UEFA Champions League Matchday 5 - Spurs and United qualify, Arsenal with work to do

TOTTENHAM Hotspur and Manchester United sealed qualification for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, on matchday five.

CONFIDENCE: Luka Modric celebrates his goal with Bale

AT A vibrant full house at White Hart Lane, Spurs sealed qualification for the last 16, against a Werder Bremen side, that missed ten key players through a catalogue of suspensions and injuries.  In less than five minutes, Younes Kaboul had Tottenham infront, continuing his golden week, after netting the winner in Saturday’s North London derby.  Kaboul volleyed in at the near post after Aaron Lennon had gazumped Marcel Jansen.  On the cusp of half-time, the home side had disappeared out of sight, when Luka Modric doubled their advantage, finishing tidily after Peter Crouch had put Per Mertesacker under intense pressure.  Modric won a second half penalty, after his foot was stood on by Bremen debutant Felix Kroos.  However, Gareth Bale showed he is human after all, as his soft penalty was saved by Tim Wiese.  Crouch wrapped the game, after Lennon once again danced through the hopelessly inadequate Bremen defence.  The final 3-0 scoreline didn’t flatter Tottenham; this was as easy a win that you get in the Champions League and they remain top in group A.

TARGET: Rooney's relief at his winning penalty was clear

MEANWHILE, Manchester United secured their place in the last 16 as group C winners, beating Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox and in the process, parachuting Rangers into the Europa League after Christmas.  Dimitar Berbatov was denied a clear second minute penalty by experience official Massimo Busacca, after being tripped by Steven Davis.  United did get their penalty though, with three minutes to go, after Steven Naismith made a poor challenge, catching Fabio in the chest.  Wayne Rooney, making his first start since all the headlines about his future last month scored the resulting penalty, stealing the win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.  It could have been more against a spirited Rangers side, had it not been for a good performance from home goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

STUNNER: Matheus added to Arsenal's pain in Portugal

ARSENAL failed to recover from their shocking collapse against Tottenham last weekend, falling to a disappointing 2-0 defeat in the north of Portugal against Sporting Braga.  It leaves their participation in the competition in jeopardy.  Arsenal pressed forward for most of the evening and looked well on top until the last 15 minutes, when it started to go pear-shaped.  Cesc Fabregas limped off with a suspected hamstring injury and is likely to be out now for a fortnight.  A gamble on his fitness simply didn’t work.  Carlos Vela was then booked for diving, even though TV replays clearly showed the Mexican was brought down in the penalty area.  Afterwards, Arsene Wenger called the extra official behind the goal system (bought in this year to the Champions League) ‘useless.’  Emmanuel Eboue was stretchered off and with Wenger having made all three substitutions, Arsenal’s increasing pain continued, now having to play on with ten men.  Both Braga goals came in the last seven minutes, both on the counter attack from the Brazilian striker Matheus, as the Gunners defence was horribly exposed. This was an awkward and awful night for Arsenal.

BATTLE: Sturridge starred in Chelsea's edgy 2-1 win

WITH Chelsea’s place secure already in the knockout stages, Carlo Ancelotti gave youth the chance to shine at Stamford Bridge, but it was the visitors MSK Zilina who went ahead, when Belo drove a shot past Ross Turnbull after a routine build-up.  Chelsea, in dire form themselves on a domestic basis, slowly warmed to their task and drew back on level terms in the second half, when Daniel Sturridge scored from a tight angle.  The Blues had a succession of good opportunities, and should have won by more, but Florent Malouda’s first Champions League goal in two years was enough with ten minutes to go, to seal a 2-1 win against the group F whipping boys.

JOB DONE: Cambiasso secured Inter's nervy passage

ELSEWHERE in Europe and Inter Milan qualified for the knockout stages, as Esteban Cambiasso scored the decisive goal on 55 minutes to beat FC Twente 1-0 in the San Siro.  However, Inter will need to improve if they want to hold onto their trophy.  Valencia also qualified, as they recorded their biggest win in UEFA competition, trouncing hopeless Buraspor 6-1 in the Mestalla.  Roberto Soldado scored two goals, taking his tally to five goals in the group stage.  Fellow Spaniards Barcelona also moved into the last 16, with Pedro scoring twice and Lionel Messi netting for the tenth game running in their 3-0 rout of Panathinaikos in Athens. 

