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
Showing posts with label Craig Bellamy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Craig Bellamy. Show all posts
Sunday, 26 February 2012
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
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
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Liverpool through to Wembley final
Sports - Football - Carling Cup - Liverpool 2:2 Man City
Liverpool's hard work payed off, another Steven Gerrard penalty and Craig Bellamy's fine curl shot seeing their side through to the Carling Cup final with a 2:2 draw on the night at Anfield, 3:2 on aggregate, to take the Reds to Wembley and end their 16-year absence.
Joe Hart's heroics for City were all to no avail in the end after the England goalkeeper had created some breathtaking saves against Gerrard, Bellamy, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Dirk Kuyt and Martin Skrtel.
In both halves, City made comebacks out of nowhere and gave them hope they could pull themselves out and through somehow.
First, after 30 minutes of Liverpool dominance, the home side creating chance after chance and seeing a Bellamy goal disallowed for offside, Nigel de Jong smacked one in from outside the box, a right-foot slip-curler, top-strike giving City the lead against the run of play.
But the lead did not last long, when on 39 Micah Richards handled the ball inside his box and conceded a penalty. The defender did not know much about it, it went so quick and before he or City knew it, Gerrard netted the penalty and took Liverpool into half time level on the night, leading 2:1 on aggregate.
The second half showed the same trend, Liverpool dominating and outclassing City until halfway through the half Edin Dzeko blasted one in off Aleksandar Kolarov's beauty of a cross from the left to give City another unpredictable lead.
Five minutes later, man of the match Bellamy killed off any City excitement or hope, curling Glen Johnson's cross into the left corner after a nice one-two cross exchange.
City tried to press late on but never looked too much of a threat to Pepe Reina, not seeing another comeback out of nowhere.
It was a fair result after a tense thriller, which saw Liverpool through to the final where they will meet Bellamy's former side Cardiff at Wembley on Sunday 23rd February.
But before the Reds get too excited, they should check their fixture list: with Manchester United up next at Anfield in the FA Cup fourth round, February will see Liverpool welcome Tottenham home and meet United again at Old Trafford this time in the Premier League before the big Carling Cup final against the Welsh side (followed by Arsenal at home in the league!).
It will be make or break time for Kenny Dalglish over the next few weeks, the Reds expectantly waiting for their first trophy since 2006.
Liverpool Goals: 1.: 39:53 min Steven Gerrard (8) penalty, 2.: 73:36 min Craig Bellamy (39).
Liverpool: Reina; Glen Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique (booked 64); Henderson, Adam, Downing, Gerrard (booked 5); Bellamy (Kelly 87), Kuyt (Carroll 91). (4-4-2)
Subs not used: Doni, Coates, Shelvey, Carragher, Maxi.
Man City Goals: 1.: 30:51 min Nigel De Jong (34), 2.: 66:38 min Edin Dzeko (10).
Man City: Hart; Richards, Savic (Aguero HT), Lescott, Kolarov (booked 56); De Jong (Adam Johnson 78), Barry, Zabaletta; Silva, Nasri, Dzeko. (4-3-3)
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Hargreaves, Milner, Clichy, Rekik.
1st & 2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Man City
Attempts: 8-2 & 7-4
On target: 6-1 & 5-3
Offsides: 4-0 & 2-1
Corners: 8-1 & 4-1
Free kicks: 2-4 & 5-3
Sky Stats:
Liverpool-Man City
Possession: 38%-62% (19.min), 40.5%-59.5% (1st half), 35.1%-64.9% (2nd half) & 37.9%-62.1% (FT)
Passing Success: 74.6%-86.7
Territorial Advantage: 55.5%-45.5%
Action Areas: Liverpool 12%-41%-47% Man City (59.min)
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Man of the match: Craig Bellamy
Liverpool's hard work payed off, another Steven Gerrard penalty and Craig Bellamy's fine curl shot seeing their side through to the Carling Cup final with a 2:2 draw on the night at Anfield, 3:2 on aggregate, to take the Reds to Wembley and end their 16-year absence.
