Dirk Kuyt plundered an unlikely hat trick yesterday afternoon as Liverpool overcame a decimated Manchester United defence to prevail in the game that has a fierce rivalry attached and smashed the title race wide open.
The game is likely to be remembered for a lot more than the Dutchman’s three goals scored from a combined seven yards out as we were presented with a number of players acting like overgrown children.
Nothing ever ceases to amaze with professional footballers and United winger Nani surpassed even his national team teammate Cristiano Ronaldo with Sunday’s display. Earlier the Portuguese international had already set up Kuyt’s second with a fabulous header across goal before a wreckless challenge from Jamie Carragher set him off.
After trying his best to show the referee that he had bone showing in an attempt to have Carra removed from the field of play the waterworks started. In scenes that are not normally seen unless a side are knocked out in a World Cup semi final, the winger lay, sat, and stropped away on the floor as tears rolled down his cheeks.
It’s not unknown for sports people to turn on the emotion but if all this was to try and reduce the home side to ten men then it was quite an effort. Without wanting to sound too clichéd, the Oscars were last weekend and Nani was nowhere to be seen.
What the result does do is to bust open the doors of title race house in the way that not even Killzone 3 can replicate.
United’s loss means Arsenal can pull level with a win in their game in hand and the side written off by everyone, Chelsea, able to get within six points by winning their two games in hand.
Anyone questioning the excitement of the league should take note, as this is likely to be the most exciting end to the season at both ends of the table for some time yet.