OFF: Xabi Alonso gets his marching orders in Amsterdam

IN GROUP B, Schalke’s excellent home record has seen them through, after an easy 3-0 win against Lyon.  Jefferson Farfan scored the first goal and Klaas Jan-Huntelaar added two more to his tally, as the Germans forgot about their dismal domestic form.  Lyon still advanced into the next stage, after Benfica put in a horrid display in Israel, saw them lose 3-0 to Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Hapoel’s first ever win in the Champions League.  Finally, Real Madrid face disciplinary action from UEFA, after picking up controversial late red cards in Amsterdam.  Their 4-0 win over Ajax, ending Ajax’s hopes of progression from group G was overshadowed by time wasting tactics from Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos.  Both Spanish internationals were sent off, and although Jose Mourinho has dismissed the conspiracy theories, the fact that both Alonso and Ramos didn’t seem to care about their dismissals and faced possible suspensions in the knockout stages certainly hints that these cards were staged.

Well done to Tottenham and Manchester United, joining Chelsea in progression.  Come on Arsenal, you are letting the English force down!

Classic Premiership Matches 61-80

In the past 18 seasons, football fans across the globe have been treated to some cracking Premiership matches.  On the eve of the 19th season having begun yesterday, here is a look-back at some classics down the years.

61.           Chelsea                                    5-0           Manchester United                  Sunday 3^rd October 1999

This was an afternoon that no person will forget, unless you supported Manchester United that was.  Gus Poyet cashed in on another horrendous piece of goalkeeping by Massimo Taibi to hand the home side a lead within of 30 seconds.  Just past the 20 minute mark, Chris Sutton headed home his first and only Premiership goal for Chelsea and soon they were a man up, following a disgraceful kick-out by Nicky Butt on Dennis Wise.  In the second half, United unravelled as Poyet pounced on a third, Henning Berg sliced into his own net then Jody Morris rammed the ball in with ten minutes to go to complete the rout.  Chelsea’s season wouldn’t hit any higher spots again in this campaign.

62.           Manchester City                     3-3           Newcastle United                    Saturday 24^th February 1996

Newcastle’s all-out attack play was being exposed to great effect and it happened again at Maine Road.  An unsavoury pair of incidents involving City captain, Keith Curle and Faustino Asprilla overshadowed an extraordinary game which saw Philippe Albert rescue the Geordies twice from a losing position.  Nigel Clough, Niall Quinn and Uwe Rosler had put the relegation-threatened club ahead three times, but they couldn’t hold on and it was really a result that neither team required.

63.           Arsenal                                    4-0           Everton                                   Sunday 3^rd May 1998

Arsenal had gone on an awesome run and this home rout sealed their maiden Premiership title, under the brilliant guidance of Arsene Wenger.  Never looking in danger, an own goal from Slaven Billic started the party, which got louder when Marc Overmars beat the Everton defence for pace twice in clinical fashion.  The round-off was completed when skipper Tony Adams lashed home from Steve Bould’s pass to create an iconic memory in Premiership history.  In this season, Arsenal had been truly the cream of the crop. 

64.           Oldham Athletic                     2-3           Norwich City                          Monday 9^th November 1992

Norwich was turning into the surprise package of the 1992/93 campaign and this victory put them on top of the table.  For Mark Robins, it was even more bittersweet as the ex-Manchester United reject hit a wonderful hat-trick at Boundary Park.  Twice, Oldham came from behind to draw level but they ended up with nothing in a game that highlighted both of these teams seasons, thrilling attacking and kamikaze defending.

65.           Arsenal                                    2-3           Leeds United                           Sunday 4^th May 2003

Going into this match, Arsenal knew they had to stay in the Premiership title race, but were behind in the Highbury sunshine to a scorcher from Harry Kewell inside of five minutes.  Thierry Henry equalized, but Leeds showed some fight required to get out of a dodgy relegation position.  Ian Harte hit another free-kick at Highbury, but once more Arsenal responded with Dennis Bergkamp’s first home goal in the Premiership for the 02/03 season.  Henry then struck the post as both sides pushed for the winner.  A breakout by the Yorkshire unit saw Marc Viduka power an unstoppable shot past David Seaman to bury Arsenal as far as the Premiership was concerned and hand Leeds an improbable lifeline of another season in the top flight.

