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| MEDIA WATCH |
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REDS BRIDGE WATFORD GAP
SKY Sports
23 December 2006
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Craig Bellamy and Xabi Alonso found the net as Liverpool saw off a determined Watford by a 2-0 scoreline at Anfield.
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Welshman Bellamy caught the visitors cold a minute after the interval to score his sixth of the season and put The Reds on course for a fourth straight league win.
Alonso's late curler finally killed off the Hornets, who had forced their illustrious opponents to work hard for the three points.
With Ben Foster in sublime form, a repeat of their 1-0 victory at the same venue in 1999 was a distinct possibility until their defence parted like the Red Sea did for Moses to allow Bellamy to break the deadlock.
His cool finish will have delighted boss Rafa Benitez, who had recently called for his strikers to become more ruthless in front of goal.
Watford would have wished Alhassan Bangura could have shown the same composure after he somehow contrived to volley over with the goal gaping with the score at 0-0.
That miss was a rare highlight of a tepid first half that saw Foster provide the highlights with a string of fine saves.
Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger - sporting a short back and sides for the festive season - all tried their luck from long range as Liverpool struggled to get going.
Foster - back in action after injury - was also required to keep out an effort from one of his own as he spared Danny Shittu's blushes.
The keeper saved his best for last, though, somehow turning away Jamie Carragher's well-hit volley from only six yards out to deny the defender a second goal in as many home matches.
That save kept Watford alive, though the closest they came to an equaliser was when Reina had to turn over Ashley Young's near-post header.
Instead a Liverpool second seemed more likely, the woodwork denying substitiute Peter Crouch from making an immediate impact after coming on for Bellamy.
It wasn't until two minutes from the end that the hosts finally sealed the victory with a fabulous second from Alonso.
Foster was unable to stop the Spaniard's 25-yard strike finding the top left corner and resigning Watford to a ninth defeat of the season.
Adrian Boothroyd's troops find themselves rooted to the foot of the table with 11 points from 18 games, the exact amount they had at the same stage on their last foray into the top flight six years ago when they were relegated.
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