Joe Hart's heroics for City were all to no avail in the end after the England goalkeeper had created some breathtaking saves against Gerrard, Bellamy, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Dirk Kuyt and Martin Skrtel.
In both halves, City made comebacks out of nowhere and gave them hope they could pull themselves out and through somehow.
First, after 30 minutes of Liverpool dominance, the home side creating chance after chance and seeing a Bellamy goal disallowed for offside, Nigel de Jong smacked one in from outside the box, a right-foot slip-curler, top-strike giving City the lead against the run of play.
But the lead did not last long, when on 39 Micah Richards handled the ball inside his box and conceded a penalty. The defender did not know much about it, it went so quick and before he or City knew it, Gerrard netted the penalty and took Liverpool into half time level on the night, leading 2:1 on aggregate.
The second half showed the same trend, Liverpool dominating and outclassing City until halfway through the half Edin Dzeko blasted one in off Aleksandar Kolarov's beauty of a cross from the left to give City another unpredictable lead.
Five minutes later, man of the match Bellamy killed off any City excitement or hope, curling Glen Johnson's cross into the left corner after a nice one-two cross exchange.
City tried to press late on but never looked too much of a threat to Pepe Reina, not seeing another comeback out of nowhere.
It was a fair result after a tense thriller, which saw Liverpool through to the final where they will meet Bellamy's former side Cardiff at Wembley on Sunday 23rd February.
But before the Reds get too excited, they should check their fixture list: with Manchester United up next at Anfield in the FA Cup fourth round, February will see Liverpool welcome Tottenham home and meet United again at Old Trafford this time in the Premier League before the big Carling Cup final against the Welsh side (followed by Arsenal at home in the league!).
It will be make or break time for Kenny Dalglish over the next few weeks, the Reds expectantly waiting for their first trophy since 2006.
Liverpool Goals: 1.: 39:53 min Steven Gerrard (8) penalty, 2.: 73:36 min Craig Bellamy (39).
Liverpool: Reina; Glen Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique (booked 64); Henderson, Adam, Downing, Gerrard (booked 5); Bellamy (Kelly 87), Kuyt (Carroll 91). (4-4-2)
Subs not used: Doni, Coates, Shelvey, Carragher, Maxi.
Man City Goals: 1.: 30:51 min Nigel De Jong (34), 2.: 66:38 min Edin Dzeko (10).
Man City: Hart; Richards, Savic (Aguero HT), Lescott, Kolarov (booked 56); De Jong (Adam Johnson 78), Barry, Zabaletta; Silva, Nasri, Dzeko. (4-3-3)
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Hargreaves, Milner, Clichy, Rekik.
1st & 2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Man City
Attempts: 8-2 & 7-4
On target: 6-1 & 5-3
Offsides: 4-0 & 2-1
Corners: 8-1 & 4-1
Free kicks: 2-4 & 5-3
Sky Stats:
Liverpool-Man City
Possession: 38%-62% (19.min), 40.5%-59.5% (1st half), 35.1%-64.9% (2nd half) & 37.9%-62.1% (FT)
Passing Success: 74.6%-86.7
Territorial Advantage: 55.5%-45.5%
Action Areas: Liverpool 12%-41%-47% Man City (59.min)
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Man of the match: Craig Bellamy
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Ten-man City ease past Liverpool
Sports - Football - Premier League - Man City 3:0 Liverpool
Manchester City comfortably kept their unbeaten run at home with a 3-0 beating of Liverpool at the Etihad stadium and recovered well from their shock defeat at Sunderland which was just around 48 hours ago.
Although, as always, there were questionable decisions by referee Andre Marriner, there is no doubt over who outplayed whom with Liverpool all huff and puff but no quality as BBC's Tom Rostance summarized the performance accordingly.