66.           Sheffield United                      1-2           Wigan Athletic                        Sunday 13^th May 2007

Wigan had to win to avoid the dreaded drop and made the perfect start on a rain-soaked afternoon in Sheffield.  Paul Scharner’s low-drilled attempt squirmed into the back of the net.  Sheffield United knew they needed a draw to ensure survival and battled back through a brave header from Jon Stead.  Now, Wigan was back in the red, but right on the stroke of half-time, handball by Michael Tonge gave former Blades man, David Unsworth the chance to convert for the Lactics.  He duly delivered and despite United hitting the post in the second half and missing a catalogue of chances, it was Wigan who won the day.  The relief on Paul Jewell’s face was clear to see and with Carlos Tevez steering West Ham to an unlikely win at Old Trafford, Sheffield United had been cruelly relegated.

67,           Fulham                                    2-4           Liverpool                                                Saturday 16^th October 2004

Rafa Beintez had initially struggled to adapt to the English game and his side looked out-of-touch on the road, but in this game, they produced one of the comebacks for the season.  Trailing 2-0 at half-time to Fulham, they stormed back to win 4-2 with an own goal, a tap-in from Milan Baros, a wonderful free-kick by Spanish ace, Xabi Alonso and a spectacular finish from Igor Biscan.  A flash had been provided for the future by the soon-to-be European champions.

68.           Newcastle United                    4-3           Manchester United                  Saturday 15^th September 2001

Following the recent terrorist attacks on September 11^th, football paid its respects in typically, fond fashion and these two teams served up a real treat.  Laurent Robert powered the home side infront with a typical free-kick, pegged by Ruud Van Nistlerooy.  A horror moment from Fabien Barthez allowed Rob Lee to celebrate a rare goal and when Nicolas Dabizas smashed home from close range early in the second half, the game looked done and dusted.  However, never write Until off at your peril and efforts from Ryan Giggs and Juan Sebastian Veron tied the game all-square again.  With less then ten minutes remaining, Alan Shearer’s strike took a wicked deflection off Wes Brown to earn three famous points for Sir Bobby Robson’s side.  Once again, Roy Keane made the headlines for the wrong reasons, sent off following a tedious clash with Shearer.

69.           Wigan Athletic                        5-3           Blackburn Rovers                   Saturday 15^th December 2007

It is a rarity for two different players to score hat-tricks in the same game, but it happened in this local derby.  Wigan had been cruising at 3-0 up until Roque Santa Cruz dragged his Blackburn side back into the contest with three goals either side of half-time.  Back came the home side through Emile Heskey and a 3^rd goal from Marcus Bent to round off a stunning match managed by former Manchester United legends, Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes.

 

70.           Arsenal                                    7-0           Everton                                   Wednesday 11^th May 2005

Three days earlier, Champions League finalists Liverpool had been played off the park at Highbury, losing 3-1.  Now, their Merseyside rivals faired even worse when taking on the Highbury medicine.  7-0 was the final score, including a virtuoso performance from Dennis Bergkamp, a double by Robin Van Persie and a final Gunner goal from talismanic midfielder, Edu.  This was an absolute masterclass.

71.           Manchester United                  5-2           Tottenham Hotspur                                Saturday 25^th April 2009

At 2-0 up at half-time through goals by Darren Bent and Luka Modric, Tottenham looked on the cards for a shock win at the Theatre of Dreams, but it turned into the Theatre of Nightmares in the second half, as the fabulous four from United, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez & Berbatov showed their stuff in the second half.  A scandalous penalty decision from Howard Webb started the comeback, but Tottenham’s pitiful second half collapse was almost unthinkable and would have had Harry Redknapp tearing his hair out.  This was the result that effectively sealed Manchester United’s grip on a record-equalling 18^th league championship.

72.           Blackburn Rovers                   2-3           Chelsea                                    Sunday 1^st February 2004

Despite the guile of Manchester United and Arsenal, Chelsea were hanging onto the coat-tails of the top two and their true spirit was underlined in a physical encounter at Ewood Park.  Down after three minutes through Garry Flitcroft, Chelsea came back with a neat, tidy double by Frank Lampard.  In the second half, super sub Paul Gallagher netted twice.  One was ruled offside, the other stood, whilst at the other end, Brad Friedel was repelling the attack of Lampard, Emmanuel Petit and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.  With three minutes to go, Adrian Mutu over hit a corner, but it found Glen Johnson, who produced a breathtaking piece of individual skill that would make him an England regular.  It was a goal worthy of winning any game and kept Claudio Ranieri’s side onto the back of the top two.

