Football Analyst

Having not been to an Orient match since 14th January due to being at Uni, my first game back was to watch our defeat to Wednesday 1-0. It was the first time I had seen us without both Dawson and Spring, which highlighted how much they were key to our progress. Dawson was the engine room in the midfield which has somewhat been replaced with Reed and Spring who was the experience there picking passing and sitting in front of the back four.

Saturdays Team:

——————————-Rachukba

McSweeney              Chorley                Cuthbert                 Forbes

Smith                        Leacock                   Reed                      Cox

——————————-Campbell-Rice

———————————Lisbie

Now albeit we are playing against a top team within the diversion, playing basically 4-5-1 at home is always defensive which means that the opposition just comes straight onto the front foot. Campbell-Rice seemed to be getting into the same positions as Cox which is always a problem. Cox didn’t seem to be with the game, even though he created both goals the previous week against Brentford. Forbes seemed out of his depth at left back, any Orient fan could have told you that he is a center back and that is it. Playing him at left back was just an initiative for Wednesday to give the ball to Antonio to run and run at Forbes all day long. Playing one man up top, in Lisbie who isn’t the tallest, why the hell were we playing long ball upto Lisbie when he was towered above by the Wednesday center halves, didn’t make any sense.

The midfield battle was lost pretty much every time, Leacock looked out of his depth as well hereby highlighting the need for Spring there. I was never happy with the loan signing of Rachubka after his display for Leeds against Blackpool earlier on in the season. He didn’t do much wrong to be honest but one main concern is when he saves a shot, the ball is parried straight back into the danger zone rather than to the side which keeps us under pressure. 1-0 flattered us, it could have easily been 3 or 4 nil, we only looked better when Porter came on, using his pace to get behind the defence and we could have leveled at the death, when Porter’s volley flashed just wide.

My main concern was the substitutions, if Reed is there to replace Dawson, even though he wasn’t having the best game, to leave Leacock on when he was performing the same way was strange. But then it made it worse when Leacock is taken off 13 minutes later, I don’t think anyone was expecting three points but a performance where we actually have more than two shots on target would be nice.

Highlights: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17506337#asset

Tuesday’s game away to Oldham was a key game for Orient to bounce back, going into the game we had Dickson back at full back from injury and Spring but again injury crisis had hit the club again with Mcsweeney, Cuthbert, Cox and Campbell-Rice were all out.

Tuesday’s Team:

————————————Rachukba

Forbes                               Chorley                        Leacock                     Dickson

————————————–Smith

Porter                                 Reed                             Spring                       Mooney

————————————–Lisbie

The formation seem for us to go there and get a point, but gave us an outlet on the wing with Porter. A more balanced midfield with Reed and Spring give license to go forward as Smith was sitting behind. Listening to the commentary, Porter was the man to watch, impressing on the wing getting behind the defense. For a long time on the message board, fans have been asking for Porter to start and last night he delivered, creating the chance for Mooney to slot home in which he did. Porter was the attacking threat and Man of the Match according the commentary, which was good for the young boy who hasn’t been given many chances this season.

On the upside as well, Rachukba played well, making important saves and a confidence building clean sheet. I for one am still concerned with the goalkeeping issue but he is the only one fit at the moment. If he makes a mistake on Saturday, I’m sure I will be one of the first to highlight what I think of him. He has already cost us plenty of goals this season, I would love to have Jones back but will have to wait and see. I spoke to Butcher on Saturday before the game, he is not back to Christmas, he had one op yesterday and still got to have another one.

Lastly, as soon as we get a full-back fit, he either gets suspended or injured, Orient definitely have a problem with full-backs and goalkeepers this season which is a real pain. We haven’t properly replaced Daniels after he went to Bournemouth.

Saturday’s away day at Charlton will always be a tough game for us, having outplayed them last year and losing 3-1 with a Jamie Jones mistake and a disgraceful decision by the ref to disallow Jimmy Smith’s header. As long as Orient show heart and desire on Saturday and Slate plays basically the same side, I will be and I think many other Orient fans annoyed if he drops Porter.

Charlton aren’t in the best of form winning only 1 0f there last five, are they feeling the strain of the title push. This can either be a good thing or bad thing, they could still be vulnerable or they could come back and produce a fine performance. We will have to wait and see.

Come on Orient, keep the momentum from Tuesday’s victory and go into the London Derby going for the victory. My first away game since Stevenage where hopefully we can replicate the performance and result. Onwards and upwards Orient.

Our last win at Charlton lets see us to the double: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItXzXrGBNc8 I wouldn’t mind if we have a lucky goal just like this one in the return game at Brisbane Road http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arGhipu-0fM

A comprehensive performance from Barcelona knocks Arsenal out, putting themselves into the quarters winning 3-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate. Arsenal rarely threatened in the game before and after Robin Van Persie was harshly sent off for time wasting by kicking the ball away with 35 minutes to go. The referee got the decision, no player on the pitch would have heard the whistle, Wenger was livid but Barcelona were comfortable throughout even though they were only one goal away from going out.

Barcelona dominated from the first minute, Pedro received a ball over the top but Koscienly did well to block the shot. Arsenal were doing well to contain the Barcelona pressure but you sensed it wouldn’t be too long before Barcelona opened the scoring. They were camped inside the Arsenal half, as soon as Arsenal won the ball, Barcelona fought hard to win the ball back. On 15 minutes, Koscienly got booked for a foul on Pedro, from the resulting free kick, Alves ran up and blasted the ball straight in the path of Szczesny. But Szczesny got his hand in the wrong position suffering a finger injury which couldn’t be fixed by the physio, this meant Almunia had to come on. Almunia’s last start was against Leyton Orient in the F.A. Cup, would he still be rusty? Barca were on top but neither one of the Arsenal’s keepers had to make a decent save.

Barca’s started to put the pressure on after 27 minutes, Barca were now creating chances; Messi ran through the center but got stopped, the ball fell to Pedro who tried to dig out a shot but he shot wide. Barca had more chances to get the 1st goal: Villa shot tamely at Almunia when put through by Messi, Adriano hit the post from an acute angle after a reverse past from Villa. Barca were certainly knocking on the door but Arsenal were just about keeping the quality out.

Just on 45 minutes, Wilshere went down injured, Barca players felt that he was faking it and time wasting. Luckily for Barca the referee was looking the other way when Abidal raised his hands to Van Persie throat. On another day, he might have been sent off. A minute later, the ball was played down the line where Van Persie took the bait to get him angry and pushed Alves to earn himself a silly yellow card. Only a mistake would put Barca in and this stage.

A mistake did arrive on 46 minutes from the Barcelona boy himself, Fabregas, he tried to back heal the ball to Wilshere just outside the penalty area. The suicidal ball was intercepted by Xavi who played Messi in, he delightfully dinked the ball over the onrushing Almunia, then volleyed the ball home in stoppage time of the first half.

1-0 at half time, Barcelona were going through on away goals, they had been the dominant side with Arsenal rarely attacking and having no shot on the Barcelona goal. Wenger would be furious with Fabregas, they are some occasions where you have to hit row Z.

The game was solely with Barcelona to loose when the second half kicked off, all first half they were camped inside Arsenal’s half. The second half started off quietly until 53 minutes, fantastic play from Nasri on the left wing forced Alves to put the ball out for a corner. Nasri floated the ball in and under pressure from Diaby, Sergio Busquets headed past Valdes to make it 1-1 on the night and 3-2 Arsenal on aggregate. Barcelona had to go again, Arsenal had no shot on target all night but were drawing 1-1 at the Nou Camp.

The game changed on 55 minutes, a ball was played over the top to Van Persie, the referee blew his whistle but Van Persie had a shot at goal. The ref deemed that he was time wasting, to every Arsenal players amazement he showed Van Persie a second yellow followed by a red. Wenger was going berserk on the touchline, there was 1 second between the whistle going and the shot, an absolutely ridiculous decision which could have cost Arsenal dear. Van Persie pleaded that he couldn’t hear the whistle which I agreed with him but when your playing at the Nou Camp, you expect many decisions to go against you and that one did.

