1 month ago, there is only going to be 1 winner in the Barclays Premier League. Man Utd has not been beaten since Nov 08, Van der Sar just broken the clean sheet records, Man Utd has most of their injured back, and they have a very healthy lead at the top of the BPL which we all know at this stage, they rarely gave away.
Liverpool can only hope, and I believe even the most faithful of Liverpool fans wasn’t thinking too much of the title this season. The only way to have any real chance, abet a very very slim one, is the meeting with Man Utd, a chance to gain 3 vital points. And on a back of a superb win over Real Madrid, they repeated the feat against Man Utd. Hopes were raise, just a little, as Man Utd still have a 4 points lead, and a game in hand.
Next up for Man Utd is Fulham, a chance to restore lost pride, a chance for back slash, especially when they just murdered Fulham 4-0 at the same ground 2 weeks ago. A chance to silence any doubts anyone have against them retaining the crowd. Liverpool’s match is just a blip, now for the real masterclass. Well, it didn’t go quite as plan.
Having lost Vidjic due to suspension (for stupidly hurling down Gerrard when he has absolutely no chance), the young and promising Evans came in. But no one expected Fulham to start the way they started. They controlled the 1st half, played probably their best football, scored from the penalty spot (for a ex-Liverpoolian Murphy), and have Man Utd’s Scholes sent off in the process for deliberate handball.
Even with 10 man, Man Utd is expected to steamroll over Fulham. They unlease Rooney in the 2nd half, and control the game for a good 20 mins or so, but found the Fulham keeper in top form with saves, double saves, and more. Then on came Tevez, more terror fo Fulham, but they started to take back some control of the game and score a 2nd late on to kill off the match. They was still time for Rooney to be sent off (a bit harsh I thought, but who cares!).
So now it is back to back lost for Man Utd, a first in 147 games! With Chelsea losing to Spurs half hour later, Merseyside is sensing something. A chance to close the gap to 1 point, or will they choke?
Against Villa who is fighting for a Champions League spot, it is not going to be easy, and it will take the bravest to predict the margin of victory they will to have. Right from the start, Liverpool was at their throat, and reward early with a Kuyt goal. Villa tried to come back, and need Reina to be at his best. But a brilliant kick by Reina found Reira free and a first time volley almost broke the crossbar on the way in. 2 -0, and Liverpool is still not done. Any great ball releases Reira and Reo-cooker, played out of position, tripped in and it’s Gerrard time. 3-0 and it’s over, with lots of time still left to play.
An Istanbul fightback of their own from Villa? Not quite as just 5 mins into the 2nd half, a well placed Gerrard free kick puts them 4-0 up. Another 4 goals scored, another victory in the bag. When Torres runs free into the box, Villa feel the worst, but it was worst then worst. The Villa keeper came out, got nothing of the ball, and was sent off for bring Torres down. Gerrard dispatch the penalty in typically cool fashion for his 1st Premier League hat-trick and Liverpool fans will be celebrating well into the night for another excellent victory.
Man Utd, keep looking over your shoulder, you might not see us soon.
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}