when Downing was taking the corner.

16 Carroll heads one way wide, could & should have made more of that! Good chance wasted.

34%-66% possession so far, Red dominance

18 Carroll header into goalkeepers gloves, AGAIN, another chance gone too wastefully. Good interplay by Liverpool beforehand.

19 Cardiff take the lead, Miller to Mason, plenty of time & space, puts it through Reina's legs, into the back of the net, 1-0 against the run of play, 18:32! Enrique was not doing his job! Absent second costs Liverpool.

24 Suarez blocked in box, Carroll blasts the ball over and out, that summarises his day so far. Useless!

27 Suarez looked like he could break but blocked again, Cardiff strong on counter, causing Liverpool plenty of headache.

28 Downing cross from left, no one there to take it, Carroll couldn't get there.

30 Enrique curls a shot from the edge of the box, wide.

32 Liverpool appeal for a handball but the ball was shot at the player, couldn't do much about it, slightest of a brush, good decision by the ref. Adam put one wide.

40 Downing from left, strong cross, Henderson blasts but misses, Gerrard blasts it high.

41 Suarez tackles himself in the crowded box, loses the ball.

43 Suarez right-foot shot easily collected by Heaton.

44 Gerrad free kick into the box, Agger heads it straight into Heaton who just about holds on to the ball. Golden chance, missed.

45 Gerrard shot blocked, slips and sends rebound shot high into the sky.

1 minute injury time added on.

Liverpool on last attack of the half, ball goes out.

HT the underdogs in the lead thanks to Joe Mason's fine finish, Cardiff 1:0 Liverpool.

1st half stats
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 2-11
On target: 1-3
Offsides: 1-0
Corners: 0-4
Free kicks: 6-4
Possession: 34%-66% (17.min), 29%-71% (HT) 
Action Areas: Cardiff 18%-63%-19% Liverpool

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor; Mason (scored 19), Whittingham, Gunnarson, Cowie; Miller, Gestede. 4-4-2
Subs: Marshall, Kiss, A Gerrard, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor, Blake

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Henderson, S Gerrard, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll. 4-4-2
Subs: Doni, Carragher, Spearing, Bellamy, Kuyt, Kelly, Maxi.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Assistant referees: Simon Beck and Mick McDonough
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

Week 25: Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League- Picks of the Weekend

Top game and team: If you wondered for one second whether Tottenham could cope with all the stress and attention around their manager, with the court case and England speculation, please join the laughing stock! The team got together and smashed their opponents to pieces 5-0! I feel sorry for Newcastle who could never have predicted what was ahead of them, after most probably favouring their chance, thinking they could catch out Spurs, that they were at a weak or crises point. The London side quickly put that to bed with three goals inside 19 minutes. Unbelievable!

Top player: Wayne Rooney made the difference at Old Trafford and got the ground rocking with two goals inside three minutes at the start of the second half. It was a scruffy, intense encounter with Liverpool matching their rivals and staying in the competition with a shout eventhough the home side dominated most of the game. But the former Evertonian stole the show, the first goal summarising his top class, an unstoppable volley off a Ryan Giggs corner.

Top goal: Thierry Henry's last minute winner for Arsenal was another one of those too-good-to-be-true goals! The Frenchman ended his return just as he started it, like a scripted dream. Jamie Mackie's late two goals, especially the second for QPR, was an unstoppable smacker and unbelievable show by the sub striker. Too little, too late though in their 3-2 defeat at Blackburn.

Top news: Harry Redknapp said a part-time role as England manager would be possible... Really?! That would be too good to be true for England. I don't think the Spurs Director quite agrees with his manager, no surprise there... :-P

Flop game: Manchester City's 1-0 win at Villa Park was not much to write home about. City dominated the game from the first second to the last minute, Joleon Lescott grabbing the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute from close range against his boyhood club. It saw Aston Villa drop down to 15th and the fans showing their frustration towards manager Alex McLeish.

