You'll Never Walk Alone -- The End...

[shantanu_rooney]

Page last updated :May 12, 2010​

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Arsenal v Liverpool LIVE

45 mins - Re-start Arsenal get the second period underway.

47 mins - Arsenal free-kick Arsenal win a free-kick 30 yards out to the left of goal. Toulalan does not go up for the kick - are Arsenal now playing more defensively? They take but the Reds clear.

48 mins - Arsenal press Arsenal continue as they left off, showing good movement around the box and putting Liverpool under pressure.

51 mins - Great defending Gallas is caught out of position and Torres is released through the middle but Senderos tracks back brilliantly and dis-possesses the striker.

54 mins - Liverpool corner The Reds win a corner on the left and the ball find Carragher in the box but Fabregas does just enough to make him put his header well over the bar.

56 mins - Sagna booking Sagna is booked for a challenge. Liverpool have a free-kick 25 yards out on the right but Gerrard hits his effort straight at the wall. The ball goes towards Kuyt who goes down under a challenge to the calls of penalty from the visiting crowd but the ref waves on and Kuyt himself gets up quickly. Wenger is going mad!

62 mins - Double substitution Liverpool carry out a double substitution, with Sanchez and Aquilani on for Kuyt and Lucas.

67 mins - Great effort Liverpool win a free-kick on the edge of the box in front of goal after a Gallas challenge on Torres. Gerrard takes and places his effort just wide of the right hand top corner - he is inches wide of an equaliser and the noise levels are now up at the Emirates!

69 mins - Back tracking Aquilani gives the ball away in the Arsenal half and Arsenal get the ball up to Walcott in the Liverpool box but Aquilani is back in the area to block his cross. Good back-track.

71 mins - Good defending Arsenal are looking a bit rattled and a Liverpool break sees Babel get the ball but Gallas does well to dis-possess him, although he is now limping. Liverpool are coming back into this game and Arsenal now look nervy with just a single goal lead.

74 mins - Eduardo shot Arsenal make a break and the ball falls to Eduardo on the left of the box 30 yards out and he spots Reina is off his line and tries one, but his effort goes just wide of the right hand post.

76 mins - Denilson on Denilson is on for Nicklas Bendtner. Toulalan is currently down injured and the doctor is treating him on the pitch, with the smelling salts out. It seems he maybe concussed, but no replays have shown why he went down...

80 mins - Djourou on Djourou is on for Walcott as Arsenal seek to protect what they have. Despite dominating in the first-half they only had one shot on target which they scored from. This half, Liverpool have come back into the game and are pressing Arsenal, who seem to have settled for the one-nil now...

87 mins - van Persie pass van Persie feeds the ball through to Eduardo who then tries to tee up Toulalan but his pass is blocked and Liverpool clear.

89 mins - Gerrard shot Gerrard hits a long range shot from 30 yards out on the left but it goes past the right-hand up post.

90 mins - Added time Four minutes of injury time are added on.

90 (+1) mins - Mascherano cross Liverpool break and Torres heads a nice ball out to Mascherano on the right but he hits his effort into the crowd.

FULL-TIME It wasn't pretty but Arsenal win one-nil thanks to Edurado's first-half winner. The title race is still on and will go down to the final day of the season! Here is the Premier League table.

Liverpool are still in lead thanks to their superior goal difference but now Liverpool don't have to only win but score more goals than Arsenal who on 8 match winning streak. Liverpool are favourites to win the title as they play Fulahm(A) and Wigan while Arsenal play Wigan(A) and Manchester City (H), but anything can happen in football. Its good-bye from me for now, watch out for the managers' reaction and match report soon...​

 

[Dutch]

Nice report as always! This is going down to the wire indeed. Whens the Champions League final coming-up?

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Nice report as always! This is going down to the wire indeed. Whens the Champions League final coming-up?

Champions League final is after the League finishes. Its on the 26th of May against Inter at the Bernabeu.

 

[Dutch]

Champions League final is after the League finishes. Its on the 26th of May against Inter at the Bernabeu.

Nice venue! Should be a cracker! Important that Liverpool have the title under their belts as a real confidence booster. This result against Arsenal will have shaken them though!

 

[m_vaughan]

Wow, Arsenal have done what was hard to imagine not so long ago. Two games to go in this exciting end to the season.

 

[Dutch]

Wow, Arsenal have done what was hard to imagine not so long ago. Two games to go in this exciting end to the season.

I am still putting my money on Liverpool: what's their run-in like? two games to go right? Who are they up against? And Arsenal?

 

[shantanu_rooney]

I am still putting my money on Liverpool: what's their run-in like? two games to go right? Who are they up against? And Arsenal?