Barcelona were increasing their pressure on the Arsenal goal with every minute going by, Almunia made two great saves: when a cross by Alves fell to Xavi who played Villa in, Almunia made himself big and prevented the goal; another save from Villa after Messi had played him in. Almunia was keeping Arsenal in this game. But on 68 minutes a sensational move from Barcelona put them 2-1 up on the night. Iniesta picked the ball up, used quick feet to get in between the Arsenal midfielder’s, he played a ball to Villa who plays a ball around the corner to a waiting Xavi who stroked the ball home. Flowing football at its best, Arsenal had no answer to Barcelona.

And on 70 minutes, Barcelona put themselves right in the box seat, Pedro wriggled away from a challenge in the box but Koscienly left a leg out where Pedro was caught giving Barcelona a penalty. Messi made no mistake with the penalty putting Barcelona 3-1 up on the night and Messi scoring his 45th goal this season, outstanding.

Barcelona were cruising, Almunia did well preventing it from going to 4: saving well from Alves, Messi and the substitute Affelay. Arsenal had one last chance, which fell on 86 minutes. Wilshere broke down the right flank, played a nice ball to Bendtner but his first touch was awful letting the ball run to Valdes. Bendtner can score a hat trick against Leyton Orient but do nothing against Barca, shows where your level should be Bendtner. Arsenal defended well with special mentions going to Almunia ‘who would have put himself back in Wenger’s good books’, Wilshere and Djourou even though they won’t want to here it.

Barcelona were comfortable throughout the game not coming under any pressure which is amazing really with a quality team in Arsenal failing to have one single shot on goal. Barcelona’s dominance was unbelievable but again Arsenal paid the price for finishing second in their group which forced them to play Barcelona. This is arguably the best club side ever to play together, although Arsenal won’t like losing they have lost in consecutive years to the best side in the world. Arsenal kept Barcelona out until Fabregas back healed on the edge of the box, the first goal was crucial but on another day it would have come off but everybody knows you don’t do that against Barcelona.

Arsenal can have arguments about the ref but he will always give more to Barcelona when they are playing at home. The red card wasn’t a red, there is no way Van Persie could have heard the whistle, I would have liked to have seen it happen to a Barca player to see whether the outcome would have been the same or different.

Arsenal need to pick themselves up, they still have a great chance in the Premiership and a big game on Saturday at Old Trafford against United. They are still in two competitions but how will their confidence be after tonight? Will there be any action for Van Persie or Wenger after match comments? Surely not, it was heat of the moment and they are right with what they said. Can Barcelona win the Champions League this year?

Next Up: Manchester United vs Arsenal – Saturday 17:15 ITV, F.A. Cup 6th Round                            Sevilla vs Barcelona – Sunday 20:00 SS, La Liga

An unconvincing first half performance from Chelsea was followed by a comfortable second half capped with a fine performance from substitute, Soloman Kalou, who took the game away from Blackpool. Kalou came on after 55 minutes after a injury to Didier Drogba, which changed Chelsea’s style of play. Blackpool had their chances in the first half when it was only 1-0, but Chelsea survived and counted in the second half to make it comfortable.

The game started brightly with both teams having initial shots at goal but they were saved: Carney for Blackpool after he cut in from the left and Drogba, when played through by Torres, but Kingston smothered the ball. The game was open with both teams trying to play football which was hard on a pitch which resembled the seaside beach. Drogba and Torres were failing to make an impact together both lacking in enthusiasm and  movement which meant that Blackpool were finding it easy to defend. Blackpool’s main attacking threat was coming down their left side with Carney and Crainey bombing forward to create opportunities but were well seen out by Chelsea’s defenders.

The first real opportunity came when a  cross was blocked by Evatt which went out for a corner, from the resulting corner Lampard floated in the ball, Terry lost his man and headed powerfully down giving Kingston no chance in the Blackpool goal to make it 1-0. One piece of concentrations costs Blackpool dear, Chelsea take the lead on 20 minutes and come very close to getting their second, Chelsea dominance led to Torres having shot just blocked by Evatt, the ball fell out to Bosingwa. He cut in from the right onto his left foot, he smashed the ball high towards the far corner, only a world class save from Kingston keeps the score just 1-0.

