City slipped to a narrow defeat at Anfield, Harry Kewell’s 39th minute strike the only difference between the sides. Joey Barton’s sending off for a second bookable offence seemed to inspire the Blues into their best spell of the match, Reina denying Sinclair with an outstanding save shortly after. Crouch hit the bar later on, but City could not break through a resiliant home defence and went down to another defeat on the road.
Barton will in all probability be suspended for just one match, but keep checking MCFC.co.uk early in the week for confirmation.
Team news:
Micah Richards had a slight knock but his absence saw Danny Mills back for the first time since the game against the five times European champions in November. Trevor Sinclair was back on the right and wore a mask to protect his damaged cheekbone, so Sibierski pushed up front to replace Vassell, who was not in the squad.
The Match
City fans made a great noise with a rendition of ‘Blue Moon’ as the teams emerged, matching the home fans’ and earning some applause as well. The Blues were in their dark blue away kit.
Mills and Kewell renewed their friendship from Leeds, with the Australian getting past to put a cross in in the first minute, which James took easily.
City conceded two corners on the right within the first five minutes, with Crouch getting the closest to the target at the second although the ball was headed wide and too high.
The opening spell was virtually all Liverpool, with City repelling two more corners before 10 minutes were gone. Sporting a blue mask, Trevor Sinclair did not hesitate to go for any high balls that came his way.
Barton and Alonso clashed heads going for ball on 17 minutes, with the Liverpool man leaving the field for treatment to a cut but with City’s Scouser returned to the fray immediatley, his Spanish opponent four minutes later.
The hosts were still dominant around the halfway mark, although City had begun to pressurise more. Hyypia went close after 22 minutes, glancing a free kick a couple of yards wide of James’ left post.
A minute later referee Gallagher ignored pleas for a penalty when Crouch fell when challenged by Jordan. Seconds later, James scuffed a clearance straight to a red shirt, but City’s defence were able to clear the danger.
Kewell to aim from distance on 25 minutes, but his effort went straight at James.
Barton collected the game’s first booking on 29 minutes when he went in on Agger. This means he will now miss the next two games having reached 10 bookings for the season.
Alonso, clearly struggling, was replaced by Hamann on the half hour.
But with five minutes to go to the break, the home side took the lead. Gerrard fed Harry Kewell, who raced into the box from the left and slid the ball home with his left foot under pressure from Danny Mills.
The goal roused the Reds and their fans, who moments before had been on their team’s back.
In stoppage time the Reds went close twice, with Mills heading off the line at a corner, and then from Gerrard’s cross-shot Kewell was just inches away from touching the ball in for the second.
Sibierski was replaced by Wright-Phillips at the break, having looked to have taken a blow to the leg just before half time.
Hamann fed Morientes three minutes in, but the striker underhit his shot and James collected the ball that rolled into him.
But on 51 minutes City were reduced to 10 men when Joey Barton received his second yellow card after fouling Hyypia. It was not the worst challenge the midfielder will ever make, but Dermot Gallagher did not hesitate to show the yellow that meant Barton had to leave the field.
City stuck to the task, with Wright-Phillips forcing a good save fron Reina. And seconds later Liverpool’s stopper pulled off a fantastic effort to deny Sinclair from a volley that seemed destined for the top corner.
The sending off had opened up the game, and Samaras, found well by Musampa, had a great chance on 58 minutes. The striker shot with the outside of his right foot and the ball looped harmlessly wide.
The crossbar saved City after 64, when Crouch’s shot on the turn in the area went over James but only dipped enough to hit the top of the woodwork.
Ireland replaced Sinclair after 67 minutes.
Crouch forced a good block from James with 16 left, racing in from the left but City’s keeper was at his feet to concede a corner. The tall striker was replaced by Garcia seconds later.
Dunne allowed Gerrard to race in on goal with 13 minutes left, but the defender made amends with a superb tackle to thwart the midfielder, who went down heavily after the challenge. Croft replaced Riera while Gerrard was treated.
Hyypia and the referee were on the end of a deal of stick from City fans after the Liverpool man caught Samaras with a stray arm but did not get any card, City fans still thinking that Hyypia made too much of the challenge that saw Barton sent off. They were further enraged when Wright-Phillips was adjudged to have fouled Hyypia with an innocuous shoulder barge with two minutes left.
City pressed but could not find an equaliser, and after Riise rippled the side netting in stoppage time City could not find a way back.
