Sunday Paper Review - May 9th, 2004

Posted by Rushian on May 9, 2004, 03:30:32 am

Amy Lawrence in the Observer match report was impressed enough with "classic, unstoppable Michael Owen" to name him her man of the match in a team performance where "Gérard Houllier's men found the perfect moment to click into gear". She also saw Emile Heskey confirm himself as an "erratic handful" in an audition for a move in front of Steve Bruce. Meanwhile in the Telegraph Colin Malam saw the "Merseysiders' overwhelming superiority" bring a comfortable win topped off by "Gerrard, by some distance man of the match".

The Independent's man at St. Andrews, Ronald Atkin, saw a "stunning show ... like the Liverpool of old", and now believes we have imposed a stranglehold on fourth place and the guarantee of Champions League football. The Sunday Times' Jonathan Northcroft was impressed by "man-of-the-match-aholic" Gerrard and called for England to abandon their midfield diamond this summer and build their team around the Huyton lad. He also goes on to touch on a meeting between the players and staff prior to the Man Utd game which has fired this form and opines "it is hard to see why they are not challenging for something rather more glorious than fourth spot".

A probable move to Birmingham for Heskey is mentioned in all the broadsheets in passing. Elsewhere the worst kept secret in football is further exploded in an interview with Djibril Cissé in the Independent where he reveals why he chose Liverpool ahead of Real. Paddy Barclay has conducted a wide-ranging interview with Zinedine Zidane in the Telegraph and finds in the legendary Frenchman a big fan of Steven Gerrard "... he could become recognised as one of the top midfield players in Europe. He's got all the qualities - physical strength, a good shot, a good understanding of the game, good volume. A player's volume is very important."

And that's the wrap of the Sunday broadsheets.

© Rushian 2004

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