Liverpool ensured there was no let-up in the pressure on table-toppers Manchester United when they secured a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium today. Although the Reds took over top spot on the Premiership table with this victory, their time there was short-lived as United reclaimed their position at the top with a 5-3 thriller at Upton Park against West Ham.
In a hard-fought contest at the Riverside, Liverpool went ahead against the run of play in the 33rd minute through Emile Heskey. Nicolas Anelka broke free down the left wing before finding Dietmar Hamann totally unmarked at the back post. The German’s shot was saved by Schwarzer but Heskey was on hand to rifle the rebound into the roof of the net.
The second half saw Liverpool contain Middlesbrough before John Arne Riise settled the Reds’ nerves with a terrific left-foot strike in the 84th minute. Steve McClaren’s team refused to buckle, however, and an 89th minute headed goal from Gareth Southgate set up a nervous final couple of minutes. But Liverpool hung on for the crucial victory which keeps them firmly in the title hunt.
Filed by Tom Grealis