73.           Newcastle United                    4-3           Aston Villa                              Monday 30^th September 1996

Once again, Newcastle were part of another breathtaking, free-flowing game, this time against an in-form Aston Villa side.  Brian Little’s side grabbed an early lead thanks to Dwight Yorke, his first goal of the season.  The visitors then had a nightmare 15 minutes before half-time which saw them 3-1 down to goals from Les Ferdinand (2) & Alan Shearer, before Mark Draper was given his marching orders for two yellow cards.  What Little had installed into his side was belief and they kept attacking, which paid off with a brilliant solo effort from Yorke.  Quickly, Steve Howey’s flying header re-installed the two goal advantage, before Yorke helped himself to another, completing his hat-trick.  In the end, Newcastle grimly hung on during an entertaining match at St. James Park.

74.           Southampton                          4-3           Norwich City                          Saturday 30^th April 2005

In the relegation scrap, there were some stunning games between the bottom four clubs, none more so than this affair at St. Mary’s.  On a day for defenders to forget, Henri Camara struck a 90^th minute winner for Southampton after the score were pegged at 3-3 in the interlude.  It kept Southampton out of the bottom three and halted Norwich’s recent momentum.  Both would suffer the similar fate though just a fortnight later.

75.           Tottenham Hotspur                                4-4           Aston Villa                              Monday 1^st October 2007

Martin Jol was fighting to hang to his Spurs job following a dismal start to this season and going 4-1 down with half an hour to play against Aston Villa was not the tonic required.  To give them credit, the home side dug in deep with all their possible reserves and claimed an unlikely draw, due to a do-or-die header by under-fire centre-back Younes Kaboul in the last minute.

76.           Coventry City                         3-2           Manchester United                  Sunday 28^th December 1997

December 28^th 1997 turned out to be a pivotal day in the 97/98 title battle, as it seriously highlighted Manchester United’s defensive vulnerabilities.  An ever improving Coventry was infront through Noel Whelan but goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked to have got United out of jail again.  Not on this occasion however, due to old lad Dion Dublin via the penalty spot, then a sensational solo strike by Darren Huckerby.  It was a richly deserved result for Gordon Strachan’s side, who comfortably avoided relegation in this campaign.

77.           Newcastle United                    8-0           Sheffield Wednesday                               Sunday 19^th September 1999

A meeting of the Premiership bottom two turned into a one-horse race.  Sheffield Wednesday totally ripped apart in Sir Bobby Robson’s first home match in charge of Newcastle.  Alan Shearer equalled another Premiership scoring record with 5 goals in the same match as the Magpies started their climb up the Premiership leaderboard.  Meanwhile, the writing was already on the wall for the Owls.

78.           Charlton Athletic                    3-3           Manchester United                  Saturday 9^th December 2000

Despite conceding to South African Shaun Bartlett after only ten minutes, Manchester United was totally in control of this scrap in East London.  Just before half-time, their dominance was rewarded with two goals in a minute, courtesy of Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.  When Roy Keane added a 3^rd, halfway through the 2^nd half, there looked like no way back for Charlton.  Despite the odds being against them, they showed great character and rescued a point in the last ten minutes, through another Bartlett goal and a close-range shave from John Robinson.  This was a minor slip in an almost imperious season for the champions.

79.           Bolton Wanderers                   5-2           Crystal Palace                        Saturday 2^nd May 1998

It rained goals in the first twenty minutes at the Reebok at Bolton were playing for their lives as far as Premiership football was concerned.  Having grabbed an early lead, two thunderbolts by Dean Gordon and Marcus Bent stunned the home supporters.  The lead for already relegated Palace didn’t last long, due to Mark Fish’s header and another bullet, this time through Jimmy Phillips.  Nathan Blake added a 4^th and Dean Holdsworth scored his first in Bolton colours in the closing stages.  This result gave Colin Todd’s side a great chance to stay in the Premiership, but as it transpired, it wasn’t to be…..

80.           Manchester United                  5-3           Newcastle United                    Saturday 23^rd November 2002

The first of two goal-fests between these two sides ended up rocketing Manchester United’s stuttering season back into life.  Although Alan Shearer’s free-kick saw him become the first player to score 100 Premier League goals for two different clubs (Blackburn & Newcastle), it was a classy Ruud Van Nistlerooy hat-trick that was the difference in this one.

