Derby 1-2 Liverpool

[Jourdan]

Derby 1-2 Liverpool

Liverpool talisman Steven Gerrard bundled home an 89th minute winner to deliver a further blow to the Rams’ hopes of survival.

The Reds had life all too easy in a one-sided first half where Derby showed their opponents far too much respect.

Yet the first genuine opportunity was fashioned by the home side. Gary Teale swept in a cross from the right and Giles Barnes was first to it but could only head straight at Pepe Reina. Reina parried the ball into the path of Kenny Miller who lofted his shot from an acute angle over the bar.

But it was clear the hosts were in awe of the illustrious visitors and this was epitomised by Liverpool’s opening goal – the home defence foolishly stood off Fernando Torres and the Spaniard proceeded to glide into the 18-yard box, nut-megging Darren Moore and tiptoeing round Dean Leacock before curling the ball comfortably beyond debutant Lewis Price in goal from 8 yards.

Liverpool continued to manufacture chances but were thwarted by poor finishing and brave defending. Ryan Babel was the main culprit of criminal misses in front of goal as he wasted two opportunities to double his side’s lead. After escaping Jay McEveley he dragged his right foot shot wide when well placed before McEveley denied Torres a second with a precise last-ditch tackle. Babel volleyed wide after finding time and space at the far post to latch onto John Arne Riise’s left wing cross after play continued despite having Stephen Pearson reeling on the floor after being clattered into by team-mate Moore. After Michael Johnson replaced the Scot, Jamie Carragher also came close to doubling the away side’s advantage but he scooped Gerrard’s right wing corner over from 6 yards, as Benitez’s men couldn’t put daylight between themselves and the Rams before half time.

Derby manager Paul Jewell made changes in the early stages of the second half, with American Benny Feilhaber replacing Darren Moore on 45 minutes and Robert Earnshaw being introduced for Gary Teale on 55 minutes. The changes made seemed to invigorate Derby who were playing with much more purpose but were yet to force Reina into a save during the half. Rams keeper Price remained busy however as he had to gather Xabi Alonso’s sidefooted effort low down to his left after the midfielder had found space on the edge of the area.

And this save would prove to be important as shortly afterwards Derby claimed a deserved equaliser. Eddie Lewis’ inswinging free kick from the right wing deflected into the path of the unmarked McEveley who placed his right foot shot past Reina into the far corner of the net to spark wild celebrations amongst the Pride Park crowd.

Shaken by Derby’s revival, Liverpool composed themselves and plugged away for a winner. Price leapt to his right to palm away Fabio Aurelio’s thunderous left foot drive before tipping over Alonso’s sublime curling effort from the edge of the area with a delightful one-handed save.

But against the run of play, Derby came close to a winner of their own. Lewis beat the offside trap to race down the left before chipping a flighted cross towards Barnes who nodded over the bar from close range.

Normal service resumed as the Reds continued to surge forward but it was their skipper Gerrard who was denied this time after substitute Yossi Benayoun teased the Rams defence working his way into the area from the left before teeing up Gerrard who hammered a right foot shot against the underside of the bar before the home defence scrambled the ball clear.

And it wasn’t long before the Reds grabbed the winner albeit under a cloud of controversy. After bursting forward from defence, Tyrone Mears was fouled by a clumsy Fabio Aurelio but the referee allowed play to continue and Gerrard collected the loose ball and stormed towards goal before threading a pass through to Benayoun on the left who steered the ball into the feet of Torres who fired towards goal but an instinctive save from Price stopped him scoring his second. McEveley tried to clear the loose ball but could only scoop the ball into the path of Gerrard who flicked out his leg to force the ball into the net to bring the Liverpool fans to their feet.

And after referee Alan Wiley failed to spot a handball in the Liverpool box during a last-gasp Rams attack and shortly afterwards brought an end to proceedings, the official was the victim of expected abuse from the home crowd who had seen their hopes of a rare point dashed.

Player Ratings

Price – 7 – Looked nervous initially but grew in confidence and pulled off some great saves to keep Derby in the game.

Mears – 5 – Did ok but seemed to struggle against Benayoun near the end

Moore – 4 – Nightmare afternoon for the big defender

Leacock – 5 – Ok performance, handled changing positions well

McEveley – 8 – MOTM – Contributed well in both defence and attack, caught the eye with some crucial challenges and a neat finish for the equaliser

Teale – 5 – Threatened in fits and starts, needs to be more abrasive.

Barnes – 6 – Growing in confidence and is starting to become more of a threat.

Pearson – 5 – Did well until getting injured.

Lewis – 6 – Not the quickest or the most skilful but still managed to cause problems, popping up with an assist.

Howard – 5 – Worked hard but the Liverpool defence seemed to keep him in check.

Miller – 6 – Ran his socks off and contributed well.

Subs.:

Johnson – 6 – Brave performance – he fared well despite his lack of pace and height.

Feilhaber – 6 – Steady display by the promising American.

Earnshaw – 5 – Looked lively until he picked up an injury.

[potter]

i think teh rateing on mears is harsh man

potter