EPL 2008 Result :Liverpool 2 Bolton 0

Liverpool survived a test of character at Bolton to maintain their challenge at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win at the Reebok Stadium.

• Megson furious with ref Styles

The disappointment of the Carling Cup defeat at Tottenham in midweek was swept away by what eventually turned out to be a convincing victory.

Liverpool have never enjoyed Bolton's physical approach but this time they stuck to their gameplan and won with fine goals from Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard.

Kuyt opened the scoring from Fabio Aurelio's cross before Gary Cahill's header was controversially ruled out by referee Rob Styles.

Despite some more nervous moments, the Reds eventually sealed victory when Gerrard headed in substitute Fernando Torres' cross.

Bolton recalled captain Kevin Nolan following suspension, with Ricardo Gardner dropping to the bench.

Liverpool decided against including 20-year-old Stephen Darby for his league debut at right-back and switched Jamie Carragher from the centre of defence. Sami Hyypia retained his place alongside Daniel Agger.

Torres, who was taken off after 55 minutes at White Hart Lane and criticised by manager Rafael Benitez for his display, was left on the bench as Liverpool made nine changes.

The visitors found out quickly that they would have to match Bolton's industry and willpower. Tackles by Gavin McCann and Fabrice Muamba on Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano showed that.

But Liverpool soon had Bolton pinned back, with only Kevin Davies up front as they got defenders Hyypia, Agger and Carragher into dangerous wide positions.

Likewise Albert Riera, but he twice wasted excellent openings on the right with poor delivery early on.

Liverpool's patient build-up was starting to stretch Bolton. Mascherano and Gerrard both saw long shots go close before Dirk Kuyt saw an effort crash against the bar after 24 minutes from a Gerrard pass.

The Reds forged ahead when Aurelio crossed from the left after 29 minutes and Kuyt rose to send a looping header into the top corner for the lead.

Liverpool then started to power forward and somehow Robbie Keane managed to miss an open goal from two yards before Agger flashed a 25-yard effort just wide of the far post.

Bolton had an effort from Cahill disallowed seconds before the break when he headed in a corner, with referee Styles insisting that Reina had been fouled seconds earlier.

Styles was booed off by the home fans at the break and almost from the restart Bolton were awarded a string of free-kicks which allowed them to mount the sort of intense aerial pressure they excel at.

Gardner came on for Muamba at the break and when he broke clear on the left after 52 minutes he almost equalised, as Reina's rush from his line forced a shot into the side-netting. Agger, hurling himself towards the post, collided with the woodwork.

Liverpool then brought on Torres for Keane and from a right-wing cross from the Spanish striker, Gerrard almost got the second goal from a yard out.

Liverpool were hanging on to their lead as Bolton hammered away in search of an equaliser.

But the danger was always clear for the home side with Torres now on the pitch.

And after 73 minutes he created a superb second goal for Liverpool, clipping in a cross with the outside of his foot for Gerrard to send past Jaaskelainen with a diving header.

It could have been three for Liverpool in the closing stages, the Bolton goalkeeper saving superbly from Torres and then Xabi Alonso.

Torres could also have scored after 88 minutes but he struck the post from Lucas' lay-off.

  • Megson furious with ref StylesReferee Rob Styles was at the centre of more controversy. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez praised Styles for protecting his goalkeeper and insisted that goalkeepers have "priority'' in the six-yard box.Megson was nonplussed, saying: "We saw the TV pictures within a minute of it being disallowed and again at half-time. But our thoughts are that we did not see a huge amount wrong."If anyone is going to find an infringement - although it would have been harsh - it is that we should have had a penalty when Reina pushed Nolan in the back."There is nothing else that happens. Kevin does not do anything but stand his ground and there's nothing wrong with that. Also there was nothing wrong with the act of scoring from Gary Cahill."I wasn't surprised to see Rob Styles refereeing, it never occurred to me. He gave a ridiculous decision against us at Old Trafford, that was a mistake. We spoke on the phone on the Monday and we didn't make a lot of it, regardless of the Respect campaign."Now there has been another one. We seem to be on the wrong end of him making mistakes.''He added: "Have I heard of a rule that says goalkeepers have priority in the six-yard box? I have to say that one has passed me by."What is the priority, can you go and belt someone like Nolan was? I'm sure there is a priority if someone is fouled, but standing your ground like Kevin was is not a foul."If Nolan shoves the goalkeeper it is a free-kick, so if the goalkeeper does it then it should be the same punishment. But I am not expecting a phone call (from the referee).''Benitez had a different view.He said: "The rules are very clear. They say that the six-yard box is for the 'keeper, if you have three players in front of him and he cannot go for the ball, then it is simple, it is a free-kick."It is clear. Sometimes you see five or six attacking players in the six-yard box, that is wrong. The rules say it is for the 'keeper, he has priority. If he has three players blocking him and he cannot do anything, he cannot go for the ball, it is a foul."The international rules are very clear. I always say the same, the first time I came here (to the Reebok) I said the same. Three players around the 'keeper is a free-kick. If he wants to go for the ball, he is being obstructed."Yes, those goals are given in England sometimes. But the international rules are for everybody, the referees know the rules, it has to be like this.''