Blackpool react well after the goal, coming into the game more, winning the majority of the second ball preventing Chelsea from attacking. Blackpool went very close on 33 minutes, Blackpool again win the ball in the center of the park. Puncheon ran at the penalty area, beat David Luiz then he shot right footed, all Cech could do was tip the shot onto the post. Blackpool were right back into the game. Blackpool were dominating Chelsea, Carney has shot blocked by Luiz, Evatt crossed where Cech tipped over for a corner, another cross by Beattie is well headed out by Chelsea’s defenders. Blackpool needed to score while they were on top otherwise Chelsea’s clinical finishing would overcome the challenge of Blackpool. The last action of the first half, Ramires comes in from the left and shot but it was well saved by Kingston.

1-0 at half time, it was harsh on Blackpool who had the majority of possession causing Chelsea to be on the back foot. The champions had one real chance which they took highlighting the clinical nature of the teams at the top. The Drogba and Torres partnership was failing to live up to expectations with both looking lost.

Blackpool started off the second half as they had finished the first, Vaughan shot just wide of the mark and Beattie has a header blocked at the back post where Drogba gets injured. Ancelotti had a decision to put on Anelka or Kalou, he chose Kalou and that is where the game changed. It took 7 minutes for Kalou to make an impact and on 62 minutes, Kalou won a penalty for his team. The ball was played to his feet with his back to the goal, Evatt came in from the side and just about played the ball. The ref had no hesistation and pointed to the spot. A debatable decision with put on the other side, Blackpool wouldn’t have got the decision as it is against the top 4. Lampard confidently stepped up and calmly stroked the ball home to make it 2-0. Kalou had an immediate impact, he had done more than Drogba had done in the rest of the match.

4 minutes later on 65 minutes, Kalou picked the ball up in Blackpool’s half, he ran at the defense and played a neat through ball to Lampard who stroked the ball into the far corner away from Kingston to make it 3-0. Chelsea were cruising now, comfortable and Blackpool seemed resigned to defeat. The game was coming to a quiet conclusion until the last 10 minutes. Phillips dragged his shot wide after a through ball from Reid and on 85 minutes Blackpool got their consolation goal. Bosingwa lost the ball on the right, Crainey found Beattie who played first time to Puncheon. He took one touch before he fired the ball low into the far corner to keep Blackpool with a slim chance of getting something from the game. In the 2 minutes following, Blackpool had a chance to make it 3-2, Phillips got behind the defense and squared to Ormerod who had his shot blocked. From the resulting corner, Chelsea managed to get the ball out.

Chelsea had chances to make it 4, Torres shot straight at Halstead after he replaced Kingston, who went off injured. Malouda had a shot well saved at the near post, Kalou shot wide after he looked to cap his fine performance. Blackpool nearly got a second which would have concerned Chelsea but their quality prevailed cutting United’s lead to 9.

The game changed in the second half when Kalou came on, he gave Blackpool a different thing to work on, his movement was much better than Drogba pulling the Blackpool defense around creating gaps for Lampard to exploit. Both second half goals were created by Kalou and he put the game out of reach of Blackpool. Torres didn’t seem his old self again, his movement was lacking and his touch was again off the pace. How long will Ancelotti give him?

Blackpool coped well without the influential pair Campbell and Adam, they would have helped Blackpool but the kept following Holloway’s principles. Reid, Vaughan and Puncheon all showed quality which on another day would have helped Blackpool to win. Blackpool need to focus on the games against the teams around them to keep them out of relegation trouble.

Chelsea only 9 points behind United with a game in hand and still a trip to Old Trafford to come, they are by no uncertain terms out of this title race.

Next up : Chelsea not playing this weekend, as they are out of F.A. Cup                                                    Blackpool also not playing

A stuttering second half display from Real Madrid nearly costs them dear after a sensational first half display which put them 2-0 in front. Madrid were exceptional in the first half giving Racing a lesson on one and two touch passing, they couldn’t get near them. Neat triangles involving: Ozil, Di Maria, Benzema, Adebayor, Granero and Alonso were running rings around Racing. However, in the second half Madrid nearly rued the missed chances from the first half.

