Spanish striker Fernando Torres scored twice in the dying minutes against Chelsea at Anfield yesterday to help revive Liverpool’s slim chance of claiming the Premier League title. The 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, in the game of the weekend, cut Manchester United’s lead to two points, although Utd do have the security of a game in hand. We would have to say that the lead is really 5 points, unless something slightly unexpected happens.
The game appeared to be heading for a draw when Torres popped up at the near post to beat Alex to the ball and glanced home a cross by Fabio Aurelio, it was 89th minute. It was a superbly taken header and the relief was palpable. His second goal was far easier and came in the 94th minute. It was a simple tap-in after Chelsea defender Ashley Cole lost the ball inside the penalty area in a tackle with Yossi Benayoun.
The result, (the first time Liverpool have completed a double over Chelsea since the 1989/90 season, which was also the last season Liverpool won the title) enabled Liverpool to leapfrog Chelsea into second place. The Reds are two points behind Man United, who edged Everton 1-0 on Saturday, but as I mentioned above, Utd have a game in hand on both their main rivals. Man United have 53 points from 23 games, Liverpool have 51 from 24 and Chelsea 48 from 24. You had to feel that yesterday’s game was really a must win for both team’s if they were to stand any chance of catching Utd in the title race. I see no way back now for Scolari and Chelsea and the Blues manager almost admitted as much after the game. At least he’s realistic.
Benetiz has also had a month to forget. It is clear that both he and Scolari have not been coping too well with the pressure that Ferguson and Utd have been applying over the last month or so and everything started to unravel for Benitez with his ill advised, petty and worst of all, deliberate and pre-planned rant at Ferguson. I have become increasingly confused by some, if not most, of the Spaniard’s decision making and what he has done to Robbie Keane beggars believe quite frankly. Why did he bother buying the guy in the first place, never mind spend over £20million, if is he was hardly ever going to play him. That must be the record for the quickest career destroyed. Plus when you consider that Keane adores the club, he must be heartbroken. Don’t be surprised to see Keane leave before the transfer window shuts at 5pm GMT this evening. It is likely to be at £15million. Wow, great business Benitez, a £5million loss after only about 6 months. Unbelievable! Anyway, back to the game. Chelsea played the last 30 minutes with 10 men after Frank Lampard was red carded for a sliding tackle on Xabi Alonso. In a game littered with fouls, referee Mike Riley also booked four Liverpool and three Chelsea players. Replays showed the red card to be a little harsh. Perhaps a yellow for the foot being raised but you have to say Lampard won the ball first. However, it must be said that the Rules state (and I’m paraphrasing here) that even if you win the ball the tackle can’t be uncontrolled.
That said, what also gets me about referees is that a short time earlier Steven Gerrard committed a similar foul yet was not even booked, never mind sent off. Where is the consistency? Answer, there isn’t any. Then, in an amazing incident in extra time, the Chelsea full back Bosingwa, whilst not 2 yards from the linesman and in full view of everybody, literally kicked Dirk Kuyt in the back with all his studs. Nothing happened. Everybody, apart from the officials apparently, saw it and all Mike Riley did was tell people to be «calm»! It was cowardly and pathetic act and I wish I was on the Disciplinary Board because I would take great pleasure in banning the coward!
However, for Liverpool the most important fact of the afternoon if that after four straight league and cup draws that have dropped Liverpool from first to third, this victory took a little of the pressure off Rafa Benitez, for a short time anyway. To be able to claim the title though, Liverpool cannot afford to drop many more points, because quite simply, Utd won’t. The game at Old Trafford on March 14th could go a long long way to deciding the whether Liverpool claim their 19th league title or Man Utd draw level with Liverpool with 18 each.