Flop team: Wolves' 5-1 thrash defeat against West Brom was sad, no, annoying to watch. As soon as the first goal fell, the home side crumbled to bits. It looked like no one wanted to shoulder the blame, eventhough they were all contributors to their downfall, no one took the responsibility to grab the side and get a grip. In the end, it saw the side drop into the relegation zone and cost Mick McCarthy his job and after six successful years at the club, it is sad to see him leave. Chelsea's Andre Villas-Boas is the most likely candidate next on the sacked list after his side's dire 2-0 defeat at Everton. Pressure is moutning on the Portuguese - his side dropping out of the top four into fifth, level points with Arsenal in fourth, tehn points behind Tottenham in third.

Flop player: Luis Suarez, what were you thinking?! It was your chance to wipe the slate clean with Patrice Evra, but instead you spat on it and poked it into his face! It caused unnecessary trouble adding to the already intense rivalry and atmosphere in the game and ground. It cast an unnecessary and unwanted shadow over the game, teams and the whole competition and sport. I know apologies have now been officially given by both player and manager Kenny Dalglish and accepted by Manchester United, but there is still something crucial missing: Suarez and Evra shaking hands and drawing a line under it! Sir Alex Ferguson's post-match interview was a bit harsh (the striker should never play for the honorable Merseyside club again) but understandable. I hope the Uruguayan has slowly but surely come to his sences now!


Flop goal: The top sides' defenders seemed to be asleep this weekend. The Chelsea back line let Everton's Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi to the ball too easily, giving away open chances they both netted with thanks. David Luiz and Jose Bosingwa were especially poor, seeming completely unaware of play and where the ball is on more than one occasion. 
Liverpool's Jay Spearing and United's Rio Ferdinand both saw giveaways they will want to forget, the former losing the ball to Antonio Valencia who eventually found Rooney to net it and the latter pushing the ball ón to Saurez right in front of the goal.
Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen's own goal against Fulham was cruel, he didn't see any of it, Clint Dempsey's shot from 25 yards hitting the cross bar and bouncing off the goalkeepers back and over the line.

Flop news: Aaaaaand Carlos Tevez is back, whining on, blaiming manager Roberto Mancini and painting him as the booman... Zzzzzz...

My predictions-Actual results:

Man United 2:1 Liverpool - 2:1

Blackburn 1:1 QPR - 3:2

Bolton 4:1 Wigan - 1:2

Everton 1:0 Chelsea - 2:0

Fulham 2:0 Stoke - 2:1

Sunderland 1:1 Arsenal - 1:2

Swansea 2:0 Norwich - 2:3

Tottenham 3:1 Newcastle - 5:0

Wolves 1:2 West Brom - 1:5

Aston Villa 0:1 Man City - 0:1

Match Report: Rooney double beats Liverpool

Sports - Football - Premier League - Man United 2:1 Liverpool

Man of the match Wayne Rooney stole the show with two goals at the start of the second half which saw Manchester United beat Liverpool 2:1 at Old Trafford and return to the top of the Premier League table (for the night).

There were some ugly scenes at the end of both halves, with the saga between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra hanging over the teams after the Urugayan striker had refused to shake the United defender's hand before the match and clashes continuing into the tunnels. Shame on the players, forgetting the meaning of the word respect, you would have thought the managers would have had a word!

Moving on (as I hoped the teams would and going by their statements, they finally have), the game was more ill-spirited than tempered with only two bookings and both teams cancelling each other out, leaving the main action and possession in the centre of the field.

United bossed the game throughout but Liverpool stayed solid at the back and stubborn in the centre looking like they would not give up that easily and break and get something out of the game.

However, Rio Ferdinand's giveaway to Suarez ended up to be just a consolation goal. It spiced up the end of a game which United controlled and Liverpool held onto as much and long as they could.

But a certain former Evertonian striker had made sure the visitors would not get much out of the match, doubling his tally against the Merseysiders, smashing in a Ryan Giggs corner on 47 and tapping in an easy chance from a fine Antonio Valencia cross three minutes later after Jay Spearing lost the ball to the Ecuadorian winger.