Madrid’s dominance on the game was from the start, Benzema was unlucky at the back post when he hit over when under pressure from the keeper on 3 minutes. Madrid were on top and kept missing chances when Di Maria blazed over from just outside penalty area, Alonso hit the bar with a freekick and Di Maria shot straight at the keeper. Madrid should have been 1-0 up on 14 minutes, an exceptional through ball from Ozil got Marcelo in behind the right back, he sided stepped the goalkeeper so all he had to do was slide the ball into the empty neat. But somehow he managed to screw his shot wide of an open goal, Mourinho wondering how the hell did he miss that. The only chance that Racing had was when Casillas got his bearings all wrong when Rosenberg shot but it was going well wide but Casillas decides to save the shot which could have gone anywhere.

Madrid supremacy was finally rewarded in a 4 minutes period mid way through the first half. The first goal was a great one touch passing masterclass, great play between Di Maria, Ozil, Benzema and Adebayor got Ozil in behind the defense. He had the awareness and vision to square the ball to a waiting Adebayor who slotted the ball into an empty net. A goal worthy of gracing any match, who said Madrid don’t play pretty football. Madrid made the game comfortable with a second, Ozil made the goal. Ozil picked the ball up in the middle of Racing’s half, ran towards the penalty area, Benzema made a run of the left flank where Ozil found him with a delightful through ball. Benzema controlled well and coolly slotted home to make it 2-0. Madrid could even afford to hit the crossbar again after a brilliant cross field ball from Alonso which set up Benzema, who controlled the ball excellently and smashed the ball left footed against the cross bar with the keeper beaten. Racing first real chance came on 45 minutes great play from the Spurs loanee, Dos Santos who combined with Kennedy, he crossed but Kennedy could only head high over the bar.

Real played very very well in the first half and without Ronaldo who looks like he will be out for between 10-15 days, Real need to get on with playing as they cannot rely on Ronaldo.

Real came out in the second half a different team, their passing was sluggish and the players looked like they had already won the game. Racing were doing all of the passing using one touch to get them in positions to score. Racing pressure gave them an opportunity on 53 minutes, Dos Santos cut in from the right into the penalty area, a clumsy challenge from Alonso won the penalty from Racing. Pinillos tamely hit the ball straight to Casillas dive where he saved and set up a counter attack. Racing’s major chance was blown, they would have been right back in the game.

Real didn’t wake up and were forced to on 70 minutes, again great one touch passing in the midfield set up Kennedy who moved the ball on to his left foot where he slid the ball in the corner to make it 2-1 and force Madrid to start playing. It didn’t take long for Madrid to have a 2 goal lead again, 5 minutes. Di Maria broke through the center with the options either side of him in Benzema and Adebayor. He chose Benzema who had peeled off into space on the left who had one touch and then curled the ball over the keeper and into the bottom corner to dampen Racing’s chances of getting a point out of the game. It could have been 4, on 83 minutes, Di Maria danced his way into the box where a defender left his leg out causing Di Maria to loose his balance. Without Ronaldo in the team, Adebayor stepped up but again the penalty was easily saved by the keeper showing the void which is left when Ronaldo is not in the team.

3-1 was the final score but it really should have been 6 or 7, Madrid had the chances in front of goal showing that they are not as clinical without Ronaldo as with Ronaldo. Ronaldo is a very key player for Madrid, no knowing what the score would have been if Ronaldo was playing but it would have been more. Real manage to win without Ronaldo but will need to give a whole performance next match otherwise they may be disappointed with the result. They took their foot off of the pedal which allowed Racing to get back into the game. If they were playing a better opposition, Real would have been punished.

Highlights: Real Madrid win http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzB429KOSn0 Barcelona win http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH94xyVpuA4

Barcelona cruised past Zaragoza on Saturday whist resting key players in Villa, Busquets, Inisesta and Abidal they managed to win but with Puyol and Pique missing the game with Arsenal on Tuesday will they be able to rescue the deficit? Barca are missing both regular center halves which could cause them concern with Busquets and Abidal looking favorite to play their so will Arsenal be able to take advantage of the void left by Puyol and Pique, we will have to wait and see.

Next up: Real Madrid vs Hercules – Saturday 19:00  Sky Sports                                                               Barcelona vs Arsenal – Tuesday 19:45 Sky Sports

An end to end game between Wolves and Tottenham ended rightfully level at 3-3 on the day Dean Richards was remembered. An entertaining game that swung both ways with both teams looking likely to win, decisions that everyone will debate in the media later today both concern referee, Mark Halsey. Disallowing Wolves an equalizer when the score was 3-2 Spurs and not sending off Alan Hutton on the pull back on Milijas.

