Porto 1 - 1 Liverpool

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Liverpool Hold Porto


When Jose Reina conceded a penalty, after only 8 minutes and a bright start by Porto, it seemed that Liverpool were up against it. However, try as they did, Porto failed to take advantage, and had to settle for a draw.


Quaresma, in particular, was causing problems for the visitors from the start, but although his side had most of the possession, their attacks seemed to fizzle out. Pennant was booked in the first half, for a tackle on Quaresma, and it began to appear that his forceful tactics might get him into further trouble.


Porto's goal, from the penalty spot, came after Reina was fairly adjudged to have interfered with Sektioul. Gonzalez easily beat Reina with his spot kick, despite the goalkeeper's fine record in saving penalties. The Portuguese side had earned their lead, which could have been more. Reina had not so much saved, as been in the way of another early shot. However, he stood tall in the goalmouth, but was perhaps fortunate in saving his side from possible defeat.


Not long after Porto had gone in front, Dirk Kuyt headed home the equalizer after 17 minutes. It was a smart move, and when Hypia headed across, the Dutchman took full advantage with a powerful header passed Nuno. Liverpool had to play the last third of the game with ten men after Pennant, almost predictably, was sent off. It was obvious from the start that the referee was not going to tolerate anything too physical, but Pennant failed to take note, and paid the price. The muted response of his team mates seemed to indicate that they agreed he was responsible for his own misfortune.


At the end it was not a bad result for Liverpool, who will be expected to put on a better show, in the return match at Anfield. They will need to, because on a night when new star Torres, along with several others, did not shine, they were lucky to share the points. Porto may come to rue it!


Liverpool were not the only Premiership team who did not play up to expectations.


Chelsea 1 - 1 Rosenberg


Chelsea beaten at home by Norwegian underdogs is not the sort of headline to please billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, but it nearly happened!


The visitor's goal was a set piece cracker, when Koppinen met Sapara's free kick, to open the scoring in the 24th minute.


From then on Chelsea exerted a great deal of pressure and went close on several occasions. It was the controversial Shevchenko who put them level, with a fine header in the 53rd minute, but earlier, it had seemed that the big Ukrainian, would again only flatter to deceive.


Rosenberg had wasted an opportunity to consolidate their advantage, when Alexander Tettey's wild shot flew over the bar.


Despite constant pressure, Chelsea were unable to secure maximum points. For sure, they are missing Lampard and Drogba, but you would have expected their class to tell.


So well done to Rosenberg, but has Jose Mourinho got the right answers to the questions, Roman Abramovich will be asking?


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Porto Vs Liverpool
soccer and football
Chelsea Vs Rsenberg