LIVERPOOL 3 - 2 MANCHESTER CITY
Sterling 6', Skrtel 26' Silva 57', Johnson 62' (O.G.)
Coutinho 78'
Kompany clanger sees City Kop out.
It was a footballing feast flavoursome enough to feed the memories of the 96 Liverpool supporters who tragically never returned home from Sheffield 25-years-ago, but Mark Clattenburg, charmed by the toothy smile of Luis Suarez, was on hand to the season the banquet with a rancid sourness. A tale of two halves advertised the respective title credentials of both sides, but Philippe Coutinho's 78th-minute winner had only one skipper crying tears of joy.
An ocean of red roared in unison to the tune of their most sacred anthem as Anfield assumed its acclaimed imposing atmopshere - and the blues were soon spluttering under the tides of Liverpool's attack. Just six minutes in, Luis Suarez shrugged off a fragile challenge from Gaël Clichy to slide in Raheem Sterling who slotted a composed finish past Joe Hart. The merciless start outlined Liverpool's hunger for their first Premier League trophy in fifteen years, and their predatory strike-force managed to pierce a defensive seal that hadn't been penetrated before the 15-minute-mark in any league game this season.
(Raheem Sterling celebrates his 6th minute opener)
Manuel Pellegrini is a brave man and often rests on his attacking laurels, but his decision to start Jesus Navas in a five-man midfield was proving to be a hideous error of judgement. The Spaniard's vitality in attack provides the blues with a nimble option when assaulting the back lines of the Premier League's more delicate defences, but his slight frame renders him a passenger when his side are forced to soak up the pressure.
Proceedings took an even more acerbic turn for the Chilean's men when Yaya Touré limped off with a muscle injury after unleashing a long-range effort high over Simon Mignolet's bar. City were salivating for an equaliser, but without their 18-goal Ivorian, their potency in attack had been cruelly drained. Javi García replaced the injured midfielder as Pellegrini attempted to restrict the supply to Liverpool's voracious attacking trio.
The hosts continued to assault their title rivals with the movement and persistence that had slayed their previous nine consecutive challengers in a row, and the muscular head of Martin Skrtel nodded Rodgers' men into an even more comfortable lead on the 26th-minute mark. City had already been warned of Liverpool's aerial adeptness as Joe Hart saved tremendously from a point blank Steven Gerrard header, but the resulting corner caught the blues static yet again as the Skrtel sent Anfield into euphoria.
(Martin Skrtel nods Liverpool into a deserved 2-0 lead)
And then began Mark Clattenburg's very own assault on the blues. As Pellegrini's men finally initiated the sumptuous play that had branded them title favourites, Mamadou Sakho's ridiculous swipe on Edin Džeko in the penalty area was waved away by the controversial official. Clattenburg's comedy roadshow continued early in the second half when Luis Suarez leapt into the air as his ribs crushed under the impact of an imaginary bullet shot by Martin Demichelis. The deception that has characterised the Uruguayan's game ever since he moved to the Premier League back in 2011 seemed to enchant the clueless official, and the South American was criminally excused of a second yellow card.
Admirably, City continued to wrestle against a deafening Anfield chorus and threw the tie into contention when David Silva tapped in from a James Milner cross just ten minutes into the second half. The introduction of the Englishman provided the blues with the tenacity and endeavour that the clash demanded, and his work rate supplied Silva with an unmissable opportunity to net his 7th goal of the season.
(David Silva grabs his side a crucial goal early in the second half)
The hosts were rocked, and the domination they had enjoyed in the first half had been sapped out of them by the doggedness of their guests. David Silva, still reeling after missing out on a deserved Player of the Month award at the expense of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, maintained his spell over Liverpool's back line and captured his side a vital equaliser just five minutes later. The Spaniard's attempted cross deflected off the legs of Glen Johnson and past Simon Mignolet, and the fixture every neutral had sat down to enjoy began to meet expectations.
(The Mediterranean magician can't hide his joy as he forces a crucial mistake from Glen Johnson)
But City's control of the game lacked any sort of luck, and with just twelve minutes left to play after David Silva squandered a perfect opportunity to complete the comeback, a routine clearance fell into the path of Philippe Coutinho who fired a precise finish past Joe Hart. Vincent Kompany, who had been a doubt for the tie after picking up an injury in training just twenty-four hours prior to the match, failed to volley the ball into safety and crouched to the ground as he fractured the hearts of his fans and fellow team mates.
(Philippe Coutinho celebrates possibly the most important goal in the title race so far)
The mistake applied more salt into the wounds of a disappointing performance from the Belgian skipper who was involved in all three of Liverpool's goals. A glimmer of hope twinkled late into the game when Jordan Henderson was shown a straight red for a horrific tackle on Samir Nasri, but the midfielder's dismissal came too late for the blues.
On a day where Mark Clattenburg proclaimed his love for Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel tried his hand at basketball and Liverpool supporters repaid their guest's respect for the occasion with a hammering blow to a Manchester City bus, the blues can be proud of their conduct. The title may now be firmly in the grasp of Brendan Rodgers' sweaty palms, but with David Silva in their ranks, it would be foolish to write off Manuel Pellegrini's men.
Player Ratings
Joe Hart 7 - Could have positioned himself better for Sterling's opener, but redeemed himself with a stunning save from Steven Gerrard later in the half.
Pablo Zabaleta 7 - Kept Daniel Sturridge out of the game with his physicality and his determination almost helped City record a historic comeback.
Vincent Kompany 5 - Became the most important name on the team sheet prior to the match, but was involved in all three of Liverpool's goals. Possibly unfit.
Martin Demichelis 8 - Faultless performance from the Argentine who dealt with the threat of Suarez brilliantly. No longer an issue.
Gaël Clichy 6 - Outmuscled too easily by Suarez in the build up to Liverpool's first, but settled in the second half and troubled the home side down the left hand side.
Fernandinho 5 - His quietest performance in a City shirt to date. Lost the ball on numerous occasions and was outfoxed by Gerrard and Henderson.
Yaya Touré 5 - Injured himself after attempting a speculative shot. Looks a worry for the remainder of the season.
Samir Nasri 6 - Couldn't meet the physical demands of the game and was relatively ineffective.
Jesus Navas 6 - Milner should have started over the little Spaniard who was dominated by Flanagan throughout.
David Silva 8 - Was always going to be the man who inspired the blues' fightback, and his brilliance almost paid off.
Edin Džeko 6 - Often plays too deep when leading the line and he wasn't able to trouble Liverpool's defence.
Substitutes
Javi García 7 - Settled the blues and tamed Liverpool's dominance in the centre of midfield.
James Milner 7 - Should have started - inspired a City revival.
Sergio Agüero 6 - Almost assisted the winner.
Match Stats
Shots on target: Liverpool 4 - 6 Manchester City
Shots off target: Liverpool 6 - 4 Manchester City
Blocked shots: Liverpool 0 - 4 Manchester City
Corners: Liverpool 7 - 7 Manchester City
Fouls: Liverpool 7 - 9 Manchester City
Pass Completion: Liverpool 81% - 81% Manchester City
Tackle Success: Liverpool 42% - 39% Manchester City
Possession: Liverpool 49% - 51% Manchester City
