Premier League - Liverpool stay in hunt after win

Eurosport - Sun, 26 Apr 08:41:00 2009

Liverpool saw off a spirited performance from 10-man Hull City to win 3-1 at the KC Stadium and keep alive their slimming hopes of wresting the Premier League title off Manchester United.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Liverpool Dirk Kuyt - 0

Despite an encouraging first-half performance from Hull, Xabi Alonso broke the deadlock just before the half-time whistle with a well-struck shot from 25 yards.

The hosts struggled to recover from the blow and when Caleb Folan was dismissed for a petulant kick at Martin Skrtel on 59 minutes, their hopes of getting something from the game effectively evaporated.

Dirk Kuyt hammered home Liverpool's advantage to make it 2-0 four minutes later and, despite Geovanni's 73rd minute strike which briefly gave the home fans hope, Kuyt bagged his own second and the Reds' third at the death to seal a vital win.

Nothing but all three points would have been enough for Liverpool in their chase for the title, especially after United went on to beat Tottenham 5-2 in thrilling fashion in the late kick-off.

For Hull, defeat could yet have serious implications in their fight to stay in the top flight - Phil Brown's side remain in 17th after failing to steal a march on Middlesbrough and Newcastle, who play on Sunday and Monday respectively.

Desire, spirit and a never-say-die attitude - not to mention the odd slice of luck - are the main survival ingredients for teams involved in a relegation dogfight.

At least Brown can console himself with the fact that his side have the first three of those things.

During a stirring first-half display, Hull not only succeeding in holding Liverpool goalless for the majority of the half, but actually enjoyed the better of the play.

Folan, recalled to the starting line-up at the expense of Angolan striker Manucho, signalled the hosts' intent after just six minutes, running in on goal before a rather leaden-footed turn let him down.

Brazilian Geovanni also looked sharp early on; his first-time half volley from the edge of the penalty area whistled just wide of Pepe Reina's post on 17 minutes in what would have been a sure-fire contender for goal of the season had it bulged the back of the net.

In between those efforts, the irrepressible Fernando Torres had seen a shot deflected just over the Hull bar, but at the other end even Nick Barmby threatened to add to his one league goal this season, the veteran nearly getting on the end of a deep cross on 38 minutes.

But for all thehome side's endeavour, Jose Reina in the Liverpool goal remained largely untroubled during the first half, and Liverpool took full advantage to nick an opener in the last minute of the opening period.

Alonso, who has become increasingly valuable to Liverpool, especially in the continued absence through injury of Steven Gerrard, was the scorer, the Spaniard firing past Boaz Myhill at the second attempt after his initial free-kick had come back to him off the wall.

Considering their efforts for the majority of the opening period, conceding at such a crucial time was harsh on Hull.

Add to that a sense of injustice that the free-kick was awarded in the first place - George Boateng was booked after the half-time whistle sounded for putting forward the case that Javier Mascherano had dived under his challenge too forcefully - and it was understandable that the hosts came out after the break a little deflated.

Liverpool sensed their chance and the dismissal of Folan - who appeared to have taken inspiration from Real Madrid defender Pepe, whose midweek dismissal in La Liga earned him a 10-match ban - played into the visitors' hands.

Soon after Hull were reduced to 10 men, Kuyt proved his poaching qualities for the first time of the day, the Dutchman diverting a Skrtel shot past Myhill with his head.

Again, Hull were left to rue their bad luck as replays showed the ball to have struck Lucas Leiva on the arm in the build-up. But referee Martin Atkinson missed it and allowed the goal to stand.

Kuyt then settled matters in the last minute with a similarly instinctive strike, this time diverting Alvaro Arbeloa's wayward shot into the back of the net.

In between Geovanni's straight-forward finish after good work by substitute Daniel Cousin had briefly given hope to Hull, but ultimately it had no bearing on the result.

Indeed, Liverpool could have increased their margin of victory further had Torres's towering header not struck the bar in the 79th minute.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

Comment 139 - 158 of 158

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. didnt do you bindippers any good beating hull did it ha­ ha your running out of games ha ha ha ha

    From DAZGGMU-RED-LEGEND-OF-YAHOO, on Sun 26 Apr 7:50PM

  2. good to see hull going down, phil brown is the biggest­ @#$% in football with his stupid leather jacket and ear­ peice. After his great move of bollocking the players­ on the pitch at half time against man city they have­ hardley won a game wot a clown and has for that nonce­ horton

    From JOHN R, on Sun 26 Apr 7:09PM

  3. A great win for us yesterday. it will take a lot of­ asking for utd to lose 6 points, but while it can still­ happen there is a chance. But the title is going to OT­ this season.

    From Suzy, on Sun 26 Apr 5:32PM

  4. Ii think that liverpoo are stupid

    From Michael, on Sun 26 Apr 5:11PM

  5. Hmm, is it United's fault that Liverpool have not­ won the league for 19 SEASONS, yes it is a huge 19­ years since they were champions, and when United win­ the league this season they will be the 1st enlglish­ club EVER to win a hat trick of titles on 2 seperate­ ocassions, so eat that stat.

