STRANGE things happened at the Emirates last night.
Dirk Kuyt put in a barnstormer, we forgot how to defend at corners and we had a Champions League ref who officiated with sense and maturity.
Best of all, we've given ourselves a great chance to once again make the semi-final of the Champions League.
It was difficult watching last night, particularly during the second half, as Arsenal laid siege to our goal.
But I think we deserved the 1-1 by virtue of a great defensive display and some enterprising forward play in the first.
So, let's get straight to this penalty incident.
It seems that most newspapers, and other 'esteemed' commentators, are adamant it should have been a spot-kick.
I'm not convinced. Yes, Kuyt lays a hand on Hleb, but from what I can see, there's no dragging, pulling or spinning him round which would have made the award inevitable.
He appears to PLACE his hand on the midfielder, who promptly hits the deck like the proverbial sack.
Are we advocating football becomes non-contact? Of course, its not advisable to raise your hands in the box, but Kuyt's touch was not enough to fell Hleb in the way he dramaticaly plunged to the turf.
We might as well ban shoulder charges, stop players jumping for headers and bring the basketball bump rule in.
Two free shots on an empty net?
If that had happened outside the box, I'm sure most spectators would be shouting at Hleb to get up and get on with it.
Ok, so it was worth a shout, and I'm sure I'd be calling for it if it was the other way round, but it wasn't a stonewaller by any stretch.
On this topic, I see Andy Gray was back to typical Bluenose form, claiming Arsenal had been robbed on Sky.
I suppose after he surprisingly backed Mascherano after the United game, he shocked even himself, and thought he had to redress the balance.
Add to that, an apparent comment from Keys that the referee lives 'five minutes from where Kuyt grew up' means we can all sit comfortably knowing that the skewed coverage is back on track.
A quick point on the Blues, the eagerness of them to rant on about the Kuyt penalty incident this morning, compared to their total unwillingness to have a constructive discussion about The Derby has been telling.
With regard to the ref, the penalty decision aside, I thought it was a genuinely outstanding performance.
From what I remember, he didn't produce a card all night, despite there being tackles which other refs would have been desperate to 'card'.
He called players over, told them to cut it out, and allowed competitive contests for the ball, which the players appreciated.
The game was played in an excellent spirit. English refs take note.
With regards to our players, Kuyt was outstanding.
He was third favourite to reach Gerrard's cross, yet he still made it, and while scoring goals should be his primary concern rather than workrate, his commitment on the right hand side was crucial last night.
You could see his confidence returning, little flicks, efforts on goal, pace...I may have to change my opinion on the Dutchman.
His compatriot, Babel, however, continued to frustrate. He just didn't look interested and while everyone else was busting a gut to close down and harry, Ryan loped about like it was some meaningless five-a-side.
Skrtel the Destroyer was again the pick at the back, with Carragher admirably filling in at right back.
Aurelio was pretty tenacious and Hyppia played well, although the finger must be pointed at him for Adebayor's goal.
Whether you agree with zonal marking or not, the fundamental principle remains that if the balls comes in your 'zone' you challenge for it.
Well, the ball was very much is Sami's zone, and he stood and watched. Still, he's been great recently.
All in all, a good result, and getting that away goal could be massive for us.
Arsenal can score anywhere, on any ground, so its still going to a massive game at Anfield, but we've taken a positive step.
Comments (9)
I am 100% neutral and it was defo a stonewall penalty. I was watching the game with no volume at the time, so couldn't hear the reaction of Andy Gray or the crowd. And I was astonished when he didn't give it. Although I agree that he had a good game otherwise.
Posted by Jon | April 3, 2008 11:24 AM
Posted on April 3, 2008 11:24
Luke I concur with ya chief, not a penalty...as you said Kuyt's arm was simply along Hlebs back, no pulling/dragging involved. When defending it is quite natural, and at times necessary, to 'feel' where the opponent is, an act that can also be used to 'guide' the opposing player in the direction of your choice. By placing his arm along Hleb's back Kuyt could well have been saying "I'm right behind ya chief, so don't think about trying to turn back on ya self, only place to go is to the byline".
