With apologies to the fine gentlemen who run Eugene's SOCCER IS REAL FUTBOL club and website, dedicated Reds fans through and through, but Barnsley's shock 5th round 2-1 victory at Anfield today was an exciting match, one of the best I've seen in awhile.
The stats referred to in the title have to do with Liverpool's time of possession, shots on goal and on target, corners, etc. However, a superb performance by fill-in goalie Luke Steele, on loan to the Tykes from West Brom, was the difference to neutralize those stats until Barnsley's offense could capitalize on their attacking chances. In, addition,the defensive line for Barnsley was always in the right place at the right time as Liverpool continually pushed foward for much of the match in an attempt to quell the confidence of the Championship side (31 shots on goal, 20 on target!)
As one could surmise from the stats, Liverpool obviously continued their run of being unable to finish their multiple chances, which they created continually all day, I don't recall one instance of poor passes or clearances being the start of a Liverpool attack.
Dirk Kuyt was able to put the Reds ahead in the 32nd minute on a beautiful pass from Ryan Babel, and the home side was able to take advantage of some poor defensive positioning from the visitors, and the half ended 1-0 with Liverpool in the lead and somewhat in control.
Stephen Foster knocked in an amazing cross from Martin Devaney to level the score in the 57th minute, with both Tykes being well covered by Liverpool defenders, and the game was certainly back on.
The Reds responded immediately with some more offensive barrage on goal, and the next 25 minutes or so was an anxious time for Barnsley supporters waiting to see if their FA Cup dream would be rudely interrupted at any second. Once they got past that patch, I certainly got the sense that everybody on the pitch and in the stands was expecting a replay at Oakwell in the near future, given that the infrequent Barnsley shots were being turned away fairly easily.
It was the FA Cup dreams of Liverpool that were rudely interrupted in injury time as appeals for a handball, I think on Sami Hyypia, were ignored in the final minute, but play continued on and Brian Howard put a shot in the goal between three (!!!) Liverpool defenders as well as goalie Charles Itandje to give the Tykes a stunning victory, one that will surely be remembered for years and years.
GUARDIAN REPORT
SOCCERNET REPORT
Oh yeah, it was made a better day by Manchester United thumping an amazingly inept Arsenal team at Old Trafford 4-0 in their FA Cup match. ONE SHOT ON GOAL FOR THE ARSE............ONE!!!!
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