Premier League - Liverpool cruise past Bolton

Eurosport - Sat, 27 Dec 09:29:00 2008

Liverpool stayed one point clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League thanks to a 3-0 win over Bolton at Anfield.

2008-2009 Liverpool Robbie Keane celebrates scoring his second goal against Bolton - 0

A second-half brace from Robbie Keane and a first-half strike by Albert Riera secured the points for the hosts, who had earlier seen both their title rivals, Chelsea and Manchester United, win.

It was the first time in 20 days that any of the top three secured maximum points, although United have two games in hand after Club World Cup duty, and it was fitting that all three should win simultaneously.

Liverpool totally controlled the first half but only had one goal and one good chance to show for 75 per cent possession.

The visitors barely passed the halfway line, while Liverpool's back five were redundant.

Despite this it took a set-piece on 26 minutes to create the first meaningful opportunity, which Riera took with aplomb.

Steven Gerrard's corner was sent near post and, after whisper from Dan Agger, the Spanish winger raced across the area to prod the ball home as Johan Elmander recoiled instead of making a challenge.

Yossi Benayoun went close with a half-volley 11 minutes later but otherwise Liverpool were as toothless as they were dominant.

The second half was a different story as the hosts earned the score-line they deserved through two Keane goals in four minutes.

Keane had been heavily-criticised for a lack of goals in his short Liverpool career but, after his equaliser against Arsenal the previous week, he seems to finally be hitting form - and the back of the net.

On 53 minutes, Gerrard went on a driving run through midfield and spotted Keane move into space just to the left of the area.

Keane raced on to the through-ball and rifled a left-foot drive into the roof of the net past the helpless Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The Irishman's second - which sandwiched a great chance for Kuyt who mis-timed a diving header from Riera's superb cross - came from a similar counter-attack.

Pepe Reina released Xabi Alonso with a quick throw, the Spaniard went wide right to Benayoun and the Israeli pinged a low, first-time ball which Keane finished with ease.

The Reds were cruising and eased off their visitors, and they rested Riera, Gerrard and Kuyt while knocking the ball out with ease.

Substitute Ebi Smolarek almost grabbed a late consolation for Bolton when he fired inches wide after good midfield play by Fabrice Muamba, while Liverpool came close to extending their lead in the closing minutes but had to settle for a succession of corners and a spectacular double-save by Jaaskelainen deep into injury time.

The three-goal win also meant that Liverpool now have the same goal difference as third-placed United, who are seven points off the lead but with a maximum of six in hand.

Reda Maher / Eurosport

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  1. YNWA top of the league and still got el nino to come­ back uh oh watch out mancs!!
    Enough said sounds like­ there are plenty of sour grapes at the min hahahaha
    His­ armband said he was a red TORRES, TORRES!!!!!!!

    From John, on Fri 26 Dec 7:25PM

  2. top of the league n we havent hit form yet just wait­ till we get torres back! hehe cue shivers down manure­ fans backs. merry xmas haha!

    From ntrguitarschool, on Fri 26 Dec 7:21PM

  3. WUHAHAHAHAHHAHAAH IT'S 2-2 IDIOT ARSENAL and­ MIGHTLY LIVERPOOL!!!!!!WHERE ARE ARSENAL FANS I WANNA­ HEAR U ALL CRYING NOW GUNNERS???

    From terry_ozz, on Fri 26 Dec 7:15PM

  4. I agree with all of the Pool fans that they have won­ the most titles, unfortunately the games changed with­ the advent of the Premership, and they have taken How­ many years to lean from Arsenal and United. (Chelsea­ --No) Reset your stats guys back to reality.

    From Onefinger, on Fri 26 Dec 7:14PM

  5. So much bitterness beacuse Liverpool are the best team­ in Europe - check out the facts below...

    All u middle­ class prix need to get over it. Liverpool are back! All­ the Nigerian scum supporters on here will soon be­ supporting us...we don't want any of u though so go­ @#$% yourselves...losers!!!