Wolves started the game well forcing all of the play and pressure on to Tottenham’s goal with set pieces putting Gomes under pressure in the Spurs goal. Wolves pressure was rewarded on 20 minutes when a corner was headed out towards Henry who played a ball back to the corner taker, Ward. Ward swings in the ball right under Gomes’s goal, Doyle ran in unchalleneged in and flicked the ball with his head over the onrushing Gomes. Gomes was grasping at thin air, Wolves fully deserved their lead.

However, for all Wolves pressure the game turned in the space of 5 minutes. First, neat play from Tottenham approaching Wolves penalty area, Pavlyuchenko played a neat ball to Defoe who turned and curled the ball high into the top corner to make it 1-1 from just outside the penalty area. Then five minutes later, Defoe had a run down the left flank where he turned inside and out, he played the ball inside to Modric who tried to play the ball on, the ball fell back into the path of Defoe who again curled the ball right into the top corner out of the reach of Hennessey on the right side of the penalty area to make it 2-1 Tottenham.

But Tottenham’s lead only lasted for 5 minutes, Wolves again put the pressure on, a shot was blocked but fell for Milijas at the back post who was about to shoot one on one with Gomes when Hutton pulled him back making him loose his balance. Everyone in the ground was expecting a red card for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity but Halsey didn’t see it that way and only booked Hutton. From the resulting penalty, Doyle sent Gomes the wrong way to make the score 2-2. It was 2-2 at the break with both teams looking like they could win the game.

Straight after the break, Tottenham go on the attack, Jenas broke in from the right and fed Pavlyuchenko who moved the ball onto his left side and hammered the ball over the top of Hennessey from just outside the penalty area to make it 3-2. Wolves were not out of this by a long way. Wolves kept on pressing with Ward heading just wide from a Jarvis cross and were unlucky not to level on 65 minutes, Milijas picks the ball up mid way inside Tottenham’s half, runs at the defense and shoots, Gomes tips the ball onto the post to keep Spurs in front.

Redknapp turned to Bale and Lennon to make an impact and make the game save by scoring a fourth goal and that nearly happened on 78 minutes. Great play by Bale that got him in between two Wolves defenders where he was one on one with Hennessey, he shot in between his legs but luckily the ball hit his back leg saving Wolves and keeping them in the game. Halsey played another major role in the match on 79 minutes, Milijas curled a freekick in, Stearman jumped to win the header and the ball is lost by Gomes, falling in the net for a goal. But Halsey deemed that it was a foul on Gomes when Stearman’s eyes were on the ball and Gomes lost the flight of the ball which led him to concede a goal. In this modern game keepers are untouchable, literally. Halsey was not Wolves fans favorite at that point.

Wolves were unlucky not to escape conceding another goal with 7 minutes to go, Stearman lost all bearings and played a loose ball to Bale, he teed up Defoe for his hat trick but he hit the post when Hennessey was beaten. Would Defoe regret missing that chance?

He would, with 3 minutes remaining a neat one two between Jarvis and Ebanks-Blake set up Jarvis who cut back onto his right foot, he crossed to the back post where Fletcher rose above Gallas to head into the far corner to make 3-3, nothing less than Wolves deserve. A fine display from Wolves showing that they have the battling qualities to get them out of relegation trouble. Halsey must be relieved that the two decisions he got majorly wrong didn’t prevent Wolves from getting anything from the match. But once again a referee has a major impact on a match, when will a referee not be the center of attention.

Spurs would be happy to come back from Wolves with a point where both Chelsea and Manchester United have fallen and especially after the decisions that they got in their favor. Also Spurs welcomed back both Bale and Lennon who will ultimately have a part to play against AC Milan on Wednesday night. Spurs will need to up for the game if they want to progress even if they do have a 1-0 advantage. A Spurs win would have put pressure on Chelsea but Chelsea have all the motivation they need with Manchester United losing and Arsenal drawing. Will Spurs be able to progress against AC Milan

A fine all round Liverpool performance proves too much for an United side missing key players. Liverpool exploited the missing demanding center half duo of Ferdinand and Vidic. Suarez and Kuyt ran Smalling and Brown ragged all game. However, both teams could have been down to 10 which would have turned the game around.

