Liverpool marched triumphantly into the fourth round of this season's FA Cup -
but only after being given a rigorous examination by First Division leaders
Huddersfield.
Steve Bruce's side dominated for most of the game - the first half in
particular - but the difference between top-flight football and that in Division
One was underlined by two moments of magic.
Liverpool had been second best for most of the opening period as
Huddersfield's determination and passion proved more than a match for the
visitors' Premiership ability.
Gerard Houllier's side found themselves on the rack as the home side, backed
by a record McAlpine Stadium crowd of 23,678, carved out chances at will.
The visitors must have headed into the break knowing they were fortunate to be
the one goal clear, as Town certainly deserved to be at least on level terms.
The first of their chances came in the fourth minute as skipper Kenny Irons
must have thought his dream was about to come true.
The true-blue Evertonian had never faced Liverpool in a senior match prior to
today, and with a coach-load of his family watching from the stands, drilled in
a bottom-corner bound drive.
But Sander Westerveld made the first of two vital saves in the space of a
minute as Clyde Wijnhard was then blocked point blank by his fellow Dutchman
after Reds skipper Sami Hyypia had been turned inside the area.
Although Titi Camara then failed to capitalise on a Craig Armstrong mistake in
the 10th minute, he more than made amends later on, but only after Town had
continued to fail in making their more flowing football count.
Westerveld turned aside a stinging Ben Thornley angled drive, while Dean Gorre
and Scott Sellars both came within inches of firing their side into the lead.
In between such a glut of opportunities, Irons had proved his side's saviour
by deflecting a stunning edge-of-the-area Hyypia volley wide when Vaesen looked
beaten.
But then in the 36th minute Liverpool made Huddersfield pay for their penalty
box area failure by capitalising on nothing more than a half chance.
Vladimir Smicer was the supplier from the right wing, and even though Camara
was surrounded by two Town defenders, he angled his body perfectly before
pirouetting to volley home from 12 yards with his right foot.
Town could have been forgiven for coming out after the break with their heads
down, but they continued to be the more creative as Gorre and Wijnhard, the
latter with a glancing header, were left frustrated again.
But then came the killer blow for Huddersfield just before the hour as
Liverpool brilliantly punished the home side with a sweeping, clinical move.
Smicer's early ball to Camara allowed the Guinea international to curl a
right-to-left crossfield ball into the path of the advancing Dominic Matteo.
The 35th-minute replacement for Steve Staunton took the pass in his stride and
after leaving Irons on the seat of his shorts, then drilled a 15-yard drive
beyond Vaesen.
In the 65th minute, Liverpool could have put the game out of the Terriers'
reach as Smicer and Camara again combined to set up Michael Owen, who dwelled
too long on the ball, allowing Jamie Vincent to make a timely challenge.
Within seconds Huddersfield should have hauled themselves back in the game
when Wijnhard was again through, but his sidefoot placement was wide of the
diving Westerveld and ultimately the left-hand post.
Vaesen then stood tall in the face of an Owen drive as Liverpool went in
search of a third, but Huddersfield - to their credit - were refusing to cave
in.
Substitute George Donis, on for Thornley in the 72nd minute, was soon in the
thick of the action with a rasping, rising 30-yarder which Westerveld could only
parry up and over his goal.
But despite Town's valiant display, they failed to gain at least the
consolation of a goal their performance deserved.
But after beating Chelsea and taking Wimbledon to extra time in the
Worthington Cup already this season, and after this spirited showing against
Liverpool, hope is on the horizon for Town.
Bruce and his side can surely expect to be playing Premiership opposition
every week next season if they continue to play with such pride and passion.
As for Liverpool, after winning through here, they will surely have one eye on
FA Cup glory in May given Manchester United's decision to concentrate on the
World Club Championship in Brazil.
Teams:
Huddersfield: Vaesen, Jenkins, Gray, Armstrong, Vincent, Gorre,
Irons, Sellars, Thornley (Donis 72), Stewart (Schofield 83),Wijnhard.
Subs Not Used: Margetson, Dyson, Horne.
Booked: Gray.
Liverpool: Westerveld, Gerrard (Newby 88), Hyypia, Henchoz,
Staunton (Matteo 35), Smicer (Song 72), Hamann, Carragher,Murphy, Owen, Camara.
Subs Not Used: Meijer, Friedel.
Goals: Camara 36, Matteo 59.
Att: 23,678
Ref: R Harris (Oxford).
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