Premier League - Liverpool beat Bolton

Eurosport - Sat, 15 Nov 22:28:00 2008

Liverpool went top of the Premier League table for several hours after beating Bolton Wanderers 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium.

FOOTBALL 2008/09 Premier League Liverpool Steven Gerrard celebrates goal against Bolton with Fernando Torres - 0

Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard both scored to send the visitors three points clear of Chelsea, although the West London side later thumped West Brom to reclaim top spot.

Liverpool put together a 20-pass move midway through the first half as they probed from right to left searching for an opening which culminated with Fabio Aurelio's cross being met by Kuyt at the far post, the Dutchman nodding a header back across goal and past Jussi Jaaskelainen for his sixth of the season.

Gerrard doubled the lead with 15 minutes to go. Substitute Fernando Torres lost Andy O'Brien with a neat turn at the byline and his cross was glanced in by the Liverpool captain to put the match beyond doubt.

Liverpool's lead in the first half was well-deserved, but Bolton had the ball in the back of the net just before half-time.

Gavin McCann's corner was headed in by defender Gary Cahill, but referee Rob Styles had already blown his whistle for Kevin Nolan's obstruction of Liverpool keeper Jose Reina.

Liverpool began the match with Torres on the bench, despite the Spaniard starting in the midweek Carling Cup defeat at Tottenham.

Lone striker Robbie Keane missed a clear chance to double Liverpool's lead two minutes after Kuyt's goal, but the Irishman somehow managed to miss a ball played across the six-yard box.

Torres replaced Keane on the hour mark, and within moments he was fed down the right channel by Xabi Alonso, and his ball across goal was met by Steven Gerrard, but the Liverpool captain failed to steer a shot past Jaaskelainen as he slid in.

Bolton were made to look second best for much of the match, but Liverpool's misses kept them in the game until Gerrard scored the second.

In the first half, McCann lifted a ball over the Liverpool defence for Johan Elmander. The ball sat up nicely for the Swedish striker - who has not scored since the opening day of the season - and his well-struck half-volley was saved at the near post by Jose Reina.

Ricardo Gardner came on for Fabrice Muamba at half time, but he may wish he had stayed on the bench as he was guilty of missing two excellent chances.

Five minutes after coming on he found himself one-on-one with Reina. The Jamaican took the ball around the Spanish keeper but his left-footed shot struck his standing leg and went out for a goal kick. Running back to guard the empty net, defender Daniel Agger slid into the post and kneed himself in the face, knocking out one of his own teeth in the process.

Then, five minutes from time, Gardner again found himself in front of Reina, but this time he lifted an effort over the onrushing keeper but also well over the bar.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport

Comment 59 - 78 of 78

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  1. Look why are there so many liverpool haters?they beat­ bolton with ease and are racking up the points.If they­ go on like this they have a great chance to get­ title,but Chelsea can get in their way ,Thats why­ Liverpool must beat all the big four especially­ Chelsea.

    From victor, on Fri 21 Nov 9:12AM

  2. u know, i am so happy with liverpools performance,and­ we may have a chance to go back as our next 2 games are­ against fulham and west ham,while chelsea face­ newcastle,the Arsenal.

    From eliyaha, on Mon 17 Nov 7:57PM

  3. well said Fiona!!

    From Suzy, on Mon 17 Nov 12:39PM

  4. Some people just need to quit, going on about LFC­ ending up in 4th spot.....Time will tell, the season is­ going really well for us and to be honest Liverpool­ have started the season as they mean to go on, last­ season there was a distinct lack of consistency at the­ start of the season which led to the 4th place spot­ being the only acheivable posiion. This year is­ different, we are a contender, whether people like it­ or not. Long may the results continue,noone is Mystic­ Meg, so hold your tongues until the final whistle on­ the final day.....then you can start with the­ comments....YNWA

    From fiona.wilkes, on Mon 17 Nov 9:13AM

  5. SaMiR nAsRi...why is you do speak in pigeon­ english...??????

    From fluffy.bits, on Sun 16 Nov 1:33PM

  6. Why Torres play in 2nd half,I have him on fantasy and I­ feel better when he assist for Gerrard and he earn 6.5­ only

    From SaMiR NaSRi, on Sun 16 Nov 11:13AM

  7. wayne.howcroft : We'll talk about it in some­ months... 10 Wins and 2 draws from 13 matches is much­ better than 18 other prem teams for the moment !!! Let­ me dream about it and shut up

    To other LFC fans :­ YNWA

    From Mervin A, on Sun 16 Nov 10:40AM

  8. all liverpool fans are dreaming if they think that they­ can win the premiership,be realistic 4th spot is about­ all you will achieve

    From wayne H, on Sun 16 Nov 9:37AM

  9. What a wonderful performance from LIVERPOOL but we need­ to be converting our chances at the goal line. Keep on­ getting 3points and YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE rather­ YOU WILL WITH TROPHIES.

    From nwaliver, on Sun 16 Nov 9:24AM

  10. keane's missed up such a golden chance at the 1st­ half.....kinda pity....but anyway, it's a good­ game!!!

    From samcmc, on Sun 16 Nov 7:39AM

  11. Is a nice game yesterday. Wonderfull goal from kuyt and­ gerrard. Just no luck form torres, but have a good try­ short. Anyway, all the best to you all and be a­ champion tittle this year. Ypu all never walk alone,­ because have us support....

    From justin t, on Sun 16 Nov 4:50AM

  12. you just can't beat defenders like Agger, no one is­ more commited to football than a player that puts his­ own safety and wellbeing on the line to stop the other­ team scoring. what a great lad, lets just hope come­ the end of the season he's got something to show­ for it...

    From gtrip007, on Sun 16 Nov 2:51AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    oh look the diver scored LOL

    From yellowkdot, on Sun 16 Nov 1:11AM

  14. chelsea boring boring boring they are the most­ expensive team ever and still no european champions cup­ you can,t buy class and the fans what a sad bunch no­ get up and go about them their home games are like­ watching a snooker match @#$% morons

    From liam, on Sun 16 Nov 12:37AM

  15. This win is expected..

    From Half A Brain, on Sat 15 Nov 11:22PM

  16. Lfc, we're the master. We gona take our Truphy back­ home

    From johnsonokos, on Sat 15 Nov 11:17PM

  17. I am an open-mineded single girl who love sports. I­ want to end my single life by meeting
    a guy who likes­ sports too. Let's mingle at the club ___ kISs M­ ill iona ireS Co m __

    From sexyhotdeee, on Sat 15 Nov 10:33PM

  18. I am an open-mineded single girl who love sports. I­ want to end my single life by meeting
    a guy who likes­ sports too. Let's mingle at the club ___ kISs M­ ill iona ireS Co m __

    From sexyhotdeee, on Sat 15 Nov 10:31PM

  19. RAFA TO STAY. He's been an inspiration to LFC over­ the past few years. THANKS RAFA

    From paul1gibson2007, on Sat 15 Nov 10:09PM

  20. Fair play to Daniel Agger losing body parts regularly­ haha and still playing, if it was degen they would have­ to call an ambulance

    From ned n, on Sat 15 Nov 8:52PM
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