Liverpool started strongly creating many chances testing Van Der Sar early but both Suarez and Maxi missed the target. The first real chance came on 15 minutes, Berbatov took a shot from outside the penalty area, Reina was beaten but he struck the post. The game turned on that moment, Liverpool realized it wasn’t going all their way. Liverpool kept on pressing looking for the first goal and it came with 33 minutes gone. A cross was not cleared by United, it fell to Kyrgiakos who played a neat ball into Suarez’s feet. Suarez danced in between Rafael, Carrick and Brown,  and managed to square the ball across the goal where Kuyt had an easy tap in. Suarez’s skill was sensational, his footwork and ball control was superb as he beat three players also having the vision and awareness to square the ball to an unmarked Kuyt.

United were shell shocked and 5 minutes after the first, the second came and Liverpool got it on 39 minutes. Good play down the right allowed enough time for Suarez to cross but the cross was too deep, Nani rose but somehow managed to head it behind his back four. Kuyt crept his way into the space and had another easy chance where he made it 2-0. Would the hairdryer come out at half time from Fergie?

United were looking to keep it down to just 2-0 until the break, right on 45 minutes the ball was played to Nani on the left wing. Carragher came in and made a horrific challenge on Nani catching him just above his left shin. Carragher had one thing on his mind and it was to injury Nani. Nani didn’t do himself any favors, he limped up and pushed the ref before falling back on the floor waiting to be stretched off for his injury. Carragher was booked for the challenge but he should have been sent off which would have changed the game.

The half didn’t end there, a ball broke loose in the right back position of United, Rafael started a run where Maxi stuck a leg out which was a foul, Phil Dowd let it go, Rafael lost control of the ball, in the heat of the moment he jumped in with two feet on Lucas. Dowd just stood and watched where he gave Rafael and Skrtel yellow cards for the tackle and the reaction respectively. Again, it could have been a red card.

United come out in the second half much better, having more possession and creating more chances. Hernandez has two chances but one is blocked and Rooney fails with a pass in behind for him. Giggs goes close with a rasping drive from just outside the area which goes just over the bar. The big chance for United to get back into the game came on 59 minutes, a Giggs corner is headed across the 6 yard box where Berbatov is waiting but heads straight into the chest of Meireles who is standing on the post. Berbatov appeals for handball but rightfully not given as it hits his chest.

Liverpool go back on the attack, Meireles had a chance to make it 3-0 but Van Der Sar makes a good save at his near post. 3 minutes later Liverpool do make it 3-0, a freekick just right of the penalty area. Suarez steps up to shoot, Van Der Sar saves but only fumbles the ball in to the path of the on rushing Kuyt, who buries his third and his hat trick. One of the easy hat tricks you will ever seen.

United press again as you would expect but with Liverpool comfortable, Dalgleish had the pleasure of bringing the £35 million striker, Carroll to a delighted Anfield crowd. Liverpool were running the clock down with Suarez using great skill to work a chance but screwing his shot well wide. United graped a consolation goal with 2 stoppage time minutes remaining. Giggs does well on the right, turning Johnson the wrong way giving him the time to pick out Hernandez who heads neatly into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.

A team performance from Liverpool ensured that they beat United, Liverpool adapted well to Aurelio getting injured and took their chances well. Suarez and Kuyt have a very good understanding together, with Suarez’s performance showing why he was worth £23 million. Dowd got two major decisions wrong with Carragher and Rafael not being sent off for ruthless challenges but the right result came out of the game.

What next for United?, 2 defeats in a row, with an F.A. Cup quarter final next week against Arsenal. United will need to bounce back quick and grateful that Arsenal only managed to draw yesterday. United look very vulnerable without Ferdinand and Vidic, teams can exploit the weakness in the air when they aren’t playing. How bad is Nani’s injury, he is a very big player for United, just look how many goals he has been involved in all year. Liverpool go from strength to strength under Dalgleish, the difference from the first game against United and this one was astonishing. Ever player is playing for their shirt, Suarez is very good player and with Carroll coming back from injury how far can they go this season?