Posted by Doigy | April 3, 2008 11:53 AM
Posted on April 3, 2008 11:53
Arsenal's goal had nothing to do with zonal marking. That **** Gray mentioned zonal marking straight after the goal.
The simple fact was, there were enough players around him and one of them should have cleared it.
If zonal marking was good enough for Paisley and Fagan (as Alan Hanson revealed a while back), it's good enough for me.
Posted by Brian | April 3, 2008 2:46 PM
Posted on April 3, 2008 14:46
Luke,
You seem like a reasonable chap.
But your shout about the penalty is ludicrous. Come on. Get a grip of yourself (like Kuyt did of Hleb)
Andy Gray is the biggest closet Red going (he once played for the Blues you know) and even he unwedged his tongue from Stevie G's bum crack to call it as a pen.
As they say in France Luke. "Zit was un pen".
Posted by Carmine Lupatese | April 3, 2008 2:58 PM
Posted on April 3, 2008 14:58
i think it was a penalty and...(heavily edited)
Posted by mat m | April 3, 2008 3:22 PM
Posted on April 3, 2008 15:22
I'm a red.
It was a pen, no doubt about it.
Posted by And | April 3, 2008 3:25 PM
Posted on April 3, 2008 15:25
It wasn't a pen cos the ref never gave it and anyway who cares, dont like all the ifs and buts after the game, its finished and the scoreboard confirms the score.
Was there last night, thought it was a good performance and a good result, cant understand for the life of me why Voronin got on the pitch but there you go.
Been to quite a few of the away games this year and Athens last, the support the team gets is fantastic and its great to be there, but, I dont know ( because only follow the reds) if its restricted to LFC but some of our supporters do let us down.
When you hear men forgeries openely on sale outside the ground and grown men simply trying to force their way in without tickets its a bit sad really, add to that the traditonal mad dash by some, 10 mins before kick off from the pub to the ground and yet again we have our supporters involved in problems getting in for kick off.
There is never problems at Anfield so why is there problems at other venues, I hope we progress all the way to the final but i for one wont be going to the the final or the away leg of the semi, sooner or later something terrible is going to happen again and I dont want to be involved in it. The wiser lads pick up on these things and just stand off and wait, even become resigned to the fact that you might get in late for kick off or not even get in, but at least your safe.
LFC as a club have a responsibility to the supporters, they have got to do something more to help supporters at away games in and around the ground, particulary in Europe. Also the supporters have got to do more to help themselves.
I was a guest of a London friend and we were in with the Arsenal supporters near to the LFC area, I was amazed by the amount of LFC supporters who were in there, to be fair there was good banter between the supporters and the Arsenal supporters were a great, shaking hands after the game and off we went, some stewards and police got involved in ejecting reds during the game from this area but there wasnt any bother, I would say there were hundreds of reds in this area and credit to both sets of supporters as I say there was no bother, what worries me is can you imagine the same scenario if it was a Liverpool v Man Utd final in Moscow, frightening.
Anyhows thats my view on last nights game, a great day and night out, but some worrying moments on and off the pitch. Cmon you reds.
Posted by LS | April 3, 2008 4:12 PM
Posted on April 3, 2008 16:12
it could have gone either way there but sure you could say the same thing about nando in the first half where he was bundled over, 1-1 discussion over.
See you in Moscow.
Posted by stevie | April 4, 2008 6:36 PM
Posted on April 4, 2008 18:36
penalty or no penalty it does not matter the refs decision is final he is human after all; these decisions will go with you or against you just depending on your luck;its a natural part of football which should not be taken away by technology:
Posted by Anonymous | April 6, 2008 4:05 PM
Posted on April 6, 2008 16:05