It was not a match to write much about, if it weren't for all the ill temper of certain players, Evra's OTT-celebrations after the match right in front of Suarez not helping the matter much.

I hope now both players and managers had a chance to look back, consider and apologise their actions, we can move on and come back to what it is all about, the game and not a couple of idiots/idiotic actions that are taken out of all proportions and try to spoil and destroy the team spirit of it!

As John Barnes put it best on BBC: "...We are making a mountain out of a molehill. There are worse things happening in the world."

United: De Gea; Evra, Evans, Ferdinand, Rafael da Silva; Giggs, Scholes, Carrick (booked 80), Valencia; Welbeck, Rooney (scored 46:17 & 49:04). 4-4-2
Subs not used: Amos, Fabio da Silva, Park Ji-sung, Cleverley, Pogba, Berbatov, Hernandez.

Liverpool: Reina; Jose Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson; Downing (booked 45, Bellamy 61), Gerrard,  Spearing (Carroll 61), Kuyt (Adam 75), Henderson; Suarez (scored 79:55). 4-5-1
Subs not used: Doni, Carragher, Kelly, Shelvey.

1st & 2nd half stats:
United-Liverpool
Attempts: 6-4 & 5-3
On target: 3-2 & 3-2
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-3
Corners: 2-2 & 1-1
Free kicks: 5-4 & 5-4
Possession: 62%-38% (BBC, 22 mins), 57.8%-42.2% (Sky, 23 mins), 55.9%-44.1% (1st half, Sky), 52%-48% (BBC, 67 mins), 54.1%-45.9% (Sky, 67 mins), 47%-53% (2nd half possession up to 76. minute, Sky) , 54.6%-45.4% (2nd half, Sky), 54%-46% (FT, Sky), 47%-53% (FT, BBC).

Sky Stats:
United-Liverpool
Passing Success: 87.9%-81.7%
Tackles/Success: 23/78.3%-21/76.2%
Territorial Advantage: 50.1%-49.9%
Action Areas: United 13%-74%-13% Liverpool

Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney

2nd half notes: Rooney double beats Liverpool

2nd half notes:
United kick off the second half and win an early corner.

46:17 Rooney smashes in Giggs' corner, right footer, close enough to give Reina no chance, caught Liverpool cold, what a start to the second half! 1-0

49:04 Spearing loses the ball against Valencia who rolls it into the path of Rooney, easy finish, 2-0. The former Evertonian is running riot! Liverpool must be thinking they are in a nightmare second half! Half time team talk out the window!

56. Soft free kick by Downing, easily cleared by United. Carroll is warming up on the sideline.

58. Rooney blasts one in but the referee had already blown the whistle for a Liverpool free kick for Carrick's tackle on Downing, although it looked like he got the ball cleanly.

59. Rooney in the box, chance for a hat-trick with a challenge coming in from his left, the striker puts it wide to the right.

61. Gerrard cross into the box, Downing chests ball out, wastes chance, his last touch of the game.

Double change for Liverpool: Carroll on for Spearing, Bellamy on for Downing.

64. Rafael cross from right picked up by Reina. Nothing coming from or for Liverpool, the visitors keep on losing the ball.

65. Johnson gives the ball away to Welbeck on the left, pass to Giggs, ball cleared by Spearing.

67. Gerrard kicks Rooney's back legs and gives away a free kick.

73. Liverpool building up a little bit more pressure with Bellamy on the left, but keep losing the ball when it matters. Manchester United looking comfortable, Rooney looking for his hat-trick.

74. Welbeck shot deflected by Henderson, Reina gets his gloves on it.

75. Agger has a go, high and wide.
Last change for Liverpool: Adam on for Kuyt.

77. Carroll gives away a free kick, looking very frustrated indeed.

80. Suarez gets his body across and is brought down by Carrick, the latter sees yellow for it.

79:55 What a gift for Suarez of all people! Adam takes the free kick, Ferdinand gives the ball to the controversial Uruguayan who thankfully puts it into the back of the net. 2-1, this should make the last 10 minutes more interesting, although United are the team who have scored most goals in this late period of the game.

