FROM : Liverpoolfc.tv Liverpool have given themselves a great chance of winning their first FA Youth Cup since 1996 after goals from Robbie Threlfall, Ryan Flynn and Miki Roque gave them a superb 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the 1st Leg of the Final at Anfield tonight. The Reds will take a commanding advantage to the City of Manchester Stadium for next Friday's 2nd Leg after a fine display. But it was only the superb form of Manchester City goalkeeper Laurence Matthewson that stopped them finishing the job tonight after he made a series of superb saves. City made a bright start to the game when Etuhu took advantage of a loose pass to surge into the box, but the Reds soon asserted themselves and Robbie Threlfall hit a free kick just over before Ryan Flynn almost intercepted a nervous clearance from the visiting keeper. The Reds were soon well on top and their domination created another good chance, this time for Anderson, in the 10th minute. It came when Hammill's cross was fisted straight to Barratt by goalkeeper Matthewson and when his header found Anderson, the young winger flashed an athletic overhead kick narrowly wide. There was a healthy crowd inside Anfield to see the Academy stars take centre stage and they didn’t have to wait long to their side go in front. We'd had just 17 minutes when the breakthrough came, but it was no more than the Reds deserved for their positive start. They might have been in front just moments earlier when it took a last ditch clearance from Manchester City Captain Johnson to deprive Antwi of a goal scoring chance. But from Barratt's resulting corner Robbie Threlfall stooped in to score into the Kop net at the second attempt. Manchester City, being watched by first team boss Stuart Pearce, responded well when first Johnson and then Etuhu brought the best out of Reds stopper David Roberts. But Liverpool were soon back on top they would go on to create a host of first half chances that would see them lead 2-0 at the break, with only the agility of Matthewson preventing it from being more. The Reds came close to doubling their lead in the 25th minute when Lindfield's header was block saved by Matthewson. And Matthewson needed to be at his very best just a minute later when this time saving Barratt's shot at point blank range after he had collected a pass from Anderson. But there was to be little respite for the busy City keeper because in the 32nd minute Liverpool made it 2-0 through Ryan Flynn. And again it was an Anderson cross that was City's undoing as Flynn steamed in to plant his cross firmly into the back of net. Matthewson must have been wondering how he was again picking the ball out of the net after making so many saves, but if it weren't for another fine save from Amderson in the 40th minute, he'd have been doing it for a third time. Manchester City came here with a big reputation so it was perhaps no surprise to see them a fight of it in the second half. Their intentions were clear from the moment the game restarted when Etuhu sped clear and forced a brave clearance from Roberts. And they will wonder how they didn't pull a goal back when first Sturridge struck a post with a 57th minute shot from six yards and then the same player blazed over when clear of the Reds' defence in the 69th minute. But Sturridge must have finally realised it wasn't his night when Roberts brilliantly saved his 72nd minute shot with a goal looking inevitable. Liverpool almost made it 3-0 in the 75th minute when Paul Anderson breathtaking overhead kick cannoned back off the crossbar, but they weren't to be deprived and they did make it 3-0 with substitute Miki Roque's header in the 83rd. Steve Heighway can congratulate his young stars on a job well done tonight and you can be sure they will go to Manchester next week determined to finish the job and bring home the cup. -- 　ＧＥＲＲＡＲＤ 情和義 值千金... ╔═╗ 為紅軍 犧牲有何憾... 　╠═╣ ╚═╝ 一個有情有義的真男子漢 - Steven Gerrard --

※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 218.111.221.144 ※ 編輯: mcowen 來自: 218.111.221.144 (04/14 04:43)