Liverpool into UEFA Quarters

[mhnew]

Full-time: Liverpool 2 - 0 FC Porto
Soccernet.com


Goals from Danny Murphy and Michael Owen helped Liverpool to a comfortable 2-0 win over Porto in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals on Thursday.

The tie had been evenly balanced before kick-off after a 0-0 draw in Portugal last week, but with Porto failing to win away from home since November 19, the odds were always stacked against Fernando Santos's side.

And even the six changes he made to the team proved futile as Liverpool, helped by some good fortune on their first goal, moved a step closer to the final in Dortmund.

Liverpool, who have already won the English League Cup, are looking for a cup treble after reaching the semifinals of the FA Cup where they face second division Wycombe Wanderers.

The northern English side started brightly with Steven Gerrard bringing the best out of Porto goalkeeper Pedro Esphina in the 15th minute with a superbly struck 30-metre drive.

Referee Kim Milton Nielsen got himself caught up in a storm early in the game by refusing Carlos Secretario treatment after he was booked for fouling Michael Owen before eventually relenting and allowing the player to be carried off. Secretario later returned to the match.

Danny Murphy finally broke through in the 33rd minute with a fortuitous goal. The midfielder controlled Gerrard's brilliant drilled ball into the box and it hit his arm before he shot just inside the far post.

The Portuguese were denied an immediate response only by a sprawling save from Sander Westerveld from Dimitri Alentichev following a quick break out of defence.

Liverpool sealed the tie in the 38th minute when Gerrard's clipped centre was headed home by the diminutive Owen, despite Esphina having time to move across his line and get a glove to the ball.

[Abs]

We goin all da way.
Brilliant game.

Got a challenge next game - Barcelona

If we manage to beat Barca, I reckon we'll take the cup.

[yasmin]

Remember CD Alaves.

Plus how can you support a HARAM fooball team like L'pool

[Abs]

CD Alaves.... wot bout dem... they r gonna be too easy to beat.

Wots Haram bout L'pool??????? DISCUSS

[yasmin]

Let's see now. A certain club sponsored by an illicit drugs company?

The devil works in mysterious ways. I just hope you realise in time.

[mhnew]

Give me a break. Haram????

Hope we beat Barca. That would be great for the moral.

[yasmin]

So what does Carlsberg sell? I've forgotten. Can somebody tell mhnew.