By Mandeep Sanghera
Dirk Kuyt Alonso wins as Hamilton prospers ...
Live text - Premier League ...
Blasts hit western Indian city ...
Crouch agrees terms with Pompey ... scored an injury-time winner as Liverpool came back from two goals down to beat 10-man Manchester City.
Stephen Ireland lashed in a shot to put City ahead and Javier Garrido curled a 22-yard free-kick into the top corner to extend the home side's lead.
But Fernando Torres sidefooted home and, after City's Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for a tackle on Xabi Alonso, headed in to level for the visitors.
Kuyt dramatically decided the game late on when he slotted in at the far post.
Liverpool showed plenty of character and belief in completing a battling comeback which will only have served to enhance their title credentials.
The game was a match up between a City side who were the highest scorers in the Premier League before the encounter, while the Reds had the top-flight's meanest defence.
And they produced an action-packed match with plenty of drama.
In the opening skirmishes, Reds left-winger Albert Riera caused plenty of problems for ex-club City.
Riera had a low well-struck shot from an acute angle saved by Joe Hart before he weaved and wriggled his way into space and put in a low cross for Kuyt.
The Dutchman sidefooted over with his left-foot from six yards and City responded by taking the lead.
Wright-Phillips crossed for Jo and, after Alonso nicked the ball away from him before he could shoot, the City winger managed to pull back another cross back for Robinho.
The Brazilian was challenged by Alvaro Arbeloa and the loose ball fell to Ireland to power home the opener.
The goal put a spring in City's play and they knocked the Reds out of their stride with a mixture of flair and hard work.
City were rewarded with a second when Riera fouled Wright-Phillips and Garrido curled in a left-footed free-kick past the despairing dive of Reina.
Liverpool must have been on the end of some harsh half-time words from manager Rafael Benitez because they came out with an increased desire after the break.
The visitors quickly pulled one back when Torres sidefooted in Arbeloa's cross, but City would have restored their two-goal advantage if Robinho had not fluffed a glorious chance.
Robinho failed to steer a Wright-Phillips cross into an empty net from three yards before City's Zabaleta was red-carded for a two-footed lunge on Alonso.
Torres was then guilty of missing an equally gilt-edged chance to Robinho's when he struck an effort over from point-blank range after Steven Gerrard's ball across City's six-yard box.
The Reds suffered a setback when centre-back Martin Skrtel buckled under his standing leg and was stretchered off.
Liverpool - also down to 10-men as they had made their three substitutions - stunned the Manchester City faithful when Kuyt slotted in the winner after a Torres shot had found its way to him.
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Fernando Torres on 8.21 (on 90 minutes).
Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.
(BBC)
<< Back