Luck changing in the wind
Bolton 1-3 LiverpoolChris O'Keefe
A fortuitous own goal from a Steven Gerrard effort set Liverpool on their way to another three points so vital to their quest to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Gerrard's shot was heading wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen's right hand post when the Bolton keeper failed to control the ball in windy conditions, bouncing off his head and spinning into his own net. Embarrasing for Bolton's stopper, relief for Liverpool. Until that point, Bolton had much of the play in the first ten minutes. El-Hadji Diouf's free kick hit a post and Liverpool also had to scramble a loose ball away from their goal line during a nervy opening.
However, after the first goal, Liverpool were far more settled and started to control the pace of the game, Mascherano, Alonso and Gerrard putting in strong performances in midfield. Ryan Babel was causing headaches for Wanderers down their right-hand side and he scored Liverpool's second on the hour mark. Dirk Kuyt saw his shot rebound off the post before rebounding to Babel who tucked a low shot inside Jaaskelainen's left hand post. The points seemed destined to be Liverpool's.
The result was made certain when Fabio Aurelio latched onto a clearance from a corner and hit a superb effort into the bottom right corner. Liverpool were three up and full value for the lead. Bolton had little to counter the threat as Liverpool kept pouring forward. Indeed Bolton's goal was barely consolation with the game won. Tamir Cohen, son of former Liverpool player Avi, caught Liverpool's defence asleep from a corner that was a debatable decision.
No worry for Liverpool. They now play their game in hand against West Ham in midweek. A win at home and against Newcastle would put Liverpool back into the box seat ahead of their long awaited trip to the San Siro and the task of seeing off Italian champions Inter Milan to advance to the quarter finals of the European Cup.
posted by C O'K @ 3:07 pm
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