A superb second-half strike from England striker Michael Owen gave Liverpool a crucial 1-0 win at Sunderland today to keep alive the Merseysiders' hopes of winning the Premiership title. Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1
A superb second-half strike from England striker Michael Owen gave Liverpool a crucial 1-0 win at Sunderland today to keep alive the Merseysiders' hopes of winning the Premiership title.
Owen, who has suffered from injury and a dip in form of late, settled the match in the 55th minute, collecting Steven Gerrard's defence-splitting pass before lobbing Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen from 18 yards.
Liverpool, the only top three side on league duty this weekend, leapfrog Manchester United into second place with 71 points from 34 matches, one less than leaders Arsenal who have a game in hand on Gerard Houllier's men.
Frenchman Nicolas Anelka almost netted Liverpool's second, but after breaking Sunderland's offside trap and dancing round Sorensen, his left-foot shot struck the post.
Poor finishing by Sunderland strikers Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips and some great goalkeeping by Liverpool's Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek prevented the home side from levelling the scores.
Sunderland's misery was completed a minute from time when American international Claudio Reyna was sent off for clattering Owen, his second bookable offence. -AFP