Match Reports
Middlesbrough 1-2 Liverpool Liverpool won at Middlesbrough for the first time in 3 years to continue their challenge for the title. Despite coming into the game as favourites, Liverpool were second best for much of the game, and Middlesbrough started the brighter of the sides. After just a couple of minutes, Frank Queudrue came close to scoring from Paul Ince's corner kick, but Queudrue's header was saved on the line by Dudek, who had another good performance in goal. Paul Ince was also unlucky not to have put 'Boro in the lead, after a low shot from 25 yards was inches wide of Dudek's post. Emile Heskey had Liverpool's first real chance, and after taking the ball down from 25 yards out, Heskey fired a powerful shot at goal which Schwarzer had to tip over. And Heskey it was who put Liverpool ahead on 32 minutes following a quick counter attack by Liverpool. Henchoz found Smicer, who quickly picked out Anelka, and Anelka tormented the 'Boro defence before playing a superb cross to the unmarked Dietmar Hamann. Hamann controlled the ball well and after seeing his shot blocked by a crowd of Middlesbrough defenders, Emile Heskey was on hand to plant the ball high into the net and give Liverpool the lead. Middlesbrough continued to have the majority of the posession, but were unable to really creata nything until after Liverpool's second goal, which effectively killed the game off. An Emile Heskey flick on to Riise gave Riise the chance to finish the game off in the last 10 minutes of the second half, and from 25 yards out, Riise hit an excellent shot inside the far post, with Schwarzer left with no chance. To their credit, Middlesbrough refused to give up despite only 6 minutes remaining, and after Ince had again fired just wide and Boksic had hit the side netting with a header, Gareth Southgate finally did get a goal for 'Boro. A cross came into the box from the right hand side, and Southgate outjumped Henchoz to the ball to grab a late consolation for the home team. Liverpool are now top of the league, but have played more games than any other side, and with Man United playing this afternoon, they may have to settle for 2nd spot by the end of the day. Arsenal play away to Aston Villa tomorrow. View match pictures from this game!
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