Source: Liverpool_Echo
Review of the Year: February 2010
LIVERPOOL take the honours in a freezing cold, yet strangely heated, Anfield derby. Dirk Kuyt's second half header - his 50th goal for the club - gives Rafa Benitez's men a much-needed 1-0 win.[LNB]Both sides finish the game with ten men; Sotirios Kyrgiakos is sent off in the first half, with Steven Pienaar - who is earlier lucky to escape a red card for a poor challenge on Javier Mascherano - following him down the tunnel in stoppage time.[LNB]The result marks something of a watershed for David Moyes' side, as they record impressive home victories over first Chelsea - with Louis Saha scoring twice - and then Manchester United, to fire themselves into European contention.[LNB]There is European misery for Toffees fans though, as Everton crash out of the Europa League at the first knockout round. After beating Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon 2-1 at Goodison, the Blues collapse 3-0 in the away leg to exit on aggregate.[LNB] Liverpool, however, book their place in the last 16 with a 4-1 aggregate success over Unirea Urziceni, with a rare Javier Mascherano strike the highlight of an attritional tie.[LNB]There is mixed news for Steven Gerrard. Having missed out on the England captaincy - with Rio Ferdinand chosen to replace the deposed, and disgraced, John Terry - the Reds skipper can at least console himself with news that he is to be immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds!