Here is it.. Liverpool player Fulham at Craven Cottage followed by Wigan at Anfield. While Arsenal have Wigan at the DW Stadium, then Sevilla in Europa League Final followed Manchester City at the Emirates. Hopefully Man City could do us a favour by atleast taking a point from them, if they do so, I expect them to qualify for Europe next season.

 

[Dutch]

Here is it.. Liverpool player Fulham at Craven Cottage followed by Wigan at Anfield. While Arsenal have Wigan at the DW Stadium, then Sevilla in Europa League Final followed Manchester City at the Emirates. Hopefully Man City could do us a favour by atleast taking a point from them, if they do so, I expect them to qualify for Europe next season.

Yep Arsenal have the tougher run-in but Fulham...what can you say....they might end up beating you 3-1!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Yep Arsenal have the tougher run-in but Fulham...what can you say....they might end up beating you 3-1!

Yeah never know about Liverpool, but the best thing is that I have my full squad fit and the morale in the dressing room is quite high. And we have players who are eager to perform for example Lucas, Appiah, Skrtel, Camacho and Sanchez.

 

[Dutch]

Yeah never know about Liverpool, but the best thing is that I have my full squad fit and the morale in the dressing room is quite high. And we have players who are eager to perform for example Lucas, Appiah, Skrtel, Camacho and Sanchez.

The Reds will do it I am sure! they have a great manager and some freakingly good players and a wonderful coach! Looking forward to the next update!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Sorry for delay in updates, actually my PC has some problem and it restarts after every 10 mins. So I decided to format it and now its having a problem in being formatted. So I cant do any updates unless I have PS on my laptop where I have the game. I will get the PS cd today, so you can expect some updates tomorrow or tonight.

Sorry for the delay again,...

 

[surendar]

I think this was made sticky in October..After I had won the SOTM for September.

Alright, I am taking this sticky thing off now. Let me see if any other story is worth to be sticky, else I will stick this back again! Till this other story forums is back to peak level, there would be no SOTM contests.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 12th May, 2010

Eduardo's goal just before half time blew the title race open as Arsenal moved level on points with leaders Liverpool with only two matches left.

Eduardo hit the winner after 41 minutes, clipping a close-range effort over Pepe Reina after exchanging passes with Theo Walcott. Liverpool were industrious but lacked the quality to unlock the resolute Gunners. Steven Gerrard went close with a curling free-kick as the visitors pressed for an equaliser, but Arsenal held on.

Arsenal, with their inferior goal difference, knew a win was their only realistic chance of keeping alive their hopes of overhauling Liverpool - and they started the match powerfully.

The superb Philippe Senderos typified Arsenal's defensive efforts - regularly shutting out Fernando Torres and winger Dirk Kuyt. Liverpool's only chance of the first period came when Gerrard's dipping free-kick forced Kinsky into an uncomfortable parry behind.

Arsenal bossed possession in non-threatening areas but looked toothless for large periods highlighting the Gunner's finishing deficiencies. And their delivery to the misfiring Nicklas Bendtner, particularly from wide areas, was desperately poor. When the Danish International did get a sight of goal, he dragged his shot well wide of Reina's left post.

Liverpool were forced to defend for long periods but were able to create moments of creativity going forward, with Glen Johnson providing a useful outlet down the right flank. But it was Arsenal who produced the first move of quality, coupled with a huge slice of fortune, and it enabled Eduardo to claim his third goal in four days.

The Brazilian looked to play a neat exchange with Walcott before a wicked deflection off Daniel Agger helped the ball into the on-rushing Eduardo's path. Reina advanced but Eduardo kept his composure and slotted over the keeper from close in.

A fizzing, long-range drive from skipper Cesc Fabregas almost gave the visitors an undeserved second soon after, but Reina was alert to tip over. Arsenal failed to build on their lead after the break with Liverpool bossing possession without seriously threatening Antonin Kinsky's goal.

Gerrard produced a stunning free-kick that whistled inches past the post, and the Englishman also enjoyed flashing drives from distance. But for all the Reds' purpose, the key pass failed to materialise and their Premier League title hopes have taken a new twist.

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: "We did what we needed to do, we won the game here against Liverpool. I think we have put them under pressure. We need to do what we have to do and we needed to win the game. At the end of the day we won and I'm glad. We have a lot of courage and a lot of character was shown again, and we also played good football today."

Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho: "Arsenal started the game positively and when they were enjoying the possesion they scored. When we dominated the possesion we had some chances but we werent able to convert them. Now we have to win the remaining two matches and hope Arsenal draw or lose a game."

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Arsenal: Kinsky, Sagna, Senderos, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott(Djourou 80), Fabregas(C), Toulalan, van Persie, Eduardo, Bendtner(Denilson 76).
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Vermaelen, Arshavin, Vela, Eboue.

Booked: Senderos, Sagna.

