LIVERPOOL PUDDLED!
The Premiership
Saturday, February 10th, 2007.
Attendance: 52,305
Newcastle United v. Liverpool
Due to a pre-match thunderstorm, there was a pitch inspection and, after a mere six minutes of the match, the Geordie faithful must have been wishing that the ref had not given the go-ahead, because Liverpool were a goal ahead. Not only that, but, almost predictably, it was scored by Craig Bellamy.
Jermaine Pennant made his way past Celestine Babayaro far too easily and rolled the ball back to the unmarked Bellamy who side-footed home with ease. His celebration did not go down too well with locals! To the delight of the Toon fans however, Bellamy failed to add to his tally even though he had two further great chances. Newcastle settled down and showed the necessary character to stay in touch and were rewarded when Reina stormed off his line and smacked the ball against his own defender, Agger, and the ball broke kindly for the on-rushing Martins who slotted home. His cartwheeling celebration was much appreciated by the fans!
Both teams battled on in the dreadful conditions and it was the home side who got the vital breakthrough when Riise unnecessarily slid in to pull down the marauding Stephen Taylor offering the Toon the chance to go ahead from the spot. The ultra-calm Solano confidently netted inside the keeper's right hand post.
Liverpool pressed forward for most of the remaining twenty minutes but the Newcastle defence, led by newcomer Onyewu, stood firm for a fine result.
Whilst Celestine Babayaro has his critics amongst the Toon fans, we must show our admiration for the courage he showed to play in the victory over Liverpool even though he had just lost his younger brother through tuberculosis. After discussions with his other brothers it was agreed that his brother would have wished him to play.
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