Each time when it looked like they were gaining in momentum, the Reds slipped up and lost it again. First Pepe Reina, of all people, let Sergio Aguero's shot drop under him for the opening goal, the Spaniard not happy understandably.
Then, when Liverpool had gained advantage in possession, territory and pressure again, Yaya Toure headed in a City corner, past Reina and the two defenders Jose Enrique and Charlie Adam, easily beating Glen Johnson by a couple of inches.
Gareth Barry's 450th Premier League appearance was nothing to shout about, apart from a couple of harsh decision which went against him. The England midfielder saw his first booking for bringing down Jay Spearing who looked like he made the most of the brush past just before half time.
Then in the second half, after Kenny Dalglish had rang in the changes bringing on Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy for below par Adam and Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool started to speed and heat up the match more.
A minute of madness followed just over halfway through the second half: Barry was sent off, booked the second time for a push on Daniel Agger. Harsh again, as it looked neither here nor there between the two, although he was warned off shortly before that after a tackle on Gerrard.
But instead of taking advantage of the referee's decision and the extra man, Liverpool's Enrique gave away the resulting free kick very cheaply for City to break out onto a counter attack and Yaya Toure to win a penalty after being brought down by Martin Skrtel. It looked like a very soft touch, another harsh decision by Marriner, but James Milner netted it cooly to the right, sending Reina the wrong way, to seal the match, result and three points, 3-0 to City.
Liverpool tried and tried, but never got very far, no matter how much possession and time they had on the ball. Andy Carrol was useless and nowhere to be seen apart from a couple of misses as always. Stewart Downing and Enrique produced the only sparks of hope with some fine breaks and crosses, as Bellamy did later, too.
But, whether it was because Luis Suarez was missing, after starting his eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, or because of the bad weather (it was absolutely pouring it down turning the football pitch into a water glide), Liverpool never looked like they were getting close.
And City did not have to make much of an effort to grab the win, it just looked too easy! Although man of the match Vincent Kompany's outstanding performance at the back needs to be noted. He kept the little Liverpool resistence there was at bay superbly and gave them no chance whatsoever of a comeback. They are now three points clear at the top ahead of local rivals United.
King Kenny hit the spot in response to Liverpool's performance: "If you want to be successful you have to be clinical, and that's what was missing tonight from ourselves. We worked hard and passed it well, but if you're not clinical you won't progress."
Man City: Hart; Richards, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Clichy; Yaya Toure (scored 32:30), Barry (booked 45. s.o. 73), Aguero (scored 9:53; Johnson 72), Silva (Lescott 76), Milner (scored penalty 74:13), Dzeko.
Subs not used: Pantiliman, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Savic, De Jong.
Liverpool: Reina; Johnson (booked 56), Agger, Skrtel, Jose Enrique; Adam (Gerrard 57), Kuyt (Bellamy 57), Henderson, Spearing (Rodriguez 76), Downing, Carroll.
Subs not used: Doni, Carragher, Shelvey, Kelly.
1st & 2nd half stats: Man City-Liverpool
Attempts: 7:7 & 2:6
On target: 6:4 & 1:2
Offsides: 0:0 & 0:0
Corners: 5:2 & 0:4
Free kicks: 4:6 & 3:6
Possession:
BBC: 51%-49% & 50%-50%
Sky Sports: 45%-55% & 26.6%-73.4% (!!!)
Further Sky Sports stats: Man City-Liverpool
Passing Success: 77.3%-86.2%
Tackles/Success: 19/68.4%-17/82.4%
Territorial Advantage: 42.1%-57.9% (!!! again)
Action Areas: Man City 43%-44%-13% Liverpool (!!! last time)
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)
Man of the match: Vincent Kompany
Manchester City comfortably kept their unbeaten run at home with a 3-0 beating of Liverpool at the Etihad stadium and recovered well from their shock defeat at Sunderland which was just around 48 hours ago.
