30.12.07  BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
Man City vs Liverpool 0-0 (BBC)


Manchester City survived a second half onslaught to prevent Liverpool from making it three league wins in a row.

Fabio Aurelio came closest to scoring in a cagey first half, his long-rage strike tipped over by City's Joe Hart.

Fernando Torres squandered two good chances and Hart palmed away a fierce effort from Yossi Benayoun as the Reds poured forward after the interval.

Dirk Kuyt had a glorious opportunity in the 87th minute but Hart and Richard Dunne combined to clear his header.

It meant Liverpool will go into 2008 10 points behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand.

Their previous clash against Manchester opposition, a 1-0 defeat by United, had finished with searching questions being asked about their title credentials.

Manager Rafael Benitez again shuffled his pack, making five changes to the team that stole three points at Derby in their last outing.

And with the hosts in the middle of an uncertain spell, following two successive draws in the league and a Carling Cup exit, both teams struggled to establish any attacking rhythm early on.

Indeed, considering the talent and reputations on display, the first quarter was surprisingly bereft of genuine quality.

The first shot on target arrived after 25 minutes - a Harry Kewell strike collected by Hart at the second attempt - but it appeared to spark the game briefly into life.

A brave block from Jamie Carragher in the box denied City's subdued playmaker Elano a clear opening and Michael Ball deflected Dirk Kuyt's effort's wide at the other end.

Reds defender Aurelio then twice came close to embarrassing Hart with two long-range strikes: the first bounced just past the post, while the second was helped over by the England Under-21 keeper's fingertips.

The game needing perking up and Liverpool did their best to break the deadlock with a flurry of chances in the opening 20 minutes of the second half.

Aurelio surged down the left and his cross fell at the feet of Torres, who shot tamely at Hart, with a fourth goal in three Premier League games beckoning.

Gerrard then played the Spanish striker through after Stephen Ireland gave away possession, only for Torres' effort to roll wide after squirting through Hart's legs.

Although City were being roared on by the majority of a record Eastlands crowd all the action was taking place in their goalmouth.

Gerrard, who had gone close with a free-kick, strode through acres of space and the ball was worked through to Benayoun before the Isreali international unleashed a stinging drive that Hart palmed behind.

City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson replaced the off-colour Elano with Rolando Bianchi in a bid to ignite his team into action but his defensive players continued to be overworked.

Liverpool fans and Benitez were fuming when Richard Dunne appeared to haul down Torres with the in-form forward in full flight.

Torres was booked for a challenge on Micah Richards and the frustration was complete when the ball was worked back into the box after an Aurelio corner and, with the goal gaping, Kuyt failed to get enough power on his header.

Hart clawed it away and Dunne hacked away from under the bar to keep Liverpool fourth going into the new year.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Man City: Hart, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Ball, Ireland (Gelson 61), Hamann, Corluka, Petrov, Elano (Bianchi 70), Vassell (Geovanni 74).

Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Garrido.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell (Babel 74), Torres, Kuyt.

Subs Not Used: Itandje, Riise, Voronin, Alonso.
Booked: Torres.

Att: 47,321
Ref: Uriah Rennie (S Yorkshire).