Match Report 060201 vs Birmingham City: The party was spoiled

1-1 and as Rafa said it is a disappointing result. Look at the fact: We have 25 shots with 10 on target and can only score one, yet for Birmingham they have 3 shots and 2 on target. And on a night when Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal slips, we definitely should win the game.

The result make Birmingham remains 1 of the 4 teams Rafa's team has yet beaten. The other twos are Manchester United (which we will beat them on 2/18) and Sao Paolo (which we should have won) and Burnley (which was a shame to lose).

As Rafa said if you are winning 1-0 and creating lots of chances and them with 10 men, you should win the game, but we just couldn't find the goal.

Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Did well to parry away the Heskey header but couldn't prevent Alonso to score the own goal.
Finnan: 6.5 Provided some crossing but didn't make a big impact.
Agger: 6.5 A nice debut, saw him go up front quite often, almost conceded a goal due to lack of concentration, and almost scored on his debut.
Hyppia: 6.5 Commanding performance.
Riise: 6.5 Not much to do at the back, but failed to make an impact going up.
Luis Garcia: 6 Return from injury and still picking up his match fitness. Should have scored.
Gerrard: 7.5 Scored a goal and then rested.
Hamann: 6 Not much contribution.
Kewell: 7 Lively, but just couldn't find the net.
Crouch: 5.5 Not a good game, though his look when substituted was quite innocent.
Morientes: 7 Have another nice assist and should have scored or provide another few more assists.

Substitutions:
Fowler: 7 His movement is good, scored an overkick goal but was (correctly) ruled offside. Need more match fitness.
Alonso: 5. Dreadful own goal. Need to repay Fowler for spoiled his party.

Rafa: 6 His tactic may be wrong this time. Maybe he just want to rest Xabi and Stevie G (after his scoring) but playing at home we need more creativitely rather than steel.

Birmingham City: 6.5 Stolen 2 points from us, but they deserve it for their never-say-die spirit. But they need to improve a lot if they want to survive.

Man of the Match: Gerrard. Provided the platform for the party, but other players let him down.