Liverpool vs Sunderland

1. 93'

   FULL TIME. After a miserable first half, Liverpool improved enough in the second to dispatch Sunderland with plenty to spare. Still, it's easy to see why they've dropped so many points recently, and had Jones taken that early chance, it might have been much trickier.

2. 93'

   Lucas' pass finds touch.

3. 90'

   Benayoun has been replaced by El-Zahr.

4. 90'

   Riera's free kick is too close to Fulop who palms it back into play for no reason and Kuyt bundles it over the bar.

5. 90'

   Mascherano flattened by Reid, but the referee seems to think is was Whitehead, and Whitehead is booked.

6. 88'

   Good run down the left from Babel, cutting in and skinning Collins, but his low shot is too close to Fulop who saves comfortably enough.

7. 86'

   Long ball from Carragher towards Riera is aimless, but as Fulop comes to claim it, Ben-Haim slides in and gives away a corner, with his keeper narrowly avoiding decapitation. Corner comes to nothing, but Liverpool work the ball back to Alonso, and Fulop saves Lucas' header.

8. 85'

   Liverpool appear to have settled for two and Sunderland are making only a cursory effort to compete.

9. 84'

   One wonders why Benayoun hasn't featured more often for Liverpool this season. He's been easily their best player tonight and is a lot better than those who've been selected ahead of him.

10. 83'

    At last, a shot from Sunderland, but Carlos Edwards' effort flies well wide.

11. 82'

    Liverpool replace Gerrard with Babel. Given the latter's expertise in scoring goals when his team has a game already won, maybe they will indeed go ahead of Chelsea.

12. 80'

    Chelsea win at Portsmouth 1-0 to stay second unless Liverpool score a further seven goals.

13. 78'

    Final score at The Hawthorns is West Brom 1 Arsenal 3

14. 79'

    Kuyt wastes a 3 v 2 situation, as his attempted pass to Benayoun is intercepted.

15. 78'

    Gerrard whips the ball wide from 25 yards, trying to beat Fulop at his near post.

16. 78'

    Gerrard whips the ball wide from 25 yards, trying to beat Fulop at his near post.

17. 78'

    Alonso whacks the ball wide, consoling himself with a very adept spit on the turf.

18. 77'

    Benayoun once again throws himself theatrically to the floor, flailing his arms in protest at the free kick he feels his endeavours deserve.

19. 76'

    Kenwyne Jones replaced by Daryl Murphy. Jones will not sleep well tonight - it could have all been so different.

20. 75'

    It's now a while since Sunderland had the ball.

21. 74'

    Surprising that Gerrard hasn't been withdrawn with Liverpool's next game at home to Madrid in mind.

22. 73'

    Chelsea are 1-0 up at Portsmouth, Didier Drogba the goalscorer.

23. 72'

    Liverpool have been much better after half-time and the game has been better accordingly.

24. 71'

    Reid has a little run, but can't find an angle for a pass. He's probably Sunderland's best footballer, but has been almost annonymous tonight.

25. 70'

    Kuyt's shot deflected behind for a corner. Lucas on for Ngog, who despite not looking much like a footballer has a goal and an assist to show for his night's work. Corner is wasted.

Leaders

LIVSUN

Total Shots

Steven Gerrard

6

Kieran Richardson

2

Accurate Passes

Xabi Alonso

84

Kieran Richardson

33

Saves

Pepe Reina

2

Marton Fülöp

6