What a weekend of high quality football rounded out by two contrasting results. Juventus came from behind and showed plenty of fighting spirit to down Genoa 3-2 as the Serie A heats up in the final stretch of the season. Liverpool and Manchester City closed out this weekend's Premier League matches, with the Reds comfortably beating a toothless Manchester City side 3 nil.
To Anfield first where a very much understrength Liverpool showed the real fighting spirit that Liverpool squads of the past have been renowned for by beating 'new money' Manchester City. Andy Carroll the most expensive British football player in history scored his first goal for the club, but he thought one wasn't good enough so he added a second after Dutchman and Liverpool's leading goal scorer Dirk Kuyt put a goal away. The first chance of the match fell to Uruguayan sensation Luis Suarez, who received a superb volleyed through ball from his fellow front man Andy Carroll. Suarez slipped between two defenders before striking the ball low and hard with his left foot at City and England 'keeper Joe Hart who incredibly got fingertips to it and knocked it onto the post to deny Liverpool's number 7. The Kop end didn't have to wait much longer for Carroll's first goal as he fought hard for the ball forcing it onto Raul Meireles whose shot was blocked rebounding to Andy Carroll outside the box. He hit it hard, low and very sweetly with his left foot as it went powerfully into the net to open Liverpool's account. City were then dealt a major blow as captain courageous Carlos Tevez pulled his hamstring and had to be substituted after only 14 minutes, bringing on bad boy Mario Balotelli. In the 33rd minute Liverpool struck again through Dirk Kuyt as some consistent pressure on City's goal payed dividends. Kuyt got the ball after several shots were blocked on the left hand side of the box. He cut in and drilled it home low into the bottom corner to make it two nil to Liverpool. Not long after Liverpool added their third and final goal of the match. Meireles was the man of the moment as he got the ball on the left flank and delivered a pin point cross to Andy Carroll who obliged and headed home a wonderful piece of play to give Liverpool three points and three goals. The rest of the highlights from the match can be watched here:
Finally to Torino where Juventus who are having a poor season by their high standards gave their fans something to sing about as they showed some resilience to come from behind to beat Genoa 3-2. The first goal Juventus conceded was a rather unlucky one as Luca Antonelli looked to play a ball into the box. Juventus centre back Leonardo Bonucci tried to stop it but unfortunately his deflection guided the ball into the net to make it 1 nil to Genoa. Simone Pepe then had a great chance from a set piece on the left, he swung the ball on target but the 'keeper collected. Bonucci then tried to redeem himself with a header from close range which was powerfully struck and only denied by a reflex save from Genoa 'keeper Eduardo. Pepe was again at it on the left flank when a long cross from right back Marco Motta found him open at the back post, only for him to head into the side netting to round out the half.
Juventus' defensive problems were on show as they conceded a corner early on in the second half from a defensive mix up. Pepe however tried his best again to bring Juve back on terms as he cut in from the left onto his favoured right foot and blasted the ball at goal only for Eduardo to make another miraculous save. He didn't have to wait long for his goal as Krasic won the ball on the right flank before passing to the open Alberto Aquilani, who in turn delivered a neat cross to Pepe who nodded home and put the Old Lady (Juventus) back on terms. Krasic then looked to get himself more involved in the game and passed it once again to Aquilani who turned it onto striker Matri, he then flicked it on with a neat back heel to a flying Krasic who drove the ball towards goal only to be denied by the brick wall that was Eduardo in the Genoa goals. But it was Genoa who would retake the lead with that man once again - Antonelli - cutting a ball in from the left into the path of an unmarked Antonio Floro Flores to volley home and make it 2-1. The absence of Giorgio Chiellini was really showing for Juventus as their defence struggled with the Genoa attack. Luigi Del Neri - Juventus manager - then decided to make two changes as he brought of Felipe Melo for striker Luca Toni and Marco Motta off for Frederik Sorensen. This payed dividends as left back Traore burst down the left flank before putting in a pass to Luca Toni who flicked the ball back to Matri to dig out from his feet and smash the ball home levelling the scores once again at 2-2. Genoa also looked to their bench with Palacio coming on and curling an effort just wide of the far post with a breath-taking shot. But Pepe wasn't finished with this match just yet as he played a neat one-two with Toni before shooting at Eduardo, only for him to get his leg to the ball and push it wide of the goal. Aquilani was at it once again as he received the ball in the middle of the pitch before delivering a defence piercing pass to striker Luca Toni who negotiated his marker brilliantly and neatly finishing with his right foot and giving Juventus three very valuable points.
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