Liverpool 2-1 Tekken City - FA Premier League 06-07
From Tekken City
| Liverpool 2-1 Tekken City | |
|---|---|
| |
| Venue | Anfield |
| Date | November 5, 2006 |
| Liverpool scorers | Steven Gerrard (27) John Arne Riise (54) |
| Tekken City scorers | Wesley Sneijder (16) |
| Man of the Match | Steven Gerrard |
| Referee | Chris Foy |
| Attendance | 56,683 |
John Arne Riise's rocket in the second half ensured that Liverpool gained a spontaneous 2-1 win over Tekken City at Anfield, which means that Liverpool are unbeaten against the Buzzards in three seasons at Anfield
It now also means that Tekken are level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Premiership with both sides locked at 28 points each. Tekken still lead though, but now only via goal difference.
Rafa Benitez needed a win which would see them move up into the top half of the table, while Tekken City needed it simply to keep United at bay in the race for the title.
But a rare sending off for Chris Spears, and a tremendous goal by Riise served up Tekken's catastrophic display at Anfield as Liverpool fans errupted at the final whistle.
Tekken did however take the lead through Wesley Sneijder who scored his first Premiership goal with the Buzzards. Spears sidefooted the ball to his Dutch compatriot who smashed the ball from all of 30 yards into the top corner, beating Reina.
Liverpool could have immediately threatened shortly after the goal. A well worked cross in by Luis Carcia found Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt in space for him to head directly at goal but Nick Coren, Tekken's on-form keeper never looked out of place.
Steven Gerrard however, 10 minutes after Sneijder's opener converted a fantastic take for Liverpool's equaliser from a Luis Garcia cross that took Graham Mikes and Lucio completely out of the game. Gerrard smartly tapping in from close range past Nick Coren.
And then seven minutes into the second half, the league's strongest centre-back pairing were once again totally embarrassed. This time by John Arne Riise. The quick midfielder sliced through Tekken's midfield containing James True and Andrew Kindrat, brushed Lucio aside, and finally before Mikes could make a challenge, Riise had already screamed in his shot that powered itself past Coren into the net.
Liverpool could have even been 3-1 up moments later, when Riise whipped in another free kick on the edge of the penalty area, Gerrard was highest up to claim the ball in the air, over to Crouch who headed towards goal but the ball only went over the bar.
As the second half progressed, Tekken players began to get more and more frustrated as Liverpool grew confident. That was as far as disciplinery terms were concerned.
As Chris Spears went for a shot, he thought he was being pulled down by Jamie Carragher. He was looking for a free kick. However, for protesting, Chris Foy cautioned the Dutch striker with a yellow card. But even that didn't satisfy him, and it resulted in his early dismissal.
Spears was again, being pushed down by Carragher and thought he should have been awarded a penalty. But instead he had given a free kick to Liverpool. Spears then let all his frustration out on Carragher. He pushed him vigorously, leaving Foy no other choice but to send him off for discent, and a second bookable offence for his troubles.
Ronald Koeman, courtesy of the sending off then brought on his sub-striker Chris Guymer, sacrificing one of his midfielders, Andrew Kindrat. And with that Tekken were unlucky to have missed a big opportunity when Guymer fed in a tight through ball to Mateja Kezman, who controlled wonderfully but his shot came off the bar and went out much to the relief of Pepe Reina.
Chris Guymer also had a pop at goal with a low effort which Reina saved comfortably, and Liverpool held on to gain a well earned three points at Anfield.
