Gerrard takes being star of the show all in his stride
May 16 2006
By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post
Alex raises a good pointwith: You say you can't be sent of for preventing a goal scoring opportunity after a goal is scored (and I agree) but that means that whether or not a keeper (in this case...
LIVERPOOL'S dramatic win over West Ham was the best FA Cup final I have ever watched.
Here was a game with everything from West Ham's surprising two-goal start, Liverpool's spirited reply, a goal out of the blue and then a stunning strike in the closing minute to take the match into extra-time and ultimately the drama of a penalty shoot-out.
Fcuking cheating refereeWho on earth would be a ref these days? Much is down to their interpretation of the rules IN REAL TIME and then they have television going over...
While Steven Gerrard rightly hogged the headlines, there were stories all over the pitch of delight and despair.
The match was played at such a pace it was no surprise to see the exertions taking their toll on players from both sides. Especially as some of them were clearly not 100%.
Xabi Alonso was obviously feeling the effects of his ankle problem and insisted he came off when Liverpool were looking to replace Peter Crouch.
In West Ham's ranks Dean Ashton did well to put in 70 minutes after his recent injury worries.
In the build-up I highlighted that what made the prospects for the game so promising was the fact that while Liverpool were overwhelming favourites West Ham were underdogs who had a more than realistic chance of springing a surprise. And that wasn't something you could say about Millwall against Manchester United and Southampton against Arsenal.
And so it proved to be when the game burst into life as West Ham scored twice. It was crucial for Liverpool they pulled one back before the break and they did just that to set up a great contest.
The biggest surprise for Liverpool supporters in the early stages was seeing the defence pulled out of shape for the first occasion in a very long time, but they did well to re-group and re-organise as the game went on.
Gerrard's second equalising strike in stoppage time was one of those that had goal written all over it from the moment it left his boot.
Ironically, had he not been so tired he might have fancied another touch to bring it under control but in the circumstances he chose to let fly.
To deliver that kind of shot, with such pace and precision, so late in an exhausting game was simply stunning. But Gerrard's performance will not have come as a surprise. He has been doing that for the club time and time again over the past four years.
It is real Roy of the Rovers stuff and while now he is being held up as England's best hope for success in the World Cup finals he will take everything in his stride.
He has handled himself really well and I am sure Liverpool's board have been delighted the team has matched his aspirations after he twice looked like leaving for Chelsea. As a local lad, I am sure the success he is enjoying with Liverpool means all the more to him.
Like in Istanbul where Liverpool produced the greatest fightback to win the Champions League trophy, you suspect there were some more well-chosen words from manager Rafael Benitez at half-time which helped urge his side on to overcome the odds again.
They certainly came out looking determined to go on and win the game.
Pepe Reina showed great composure at the end, especially after his slip had gifted West Ham their second and while you could not blame him for their third, he was caught out by Paul Konchesky's cross.
But his penalty saves were top drawer and the first one kept out a very good effort from Bobby Zamora.
And his extra-time save to tip the ball against the post should not be forgotten either, although Marlon Harewood was unlucky the ball fell to him as he could barely stand by that stage.
* IT WOULD be a great week for Liverpool supporters if the club could cap its cup win with news of fresh investment at Anfield.
Talks remain on-going as chief executive Rick Parry investigates the latest interested consortium by meeting Oxford United chairman and Concorde designer Robin Herd.
Fantastic as the cup final win was, fans will now be looking for Liverpool to take the next step towards the Premiership title.
And anything that helps strengthen the manager's hand in the transfer market will be most welcome, especially with Chelsea signing Michael Ballack and hot on the heels of Andrei Shevchenko.
They remain favourites for title again next season but I'm sure Benitez is working on closing that gap even further so that we get a real battle for the Premiership crown right up to the end of the season.
AMID THE euphoria of Liverpool's FA Cup win, a word for referee Alan Wiley.
I thought he had an outstanding game.
He could have booked Paul Konchesky in the very first minute, but obviously thought he would give the game chance to breathe.
He played some very good advantages and the result was a more free-flowing game in the right kind of spirit.
There was no snarling from either side, and when cramp set in for teams players were actually helping members of the opposition back to their feet.
It was no less a competitive game for all that but was one that did so much to restore the final's reputation.
Mark Lawrenson was talking to RICHARD WILLIAMSON