World Cup Final 2010: Holland 0-1 Spain - Iniesta Ends Years Of Underachievement

Spain becomes the eighth different team to win the World Cup, after a bruising and battering game in Soccer City on Sunday night.  Barcelona playmaker Andreas Iniesta was the difference, settling the outcome with Holland when we looked set for another final to be decided via the cruel fashion of penalties.

On paper, this match had the ingredients to be an absolute classic.  Holland, despite lacking the former ‘Total Football,’ guise, were playing well and in players like Arjen Robben and Wesley Snejider, the quality to turn a game on its head, just ask Brazil.  Spain turned up as slight favourites, and could also turn on the style when required, but also have the ability to grind out a result, should it be required.  Sadly, the billing didn’t live up to its occasion. 

Early on, it was the Spanish who produced the early pressing, with Maarten Stelkenberg forced into a smart save from a Sergio Ramos header.  Soon afterwards, the game transcended into a wrestling contest.  The Dutch took the ‘1990 Argentina’ approach, kick the living daylights out of your opponents and hope for the best.  English referee Howard Webb struggled to keep a complete control on events, slightly flustered it seemed, by having to dish out five yellow cards in fifteen mad minutes.  Mark Van Bommel was a disgrace all night, bickering with every single decision that Webb made, and as the game wore on, the Dutch started to drag their opponents into a wrestling contest.  Shortly before half-time, Nigel de Jong, Manchester City’s defensive shield, produced a shocking ‘kung-fu’ kick on ex-Liverpool man Xabi Alonso.  Webb tried desperately to not send anyone off, but how de Jong escaped with a challenge that frankly, is more associated with a cage fighting battle, is beyond me. 

In the second half, Snejider, involved in the general fracas, produced a moment of quality; with a measured pass which Gerard Pique made a meal of it.  Consequently, Robben was in the clear, with the whites of the goalposts beckoning.  Unfortunately, his shot was saved by Iker Casillas, with his legs.  Was that Holland’s golden chance?  During the brutal assaults on players, Ramos missed a golden chance with another header, and David Villa, desperate to score another goal that would win him the golden boot, narrowly missed making contact with a Jesus Navas low cross.  As extra-time beckoned, the yellow card count increased.  Howard Webb eventually showed 14, a new record for the World Cup final.

In extra-time, Robben missed another chance and was promptly booked for dissent, whilst substitute Cesc Fabregas missed a one-on-one.  Before the end of the first period, Johnny Heitinga took out Iniesta cynically and having being booked, Webb had no option, but to send the Everton defender off the field.  In the process, Heitinga joined the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Marcel Desailly in becoming the fifth player in World Cup final history to be dismissed.  With five minutes left, a Dutch free-kick took a double deflection off Fabregas and went behind.  Webb missed the deflection and left Holland incensed.  They then wanted a free-kick for a challenge by Joan Capdevilla on Eljero Elia, which wasn’t given. 

The Spanish went down the other end, and at the second attempt, Fabregas played a lovely ball through to Iniesta, who shook off Gregory Van der Wiel’s attention and stroked the winner past the despairing Stelkenberg.  Although Fernando Torres pulled up in the closing exchanges, with a suspected groin injury, Spain held on for a deserved success.

It was left to captain Iker Casillas to lift the trophy aloft, and ensure that the Spanish are really, the total dominant force in the international game.  They become the first team to win the World Cup, after losing their opening group game, as they did against Switzerland on June 16^th in Durban.  Despite only amassing eight goals in seven games, the Spanish deserve this success because they attempted to play football.  On Sunday, Holland turned the beautiful game into a disgraceful act of foul play, they got what they deserved which was nothing and scathing criticism worldwide.

CONGRATULATIONS SPAIN, ON BECOMING 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP WINNERS.     

Five Years On From One Unbelievable Night In Istanbul

It is five years on today, from one of the greatest nights ever in the prestigious history of Liverpool Football club.  No Liverpool fan present in the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, nor the millions listening on radios and watching on giant TV’s across the city, in bars and clubs and in home throughout the country will ever forget the night Rafa Benitez’s Mighty Reds became European Champions in the most unbelievable manner.  It is time to reminisce the over-riding joy of such an epic night full of emotions.

It is Wednesday 25^th May 2005, and it is a beautiful summer’s day across the country, whilst in Turkey, Liverpool’s date in Istanbul in the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final, against the mighty Serie A giants, AC Milan.

