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Owen-less Liverpool denied win over Manchester City
London, Dec 30: With Michael Owen edging closer to a return from injury, Liverpool fans would like to think the same.
London, Dec 30: With Michael Owen edging closer to a return from injury, Liverpool fans would like to think the same.
But their hopes of saying goodbye to what has been a bitterly frustrating year on a positive note were dashed by former Anfield hero Robbie Fowler, who salvaged a 2-2 draw for Manchester City deep into injury time.
The only consolation for the Liverpool faithful is that life could be worse: they could be supporting Tottenham or Leeds. Defeats by Charlton and Wolves respectively ensured that the two former giants of the English game will kick off 2004 in the relegation zone.
A solitary strike by Carlton Cole earned Charlton all three points at Spurs and moved Alan Curbishley's side up into fourth place while Leeds slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Wolves.
The defeat ended a five-match unbeaten run by Leeds under Eddie Gray and the caretaker manager issued a grim warning to the financially imperilled club's players and fans.
"I don't agree with the assumption that we are too good to go down," Gray said. "Our position in the League says it all."
Spurs boss David Pleat was more upbeat about his side's survival prospects, although the fans who booed his players off the pitch do not appear to be convinced.
"I can't change the result - but if I keep getting the same effort from those players the club and the new manager who comes in will have no problems," Pleat said.
"I'm not low; I'm not low at all. We can see the danger, and every club is entitled to be nervous if they're in that position. But there are 19 games to go, and it's up to us. If we continue like we played we'll be okay.
Bureau Report
But their hopes of saying goodbye to what has been a bitterly frustrating year on a positive note were dashed by former Anfield hero Robbie Fowler, who salvaged a 2-2 draw for Manchester City deep into injury time.
The only consolation for the Liverpool faithful is that life could be worse: they could be supporting Tottenham or Leeds. Defeats by Charlton and Wolves respectively ensured that the two former giants of the English game will kick off 2004 in the relegation zone.
A solitary strike by Carlton Cole earned Charlton all three points at Spurs and moved Alan Curbishley's side up into fourth place while Leeds slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Wolves.
The defeat ended a five-match unbeaten run by Leeds under Eddie Gray and the caretaker manager issued a grim warning to the financially imperilled club's players and fans.
"I don't agree with the assumption that we are too good to go down," Gray said. "Our position in the League says it all."
Spurs boss David Pleat was more upbeat about his side's survival prospects, although the fans who booed his players off the pitch do not appear to be convinced.
"I can't change the result - but if I keep getting the same effort from those players the club and the new manager who comes in will have no problems," Pleat said.
"I'm not low; I'm not low at all. We can see the danger, and every club is entitled to be nervous if they're in that position. But there are 19 games to go, and it's up to us. If we continue like we played we'll be okay.
Bureau Report