82. Welbeck puts a shot high in the sky, Rooney not happy.

87. Liverpool heading the ball around the United box, eventually Carroll flicks the ball on to Suarez who is flagged offside, harsh, on the line.

Liverpool not making much of the momentum of the Suarez goal.

3 minutes added on.

Bellamy takes free kick on the left, Johnson shot saved well by De Gea, finger tip save of a fine left-foot shot, corner for Liverpool, cleared. Finally some urgency by the Reds.

Suarez header! High and wide. Flagged offside anyway.

Wayne Rooney easy pick for man of the match, his two goals early in the second half the difference between the two sides.

United win a free kick in the corner with only seconds to go, win a corner, teasing Liverpool in the final seconds.

FT: 2-1 Man of the match Wayne Rooney stole the show with two goals at the start of the second half which saw United beat Liverpool at Old Trafford and return to the top of the Premier League table. There were ugly scenes at the end of both halves, with the Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra saga hanging over the teams and continuing into the tunnels. Shame on the players, forgetting the meaning of the word respect, you would have thought the managers would have had a word.
Moving on (as the teams hopefully will from here), Suarez' goal ended up to be just a consolation goal but it spiced up the end of a game which United controlled and Liverpool held onto as much and long as they could. But former Evertonian Rooney made sure the visitors would not get much out of it, doubling his tally against the Merseysiders.

1st & 2nd half stats:
United-Liverpool
Attempts: 6-4 & 5-3
On target: 3-2 & 3-2
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-3
Corners: 2-2 & 1-1
Free kicks: 5-4 & 5-4
Possession: 62%-38% (BBC, 22 mins), 57.8%-42.2% (Sky, 23 mins), 52%-48% (BBC, 67 mins), 54.1%-45.9% (Sky, 67 mins), 47%-53% (2nd half possession up to 76. minute, Sky) , 54%-46% (FT, Sky), 47%-53% (FT, BBC).
Action Areas: United 13%-74%-13% Liverpool

United: 1 De Gea; 3 Evra, 6 Evans, 5 Ferdinand, 21 Rafael da Silva; 11 Giggs, 22 Scholes, 16 Carrick (booked 80), 25 Valencia; 19 Welbeck, 10 Rooney (scored 46:17 & 49:04). 4-4-2
Subs not used: 40 Amos, 20 Fabio da Silva, 13 Park Ji-sung, 23 Cleverley, 42 Pogba, 9 Berbatov, 14 Hernandez.

Liverpool: 25 Reina; 3 Jose Enrique, 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 2 Johnson; 19 Downing (booked 45, 30 Bellamy 61), 8 Gerrard, 20 Spearing (9 Carroll 61), 18 Kuyt (26 Adam 75), 14 Henderson; 7 Suarez (scored 79:55). 4-5-1
Subs not used: 32 Doni, 23 Carragher, 34 Kelly, 33 Shelvey.

Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney

1st half summary: United on top

1st half notes:


No handshake from Suarez for Evra, good start!


Liverpool kick off the game.


2. Evra and Ferdinand clash (going for Suarez), Rio lands awkwardly there.


3. Soft Johnson shot from the right, easy hold for De Gea.


4. Reina gathers the ball well in the box after a promising attack by Welbeck and Valencia, Rooney was lurking and ready.


6. Enrique brings down Valencia JUST outside the box, free kick to United, headed wide by Johnson for a corner. Rooney header, soft, Reina picks it up easily.


10. Johnson from the right again, cuts inside and has loads of space for a shot, goes out wide on the left, goal kick.


14. Enrique's free kick cleared cooly by Ferdinand.


15. Kuyt cross from right blocked, second cross out for a goalkick, Dutchman apologises for wasted chance.


18. Welbeck and Valencia fighting for the ball well, making Liverpool's back line work hard.


19. Rafael shot, off balance, awkward one for Reina as he saw it late and Welbeck ready to pounce in front of him but the Spaniard still holds on to it.


