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Liverpool
5 v Nottingham Forest 1
Forest haven't
won at Liverpool since 1969 and lost 4-2 the last two times they went
there.
So, expectations were not high for a Forest victory.
But I don't
think anyone was quite prepared for the enormous talent of Michael Owen.
His first goal came after 10 minutes. Ince got the ball from Hjelde,
put it through to Riedle who slotted the ball to Owen for him to put
it into the top corner.
Forest briefly went level on 17 minutes, with
Freedman's first goal for Forest.
Some superb, skillful ball control
from Steve Stone ended with him passing back for Freedman who hammered
the ball in, giving James no chance at all.
But the prospect of an away
point was short lived when Chettle made a costly mistake.
Berger picked
out McManaman who put the ball neatly away on 22 minutes.
By this time
Owen was beginning to look unstoppable and he controlled the ball superbly
taking the ball past Beasant to score his second and Liverpool's third.
Forest had been punished for some elementary defensive mistakes and
it was difficult to know what Bassett was going to be able to do at
half time to convince them they could win this match.
Liverpool came
close to scoring early in the second half but Riedle shot wide.
Then,
not surprisingly, Liverpool closed their play down seeming content to
sit on the two goal lead.
But Forest were not able to take advantage
and on 71 minutes Owen was handed his third goal when Liverpool were
awarded a penalty for a trip of Riedle by Rogers.
But Owen was not satisfied
with three goals. James took a massive throw from his goal, picking
out Owen who chose to run with it in spite of McManaman being in a good
position to score.
Beasant cleared his first attempt but Owen was quick
to put the ball in from the rebound.
Needless to say, Forest had fallen
apart by now with the defence ran ragged and Shipperley and Freedman
given no service at all.
It must have been a blessed relief for the
Forest players when the match ended, but it pains me to say that Liverpool
played a brilliant game.
And to think that Owen is still only 18!!!
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