Beating Chelsea put us top of the table but, unfortunately, Harry Redknapp's switch from Pompey to Spurs means that our next two opponents were unknown quantities with new managers. Perhaps unsurprisingly Tony Adams opted for a defensive formation with the intention of holding out for a point. It's an approach that we consistently struggled to deal with last season, and again against Stoke this season.
Although we thankfully managed to keep Crouch quiet, it looked like we'd be frustrated by another Anfield old boy at the other end - David James pulling off several good saves, notably tipping a Kuyt effort onto the post, and not showing any of the rashness that made him a liability for us and England. Thankfully, the moment of madness was to come from someone else: Hyypia escaped his marker from a corner and, in a moment of panic, Papa Dioup punched the ball away from the Finn's head. It was as clear a penalty as you will ever see, and Gerrard duly did the honours.
Three points today, but we need to be more clinical if we're to keep winning. Torres' return to fitness can't come soon enough...
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