Bent strike downs Liverpool

Sunderland grab victory at Stadium of Light

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 17th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bent strike downs Liverpool

Bent: Opener

MATCH FACTS:
Man of the Match: Whilst Darren Bent will get the plaudits for his goal, Phil Bardsley was our choice for an outstanding display from start to finish.
Moment of the Match: The goal which deflected off a beach ball and sent Liverpool crashing to defeat.
Save of the Match: Craig Gordon's late double save was top-draw and played a crucial part in Sunderland's win.
Talking point: What now for Benitez? A truly shocking display, which surely leaves their title dream in tatters for another year.

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Liverpool's season went from bad to worse as they lost 1-0 at Sunderland, their fourth defeat of the campaign.

The only goal of the game arrived just five minutes in as Darren Bent lashed the ball home - although Liverpool will be ruing the freak nature of the goal as the ball deflected off a beach ball which had been thrown onto the pitch by the visiting fans.

Whilst the goal was lucky, the win was anything but as Sunderland should have won by more and Bent could have easily had a hat-trick.

Indeed it was not until injury-time that Craig Gordon had a save to make in the Sunderland goal.

The win also lifts Sunderland into seventh, above Liverpool who now find themselves dropping to eighth.

With the injured Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres missing, they were a shadow of the side which pushed Manchester United so close last season as they slipped to their fourth league defeat of the campaign despite a late, late rally.

After their side's heroics at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, when only a late Anton Ferdinand own goal gave the reigning champions a point, the Wearside faithful arrived believing a win over one of the Premier League's traditional powers was a distinct possibility.

And if they needed further confirmation that it could be their day, they had to wait only five minutes.

Early goal

There was nothing fortunate about the way Andy Reid and Steed Malbranque combined to open up the Reds down the right, and when the ball fell for top-scorer Bent, fate intervened.

Pepe Reina thought he had the striker's shot covered and could only look on in horror when it hit the beach ball and flew past him into the net.

Sunderland sensed an opportunity and could have been out of sight by half time.

Bent could have doubled the lead but he headed a 22nd-minute Reid cross straight at Reina and then glanced Phil Bardsley's driven ball wide of the far post seven minutes before the break.

Liverpool repeatedly found themselves under pressure as Reid, Lee Cattermole and Steed Malbranque got forward to support strikers Bent and Kenwyne Jones as a back three of Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger were swamped by red and white shirts.

But they managed to survive further mishap and gradually eased their way back into the game, although without ever putting Craig Gordon's goal under extreme pressure.

The Scotland international had to block Ryan Babel's 13th-minute shot on the turn at close quarters and was happy to see Fabio Aurelio's 27th-minute free kick fly wide, but he was otherwise largely untroubled.

Bruce made a change at the break when his only specialist left-back, George McCartney, failed to re-appear, prompting a reshuffle.

Ferdinand moved across from centre-half as Lorik Cana dropped into central defence to accommodate teenage midfielder Jordan Henderson.

The newcomer almost made his mark within two minutes when his shot was blocked by Carragher, in the eyes of the home side with his arm, but Mr Jones waved play on.

Reina kept his side in it with 55 minutes gone when he blocked Bent's effort after the striker had run onto Jones' pass and rounded him.

Woodwork

The goalkeeper needed the help of the woodwork six minutes later after Bent capitalised on more poor defending, but saw his shot come back off the foot of the post.

Bruce and Benitez became embroiled in an angry touchline spat as the injured Jones was treated at length on the pitch before, like Cattermole minutes earlier, leaving on a stretcher.

Malbranque was denied by Carragher's last-ditch block but Yossi Benayoun squandered a glorious opportunity to level two minutes later when he fired high and wide from 16 yards.

Benitez threw on strikers Andriy Voronin and David Ngog in a desperate effort to rescue a point, and deep into seven minutes of stoppage time Gordon had to make a fine double save from Dirk Kuyt and Ngog to deny Liverpool an undeserved point.

SunderlandTeam StatisticsLiverpool
1Goals0
11st Half Goals0
3Shots on Target4
7Shots off Target11
5Blocked Shots4
1Corners7
21Fouls18
4Offsides0
2Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
65.4Passing Success78
27Tackles28
63Tackles Success75
31.1Possession68.9
49.6Territorial Advantage50.4

Comments (31)

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Peter C (Manchester United fan) says...

