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Liverpool 2 - 0 Newcastle United

by LfcMurphy9999 (U5617942) 20 September 2006

Date:: 20 September 2006
Venue:: Anfield
Competition:: Premiership
Attendance:: 43,754

An outrageous strike from Xabi Alonso and Dirk Kuyt's first goal for Liverpool saw off Newcastle.
Kuyt ended Liverpool's five-hour goal drought when he slid in to convert Steve Finnan's cross after Alonso's exquisite pass had created the chance.

And after the break, Alonso produced another moment of brilliance when he shot from inside his own half to leave the slipping Steve Harper groping air.

Luis Garcia had earlier hit the post as Liverpool dominated poor opposition.

Craig Bellamy should have scored when through in on goal but dinked his effort wide, while Garcia shot straight at Harper early on.

As for Newcastle, they had two penalty appeals waved away as they vainly tried to make an impact.

Both involved Shola Ameobi - and neither looked that convincing as first the striker tangled with Danny Agger and then claimed handball off Jamie Carragher.

And aside from a couple of long-range efforts, that was about all a blunt Newcastle attack could muster.

Kuyt, despite looking lively throughout and notching his first goal since joining Liverpool from Feyenoord, was also guilty of sloppy finishing.

He guided a shot wide after Garcia had pulled back well from the by-line and also directed a header off target when he should have been celebrating a hat-trick.

The chances kept coming for Liverpool - particularly after the interval - but Fabio Aurelio's free-kick was well saved and Steven Gerrard fared similarly with his set-piece effort.

And it took a moment of exceptional skill for Liverpool to add to Kuyt's opening strike.

Looking up, and still well in his own half, Alonso spotted Harper off his line and launched an arrow of a shot over the keeper and into the corner of the net.

To some extent, Alonso's goal put gloss on a Liverpool performance that lacked cutting edge.

But it was a victory that was deserved, while Newcastle will need to improve - and quickly.

Team list
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Luis Garcia, Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard (Gonzalez 85), Bellamy, Kuyt (Crouch 82).

Newcastle: Harper, Carr, Ramage, Moore, Babayaro, Milner (N'Zogbia 68), Parker, Emre, Duff, Martins (Rossi 76), Ameobi (Sibierski 82).

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).

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comment by U5605491

posted Sep 22, 2006

Alonso had the forethought to look up...see the keeper off his line and make the shot

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And he had to get round the ref who was in the way, too.

They had atop 10 of centre circle goals on TV last night, and this one was still the best of the lot.

Always nice to see Harper balls up though, the epitome of the greedy footballer with absolutely no ambition other than to pick up a cheque.

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comment by MarylandRed (U1773619)

posted Sep 22, 2006

It is a statement of fact, simple as that. I should also add that if you want to follow your customers wishes, please bring back the old team pages.

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comment by MarylandRed (U1773619)

posted Sep 22, 2006

It is a statement of fact, simple as that. I should also add that if you want to follow your customers wishes, please bring back the old team pages.

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comment by dogzbollix (U5770772)

posted Sep 22, 2006

I agree.. Bellamy has behaved himself by and large. Terry Mac should shut up on this one. We all remember when he was a "little upstart" and we loved him ... dont spoil it mate. Concentrate on getting the Geordies back on track

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comment by kop_dave (U5770976)

posted Sep 22, 2006

Both strikes were exceptional. To praise one and dismiss the other is both petty and childish and inconsistent with anyone who truly loves and understands the beautiful game.

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comment by dmcd71 (U5770936)

posted Sep 22, 2006

Rushpool is spot on. Ok so Harper did slip but why did he slip ? Because Alonso had the foresight & skill to hit a fantasic shot from 65 yards that caught him out & forced him into the error.

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comment by International Beer (U4603997)

posted Sep 22, 2006

So is CarraAgger now the first choice for the rest of the season or what? Views on Gonzalez? Does anyone remember that Aussie player we used to have who only turned up for cup finals? What is Rafa's 5 year plan? What's your favourite sandwich? so many questions, so little time ....

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comment by Old-Father-Thames (U4064770)

posted Sep 23, 2006

am i am on the new board or the old one?

what is an article and what is a comment?

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comment by U5373450

posted Sep 24, 2006

comment by RedSam2006
posted 2 Days Ago

Alonso's goal was skilful but Harper would have saved it had he not fallen over

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Watch it a few times - it's quite obvious he wouldn't have.

I did and he would.Be serious mate,by all means enjoy the goal but clearly it would have been straight in his chest had he not fallen over.

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Liverpool 2 - 0 Newcastle United

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