Yellow Card Delight

The ball was now back in play and Masherano and Benayoun were part of the play that eventually led to a corner. Gerrard took this but completely mistimed his kick so it was eventually wasted. This led to Torres trying a shot, but that too was wasted as he overshot the goal. There was a scuffle between Benayoun,Kovak and Carragher which led to Jamie getting a yellow card. West Ham were awarded a penalty which Diamonte took with ease. The score was now 1-1 although by now Pepe Reina was trying to get the referees attention. It appeared that Diamonte had actually hit the ball with both feet - thus the penalty should have been disallowed. Watching the replays at half time, it was proved to be true, so here we have again, another bad referring decision. Once the game had restarted there was a late challenge on Insua by Parker and this led to the second yellow card of the evening. Here we go I thought the game is going to get dirty. Liverpool pick up the play and by now West Ham were beginning to show a little nervousness. A free kick was given and taken by Stevie Gerrard who unfortunately hit the wall. In the follow play Skrtel fouled Hynes and somehow manages to get away with it. Maybe the ref had by now realised his mistake over the penalty that he should have disallowed. Liverpool were then given a corner which was taken by Benayoun, headed by Steven Gerrard and placed in the net by Kuyt. Liverpool were now 2-1 up and with half time approaching should have felt comfortable. No for some reason the players became unsettled and Skrtel caught Hynes and this time was given a yellow card. West Ham took their free kick and missed much to the delight of the Liverpool supporters in the ground. A corner was given and taken well. The score was now Liverpool 2 West Ham 2. ZONAL MARKING AND SET PIECES, why oh why are these still causing Liverpool problems?

Thankfully it was now half time and I could go and make that well earned cup of tea.
The second half began with West Ham kicking off and keeping the ball for several minutes before they were intercepted by the lads. Johnson who was having a pretty average game then got hold of the ball and made some lovely runs towards the goal mouth, unfortunately though he too, lost the ball before being able to score. Insua picked the ball up, passed to Masherano who then passed to Torres but again his shot was saved. Unfortunately by now the players were getting a little fractious and Masherano brought down Hynes - yet another yellow card awarded. Suddenly West Ham began to tire and Liverpool seemed to be getting more and more of the ball. I was praying that we would somehow score again. They were making strides toward s the goal and Johnson was again having a good run, but this again was wasted. Parker then challenges Torres but walks away scot free with Torres smiling as he remonstrates with the ref.

The game had now reached that magic 60 minute mark and true to form Rafa decides to make the first substitution. Kuyt was replaced by Ryan Babel, who is still trying to prove himself to Rafa and the Supporters. Babel quickly joined the pack and seemed to be having a good game. There was plenty of passing going on in the Liverpool half with West Ham giving the appearance that they were now tiring very quickly. There was unfortunately nothing that Zola could do as all his substitutes had been used. According to the commentator on the television, it appeared that a lot of the West Ham players were suffering from cramp with a good 20 minutes to go. That to me, is a bad sign and may hinder West Ham's climb up the table as the season goes on.
Play continued with Liverpool getting more and more of the possession, although West Ham did have their moments, but the spark had gone. A great period of play ensued in the Liverpool half which lead to Babel passing to Torres. The lad's back, Liverpool 3 West Ham 2. Looking at the clock I realised that we now had only 15 minutes left. It had now reached the point in the match that I hate. I tend to have one eye on the clock and one eye on the television. After a few minutes West Ham were awarded a corner which an outstretched Reina managed to save. This in turn led to a goal kick which found Liverpool heading up the field again, and finding the feet of Torres - Green saves. The ball now back in play, Masherano gives away a free kick - thankfully it not get anywhere. The match was now drawing to a close and Aurello was on for Benayoun and a few minutes Riera was on for Torres. In the dying moments though Carlton Cole was given a yellow card - yet another one to add to the tally of the evening's game.

The whistle came and I gave a massive sigh of relief. We had won a game which could quite easily have gone the other way. Our main problems are, as I said earlier set pieces and zonal marking. These really must be worked on, otherwise if not they are possibly the things that will cost us goals and in the end the title we want so badly.