Can't wait to hear how Rafa blames Fergie for this result

Posted 22:59 17th October 2009

Tony Watman (Liverpool fan) says...

well here we go again and its 11 weeks till xmas and we are out already what the hell are we doing . we are hard to follow teams we should beat we dont liverpool cant rely on 2 players its the prem league not park football and its times like this i wish i could hide my tattoo but my heart says no liverpool wake the hell up an start to play as a unit or get the broom out and start sweeping out the rubbish

Posted 22:56 17th October 2009

Andy Zougras (Liverpool fan) says...

You're time is up Rafa . Not only a bad manager but a bad negotiator . When you sell players of the calibre of Riise and Arbeloa for next to nothing how do you expect to replace them and rebuild ? We seem to sell our players cheap and pay over the top for nobodies . Stability is always the key and a good manager strengthens his weak points using coaching skills rather than signing another dud . Also rafa and Stevie G should stop telling us we are going to win the league each year . Shut your mouths and get on with your jobs . I didn't see any beach balls against Villa , Spurs or Chelsea either . Just bad football .

Posted 22:55 17th October 2009

John Graydon (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Lord knows with Chelsea losing today another surprise? & the best news for Rafa & Liverpool team and management today,While I never thought they would win the league the game is up there now and it looks like Gerard is wating his time ,though with Rafa and Liverpools record in europe, they normally would be expected to add serious back up to Man U & Chelsea in Champion's League & perhaps the Arsenal. Rafa sometimes can't be believed with his excuses and continual tickering in the past but lets face it the players are not good enough and he has spend a fair bit,so what is needed is a new management team and that means all new ! New Owners and plenty of cash and Mourino or join Newcastle and face oblivion.

Posted 22:34 17th October 2009

Paul Roberts(liverpool fan) says...

Sorry rafa but enough is enough. Yes we did win the champions league with you in charge, and we have had good runs in europe since. Rafa has to remember that when we were dominating europe in the 70,s and 80,s we were also dominating the top league of english football. With the money he has spent in the last five years he should have a lot better team with a lot more depth than what hes got today. why dont they try and push the youth system a lot more with youngsters from the local area., maybe then they will get the players like Stevie G and carra who adore the club and who give a 110 % in every game. With alonso gone , we have taken a step back possibly now 3 or 4 years behind the likes of man u, chelsea, arsenal, Man city. I dont think with the way we are playing we are good enough to finish in the top six. It hurts me to say it but this could be our worst year ever in the premiership, and i just hope that all the distraction in the back ground behind the scenes is resolved so the players we have can settle and start climbing the table. Good luck in europe next week boys.

Posted 22:29 17th October 2009

James Stillwell (Liverpool fan) says...

As like most L.F.C fans todays game was disgraceful!!!! Dont tell me the team lack inspiration when GERRO & TORRES are not playing! what are we a TWO man football squad yet again????. They are always the scapegoats for this squad,HELLO what about the other 8?. TIME TO WAKE UP & SMELL THE COFFEE RAFA & THE REST OF THE SQUAD start playing for what you earn every week.........

Posted 22:25 17th October 2009

Steve D (Sunderland fan) says...

Football is a funny old game and its always said that you should never take your eye of the ball, but no one ever said WHICH one...I wonder how many Liverpool fans are going to show up for the next game in their beachwear in protest...now THERE'S a thought!

Posted 22:25 17th October 2009

Robert Malcolm (Arsenal fan) says...

Today I'm reminded of the two in the box seats in the Muppet Show. Old gits they might have been but they had the last laugh. Haven't these Americans given Rafa money? But what has he done with it? No manager worth his salt would oust a quality player for another no matter how good. "He's no goud, but the fayns think he's Gawd" I here them say. "The fayns heyt uss sow heel hayve tu stayy" and he'll be the death of yous. There is only one man who can save a great club from this poor team in this current climate. Only one man who is proven and hungry enough. Revenge is a dish best served cold. So chill out cos the fat lady sung Rafa the blues long ago.

Posted 22:22 17th October 2009

Ian Gardener (Manchester United fan) says...

Don't blame the team, manager or directors blame the idiot fan that throw a balloon on the pitch Man utd top of the league again 19th title on the way ha ha ha ha ha ha

Posted 22:14 17th October 2009

Ian Gardener (Manchester United fan) says...