    From Tony, on Sun 26 Apr 4:10PM

  6. all man u fans should have been the bit you mum­ swallowed...liverpool liverpool liverpool...ynwa

    From PAUL B, on Sun 26 Apr 2:57PM

  7. Mascherano is a cheat, he fell over to get a fellow­ professional sent off, you have no right to go on about­ United's penalty when decisions are clearly going­ your way too.

    From Tony, on Sun 26 Apr 2:06PM

  8. First L:
    At the end of the day, the losers are the­ likes of you, constantly slagging eachother off, whilst­ the players, through the kind contributions from their­ so called loyal fans, can afford a lifestyle that you­ lot won't be seeing in this lifetime or the next.­ The British with their "passion" for the­ game, have never seen that at the end of the day,­ it's a manipulated, corrupted business, out there­ to rake it in from wherever and whoever they can. Get a­ life. Your national side is a mickey mouse outfit. I­ mean, what have they done in the last 40 years­ plus.....nothing at all

    From sappercommando25, on Sun 26 Apr 1:12PM

  9. Liverpool have little chance of the domestic title­ unless their archrivals screw up in the last minute.

    From sappercommando25, on Sun 26 Apr 1:04PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Went to semi fnal and the Everton fans were amazing. Im­ a Chelsea fan but the Everton fans were the best i ever­ heard.
    Only one set of fans on merseyside from what i­ can see.

    From robbo, on Sun 26 Apr 10:09AM

  11. First L: Being the best club and fans OFF the pitch­ doesn't win you titles! You loser!!

    COME ON­ UNITED!!

    From Katey, on Sun 26 Apr 10:00AM

  12. Are You Watching Liverpool!??
    Did you see the win­ yesterday that United had!!
    Being behind 2-o at half­ lime and to come back and win 5-2! Some games that­ was!!
    the title is OURS!!
    United 4 Premier League 09!!

    From Katey, on Sun 26 Apr 9:56AM

  13. TO ALL YOU LIVERPOO IDIOTS OUT THERE 90% OF MANCHESTER­ UNITED SUPPORTERS HAVE NOT BEEN TO OLD TRAFFORD DO YOU­ LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD HO SORRY NEVER BEEN OUT OF YOUR­ LIVERPOO SLUM I HAVE GOT A TWO YEAR OLD LAD HE SPENDS­ MORE TIME AT O.T THAN HE DOES AT HOME GLORY GLORY MAN­ UNITED GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED­ AND THE REDS GO MARCHING ON ON ON .

    From True Red, on Sun 26 Apr 9:51AM

  14. so you managed to feel good about beating ten men from­ hull?...says it all really....by the was 5, thats 5 ­ goals in twenty mins from 2.0 down?...we call that­ 'scouse baiting ' in these partsw..lol....to­ easy!eat it raffa....

    From stuartxland, on Sun 26 Apr 8:42AM

  15. First L thank the Gods of football that the dull­ negative style of football played by liverpool in the­ seventies and early eighties has long since been­ forgotten you deserve every ounce of how you feel and I­ wish you many more years . Now go back to­ insignificance in the shadows of the CHAMPIONS ...

    From Glenn T, on Sun 26 Apr 8:34AM

  16. Wan Firdaus ? Wrong, Wan ker !

    From Bike 69, mabaho ka !, on Sun 26 Apr 8:23AM

  17. already lost............

    From spookholylands, on Sun 26 Apr 8:21AM

  18. Yeah I for one will admit it, we cannot win the prem.­ Not with an inferior playing field in the transfer­ market. Put that right somehow, and the prem titles are­ sure to roll in. We just wait for that fact to be put­ right. For now I am assured that my team are the best­ OFF the field, and our fans too are also the best.

    From John, on Sun 26 Apr 8:19AM

  19. I was perfectly sober. Yep, the real truth does hurt,­ doesn't it ? The only real perverts over 40 years­ are from Manchester United. Not only Liverpool fans­ know that, so do the rest of the fans - bar the­ perverts, who just enjoy the power of a superior­ ability in the transfer market. Who just enjoy their­ glory days now, fuelled on by 75000 every game, which­ weakens referrees and helps them quite often {­ yesterday was a prime example }.
    No glory hunters­ fans will sing at the end of the game 4-1 down at home,­ as Liverpool's did against Chelsea in October 2005.­ Rest assured, the best club and fans OFF the pitch are­ Liverpool's, irrespective of what happens ON the­ field....always have been, always will be....and there­ is a big gap there between the two clubs and the two­ sets of fans in that respect.
    And rest assured you­ fellow scousers, once the gap in the ability to compete­ in the transfer market is on a level playing field,­ then history will repeat itself. Our fans are unique,­ and every top player will want to play for Liverpool. I­ just wait and hope for the Yanks to get out, and then a­ nice similar power in the transfer market to happen.­ The rest, will follow naturally.

    From John, on Sun 26 Apr 8:14AM

  20. There must of been more people being sick yesterday in­ loserpool than ever before great to see harry kidnap­ nearly having a heart attack i suppose United would­ have got the blame for that lol ...

    From Glenn T, on Sun 26 Apr 8:12AM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account