Sport - Football

Liverpool drubs Newcastle

NEWCASTLE: Captain Steven Gerrard orchestrated Liverpool’s 5-1 demolition of Newcastle on Sunday, scoring twice and setting up another in a stylish display for the Premier League leader.

It was only Shay Given’s agility in the Newcastle goal with a string of crucial saves that thwarted the Reds until the 31st minute when Gerrard blasted the ball in off the inside of the upright.

Gerrard turned provider five minutes later, with Sami Hyypia unopposed as he leapt to head his captain’s corner home.

But the Reds briefly switched off in first-half stoppage time, allowing David Edgar to pull one back by meeting Danny Guthrie’s cross with a powerful header.

The lifeline for injury-ravaged Newcastle didn’t last long. The visitor stormed out after the break at St. James’ Park and took just five minutes to restore its two-goal cushion. Ryan Babel’s backheel was initially blocked by Given, but his feet couldn’t protect the ball and the Dutch winger scrambled it over the line.

Gerrard’s final contribution before being substituted was to make it 4-1 in the 66th by latching onto Lucas Leiva’s pass, skipping around Fabricio Coloccini and chipping over the onrushing Given.

The rout was completed in the 70th when Gerrard’s replacement, David Ngog, was tripped by Edgar and Xabi Alonso, another substitute, converted from the penalty spot.

The result: Newcastle United 1 (David Edgar 45+2) lost to Liverpool 5 (Steven Gerrard 31, 66, Sami Hyypia 36, Ryan Babel 50, Xabi Alonso 70-pen). — Agencies

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