'Craic' was better than the top two in the Premiership
Paul Cassidy on Thursday • Published 1 Dec 2011 09:30
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David Silva tries to get past Glen Johnson at Anfield on Sunday.
I was up close and personal to the two main Premiership contenders at the weekend and left thinking that once again television does make these stars look much better than they really are.
Pre-match on Saturday two friends were looking for spare tickets for United's home game to Newcastle which brought me in to contact with supporters from every county in Ireland. There was numerous Dubs in the Railway Club near the ground, Cork, Limerick men and I eventually met Joe from Drogheda who travels over by boat, Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead for every home game and over 50 per cent of away games.
He runs the Drogheda branch virtually single handed and Manchester United is what he lives for, it is hard to know whether to admire him or feel sorry for him! He did come up with two spare tickets but my friends (Liverpool supporters) opted not to travel up for the game.
On a rainy Manchester afternoon the noise levels in the ground were on the quiet side with only the Geordies in good voice. The first half was lifeless with limited chances, Hernandez having a few sights of goal, but no real class act on show. Newcastle were well worth their draw at halftime and the home crowd becoming ever more restless.
The breakthrough came early in the second half with a fair element of luck attached. Hernandez in the right area to deflect the ball in to the net after a United free kick. United looked to be gaining control, particularly down the flanks but an amazing error by the linesman handed Newcastle a penalty which they duly converted.
If the viewing for the first 60 minutes was boring the last half hour was exciting fare, with United pounding the Newcastle defence for a winner.
A combination of poor finishing, great goalkeeping and a large slice of luck ensured the Geordies left delighted with a point and United ruing two more lost points.
I probably should add the fact that Michael Carrick played the entire match for the home side was a major factor in Newcastle's success. I have played against numerous F&W midfielders, Ian McFrederick Lisbellaw, Liam Donnelly Shelbourne, Joe Keenan Rangers to name a few, who would put the man to shame.
The result did set up the next instalment of my weekend as possibly being a defining moment for Manchester City at Anfield. A City win would put the blue side of Manchester in a wonderful position.
On the Sunday the main talking point around the ground was the death of Gary Speed and how it had robbed Liverpool of Craig Bellamy's services for the day. Shankly's quote that football is "much more important than life or death", not applicable here.
It had been a while since I visited Anfield but Dalglish has brought back the passion and the pride and I was looking forward to seeing this new City side with its numerous superstars. There was an electric atmosphere inside the ground, "You'll never walk alone" was as good as ever and subsequently the minute's silence for Gary Speed was observed impeccably. Once again however the first half was predictable and pedestrian, City getting their noses ahead with a fine Kompany header, Liverpool's equaliser from Adam's shot having a huge slice of luck attached.
The City stars, Aguerro, Da Silva, Nasri and Balotelli looked average at best and to my astonishment Lucas looked the best player on the field. I think Suarez is a wonderful player but he too had a poor afternoon by his standards, looking for free kicks that were never frees and throwing his arms in the air.
Liverpool were by far the better team in the second half, City looked jaded and one-paced. Liverpool carried Downing, Henderson and to a lesser extent, Kuyt, so with Gerrard, Bellamy and Kelly back they should be a force to be reckoned with.
Carroll did have an impact when he came on but Liverpool found Joe Hart in tremendous form and City were delighted in escaping with a point.
An enjoyable trip for two matches which only sprang to life in the second half on each day, not much physicality and some disappointing performances, however the "craic was good."
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