Goals: Eduardo 41.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Mascherano, Lucas(Aquilani 62), Gerrard(C), Kuyt(Sanchez 62), Babel, Torres.
Subs Not Used: Diego, Skrtel, Camacho, Riera, Appiah.

Att: 60,335.

Ref: P Dowd.

Man of the Match: Philippe Senderos.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 16th May, 2010

Alexis Sanchez scored the game's only goal as Liverpool moved a step closer to the Barclays Premier League title with a 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage.

The Chile international Alexis Sanchez clipped in after good work from Fernando Torres, who himself twice went close as Liverpool dominated early on. Fulham finally found their feet in the second half and Bobby Zamora and Tim de Cler both forced fabulous saves from Pepe Reina in a tense finale. But Torres also hit the post for the Reds and the visitors found no way through.

A draw against Wigan Athletic at Anfield next Sunday will confirm Jose Mourinho's men as champions for the first time, as Wigan's Hugo Rodallega scored a very late equiliser against Arsenal at the DW Stadium. It also means Cottagers must get atleast a draw on the final day of the season to avoid relegation.

However, they may have to sharpen their skills in front of goal as their failure to break down a resolute Liverpool defence extended their barren spell in front of goal to four matches and more than 420 minutes. It has been a steady slide down the Premier League table for the Cottagers, who came into the match on a run of just four wins since Christmas.

Fernando Torres, was full of running and he got the first chance of the match when he dashed behind the Fulham defence to force a good stop with his feet from home keeper Mark Schwarzer. Sanchez, alongside the impressive Albert Riera, was allowed the freedom of the Craven Cottage as Liverpool dominated possession, and it was the Chile international who broke the deadlock on 18 minutes, dancing past a couple of defenders in the box following Torres's driving run before clipping into the corner superbly.

Any hope the goal might wake the hosts from their slumber was extinguished with Liverpool comfortable and, after Gerrard's free-kick had been palmed away, Riera clipped in what would have been a brilliant second but for an incorrect offside call from the officials.

Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson did their best to ensure Liverpool's defenders were kept on their toes at the other end, but found Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger in unrelenting mood. And only a desperate saving tackle from Tim de Cler on Sanchez in the box kept the score to 1-0 as Fulham trudged off at half-time punch-drunk.

Something had to change at the break for the hosts but for the first five minutes of the second half, Liverpool picked up where they left off - Riera prodding wide on the stretch five yards out from Sanchez's cross-shot and Torres denied seven yards out by Pascal Chimbonda's fabulous block.

However, as news of relegation rivals Birmingham's behind against their city rivals Aston Villa filtered into the ground, Fulham suddenly found their feet. Johnson was at the heart of the hosts' good play in a spell that had Liverpool reeling a little, and Aaron Hughes almost snatched an equaliser when his 20-yard drive was deflected over his own bar by Javier Mascherano.

At just 1-0 up, as has so often been the case of late, Liverpool looked vulnerable, and substitute Clint Dempsey might have done better when his shot from the edge of the area drifted wide of Pepe Reina's goal. With time running down the match was truly end to end, Fulham finally full of puff and Liverpool looking to score on the counter - something they almost pulled off when Torres broke and smashed a drive on to the bottom of the post late in the game.

Still, there was time for Fulham to salvage something and only Reina in the Liverpool goal prevented them doing so, the Spaniard brilliantly stopping Zamora's near-post shot from eight yards before pulling off an even better stop from Tim de Clers's 20-yard drive. It was as close as Fulham got in the end.

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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson: "Liverpool were unbelievable and we found it almost impossible to contain them. They deserve to win the league this season, and we struggled to match their quality. We've been fully aware all season of the trouble we could be - and now are - in, but there's no point looking back. We know what we've got to do next week now - we have to win or atleast draw. We might be lacking in confidence and a bit of belief right now, but we will prepare ourselves for a final day of enormous proportions."

Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho: "We have not won anything yet but we hope we can win the league next week. There was a bit of nervousness in our play at times but we killed the game in the second half to continue what has been a fantastic season so far."

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Fulham: Schwarzer, Chimbonda, Riggott, Hughes, de Cler, Davies, Defour, Dacourt(C), Konchesky(Dempsey 63), Johnson(Kanu 83), Zamora.
Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Stoor, Kelly, Omozusi, Pantsil.

Booked: Dacourt.

Liverpool: Reina, Degen, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano(Lucas 88), Aquilani, Gerrard(C), Riera(Babel 80), Sanchez, Torres.
Subs Not Used: Diego, Skrtel, Dossena, Kuyt, Camacho.

Booked: Mascherano.

Goals: Alexis Sanchez 18.

Att: 25,462.

Ref: A Marriner.

Man of the Match: Alexis Sanchez.​

 

[surendar]

Your neatness in the presentation impress me though I know very very little on the Football. Keep it up.