Manchester City maintained their unbeaten record after a high tempo octane game at Anfield. The league leaders came out swinging, determine to add Liverpool's scalp to their ever growing collection of emphatic away victories.
A similar attacking style had delivered 'playstation'-type scores at White Hart Lane (5-1 against Spurs) and Old Trafford (6-1 against the Red Devils). Surely, Anfield should be no different.
And indeed it wasn't, as the light blue touch was lit in Anfield after 31 minutes by a Vincent Kompany header/shoulder from a David Silva corner kick.The first 15 minutes of the game had looked like it may be a cake walk for the visitors. But Liverpool slowly grew with the game, and had cause to be disappointed with Kompany's opening goal.
Whatever disappointment the Reds felt was short-lived as Charlie Adam's shot was deflected into the City goal by Lescott less than two minutes after the opening goal. With the game level, the Reds smelt blood and put together a quick attacking wave that should have produced the go-ahead goal, but denied by Joe Hart's quick reflexes. City also came close in the first half stoppage time with Aguero drawing a good save from Pepe Reina in Liverpool's goal.
Man City again started the second stanza much brighter than the Reds, causing the Liverpool defense to panic and make some hair rising back passes to Reina. As the game wore on, Man City's magic began to fade and the Reds grew stronger with every possession and foray forward.
Balotelli's introduction in the 65th minute was nothing but a disaster, as he proceeded to press the self-destruct button and get ejected from the game after 17 minutes. Before then, the Reds had City on the ropes, as they totally took control of the midfield from Toure and Silva.
Dalglish sensing a possible win with Man City reduced to 10 men, sent in Andy Carroll in the 85th minute. From then on, it was all about Joe Hart's amazing save after save of shots from Suarez, Carroll and Downing. In the end the one-man-show of Joe Hart prevailed and delivered a hard fought point to Mancini.
For once this season, it was refreshing to watch Man City sweat for a single point, but a disappointment Liverpool did not get the victory they truly deserved.
If you didn't watch this game live, it's worth watching the replay despite the score line. End to end stuff!
Premier League rules!
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