27. Far shot from outside the box by Rooney, had the space, right foot shot goes wide.


31. SCHOLES! His header off Giggs cross from the left straight into Reina! What a chance! Following corner comes to nothing.


32. United pressure stretching Liverpool with Welbeck, Giggs, Valencia, Rooney, ball cleared by Agger eventually.


35. Evra header wide, goal kick.


40. Kuyt and Suarez in United box, Ferdinand takes and clears the ball confidently.


Liverpool regaining some control after all the main pressure was created by United.


41. Gerrard ball deflected over the goal for a corner. First corner for the Reds, cleared, Gerrard puts it back in the box, chested out by Ferdinand, another Liverpool corner, Skrtel shoots it out, claiming it brushed Ferdinand, goal kick given.


In case you wondered, the black arm bands worn by United players as this is their first home game since 54th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.


45. First booking of the match goes to Downing for bringing down Rafael, free kick to United, headed away by Johnson. Counter, Suarez goes down fuming and claiming last man Ferdinand fowled him. There was a touch but he got the ball, good defending.


HT: 0-0, Suarez kicks the ball away on the half time whistle in frustration, temperatures rise again as the Uruguayan finds it difficult to remain cool. Temperamental end to a tense half, United on top but Liverpool not letting go.


Report has just come through of fights continuing down the tunnel, Evra and Skrtel clashing and pulling their team mates into it.


1st half stats:
United-Liverpool
Attempts: 6-4
On target: 3-2
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 2-2
Free kicks: 5-4
Possession: 62%-38% (BBC, 22 mins), 57.8%-42.2% (Sky, 23 mins), 58%-42% (BBC, HT), 57%-43% (Sky, HT)


United: 1 De Gea; 3 Evra, 6 Evans, 5 Ferdinand, 21 Rafael da Silva; 11 Giggs, 22 Scholes, 16 Carrick, 25 Valencia; 19 Welbeck, 10 Rooney. 4-4-2
Subs: 40 Amos, 20 Fabio da Silva, 13 Park Ji-sung, 23 Cleverley, 42 Pogba, 9 Berbatov, 14 Hernandez.


Liverpool: 25 Reina; 3 Jose Enrique, 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 2 Johnson; 19 Downing (booked 45), 8 Gerrard, 20 Spearing, 18 Kuyt, 14 Henderson; 7 Suarez. 4-5-1
Subs: 32 Doni, 23 Carragher, 34 Kelly, 26 Adam, 33 Shelvey, 9 Carroll, 30 Bellamy.


Referee: Phil Dowd

Week 24: Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

Top game: The first half at Stamford Bridge was relatively uneventful, not much happening, nothing note-worthy anyway, apart from Chelsea taking the lead through a Jonny Evans own goal. Then in the second half it all kicked off! Chelsea took 30 seconds to double their lead, throwing Sir Alex Ferguson's half-time team talk out the window. Four minutes later it was 3-0 and I would have liked to have seen one blue fan not celebrating three points in the bag. But two penalties later and a Javier Hernandez header six minutes from time, the comeback drama was complete! Typical United!

Top team: Never write off Arsenal, or Manchester United. If there is one thing we have learned over the last couple of decades, it is that just when you think they are going to fall they make a comeback, which makes script writing in the title drama(s) impossible! I found it very amusing to hear the commentators criticise Arsenal when Blackburn equalised against the run of play. They were picking out the Gunners' faults, gaps and recklessness and predicting their downfall if they continued like that. If only they had know what was going to follow... I would have liked to have seen the odds on a 7-1 Arsenal win at that point! Martin O'Neill and Sunderland need a mention in this category as they are top of the form table with five wins in the last six.

Top player: Robin van Persie had to make up for last week's goalless display and he more than did so with a hat-trick. On-loan star Thierry Henry poked his nose onto the scoreboard right at the end too, just to remind the Dutchman he has some French competition. But they played well together, 7-1 reflecting that more than clearly. A great contrast to last week's frustrating disappointment, I have to say!

