Monday 27 August 2007

SUNDERLAND 0 - 2 LIVERPOOL

Sunderland 0 - 2 Liverpool

Aug 25 2007

Mohamed Sissoko drilled his first Liverpool goal to claim the half-time advantage for his side against Roy Keane’s Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Sissoko fired a low shot past Craig Gordon in the 37th minute after a largely frustrating half which the visitors dominated and had come close to leading through Andriy Voronin after just 25 seconds.

The Ukrainian made amends for not finishing off his early chance by scoring late in the second half.

Sunderland had a chance to take the lead prior to Sissoko’s strike when substitute Anthony Stokes shot under Jose Reina but saw his effort cleared by Daniel Agger.

Steven Gerrard was sidelined for and Rafael Benitez made four changes to the side which drew with Chelsea last week.

Sissoko replaced the England star in central midfield while there were also recalls for Sami Hyypia, Ryan Babel and striker Voronin.

There was no place for new boy Andy Cole in the Sunderland line-up as boss Roy Keane made only one change to the side beaten by Wigan last week, Liam Miller replacing Anthony Stokes.

The home side did not make the best of starts, with Greg Halford's dreadful backpass giving Liverpool a golden chance to take the lead after just 25 seconds.

Voronin shrugged off the attentions of Paul McShane and fired a shot which squeezed under Gordon, who got enough of a touch to see the ball dribble just wide.

Hyypia’s volley from the resulting corner was blocked.

Hyypia required two spells on the sidelines for treatment to a nosebleed and in his absence the home side got forward but failed to take advantage of their first corner.

Xabi Alonso screwed a rising shot just wide in the 14th minute after Ryan Babel had cleverly laid off a Steve Finnan right-wing cross, before the injured Hyypia was replaced by Daniel Agger.

Liverpool continued to look more threatening going over the half-way line but clear chances remained at a premium for both sides.

Finally Liverpool took the lead in the 37th minute when Voronin laid the ball back to Sissoko on the edge of the box and the midfielder drilled a low right-foot shot past Gordon into the corner of the net.

McShane had to get in with a fine interception to prevent Fernando Torres getting a clear header onto Voronin’s 41st-minute cross, before the Spaniard also flashed a header wide from the resulting corner.

Liverpool almost went further ahead in first half injury time when Jermaine Pennant crossed for Torres whose diving header was gathered by Gordon at the second attempt.

While Liverpool continued to dominate in the second half, the main talking point was the substitution of Jamie Carragher, who left the pitch clutching his rib cage, prior to Voronin's goal.

Voronin drilled a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area, after picking up Torres's cross from the left.

A mistake by Greg Halford let in Torres, but he sent his late shot wide. Dirk Kuyt was an 88th minute substitute.

Clips :

1. Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool (Momo)
- http://rapidshare.com/files/51190778/EPL_2007-2008_Sunderland_vs_Liverpool_0-1.rar
- http://www.mediafire.com/?cvgbh1m1bb1

2. Sunderland 0-2 Liverpool (Voronin)
- http://rapidshare.com/files/51202196/EPL_2007-2008_Sunderland_vs_Liverpool_0-2.rar
- http://www.mediafire.com/?8dw5nz1ymiz

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