The 2004/05 domestic season for Liverpool had been a struggle.  Crippling injuries and a dire away record left Liverpool finishing the season a disappointing 5^th beaten in the final table by our domestic neighbours from Stanley Park, Everton.  This meant a season of UEFA Cup football was set to follow at Anfield, toppled with the fact that we finished nearly 40 points behind the new champions, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.  Our best form had been saved for the Champions League.  

Who could forget Steven Gerrard’s stunning strike against Olympiakos in the group stages, which kept us in the competition by the skin of our teeth, the slaying of Italian champions Juventus, then the controversial ‘goal’ that shattered Chelsea’s treble dream and loosened Mourinho’s grip on the European Cup during a nail-biting early May night at Anfield.  For the first time in twenty years, Liverpool were heading to a European Cup final, could we pull out one more historic performance and complete the most unlikely of triumphs.

The first half was forgettable, not because we were so bad, more the case of Milan playing football out of this world, that no-one could live with.  Milan skipper Paolo Maldini volleyed his side infront inside of 50 seconds, and then Chelsea loanee Hernan Crespo scored a quick fire double to leave Reds fan devastated.  With a dejected Harry Kewell limping off before half-time and Steve Finnan forced off at the interval, everything seemed to be going against Liverpool.  In six crazy minutes, Liverpool roared back into the final, with quite probably, the greatest ever sporting comeback ever seen.

Ten minutes into the second half, Steven Gerrard headed in a deep John Arne Riise cross and pulled the scoreline back to 3-1.  Suddenly, doubts crept into the back of AC Milan minds; manager Carlo Ancelotti was chewing his gum far harder than he had just two minutes earlier.  Moments later, substitute Dietmar Hamann found Vladimir Smicer and in his final Reds appearance, the Czech hit an optimistic shot which the unconvincing Dida spilt through his grasp and into the net.  Now, the comeback was well and truly on, miracles are well and truly possible!  Then, Gerrard links up with the frustrating Milan Baros and is tripped by Gennaro Gattuso.  No doubts from the Spanish referee Gonzalez, who points to the spot, Gattuso lucky to stay on the pitch.  Step up Xabi Alonso, with a chance to equalise for Liverpool.  The penalty was pretty tame and Dida saved it, but Alonso snapped up the rebound and lofted the ball into the top of the net.  Mission impossible had been accomplished.  Five minutes earlier, Liverpool had been 3-0 down – now they were on level terms.

For the rest of the game, Milan looked shell-shocked, but started to gain a sense of control again.  With the match edging closer towards penalty, Brazilian Serginho whips a dangerous ball into the penalty area, which is met by Ukraine goal machine Andrei Shevchenko.  Surely, he must score!  However, he didn’t as somehow, Jerzy Dudek denied him twice.  Even now, Dudek probably doesn’t know how he kept Shevchenko now, and quite probably, neither does Sheva himself.

Into the drama and tension of a penalty shootout, and its Milan who go first.  Serginho’s first penalty belonged in the ‘House of Horrors!’ It was a shocking kick, and Andrea Pirlo’s lame effort was stopped heroically by Dudek.  Dietmar Hamann banged his kick home, as did super sub Djibril Cisse.  Liverpool, 2-0 up, now the dream was looking like a real reality.  Jon Dahl Tomasson made no mistake, and nor did Kaka for the Italians, despite Dudek’s best attempts to put the kickers off by copying the ‘wobbly legs’ format that Bruce Grobbelaar had successfully achieved in the 1984 final.  In between this, Dida did enough to push Riise’s effort around the post.  Still, Liverpool were in control and Smicer made it match point, dispatching his penalty with efficient calm.  What it meant now was that Shevchenko, who had scored the winning penalty in the diabolical 2003 final at Old Trafford, had to score.  The weight of the world was firmly on his shoulders, and his kick wasn’t the best.  Dudek pulled off a terrific stop and the European Cup was returning to England, and to Anfield.  LIVERPOOL ARE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE AGAIN!!

The most extraordinary final, had a most incredible final twist.  Liverpool had their hands on the European Cup again, and this time, it was for keeps.  Their fifth success meant that this version of ‘Old Big Ears’ was going to have a permanent storage in the Anfield trophy cabinet.  Liverpool had won the European Cup back in the most unbelievable manner.  It is a night that no-one will ever forget, one of those ‘Where was I’ moments in history.

Five years on, and the fire of this success still burns strongly and deeply with everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club, ‘One Unbelievable Night in Istanbul.’