    • Click this link to read more!

    4:29 PM
    Categories: , , , . Author: nik

    0 comments

     

    Gerard late penalty ruined Madrid's night

    Steven Gerrard drove home a controversial penalty four minutes into injury time to salvage a dramatic Champions League point for Liverpool.Atletico will believe they were robbed of a place in the last 16 by referee Martin Hansson's hotly disputed penalty award for a debatable foul on Gerrard by Mariano Pernia.
    They had led from the 37th minute following a cleverly constructed Maxi Rodriguez goal and frustrated Liverpool at every turn.

    But Gerrard never gave up and his penalty eventually spared Liverpool's blushes and both sides should advance to the last 16.>
    Fernando Torres failed to even make the bench, missing his sixth match since picking up a hamstring injury while on international duty last month.

    He cut a disconsolate figure in the directors' box having also missed the chance to play at his former club a fortnight ago.

    From that match Liverpool left out Andrea Dossena and Yossi Benayoun, bringing in Fabio Aurelio and Dirk Kuyt, while Luis Garcia and Florent Sinama-Pongolle were also left on the bench by Atletico boss Javier Aguirre.

    Liverpool started with pace and desire and could have scored in the first minute when Kuyt's close-range effort was grabbed by Leo Franco.

    Another chance went begging when Xabi Alonso's stunning 40-yard pass found Robbie Keane arriving at pace on the edge of the box, but the Irishman's fierce drive thudded into the side netting.

    Madrid were not slow to hit back and should have scored four minutes later. Pernia got to the byline and pulled back a cross but Simao hooked it over the bar from six yards.

    Two more Liverpool chances then went begging, Riera's touch into the box almost set-up Gerrard as he surged into the area and Keane denied by Franco when he tried to round the Argentinian goalkeeper.

    Atletico were also producing some quality football and scored an outstanding goal after 37 minutes.

    Antonio Lopez broke down the right, taking a long pass with a superb first touch to confound Daniel Agger.

    His pass into the box found Rodriguez moving into space away from Jamie Carragher before firing a shot across Jose Reina and inside the far post.

    Atletico had looked calm and controlled in the first period, but came out for the second half having to defend in front of the Kop.

    Liverpool were instantly at their throats. After just 60 seconds Luis Perea flicked the ball away from Keane with his right hand in the box, but Swedish referee Martin Hansson ignored the appeals.

    Agger saw a header drop onto the roof of the net as Liverpool cranked up the pressure.
    Ryan Babel was now on for Riera, Liverpool almost camped in Madrid's half with Atletico looking for the break to settle it. Surging runs from Simao and Diego Forlan emphasised the dangers.

    Liverpool almost grabbed the equaliser after 70 minutes when Arbeloa and Keane combined to set up Gerrard, but the captain's shot just cleared the angle.

    Maniche was booked for a foul on Arbeloa before Liverpool sent on David N'Gog for Keane. But at the same time Madrid sent on their brilliant Argentinian striker, Sergio Aguero in place of Forlan.

    Lucas replaced Javier Mascherano but the danger of a devastating Madrid break was there every time Aguero got the ball.

    N'Gog's control let him down a couple of times, but he forced Franco into a near-post save that produced a corner from which Agger saw another header go agonisingly wide.

    Carragher got in on the act with a run and drive that Franco touched over, before a minute from time Luis Garcia came on, to a great reception, for Simao.

    Still Liverpool looked unable to break through, until the fourth minute of injury time when Gerrard went down in the box under an aerial challenge from Pernia.

    He made no contact with the ball but it was a debatable decision and Gerrard picked himself up to drive home the penalty and ruin Madrid's night.

    Luis Perea, Aguero and John Heitinga Lopez were all booked in the uproar that followed but Liverpool had their fortunate draw.


    Click this link to read more!

    1:25 PM
    Categories: , , . Author: nik

    1 comments

     

    Newer Posts Older Posts Home