Premiership Week 1 recap

Update: Liverpool did indeed beat Toulouse in France today. The count was 1-0 on the strength of a goal from Ukrainian new-comer Andriy Voronin. The Reds high-caliber talent was showcased as they brought out their second string strikers (Voronin, Benayoun, Crouch) who could start for most European sides.


My first opening day as a Liverpool fan was everything I could have hoped for. Despite the Reds strong off-season signings, I was only cautiously optimistic about the game. Away against a well-respected Aston Villa side and having not won a first game since 2002, the odds were not on our side.



I wasn't able to watch the game live due my lovely niece's birthday party but I decided to follow the game via my stupid Crackberry and my trusty friend Slicky (I did finally watch the game on Sunday night). I was confused by ESPN.com's live internet coverage as the game progress counted up (in the European manner starting at 0:00 and counting to 90+ minutes depending on stoppage time) while their actual game clock counted down from some ridiculous number. At the beginning of the second half, the clock began at the illogical point of 109 minutes and counted down from there.



This frustration aside, I was able to ascertain that midway through the first half, AV gave us the gift of an "own goal" when Martin Laursen accidentally sent the ball to the roof of the goal while trying to clear it. Upon watching the game on Sunday, I think this may have been one of the better strikes of the day.



The second half began with expectations of continued pressure and time-in-possession advantage. An under the surface, in-game running scuffle developed from the rough play of Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant and subsequently distracted the Reds and gave Villa more counter attack chances. Tragedy struck in the 86th minute when a weird bounce into the hand of Jamie Carragher gave Gareth Barry a penalty kick, of which he availed himself. As I was following this via single-sentence emails from Slick, I went from growing hope of an opening victory to immense frustration.



No sooner had I started calculating where a draw placed us in the table then Slick sent a follow up saying that Steven Gerrard was awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty box in the 87th minute. After having waited for what must have been the longest period holding my breath for an email, Slick gave me the satisfaction of the following messages:

Gerrard on magical free kick from 20 yards!!!!!!

Unbelievable shot! Absolute top corner of the net!!!

Wait until you see the replay of the shot....unbelievable... 89:00 on the
clock

90:00 on clock....corner to Villa...cleared...4 min of injury time

You'll Never Walk Alone being sung loudly by the scouse supporters....Villa
throwing the kitchen sink...1 minute left in game!!!!!

Full Time whistle blows!!! 2-1
LPool!

I was understandably excited and even more so once I actually got to watch Stevie G's shot myself. It was a great game and good weekend.

Highlights:

• Man U gets drawn nil-nil at home against.....Reading (Rainbow)
• Chelsea and Arsenal get scored on but survive by shelling the keepers for Birmingham City and Fulham, respectively.
• Wigan gets off to a fantastic start in their quest for relegation by losing to (now) table leading Everton (sorry, Slick).
• The other Manchester (City) achieve an impressive victory over Westham despite their pansy blue socks

Lowlights:

• Despite feverish support from Slick's basement, Tottenham limps to a 0-2 record with a loss to Everton. There is still faith that they will turn the corner against perennial suckers Derby County leading up to their date with Man U. on August 26th. COME ON YOU SPURS!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to have to sign off as the Reds are in the midst of what should be a cakewalk against French side Toulouse (which I hope they do).