The Good – Fernando Torres
The Liverpool striker was in top form on Saturday, scoring a predatory hattrick that won the match for his side 3-2 at home to Middlesbrough. Having missed out on the previous Premiership match due to Rafa Benitez’s tendency to rest his best players for Champions League fixtures, El Niño returned to action in spectacular fashion.
His cutting edge in front of goal was the difference between the sides. Torres’ first contribution was a 28th minute goal to equalize at 1-1. A long ball up field was allowed to bounce and when it fell to Julio Arca he decided to head it back to his goalkeeper – a full thirty yards from goal. His header instead fell straight into the path of Torres, who pounced on the ball and was quickly in on goal. He easily rounded Mark Schwarzer and even though he slipped he managed to poke the ball in. A skillful bit of improvisation that earned him the goal.
Liverpool took the lead only a minute later, with a quite fantastic second goal by Torres. Fabio Aurelio found him in space just outside the area, and Torres was quick to turn and fire a line drive straight into the bottom corner. No chance for Schwarzer after his defense backed off the Liverpool forward. All Torres needed was a bit of space to get his lethal shot away.
Torres completed his hat-trick after 61 minutes thanks to a mistake by Mark Schwarzer. Both David Wheater and Torres chased after a long ball from the back by Dirk Kuyt, and Schwarzer – inexplicably – raced out of his goal to challenge for possession. But Schwarzer didn’t arrive in time, and when Torres controlled and spotted the keeper off his line, he calmly passed the ball into the empty net.
That’s 15 league goals in only 23 matches for Torres. He almost had a fourth soon after when he used his pure pace to beat Emanuel Pogatetz, and then blasted a shot that Schwarzer did well to parry. It was a fantastic day for Torres and Liverpool, as the Reds capitalized on Arsenal’s slip-up. Benitez as well must have breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that his imported compatriot was on hand to ease the pressure on the manager. Perhaps he’ll be more thankful that his schedule allowed for the Premiership to take priority this week.
Honorable Mention - Cristiano Ronaldo
In danger of sounding like a broken record, the Manchester United midfielder was the best Premiership player this weekend. He made three goals in 66 minutes before being substituted. The first goal came when Ronaldo controlled a ball down the wing, shook off a defender near the goal line, and chipped in a pinpoint cross for Wayne Rooney to volley in from close range.
Ronaldo scored himself on half-time when he went on a blistering run and Michael Carrick put him through. Ronaldo’s finish was exquisite, and was reminiscent of the abilities of Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was the last person to score twenty league goals in a season for United.
After United's third, and Ronaldo’s second - another incisive run in behind and then around the keeper to finish confidently - he had scored 21 Premiership goals this campaign.
The Bad & the Ugly – Martin Taylor
The Birmingham defender was sent off in Saturday’s match against Arsenal, when a clumsy tackle on striker Eduardo caused a shocking injury. Gael Clichy had brought the ball up and then found Eduardo, who turned and looked for space. Taylor came in to challenge for the ball, but Eduardo was too quick, and played the ball away from the defender.
However, as Eduardo went to follow the ball, Taylor’s studs were left up and needlessly high on the Croatian’s shin. Then Taylor’s stud slid down, planting Eduardo’s ankle as he tried to leap away. The result, as it appears on the horrifying replay, seems to be a compound ankle fracture. The injury was certainly ugly to watch, and the players on the field as well as Physio Gary Lewin were visibly distraught. Quite understandable, as the extent of the injury was surreal.
As for Taylor, although he caused the gruesome injury, there didn’t seem to be malice in the tackle. However, the level of recklessness and aggression in the tackle was dangerous, and demonstrates the worst kind of footballing attitude.
The Breakthrough Performance – Theo Walcott
The Arsenal striker scored his first ever Premiership goal as part of a brace that earned his side a point away to Birmingham. The Engand international has struggled to earn a regular place in the first team, on Saturday his efforts were the only bright spot on a very bleak day for the League leaders. Four minutes after the interval, he got the Gunners off the mark.
As a corner kick came in, goalkeeper Maik Taylor tried to punch but failed, as Emmanuel Adebayor leaped to win the header above Taylor’s fingertips. The knock-down fell right to Walcott, who could hardly miss from four yards out.
The 18-year old capitalized on a mistake by Liam Ridgewell to grab his second goal only six minutes later. Cesc Fabregas hit a long ball up field, and Ridgewell tried to control with his chest but his touch was too heavy and the ball instead went right to the feet of Walcott. He used his tremendous speed to race across defenders, and when he found space near the middle of the pitch he fired a low shot across his body and into the right-hand corner, an unstoppable shot from the edge of the penalty area.
A beautiful brace by Theo Walcott, although his performance and the point he earned is the only encouragement for Arsenal coming out of the match.
Andrew Discenza
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