Last Updated: 1st October 2008
E-mail this to a friend Printable version
MAN CITY 0-1 LIVERPOOL
Steven Gerrard continues his outstanding scoring form as Liverpool send Manchester City in the bottom three in the Premier League table. After Robinho missed an early header, Liverpool's defence stifled City who struggled to create chances.
Late in the first half Fernando Torres might have given Liverpool the lead, but his curling shot was narrowly wide. Just past the hour the Liverpool striker made up for his miss by cleverly laying the ball into the path of Gerrard who rifled the ball home.
Given the game attracted over 47,000 people, City will be disappointed they so rarely tested the Liverpool keeper Jose Reina. Pablo Zabaleta did provide some early impetus for City down their right with a couple of promising runs. Gareth Barry curbed the first of those thrusts and then Jamie Carragher had to come across to block the second.
City's point of attack switched to the left and Martin Petrov deceived Giorgas Seitaridis to swing the ball into the penalty box. Robinho managed to get in between Carragher and Barry to reach Petrov's cross, but the City striker's header lacked direction.
Early in the second half Robinho tried his luck with a shot, an effort that had Reina scampering across his goal to save. While City employed width, Liverpool deployed a more narrow approach in the opening period, trying to play their way through the home side's defence.
But despite enjoying plenty of possession they struggled to create chances for Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres. Keane did manage to find his striking partner, but Torres' attempted flick lacked sufficient power. Just before half-time Torres burst into the box, turned inside Richard Dunne, only to curl his shot wide.
City were quickly back on the attack, Robinho riding a succession of tackles, before Giorgas Seitaridis ended the City striker's run. Five minutes into the second half Liverpool manager Kevin Keegan withdrew Keane, introducing Dirk Kuyt in an attempt to bring more width to the Liverpool attack. Keane seemed flabbergasted by the switch, shaking his head at his removal as he walked to the bench.
The change gave more penetration to the Liverpool attack and just past the hour the visitors took the lead. Gerrard exchanged passes with Torres before firing the ball past Joe Hart with a superbly-taken shot. With 10 minutes to go Ryan Babel replaced Fernando Torres, who is now without a goal for 4 games.
In stoppage time Valeri Bojinov's shot was bravely blocked by Skrtel as Liverpool held on to claim the three points.
----------------------------
* Manchester City manager Mark Hughes
"The key for us is to provide the service to Robinho and Bojinov. We didn't do that and we have to try and improve that area. We matched them in the first-half, but in the second they had more nous. We have to acquire that know-how and learn how to keep possession in certain areas of pitches."
* Liverpool manager Kevin Keegan
"It was a difficult game, but in the second half we played well between the lines and created chances. The idea was to control the game in the first half and then use fresh legs in the second half to attack more."
----------------------------
Man City: Hart ; Richards, Dunne(c), Kompany, Ball ; Hamann(Benjani 76'), Ireland(Bojinov 68'), Zabaleta, Petrov, Elano ; Robinho
Unused Subs: Schmeichel, Garrido, Jo
Booked: Dunne
Liverpool: Reina ; Barry, Carragher, Skrtel, Seitaridis ; Mascherano(Fabio Aurellio 91'), Silva, Xabi Alonso, Gerrard ; Torres(Babel 81'), Keane(Kuyt 51')
Unused Subs: Sirigu, Agger
Booked: Skrtel, Silva
Goals: Gerrard 611
Att: 47,791
Ref: Dermont Gallagher
BBC Player Rater Man of the Match: Giorgas Seitaridis