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.''

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

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