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Liverpool scrapes into English FA Cup fourth round
Manchester, Jan 06: A second half penalty from England midfielder Danny Murphy has sent Liverpool into the English FA Cup fourth round after a scrappy 1-0 victory at premier league rivals Manchester City.
Manchester, Jan 06: A second half penalty from England midfielder Danny Murphy has sent Liverpool into the English FA Cup fourth round after a scrappy 1-0 victory at premier league rivals Manchester City.
Liverpool, who have not won in their last 10 premier league games, fully deserved their victory for showing more initiative than a City side who never got into their usual attacking rhythm, even playing at their own Maine Road ground, on Sunday (January 5).
Gerard Houllier's side had most of the first half possession against Kevin Keegan's City but failed to carve out any really clear-cut chances.
Their best effort came from a 25-metre volley from Czech midfielder Vladimir Smicer which Danish keeper Peter Schmeichel palmed away.
City's Nicolas Anelka, facing the club he joined on loan last season from Paris St Germain but with whom failed to earn a permanent move, tried mainly in vain to beat Liverpool's offside trap.
His side's only shot on target in a disappointing opening 45 minutes for City came when the Frenchman beat the Liverpool trap but had his angled shot blocked by keeper Chris Kirkland.
Liverpool kept up the pressure after the re-start and were rewarded almost immediately.
Senegal's El-Hadji Diouf, replacing injured striker Michael Owen, complained he was pushed inside the area and as play continued, City's Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe used his hand to block Vladimir Smicer's cross into the area.
Referee Uriah Rennie pointed to the penalty spot and Murphy, who missed the World Cup after a pre-tournament training ground injury in South Korea, coolly slotted home, sending Schmeichel the wrong way.
City tried to get back into the game but despite a good effort by substitute Shaun Goater, their attacks were snuffed out by a well-organised defence.
After hitting the post in a frantic finale, Diouf almost scored an amazing goal as Schmeichel cleared with a header inside his own half and the Senegal striker's first-time volley flashed narrowly wide of an open goal from 30 metres.
For City fans and coach Kevin Keegan, it was a sad end to their team's last ever FA Cup tie at Maine Road as the club are moving to the Commonwealth stadium while Gerard Houllier's Liverpool secured their first win in 11 matches and a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Bureau Report
His side's only shot on target in a disappointing opening 45 minutes for City came when the Frenchman beat the Liverpool trap but had his angled shot blocked by keeper Chris Kirkland.
Liverpool kept up the pressure after the re-start and were rewarded almost immediately.
Senegal's El-Hadji Diouf, replacing injured striker Michael Owen, complained he was pushed inside the area and as play continued, City's Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe used his hand to block Vladimir Smicer's cross into the area.
Referee Uriah Rennie pointed to the penalty spot and Murphy, who missed the World Cup after a pre-tournament training ground injury in South Korea, coolly slotted home, sending Schmeichel the wrong way.
City tried to get back into the game but despite a good effort by substitute Shaun Goater, their attacks were snuffed out by a well-organised defence.
After hitting the post in a frantic finale, Diouf almost scored an amazing goal as Schmeichel cleared with a header inside his own half and the Senegal striker's first-time volley flashed narrowly wide of an open goal from 30 metres.
For City fans and coach Kevin Keegan, it was a sad end to their team's last ever FA Cup tie at Maine Road as the club are moving to the Commonwealth stadium while Gerard Houllier's Liverpool secured their first win in 11 matches and a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Bureau Report