Top goal: Papiss Cisse's debut goal for Newcastle was a stunning left-foot strike! He looks to have hooked up a very promising partnership with his countryman Demba Ba. Credit where credit is due, Alan Pardew has been mastering his job, getting the right players and right results, taking his side within a point of Chelsea and the top four!
Morten Gamst Pedersen's equalising free kick for Blackburn against Arsenal was a breathtaking goal too! Juan Mata's smacker to make it 2-0 for Chelsea against United was a perfect start to the second half!

Top news: Harry Redknapp was cleared on both counts of cheating the public revenue on Wednesday and on the same day, just hours later, he shot up to become the favourite to become the new England manager ahead of Euro 2012. What a difference a day makes, ey? He's doing so well at Spurs, I just don't want to see him ruining his managerial career like so many have done beforehand by taking on an impossible job!

Flop game and team: Everton's draw at Wigan was a scrappy game which did not see much action until the last 15 minutes. Liverpool's goalless draw against Tottenham kept their unbeaten home record intact, taking the run to 15 games. It was a big improvement compared to the 4-1 thrashing Liverpool got the last time these two sides met, however, the Reds will be more frustrated with yet another draw with eight out of twelve home games ending up with just one point in the bag for Liverpool. Spurs deserved the point for their gritty defending, showing backbone, eventhough they missed their manager and key players.

Flop player: Djibril Cisse's red card turned him from hero to zero for QPR. The Frenchman scored a superb debut goal last week. This week, he raised his hand to fight off defender Roger Johnson, a stupid, stupid mistake. In contrast to that, Robert Huth's sending off for Stoke was harsh. He went for the ball, got the ball, but due to the weather conditions and snowy, slippery field, he took Sunderland's David Meyler with him. Referee Martin Arkinson should have considered both those factors in his decision. But he is known for his hard line on such tackles, having sent off Jack Rodwell and Yohan Cabaye for similar tackles in the past.

Flop goal: I don't know how Fernando Torres could miss that! He found the gap, raced into the box and then instead of shooting he just danced an extra couple of steps of tango which in the end wasted the chance and lost possession. Tim Howard's SPILL gifted Wigan a goal against Everton, what a howler! The goalkeeper failed to collect a ball and saw it deflect off his own player Phil Neville. OUCH! This weekend saw a collection own goalss/deflections/dodgy penalty decisions! CRINGE!

Flop news: And England have more than enough excuses to flop in a major competition yet again. Fabio Capello's resignation after the FA's decision to strip John Terry of his England captaincy due to the pending racism case against him is a farce! The whole thing is a farce! Euro 2012 - forget about it!

Forgot my predictions this week, so here are just the results:

Arsenal 7-1 Blackburn

Norwich 2-0 Bolton

QPR 1-2 Wolves

Stoke 0-1 Sunderland

West Brom 1-2 Swansea

Wigan 1-1 Everton

Man City 3-0 Fulham

Newcastle 2-1 Aston Villa

Chelsea 3-3 Man United

Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham

Spurs hold Liverpool to a goalless draw

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 0:0 Tottenham

Liverpool remain unbeaten at home this season after their goalless draw againt Tottenham which takes their unbeaten run at Anfiel to 15 games. However, the Reds will be more frustrated with the result, yet another home draw, 8 out of 12 home games for the Reds ending up with just one point.

INTRUDER! Here's the star of the show - the Anfield cat, who made a purr-fect run into the Spurs penalty area in the 12th minute halting the game for three minutes.

 It was a big improvement though compared to the 4-2 thrashing Liverpool got the last time these two sides met, plus two men seeing red on the night (Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel). Tottenham were also the last side to get three points at Anfield, winning 2-0 in May last year.

But Liverpool looked the stronger and more likely to score, more comfortable with the ball and enjoying much more possession. Chances were hard to come by for both sides though, in the first half especially.

