Liverpool vs Newcastle United
Match pulse
Who won: Liverpool 3-1
Liverpool beat Newcastle United 3-1 on Sunday, December 19, 2004 at Anfield. Goals for Liverpool: Titus Bramble (own goal) (35'), Neil Mellor (38') and Milan Baros (61'). Goals for Newcastle: Patrick Kluivert (32').
Play by play
- 90'
Milan Baros probably took the man of the match award, pushed all the way by Alonso, Kewell and Mellor for work rate alone. Very good day for Liverpool while Newcastle's season continues to spiral.
- 90'
It was an open game with both sides committed to going forward but ultimately Liverpool's class showed. There flare players grew into the game and got better and better. Gerrard had a quiet game and liverpool still played well which will please Benitez.
- 90'
It's all over (has been for a while to be honest) and Liverpool take the points, worthy 3-1 winners.
- 90'
'You'll never walk alone' competes with the defiant chants of the travelling Geordies who deserve better than what they have seen today.
- 89'
Liverpool stroking the ball around at will now as the final minutes of the clock are run down.
- 88'
Newcastle make a foray forward and the tireless Elliot wins a near post heading duel with Hyypia but nods it wide of the target.
- 86'
Baros is inches away from scoring a goal of the season contender. Fine, pacey cross from the right by Finnan was behind the striker so he turned, lept of the ground and executed a near perfect bicycle kick. I say near perfect because it fly just wide of the far upright.
- 85'
Liverpool make a final change. Kewell, who has had the best game I've seen from him this season, goes off to an ovation. On comes Djimi Traore to stretch his legs.
- 84'
Free-kick is played square to Gerrard who swings a leg at it and puts it in the top tier of the stands - they don't all fly in the back of the net.
- 83'
Ambrose picks up a yellow card for a lazy foul on the edge of the box.
- 82'
The break nearly brings a forth. Kewell was fed out wide on the left and his first time slide rule pass was just inches too far in front of the arriving Baros. Had he got there it would have been a goal, no doubt.
- 81'
A moment that sums up Newcastle's mood at the moment. Pongolle miscontrolled the ball in midfield with Jenas and Elliot on top of him but he still had time to get the ball back and set off towards goal. They've given up now.
- 80'
Final Newcastle substitution sees two former iPswich men trade places. Darren Ambrose comes on to replace Dyer who has been so ineffective that I had actually forgotten he was playing!
- 79'
Liverpool come forward with Riise. His cross, though, is lashed across goal at such a pace that had Baros been able to reach it, it would have taken his head off. Too far in front of him anyway.
- 78'
If newcastle looked unlikely to claw this back before they surley have no chance now. A man down and heads have dropped - they aren't in this anymore at all.
- 76'
Bowyer - who had had a very good game up to the last 10 minutes - spoils it in the way he often does. A needless, nasty challenge, going over the ball and on to Pongolle's shins draws a second yellow card and off he goes for first go on the shower gel. The man's an idiot.
- 75'
Another Liverpool change. Florent Sinama Pongolle comes on for the last 15 minutes, Mellor the player rested.
- 74'
Nunez is not marked at all at the near post and has a free header. It was a touch behind him though and he couldn't direct it on goal.
- 73'
Vicious Riise cross from deep causes panic in the Newcastle box and ends with a Liverpool corner.
- 72'
Off goes Garcia, who looks tired after a busy game, and on comes Antonio Nunez.
- 71'
Unless Newcastle can get something very soon Liverpool look likely to run this game out comfortably.
- 69'
Another Newcastle substitution. Charles N'Zogbia makes a rare apperance in place of Milner.
- 67'
Newcastle free-kick out by the corner of the 18 yard box on the left. Robert lines it up and puts enough pace and swerve on it to trouble Dudek. Flying save at his near post earns his match fee.
- 66'
Savage looking foul from O'Brien on Kewell. Nowhere near the ball and at a dangerous height. Lucky not to get a card for that.
- 65'
Shot from a long, long way out from Jenas. Low, hard and on target but it had to travel so far that Dudek had time to position himself accordingly.