    UEFA Team Ranking­ 2009
    Last update: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:13:00 CET 2010 ­

    04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 ranking
    1­ Liverpool Eng 28.1140 15.8855 27.3250 24.5750 15.9775­ 111.877
    2 FC Barcelona Esp 15.4875 32.1285 17.8000­ 27.7750 15.1125 108.303
    3 AC Milan Ita 29.8000 24.0710­ 26.3855 16.0500 11.9250 108.231

    From Al Capone, on Fri 26 Dec 7:12PM

  6. I AM GLAD DAT LIVERPOOL R STILL TOP AND DEY WILL­ ALWAYZZZZZ BE DERE. I DONT FINK MAN U OR CHELSEA WILL­ BE TOP BY DA END OF DA SEASON

    From sri_004, on Fri 26 Dec 7:10PM

  7. to all those mancs

    WATCH THIS SPACE

    DID YOU SEE­ ?
    EXACTLY THERES NO ROOM 4 U THIS YEAR IN THE PREM TOP­ 2 JOG ON BK UP THE LANCS AND LEARN TO SWIM COS ALL UR­ PLAYERS LOVE TO DIVE

    MERRYXMAS TO ALL SCOUSERS RED­ AND BLUE LOL

    From peter b, on Fri 26 Dec 7:10PM

  8. I went to Manchester.. it was rubbish.

    A lot like the­ teams from that neck of the woods, miles of terrible­ people with nothing inteligent to say.

    From John K, on Fri 26 Dec 7:10PM

  9. He(Robbie) said it.Judge me in May not now

    From Michael, on Fri 26 Dec 6:59PM

  10. ben chee68. wake up u tit were top deal with it. u must­ be a manc or chelski idiot

    From stuartpullen1, on Fri 26 Dec 6:56PM

  11. The mighty pool are once again at the head of the­ table.

    One major difference this time is they are now­ hitting for and have several key players/options still­ to return.

    ManU are an ok side... but not what they­ were.

    Arsenal are just inept.

    As for Chelski... well­ do I have to comment, as the Russian owner will get­ bored shortly and they will be back mid table within­ two years once he's offski.

    From John K, on Fri 26 Dec 6:55PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Jeez!!Here we go again, you guys beat Bolton and you­ think you'll win the title...Ull never win anything­ this season and youll still walk alone!!Bloody scouse­ mark my words

    From Nicolas C, on Fri 26 Dec 6:49PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Stevie G was a boyhood everton supporter, just like­ jamie carragher you twit. Liverpool will not win the­ league, united will eat up those two games in hand and­ finish the season battling with chelsea. liverpool dont­ have the bottle or experience (with current crop) to­ win the league. they are over achieving at the minute,­ but its all gonna come crashing down guys!

    From verahickson, on Fri 26 Dec 6:44PM

  14. nigel w. you got your stats very very wrong u manc­ t.wat we are still 1 league title ahead. bellend.

    From clark7tr, on Fri 26 Dec 6:43PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Just bcos LiverFool won a game n u FANS r over the­ moon!!!!!U lot sure r PATHETIC.......thats y u will­ always WALK ALONE!!!!LiverFool is supported by a bunch­ of FOOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From PapaBen, on Fri 26 Dec 6:40PM

  16. we got your stereos tv's and videos! we got your­ stereos tv's and videos! lol

    From clark7tr, on Fri 26 Dec 6:38PM

  17. The red machine is finally flexing its­ muscles,we've always said that the second half of­ the season,we'll be stronger,and the fact that­ we're top of the league following a relativley­ decent first half of the season is great,plus the­ imminent return of the goal machine El Nino will be a­ welcome boost,Watch out United we're coming to take­ your trophies away,and if anyone deserves to break­ Liverpools title record it should be the record­ holders.Number 19 is on its way.
    Here's a­ scenario.
    Its May 2009.

    Liverpool have won the league­ a week earlier and are entertaining Spurs at home,The­ spurs players give the newly crowned champions­ Liverpool a guard of honour,Liverpool win 2-0.and its­ time for the coronation.
    Expect this commentary from­ Martin Tyler.
    As boyhood Liverpool fan and Captain­ Stevie Gerrard collects the trophy.
    Its 19 years since­ the last time,They've won their 19th title.
    They­ are the undisputed most succsessful team in­ england.
    They are the cream of the crop.
    They are­ LIVERPOOL.

    From alanslevin62, on Fri 26 Dec 6:30PM

  18. It should have been more but Bolton gk was on top form

    From StevenP, on Fri 26 Dec 6:30PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL­ LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL are @#$%, LIVERPOOL are thieves...­ (From the classic song Liverpool is poor!!)

    From Richard, on Fri 26 Dec 6:30PM

  20. Silent~screamz.. I couldn't agree more to your­ comment
    Real madrid will be very happy not to get 3 or­ 4 goals in Bernabeo.
    As for Man U, well they went for­ some good Janapese shopping and let's see if they­ can just compete with Aston Villa for the 3rd place.­ Bunch of super ego-centric @#$%.
    Merry Xmas to all­ those who'll NEVER WALK ALONE.

    From saoud, on Fri 26 Dec 6:24PM
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