The later the game went on, the more pressure and chances were created. Gareth Bale drew the most frustrated picture when he got booked for pushing Daniel Agger after he went down on the defender's challenge. Replays showed there was no contact, but Bale got all fired up. He put a couple of chances high and wide after that, his temper most probably not helping.

Apart from Bale's waste, it was all Liverpool, but Tottenhams' back line stayed rock-solid. Michael Dawson, Kyle Walker and Scott Parker put their bodies on the line when it mattered, blocking and holding the Reds back. The only save of note Brad Friedel had to make was a smacker though, a fine hit by Martin Kelly the goalkeeper punched behind for a corner.

Tottenham's nr 8 Parker got a boot in his face for his effort. It took Luis Suarez less than 5 minutes after his return from a 9-game suspension to find himself in controversy and the referee's book yet again, replays showing how wreckless the kick out was by the Uruguayan.

Skrtel was also added to that book after he led with his studs on Bale. The Slovakian defender did get the ball, but it was a very dangerous challenge. Both Red player should be very glad they were not added to the referee's red list!

Liverpool seemed the hungrier but missed and spurned too much, it seemed one of those nights. Then, when Bale broke clear into the Liverpool box, it looked like Spurs were going to nick the three points. The Welsh international looked to put the ball through Pepe Reina's legs but the Spaniard blocked it well and solid. Bale kept on fighting for the ball to see it deflect and eventually cleared. What a let-off that was for the home side!

The last 5-10 minutes seemed like a crazy game of ping pong, backwards, forwrd, give-aways, deflections, Liverpool dominant and more on the attack but just as unable to break through and take advantage as their opponants.

Spurs deserved the point for their gritty defending, showing backbone eventhough they were missing their manager and a couple of players.
Liverpool will not be as happy with the result, but as they know from past encounters with the London side, or should know, it could have been so much worse! (+ The Reds are still seven points better off than they were at this stage last season!)

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel (booked 76), Kelly; Adam, Spearing, Gerrard; Bellamy (Downing 73), Carroll, Kuyt (Suarez 66 (booked 70)).
Subs not used: Doni, Aurelio, Henderson, Coates, Downing, Carragher.

Tottenham: Friedel; Assou-Ekotto, King, Dawson, Walker; Parker (booked 39), Livermore; Bale (booked 54), Modric, Kranjcar (Rose 87); Adebayor (Saha 71).
Subs not used: Cudicini, Nelsen, Khumalo, Luongo, Lancaster.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Tottenham
Attempts: 2-3 & 7-4
On target: 1-2 & 3-1
Offsides: 1-0 & 0-0
Free kicks: 6-1 & 5-8
Corners: 2-3 & 6-1

Sky Stats:
Liverpool-Tottenham
Possession: 52.3%-47.7% HT, 52%-48% FT
Pass Success Rate: 85%-89.93% HT, 83%-80.51% FT
Action Areas:
Liverpool 6%-48%-46% Tottenham 80.min,
24%-52%-24% FT

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
Man of the match: Scott Parker

Week 23: Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Week

Top game: Two matches were classic examples of games of two halves with plenty of entertainment. The big spendings this January transfer window did not quite bring the result for QPR but showed very encouraging signs in form of Djibril Cisse. Aston Villa made a brilliant comeback in the second half, manager Alex McLeish can only hope his side can show this kind of display more often. Liverpool, without  their talisman captain Steven Gerrard, were looking for improvement in the league after their impressive cup run against both Manchester sides. Wolves were in the game just as much as the Reds were in the first half. However, in the second half, it all went down hill for the home side, Andy Carroll netting Charlie Adam's cross with all the space in the world, Craig Bellamy adding the second without meeting any resistence, the goalkeeper missing the ball completely and Dirk Kuyt netting the third off Jose Enrique's exquisite pass taken off a Wolves attack, the Dutchman netting his 50th PL goal, first since May. It was Liverpool's first double over Wolves for over 30 years, worrying times for Mick McCarthy.

