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West
Bromwich Albion v Liverpool
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 26th April 2003, 3.00pm. |
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I stood on the Brummie Road terraces the last (but one) time Liverpool
visited Albion in the league. A school friend of mine who was a
Liverpool fan accompanied me and several times as Liverpool broke
he whispered "here's a goal", and was subsequently proved correct
as John Wark scored a hat-trick in Liverpool's 5-0 win. That was
one of many thrashings Albion received that season. This time around,
Liverpool may have gone one better but it's only the second time
that Albion have conceded more than three goals this season. Michael
Owen was awesome - it was simply the best individual performance
I've seen this season - and, in all honesty, Baros was poor despite
his brace - he should've had four or five.
Albion's defence was unrecognisable as Sigurdsson was missing to
be at his grandmother's funeral. Neil Clement was the only recognised
defender in the back three with Udeze lining up at left wing back.
Hughes failed to recover from his back injury leaving Deech and
JR up front and Dobes on the bench.
Albion had the first chance when Deech shot wide after a neat move
involving McInnes and Roberts. Hoult did well to keep out Murphy's
drive after seven minutes before Roberts and Dichio combined once
more only for Deech's shot to go well wide.
The visitors soon took control. The world class midfield of Gerrard,
Murphy, Hamman and Diouf simply ran rings round the Albion middle
three and the movement on Owen and Baros proved hard to control.
Liverpool took the lead on 15 minutes when a neat ball from Riise
was dummied by OWEN allowing him to turn Clement and fire past Hoult
into the bottom left corner. Murphy and Hamman went close to increasing
the lead and Baros really should've scored twice and Owen once more
before the break as Albion were being torn apart.
Megson responded by switching to a 4-4-2 formation to try and get
some ball in midfield. It worked to a degree as in the ten minutes
before half time Albion looked to be getting back into the game.
Wallwork put a great chance over the bar from a Dichio knock-down
and Riise had to be alert to prevent a shooting opportunity for
McInnes inside the box. The best chance fell to Dichio as he met
a Koumas corner but sent his header inches over the bar from six
yards.
Hoult made another fine save from Owen on the stroke of half time.
Any optimism for an Albion fightback was destroyed within four minutes
of the restart. On 47 minutes, a fine Gerrard cross put Owen clear.
Hoult saved well but BAROS managed to stab the rebound home despite
Dichio's efforts to keep the ball out. Two minutes later, another
Gerrard cross put Baros through. Hoult saved once more but this
time OWEN was on hand to score the rebound to put the Reds three
up.
Megson went back to 3-5-2 bringing James Chambers on for Wallwork
to try and counter the pace of Liverpool's front two - he obviously
saw the signs of what was about to happen.
It had little effect as Baros ran at Clement and Chambers on 61
minutes. He twisted and turned playing with the defenders like a
cat plays with a dead mouse, before squaring to OWEN unmarked for
him to complete his hat-trick.
The home fans were undeterred as if the fourth goal had caused the
volume to be turned up. Their singing almost drowned out the away
fans' celebration of the fifth goal just six minutes later. OWEN
Made a great run from deep to get on the end of a Danny Murphy through
ball and finished with ease.
Baros missed another great chance after Des Lyttle, dubbed Little
Dave by the fans thanks to his new full Afro haircut, had gifted
the Czech the opportunity with a poor ball across the defence.
Albion almost broker their duck on 81 minutes when Koumas struck
a great shot from 25 yards, only to see it superbly saved by Dudek.
It was little respite, however, as another Gerrard ball put BAROS
through on 84 minutes, and the little man struck a firm shot through
Hoult's legs.
Hoult had time to make another great save from Hamman before Albion
should've scored in the dying seconds. A great ball from Koumas
was met firmly by the head of Dichio. Somehow Dudek kept it out
and pushed the ball out to Roberts, whose shot was blocked on the
line by Hyypia. However, having seen the TV replays, it looked as
if it had indeed crossed the line - unlucky JR.
It was one of those days when everything clicked for Liverpool and
their true quality shone through. The football was at times breathtaking,
the defending at times comical. But I am proud to be a Baggie after
being part of that wonderful support throughout the second half
showing the Liverpool fans what they miss at the Anfield Graveyard.
RESULT - WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 LIVERPOOL
6
Marks
Hoult - 7 - MOM. Despite conceding six.
Balis - 5 - One or two attacking moments, but failed to cope with
Carragher.
Clement - 6 - Did well first half, but over-awed in the second.
Gregan - 6 - His lack of pace shone through.
Wallwork - 6 - Did OK, maybe unlucky to be subbed.
Udeze - 4 - Poor.
Johnson - 4 - Has Ozzy Osbourne been anywhere near him recently?
Koumas - 6 - One or two moments, but fairly quiet.
McInnes - 7 - Best of the midfielders, particularly first half.
Roberts - 5 - Offered little.
Dichio - 6 - Did OK.
J Chambers - 5 - Looked out of his depth.
Lyttle - 5 - Small Dave did little to win a place.
Jordao - 4 - Can't remember him coming on.
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West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan (Jordao 86), Wallwork (J Chambers 55), Clement; Balis,
Koumas, Johnson, McInnes, Udeze (Lyttle 73); Roberts, Dichio. Subs
not used: J Murphy (GK), Dobie.
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Liverpool
(4-4-2):
Dudek; Riise (Diao 80), Hyypia, Traore, Carragher; Diouf (Heskey
69), Hamman, D Murphy (Cheyrou 83), Gerrard; Owen, Baros. Subs not
used: Arpexhad (GK), Smicer. |
Scoring: Owen (15)
0-1, Baros (47) 0-2, Owen (49) 0-3, Owen (61) 0-4, Owen (67) 0-5,
Baros (84) 0-6.
Bookings: West Bromwich Albion - Dichio (dissent 35). Liverpool
- Traore (foul 27).
Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury)
Attendance: 27,128 |
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