Manchester City didn’t make the most of their opportunity to extend their lead over Manchester United to seven points as they could only take a point from the enthralling encounter at Anfield. City, who had dropped points only once this season, began the first half as the stronger team dominating possession while Nasri and David Silva looking threatening on the wings. The first chance however came when Jose Enrique’s back pass was intercepted by Aguero at the edge of the box but Jose Reina came rushing out of the box as the ball was cleared to safety.
Manchester City salvage a point at Anfield
Aguero was looking increasingly dangerous as he beat Skrtel and Agger at the edge of the area but lost his footing at the wrong moment as both teams remained goalless. That would however change in a couple of minutes though as City first took the lead through a Vincent Kompany header. David Silva’s left foot cross was glanced into the far post by Kompany as Reina and the defenders could only watch helplessly.
Liverpool would strike back immediately though! Kompany’s weak clearance found Dirk Kuyt who squared it up for Charlie Adam to unleash a shot from distance as it took a big deflection of Lescott past Hart into the back of the net as the scores were level within 90 seconds after City had edged past in front. Liverpool almost immediately took the lead as Hart pulled off a fabulous save to keep put another Adam pile driver. Reina didn’t have much trouble keeping out Aguero’s low shot while Kuyt’s diving header was off target as the teams headed for the break.
If the first half was fascinating, the second half was even more fantastic. Hart made a good save to deny Downing as City tried to break the deadlock with the introduction of Balotelli for Nasri. Enrique shot over while Downing’s volley came tantalizingly close. With time ticking down, City were reduced to ten men as Balotelli was shown a second yellow for catching Skrtel on the face.
The extra man advantage showed as Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure while Hart continued to frustrate the home team, this time denying Suarez. It wasn’t all Liverpool though as Silva found himself one on one with Reina. He twisted left and then right as he beat the goalkeeper but it took a bit too long as his shot was comfortably saved off the line by Skrtel. Just seconds before the final whistle, Liverpool strung together their last attack as Carroll’s header was goalbound only to be denied by an acrobatic Hart that secured City a point and preserved their unbeaten start to the season.
Tags: Anfield, English Premier League, EPL, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United
