Offside News

Sports

Reds whip City, gain edge in Carling Cup

Comment: 0 January 12th, 2012 by: admin

Liverpool defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the first leg of Carling Cup on Wednesday as Reds captain Steven Gerrard connected from the penalty spot and scored the game’s only goal.

The skipper was given the spot kick on the 13^th minute as a result of City’s Stefan Savic fouling Daniel Agger inside the box. As they both went for the ball, Savic’s right foot clipped the right thigh of the Reds defender who took him down.

Gerrard’s directed his penalty kick to the lower left of the goal. City’s Joe Hart followed but the ball had enough pace to go past the outstretched arms of the English goalkeeper.

Liverpool went on the attack immediately after the opening whistle, with Andy Carroll giving the hosts the first scare of the match in the 4^th as he manoeuvred in the box and threatened to score.

Luckily for City, Hart was able to block the attempt and clear the ball.

On the 10^th and 11^th, the Reds continued with more shots as Gerrard swerved a shot from distance only to be saved by the tip of Hart’s hands. Stewart Downing then took a shot after the Reds’ captain played the ball from the corner but the City shot stopper effectively blocked the effort.

The first half went a different way for City with nothing going for them. As the visiting team kept attacking, the favourites were left seemingly baffled at times. On the 39^th, Mario Balotelli was subbed out after looking completely out of sorts.

Though City looked more threatening in the second half, the visiting Reds showed heart and resiliency in defending and never looked to give up the lead that their captain gave them.

A post-match interview showed Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish keeping calm even after the big win.

“Once we got ourselves in front, we were determined not to lose it,” he explained. “We might have a slight advantage with the goal, but there will be nobody jumping through hoops at our place. We’ll just be as professional as we can at our place.”

City’s manager Roberto Mancini admitted the difficult task that his team faces as they head to Anfield on January 25 for the second leg.

“The second leg is going to be difficult. Liverpool are favourites because they won 1-0 away,” he expressed.

Mancini also commented on a challenge Reds defender Glen Johnson made on Joleon Lescott. It was a two-footed tackle but no calls were made against Johnson.

“It was worse, this tackle was worse. Johnson’s tackle was worse than the one [Vincent Kompany] did against United. Everyone can see this. It was worse,” he claimed.

The controversy came to a climax when a meeting between Mancini and Gerrard led to an exchange of words, with Gerrard defending Johnson’s challenge.

“I don’t think [it merited a red card]. It was a clear winner of the tackle,” commented Gerrard. “I’m surprised at Mancini. He had a go at Wayne Rooney last week for trying to get one of his players sent off. Now he’s trying to get one of our players in trouble. I don’t think that’s right.”

On the second leg, City might have the services of David Silva but will surely miss brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure, as well as Kompany. The Reds play without Luis Suarez, who is still serving an eight-match ban after an incident with Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

More