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Fantastic first half performance, have to admit I was very surprised at the way we lined-up, and judging by Phil Thompson's rather vacant expression I think he was too. But it was a brilliant start, Sinama-Pongolle scoring an absolute beauty after a wonderful touch to control the ball.
Then, for the second, Crouch and Zenden combined brilliantly to set up the excellent Luis Garcia for a second with only 15 minutes gone!
We could have scored more, but the same can be said of Betis, who took advantage of what I felt was a weak (and unfit) Liverpool back four. Traore was soon back to his amazing long-legged lunges, but both he and Josemi looked tired in the second half and couldn't deal with the likes of Dani and Joaquin - the former setting up a nice goal back for the Spanish side.
My heart was in my mouth (ewww) for the rest of the second half but we got there, just, although I think the original 11 Benitez picked tired themselves out in a fantastic first half. Either way, the perfect start for the Reds...and Sissoko is definitely going on the back of my next shirt, awesome performance.
In other news, Chelsea beat Anderlecht by a goal to nil, didn't see much of this one but would have expected more goals? I guess they won anyhow. AC eventually beat Fenerbahce 3-1 with two late goals, and Rangers beat Porto 3-2 in a great result! Shocks of the night include 'Los Galacticos' being hammered 3-0 by Houiller's Lyon side.
So, thoughts?
> Villareal, I think. Tough, but Man U should still win.
Looks like Riquelme is out, too. Still, I wouldn't underestimate Forlan and Figueroa/José Mari. They're a very good side.
> Lipe wrote:
> Rangers won 3-2. Fouled the keeper for the 3rd.
>
> Incorrect. They "fouled" the keeper for the 2nd, if jumping
> with the keeper in a fair contest is a foul.
Ah yeah my bad, 2nd it was. I consider it a foul because I saw the Ranger's guy push Baia's left hand. He had every right to jump for the ball but not to push Baia's hand out of the way.
> Rangers won 3-2. Fouled the keeper for the 3rd.
Incorrect. They "fouled" the keeper for the 2nd, if jumping with the keeper in a fair contest is a foul.
Keepers get far too much leniency, and Vitor Baia is about 6'2" anyway, so he doesn't need the referee helping him out in a situation like that.
> Indeed, although the way Arsenal played at the weekend, you never
> know...
>
Did you see the first 20 mins
Good to see Luis G playing well though, he was actually working for the ball tonight. Crouch looked good too, and Zenden is more dedicated than most.