Although, as always, there were questionable decisions by referee Andre Marriner, there is no doubt over who outplayed whom with Liverpool all huff and puff but no quality as BBC's Tom Rostance summarized the performance accordingly.
Each time when it looked like they were gaining in momentum, the Reds slipped up and lost it again. First Pepe Reina, of all people, let Sergio Aguero's shot drop under him for the opening goal, the Spaniard not happy understandably.
Then, when Liverpool had gained advantage in possession, territory and pressure again, Yaya Toure headed in a City corner, past Reina and the two defenders Jose Enrique and Charlie Adam, easily beating Glen Johnson by a couple of inches.
Gareth Barry's 450th Premier League appearance was nothing to shout about, apart from a couple of harsh decision which went against him. The England midfielder saw his first booking for bringing down Jay Spearing who looked like he made the most of the brush past just before half time.
Then in the second half, after Kenny Dalglish had rang in the changes bringing on Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy for below par Adam and Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool started to speed and heat up the match more.
A minute of madness followed just over halfway through the second half: Barry was sent off, booked the second time for a push on Daniel Agger. Harsh again, as it looked neither here nor there between the two, although he was warned off shortly before that after a tackle on Gerrard.
But instead of taking advantage of the referee's decision and the extra man, Liverpool's Enrique gave away the resulting free kick very cheaply for City to break out onto a counter attack and Yaya Toure to win a penalty after being brought down by Martin Skrtel. It looked like a very soft touch, another harsh decision by Marriner, but James Milner netted it cooly to the right, sending Reina the wrong way, to seal the match, result and three points, 3-0 to City.
Liverpool tried and tried, but never got very far, no matter how much possession and time they had on the ball. Andy Carrol was useless and nowhere to be seen apart from a couple of misses as always. Stewart Downing and Enrique produced the only sparks of hope with some fine breaks and crosses, as Bellamy did later, too.
But, whether it was because Luis Suarez was missing, after starting his eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, or because of the bad weather (it was absolutely pouring it down turning the football pitch into a water glide), Liverpool never looked like they were getting close.
And City did not have to make much of an effort to grab the win, it just looked too easy! Although man of the match Vincent Kompany's outstanding performance at the back needs to be noted. He kept the little Liverpool resistence there was at bay superbly and gave them no chance whatsoever of a comeback. They are now three points clear at the top ahead of local rivals United.
King Kenny hit the spot in response to Liverpool's performance: "If you want to be successful you have to be clinical, and that's what was missing tonight from ourselves. We worked hard and passed it well, but if you're not clinical you won't progress."
Man City: Hart; Richards, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Clichy; Yaya Toure (scored 32:30), Barry (booked 45. s.o. 73), Aguero (scored 9:53; Johnson 72), Silva (Lescott 76), Milner (scored penalty 74:13), Dzeko.
Subs not used: Pantiliman, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Savic, De Jong.
Liverpool: Reina; Johnson (booked 56), Agger, Skrtel, Jose Enrique; Adam (Gerrard 57), Kuyt (Bellamy 57), Henderson, Spearing (Rodriguez 76), Downing, Carroll.
Subs not used: Doni, Carragher, Shelvey, Kelly.
1st & 2nd half stats: Man City-Liverpool
Attempts: 7:7 & 2:6
On target: 6:4 & 1:2
Offsides: 0:0 & 0:0
Corners: 5:2 & 0:4
Free kicks: 4:6 & 3:6
Possession:
BBC: 51%-49% & 50%-50%
Sky Sports: 45%-55% & 26.6%-73.4% (!!!)
Further Sky Sports stats: Man City-Liverpool
Passing Success: 77.3%-86.2%
Tackles/Success: 19/68.4%-17/82.4%
Territorial Advantage: 42.1%-57.9% (!!! again)
Action Areas: Man City 43%-44%-13% Liverpool (!!! last time)
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)
Man of the match: Vincent Kompany
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