Top team: Stoke started strongly against Manchester United, testing league debutant goalkeeper Ben Amos. However, the result is more important than the performance for United, whose win is their seventh out of seven against Stoke and saw them move level on points with league leaders City. Tottenham kept themselves in the race too with an exhilarating display and performance which consolidated their third spot, seven points ahead of Chelsea in fourth and five points behind the Manchester sides at the top.

Top player: This week seemed goalkeepers' prime time! Blackburn continued strong and would not let themselves be put down despite the early own goal they conceded against Newcastle. They created plenty of chances including misses and a missed penalty, Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul doing brilliant to keep his side in the game, frustrating for the home side though. QPR's Paddy Kenny was man of the match for more than one reason/save but his stop against Aston Villa's Robbie Keane was top notch and earned his side a point in the end.

Top goal: The terrific right-foot finish by French debutant Cisse was his third debut goal in the Premier League, adding QPR to his list, joining Liverpool and Sunderland. Talking about Sunderland, with four changes against Norwich, they saw a bright start with on-loan signing Wayne Bridge on the bench. Norwich were a threat too and had won last two away games. The home side took the lead thanks to a supreme right-foot strike into the top right corner by Fraizer Campbell, breathtaking stuff, which led to a confident performance and result, a 3-0 win and three points on the board.

Top news: The January transfer window has closed with no major spendings this time round, the total reaching only £60m, 70% less compared to January last year at £225m. I think the clubs are slowly but surely coming to their sences.

Flop game: The goalless draw between Bolton and Arsenal was a frustrating night for both sides. Arsenal dominated with Robin van Persie enjoying his fair share of chances, as always. David Ngog also missed a couple of chances. The second half saw less attempts, but RVP was the main man again, hitting the post and crossbar. When Mark Davies burst through and was brought down by Wojciech Szczesny, it looked like Bolton would get a late breakthrough and winner, but a penalty was not given. Hence, the action that could have been or anything that looked promising, never came around really. Disappointing.

Flop team: Swansea were unchanged from their defeat against Sunderland, but caused Chelsea problems early on, the Blues struggling to create much themselves. Swansea had go after go at Chelsea's goal, Scott Sinclair finally finding the net against his former side. The London side beat Swansea 4-1 at home, but did not come close to that in this match, Ashley Cole's second yellow not making things easier, the fourth s.o. for Andre Villas-Boas' side this season. But Chelsea never gave up and three minutes into injury time, Bosingwa's cross and a Neil Taylor deflection rescued a point for the visitors, the Swans manager Brendan Rodgers understandably disappointed. Worrying sign for Chelsea that the late goal and point against the promoted side comes to a great relief!

Flop player: Fernando Torres is still goalless, even Carrol has made it onto the scoreboard! The Spanish striker still looks very insecure, unaware, as if he doesn't have a clue of the where/what/how/when of scoring in the game. Ashley Cole's dire performance and sending off did not help Chelsea either, but it is not the first time they have dropped points and looked like they could not even grab or hold on to the one they scraped out somehow.

Flop goal: Stephen Warnock's own goal hurt to see! His gift header made it 2-0 to QPR and must have made McCleish cringe and think his side just did not want to stay in the game. Until he had his word and the second half kicked off as mentioned above. Scott Dann's own goal was an ugly deflection which handed Newcastle their first goal. Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson could never have predicted and covered that one and will never want to see that one again.

Flop news: Aaaaand Carlos Tevez remains at Manchester City after AC Milan and Paris Saint-German pulled out of the chase. I laughed my face off when a rumour went around about a swap deal between City and Liverpool, Tevez for Andy Carroll. LMAO! What a joke!

My predictions - Actual results:

Swansea 1:1 Chelsea - 1:1

Tottenham 4:0 Wigan - 3:1

Wolves 1:1 Liverpool - 0:3

Everton 1:2 Man City - 1:0

Man Utd 3:0 Stoke - 2:0

Aston Villa 1:1 QPR - 2:2

Blackburn 3:2 Newcastle - 0:2

Bolton 2:3 Arsenal - 0:0

Fulham 2:0 West Brom - 1:1

Sunderland 1:1 Norwich - 3:0