Thursday, April 21, 2005

Match Report 050420 at Portsmouth: A result made in Spain and Norway

2-1 and 2 goals from Nando and Garcia, both assisted by Riise, are enough for this well deserved win. Unfortunately for a rare chance that we support Man United, they lost... So we are still 3 points behind while played one more game. There's no place for any error now.

The match was started dramatically and There may be 3 goals in the first 4 minutes. First Portsmouth had a goal ruled offside, then Baros' shot was superbly saved. But then Riise provided a great cross and Nando scored his first in 2 mouths and we are one up.

We then let Portsmouth into the game and they equalized. Fortunately, Riise provided another great cross and we are up in half time.

Both teams have chances to scored in 2H but none can, and we are happily back with 3 points.

Player Rating:
Dudek: 7 Have a superb save from Berger in 2H to give us 3 points.
Finnan: 6.5 Cleared from the line but was unable to do it the second time.
Carragher: 7 Carra as usual.
Hyypia: 7 A good display.
Traore: 6.5 With him at left back Riise is a much better player.
Garcia: 7 Scored a goal but apart from that his contribution is almost zero. And Rafa rested him in 2H.
Alonso: 7 As good as ever.
Biscan: 6.5 Good display but faded in 2H.
Riise 7.5 Two great display and almost scored the third. That's the Riise we need for the final run-in.
Baros: 7 A lively display despite not scoring any.
Morientes: 7 First goal for 2 months. His confidence will be lifted.

Substitutions:
Smicer: 6.5 A fair diaplay.
Gerrard: 6 Was duly rested. But we play OK even without him.
Cisse: Getting closer and closer to a start.

Rafa: 7 His decision to rest Gerrard is a good one and did not do any harm. We need four more good tactics like this for the league run-in.

Berger: 6.5 Come up in 2H with a nice shot but Dudek saved it.

Portsmouth: 6 They should be able to stay up this season.

Man of the match: Riise. Back to his best at the right time.

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