An absolutely magnificent display from Phil ThompsonŽs heroes saw the reds consolidate their position at the top of the premiership, adding a couple of points to the lead in the process. With Michael Owen presumably taking a breather Robbie Fowler had another chance to impress, leading the line alongside the in-form but goal shy Emile Heskey. Even though Sunderland defeated Leeds last weekend, their inconsistency and dreadful away form suggested that three points was pretty easily attainable.
And it would have been, but for referee Steve Bennett, who seemed to think that the gulf in class was just not fair and decided to even up the proceedings with the scandalous sending off of Didi Hamann and then opting to put on a striped shirt for the second half.
Twelve against ten was never going to be easy, but somehow we managed to not only to restrain the dangerous Sunderland front line of Phillips and Quinn, but actually look like the more dangerous team. I donŽt know whether that says more about us or Sunderland.
The first half started as if there was only one side on the pitch. Vladdy was again superb as were the whole midfield contrary to our previous two outings. The forward line of Heskey and Fowler looked dangerous and held the ball up superbly. The first real chance of the match fell to Fowler, who like his strike partner was desperately seeking a goal.
A great turn by the number nine saw him clean though on goal, most of us expected to see the net bulge, it did, but just the wrong side. Half of the ground thought it was in, including me, leading to some oh so predictable Harry EnfieldŽs from the Mackems.
The one way traffic continued, with Sunderland offering little in response. It was only a matter of time before the pressure paid off and when Smicer was cynically hacked down on the corner of the box and up stepped SuperDan. It was barely surprising when the knobhead behind me stated ¿Why is he taking it? HeŽs Shit! FUCK OFF MURPHY!î such is the mentality of some of the pricks who believe themselves to be knowledgeable Reds. As sweet a delivery as there could possibly be was perfect for Emile to net for the first time sinceÊoh who gives a shit!
IŽm absolutely made up for Emile; he has deserved it so much. I think we deserve some credit, we have stuck by Emile fantastically and IŽm sure the support stopped his fragile confidence hitting rock bottom. Once the first went in it seemed like the floodgates were set to open. ThatŽs until the main dude Steve Bennett got involved.
Without seeing the replay, my reactions were ¿What? What? What? What?î it seemed like an absolutely pathetic decision. The tackle was two footed, granted, but it wasnŽt high and there was no intent and surely the fact that he won the ball should spare him of any guilt?
Barring a likely appeal, Didi could now miss the game against Arsenal, but worse it could have cost us the game today. Sunderland started the second half brightly, with ex-Red Jason McAteer pulling a lot of strings down the right hand side. A lot of people around me started booing McAteer after a little bit of handbags on the touchline with Riise. Why? Jason may have been one of the founding members of the Ðspice boysŽ, but on the pitch he always gave 110% and is a Red through and through. It would have really hurt him being booed today; I just canŽt see the reasoning behind that.
Some intelligent Houllier style substitutions may just have saved the points for us and some magnificent individual performances from Heskey, Vladdy and IŽm delighted to say Stevie G, made the victory all the more sweet. It could have been a lot easier with Gary Mac and Stevie G himself missing glorious chances. (The baldie headed oneŽs had to be seen to be believed) Despite a nervous final few minutes in which Quinn did his best to unsettle us, - failing miserably - this was one of the more comfortable 1-0 victories IŽve seen in a while.
The accolades have to go to Heskey though; I wonder how busy the Everton forums will be tonight now that they cannot empty their bladders on to their computer screens anymore, IŽm sure theyŽll find something mind!
TEAM: Jerzy Dudek; Jamie Carragher, Stephane Henchoz, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise; Danny Murphy (Patrik Berger), Steven Gerrard, Dietmar Hamann, Vladimir Smicer (Stephen Wright); Emile Heskey, Robbie Fowler (Gary McAllister):