I think Liverpool need to get a grip they need to get rid of the spanish waiter if they are to be contenders for a league title they are avein a laugh the players they have got he (Benitez) just ant got a glue fact. We are gona get that all important 19th title M.U.F.C O.K sretford enders

Posted 22:03 17th October 2009

Martyn Tolley (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...

If i remember rightly the goal should have been disaloud and started again with a bounce up, from the place from which the deflection off the beach ball had taken place.from my days playng football no goal is counted unless scored by any of the 22 players on the pitch ,deflections via the ref or any posts which are part of the game. Im sure its in the refs hand book, even the4th official should have had words.

Posted 21:28 17th October 2009

Mark Williams (Liverpool fan) says...

We are going to struggle to get in to Europe next year let alone the champions league. As for the title, it went when Rafa refused to buy another quality striker and not get rid of the likes of Lucas, Riera, Voronin to name a few who are not good enough to wear the shirt. he got pre-season all wrong and spent £20 on a player who wont be fully fit until next season and has a history of injury with no track record of the premiership... Cattemole ran us ragged and we over looked him and kept Lucas........ time to go Rafa, you've taken us as far as you can but now we are going backwards...

Posted 21:21 17th October 2009

Tim D (Liverpool fan) says...

Rafa is an average manager with limited ability. Here has taken Liverpool to the highest level last season. And this shows in the current team and players which he has purchased. To sell excellent players who know the history and pedigree of Liverpool and who want to play for Liverpool. Then buy average players who could and would not get into a Champion Division League 1 team is lack of vision and a waste of money. It is time now for Rafa to admit is mistakes and start selling the average players Babel, Benayoun, Insua, Kuyt, Veronin, Ngog and Lucas. We all remember Houllier and the team he built and that team won the European Champion League. Rafa added two players to the team. Now 4 years later Liverpool has won nothing and millions has been spent. Rafa (The Dum One) and the Americans MUST GO NOW!!!! And let¿s go get The Special One and the Arabs to buy the Americans OUT completely. And Liverpool too build a new Legacy starting in 2010.

Posted 21:15 17th October 2009

Josh Wilkes (Liverpool fan) says...

I am really getting bored of this. Year after year we are convinced we we will win the league, but it never happens! SACK BENITEZ, and get someone with the mentality of Jose Mourighno. Liverpool FC will get nowhere with benitez as manger....FACT

Posted 21:11 17th October 2009

Jay Williamson (Liverpool fan) says...

The way this season as started for liverpool is of no surprise. I watched three pre-season games and was very unimpressed with them. I would love someone to explain the thinking behind selling alonso, paying 20mil for a player who will start playing for us when our season is over!!! I was a big fan of Rafa but he has lose my vote. He should make way for someone else before its too late.

Posted 21:07 17th October 2009

Malcolm Atkins (Chelsea fan) says...

Rafa should go his time is up

Posted 21:05 17th October 2009

Jason Lingard (Manchester United fan) says...

Next year will be liverpool's year! Hang on? Havn't i heard that before? Oh yeah, every season since the premiership started. Never mind, all you scousers at least you have your carlsberg to cry into! Hang on, your all unemployed so it will have to be water....HA! HA! HA!. COME ON YOU RED DEVILS.

Posted 19:40 17th October 2009

Blessed Manwa (Liverpool fan) says...

I think Benitez has taken us as far as he can, i think he should and so should Hicks and Gillet..We spent 20 million on a player who only plays when we are out of the league, i just don't understand him anymore.

Posted 19:32 17th October 2009

Johnny Bernacca (Liverpool fan) says...

Shocking ! What a awful bunch of 2nd rate morons we have. It just shows what poor strength in depth there is at Liverpool. The goal apart- we deserved to get beat - and by much more. It feels at the moment a lot like it did in Houlliers last few years in charge- stale, stagnant and no ideas. Lucas and Babel sum us up at the moment- and it rhymes with red and white !

Posted 19:13 17th October 2009

Andy Huzzard (Sunderland fan) says...

If sunderland had put away all the other chances then the beach ball goal wouldn't even be an issue. A denied penalty and numerous chances just goes to show how far the lads have come and it shouldn't be a case of the so called better teams having an off day without certain players it should be about how well sunderland have played. Look through the rule book all you want scouses, you were beaten by the better team.Haway The Laads

Posted 19:03 17th October 2009
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