Two sublime pieces of skill from two supposedly out of form 'England crocks' proved to be just enough as the Reds moved within a point of Arsenal at the impressive 'Stadium of Light' on Saturday evening. A mercurial lobbed finish from Michael Owen - WE never doubted you boy! - from Steven Gerrard's inch perfect through ball proved just enough to secure all three points as Gerrard Houllier's men got back to winning ways after their shock European exit.
Despite not having a bad game against Bayer Leverkusen, Michael has come in for some awful stick in recent weeks, which even provoked a legendary Ken Rogers sermon in Thursday nights Echo. At the start of this game Michael looked about as confident of scoring as Ian Dowie at a Miss UK convention.
But once again as he has time and time again and as only he can, he proved that he is THE man. The Joy on his face and the ecstatic release of all the anger and frustration that has built up over the previous week was one of the finest sights I have seen all season. I love Michaels fired up celebrations.
As for the game it went pretty much as we expected, with a Liverpool side looking bruised and battered from their mid-week disappointment, being out-fought in midfield by Sunderland's battlers. As usual Niall Quinn was getting away with murder up-front as Sunderland created the better first half openings. The first real chance fell to Jason McAteer who true to form volleyed his shot over the bar from 12 yards.
The Reds inability to assert themselves on the game early on was largely due to Abel Xavier's terrible start. I counted 4 times in the first 20 minutes in which an Abel mistake landed us in trouble. Luckily we can still count on the rest of our defence to redeem him. I had a bit of a pop at Xavier in my Leverkusen report and really don't want to be getting on his back. Although his performance improved dramatically in the second half, the very limited Abel should simply be a stopgap, a squad player. We currently have two far better options at right back, in Steven Wright and Jamie Carragher, three when Babbel gets back and four if you count the rapidly emerging England U-17 Captain David Raven - I suggest we use them, Abel has been luckily, none of his howlers have led to goals yet, but sooner or later they will and it could prove very costly.
In a very uneventful first-half I couldn't help but notice what a bunch of gobshites the Sunderland fans were. Every tackle, throw in or offside decision that wasn't awarded to them resulted in 20,000 people rising to their feet to wail their disapproval. And they're always telling us to 'calm down'! Jesus, drink some de-caff of something! Being partizan is one thing, but these guys take the piss.
The Reds came out for the second half with a renewed sense of purpose, and the aimless throughballs of the first half became more and more precise as the half progressed. And on 55 minutes Gerrard played the ball of the match - another to add to his collection of Old Trafford, Highbury and Elland Road to name just a few - beating three Sunderland defenders, through to Owen whose little lob couldn't have been more perfect. For a lad whose confidence was apparently at its lowest ebb, this wasn't bad, wasn't bad at all!
This was Michael's 25th goal of the season in just 39 games. A campaign in which he also became European Footballer of the year and gave the England national team their proudest moment for 35 years - And people have the nerve to say he has had a bad season!
Following the goal, came an early end to a quiet afternoon for Jari Litmanen, who had been mouth-wateringly employed behind Owen and Anelka. The Reds had failed to get the ball to Jari throughout the afternoon so it was understandable when he was replaced by Danny Murphy after 58 minutes to shore up the midfield.
After going a goal down Sunderland proved that they can actually play football as they put together some decent moves when trying to fashion an equaliser. But for the brilliance of Jerzy then it would be safe to say that our championship challenge would now be over.
His save from Quinn's spectacular 30-yard half-volley was as good as any I've ever seen. I'd resigned myself to having the lead taken from us and even uttered "what a goal". But to my shock and delight the big pole came from nowhere to miraculously tip over Quinn's effort. As Steve H said on the way home "keeping Sander would have cost us 10 goals this season" and who's to say that without Jerzy we would be in a similar position to Leeds at this point. The phrase 'Europe's Number 1' springs to mind.
Five minutes later and Anelka proved once again why he should be snapped up ASAP with a fabulous piece of skill which so nearly resulted in the Reds' second. After being put in the clear by Riise, Nico brilliantly cut inside the despairing dives of two Sunderland defenders and curled his shot against the inside of the post from six yards. In truth it was a bad miss, but the manner in which the chance was created was just superb.
Further chances would fall to the Black Cats who now had the crowd right behind them. When they forget about berating the referee, they can be quite loud indeed. The luckless Phillips' baron run continued as Jerzy was again on hand to keep out his curler. A late header also drifted inches past the post with Dudek, this time stranded.
I feel dead sorry for Phillips, I like him and he's a quality striker. Put that dude in United's team and he'd add at least another 15 to Van Cantscorefrommorethansixyardsunlessitsapenalty's (© Dave Usher) total. Phillips has the ability to create goals for himself as well as finish off the easy ones. An ability so few strikers possess (Hasselbaink, Owen, Anelka and Henry being the prime examples) and he deserves so much better than SunderlandÈs alehouse shite.
Unfortunately for Kevin time is not on his side and the big move seems to be passing him by in a similar way in which Matt Le Tissier's career was wasted at Southampton because of loyalty. Fuck loyalty Kev your time is running out!
So yet another away win for the Reds and another point proved by Michael Owen, how many times is he going to have to keep doing it before people realise that the lad is solid 24 carat gold? England fans should stop bitching and moaning about that one trick pony and his dodgy hoof, they should be thankful for what they have. In Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard lie the only chance they have of doing anything this summer.
"Michael Owen scores the goals Hallelujah!"
In memory of the 96, we will never forget.
TEAM: Jerzy Dudek; Abel Xavier, Stephane Henchoz, Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher; Steven Gerrard, Dietmar Hamann, John Arne Riise, Jari Litmanen (Danny Murphy); Michael Owen (Patrik Berger), Nicolas Anelka:
