Kuyt banks on home comforts

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt is confident his side can pick up more points at Anfield this season

The Merseysiders lost only two matches last season but often struggled to break down teams at home.

Seven draws against the likes of Stoke City, Fulham, West Ham United and Hull City ultimately cost Rafael Benitez's side their first Barclays Premier League title as they finished second, four points behind Manchester United.

Although they have already lost to Aston Villa at Anfield this campaign - their first home league defeat since December 2007 - they also swept aside both Stoke and Burnley 4-0.

And Kuyt feels that shows they have learned important lessons about playing against sides who arrive on Merseyside looking to frustrate.

"Apart from the Villa match, I think we have shown that we can beat any side at Anfield this season," said the Holland international.

"We had difficulties last season with all the draws but now we are able to score goals in the first half.

"It's really important to score as early as possible because then it will be more difficult for them and easier for us.

"We know the Barclays Premier League is one of the hardest leagues in the world and every team is good with some fine players."

Hull City return to Anfield on Saturday nine months after they shocked their hosts in taking a 2-0 lead inside 22 minutes before they were pegged back by two goals from Reds captain Steven Gerrard.

At the time the Tigers were enjoying a dream start to their maiden Premier League season but this time around their fortunes have changed dramatically, taking just four points from six matches.

Liverpool, by contrast have won three successive league fixtures and are on a five-match winning streak.

"I believe Hull are a good team as well but we have to look at our own strengths and we must believe we can beat them," added Kuyt.

"We must focus on ourselves and respect the opponent.

"We didn't start that well and have already lost twice. But we have now started to win a couple of games in a row and we want to keep that going, beginning with Hull."

Kuyt believes part of their success at home is down to the options summer signing Glen Johnson has provided.

The England defender, who moved from Portsmouth, has probably been the Merseysiders' best player so far, scoring twice and providing a much-needed cutting edge from right-back.

Johnson, 25, may yet have to win over critics who are sceptical about his defensive strengths but there are no doubts over his ability as an attacking force.

"I think Glen has done really well," Kuyt added.

"He was a big signing for us but he has shown straight from the start that he is very important - both defensively and in attack.

"He has scored some very good goals and provided some assists. He is probably one of the best players in the team so far this season.

"He is still young and I think he will only get better and better."

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Van der Sar considers future

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will make his mind up over his future in December.

The 38-year-old is currently on the sidelines nursing a hand injury but admits that the time to call it a day is getting ever closer.

However Van der Sar performed admirably last season as the Red Devils claimed their third straight Premier League crown leaving many to suggest that the shot-stopper could continue for years to come.
With Ben Foster challenging the Dutchman for the number one jersey at Old Trafford, despite a somewhat shaky start to the season, Van der Sar may opt to hang up his gloves while he is still at the top of his game.

"I've said for a few years that it may be my last season," he said.

"Six months before my contract with Manchester United ended in December 2006, we extended for one year and so far it has been the same every time.

"I wait each season to see how or where I stand, if everyone is happy and if I can get motivated.

"But I know, because I always get older, it is increasingly likely that this will be my last season.

"In December, it will be clear how it goes. By then, I'll have clarity. It is a horrible dilemma."

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Watt to take Henry's advice

Sanchez Watt has vowed to put the sound advice of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to good use.

The 18-year-old forward was part of a youthful Arsenal XI which saw off the challenge of 10-man West Bromwich Albion at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, opening his account for the senior team in the second half.

London-born Watt has come through the Gunners ranks, learning all he can from the likes of Henry, who left for Barcelona in 2007, as well as current attack-minded players like Robin van Persie and Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin.After being an integral part of the successful 2008/2009 FA Youth Cup side last season, Watt has set his sights on an extended run in Wenger's young team, which last season reached the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

"I was here when Thierry was here, and although I did not get to play with him, I still asked him questions off the pitch when he was free about how it was and stuff like that," said Watt, who had been named on the bench for last week's Champions League Group H opener away to Standard Liege.

"Not many people get the chance to ask players like that, so I just took it as a good chance.

"I was not nervous because when we were growing up, our manager told us you can ask them questions.

"Thierry said: 'Be calm in front of goal and when the ball is moving, you don't have to keep making long runs. Make it short and sharp and just take it from there'."

Watt added: "There are a lot of players here I have watched like Henry, (Emmanuel) Adebayor, van Persie, Arshavin - there are many players here I look up to and I even ask questions, they tell me positioning and other things to help me keep learning."

With Wenger set to continue his policy of blooding youngsters in the Carling Cup, Watt hopes to be at the forefront of the Arsenal manager's mind.

"This is one of the times when you have to push on," said Watt, who started his football at the Senrab club in east London, which boasts the likes of England duo John Terry and Jermain Defoe among its former players.

"This is where the youngsters have the chance to show what they can do and you have to take the chance.

"There are many strikers here but as long as I show what I can do, that's the best you can do and there is nothing to worry about.

"As long as you keep doing well and give the manager no choice, he has to play you.

"I am getting used to it and going with the flow."

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Carling Cup review - Weds 23rd Sept

A review of how Barclays Premier League clubs fared in the Carling Cup third round on Wednesday.

Peter Crouch made the most of only his third start of the season by claiming a clinical hat-trick to ease Tottenham Hotspur into the last 16 of the Carling Cup with a 5-1 win at Preston North End.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp made seven changes for the third-round tie and Crouch emerged as the prime beneficiary as his predatory strikes took his season tally to five.

He made the most of his recall in the 14th minute when he dispatched Gareth Bale's deep cross with a fine volley and Jermain Defoe effectively put Preston to bed with a predatory header seven minutes before half-time.

With 13 minutes remaining, Crouch tapped home Aaron Lennon's low cross to cap a fine night for Spurs, who were given several scares by Alan Irvine's high-flying Championship outfit.

Preston pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute through substitute Chris Brown, but Spurs substitute Robbie Keane added a fourth with three minutes remaining and Crouch cheekily completed his hat-trick in injury time.

Everton were barely extended as they cruised into the fourth round of the Carling Cup with an emphatic 4-0 defeat of under-strength Hull City.

The tie was effectively settled in the opening 24 minutes as the Toffees powered ahead at the KC Stadium with goals from Ayegbeni Yakubu, Jo and Dan Gosling.

David Moyes' men, finding their form after a poor start to the season, then eased off but took their goal tally to 11 in three matches as Leon Osman added a fourth after 57 minutes.

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole returned from his long-term knee injury to help defeat Queens Park Rangers 1-0.

The 27-year-old, named by manager Carlo Ancelotti as captain for the evening, was playing in his first match since January and set up Salomon Kalou's winner at Stamford Bridge.

Gabriel Agbonlahor ensured Aston Villa avoided more Carling Cup disappointment with his third-minute goal sufficient to overcome Cardiff City 1-0 at Villa Park.

Villa had crashed out of the competition to lower-league opposition in three of the previous four seasons.

But Agbonlahor continued his hot scoring streak after linking up with fellow striker John Carew to seal a spot in the fourth round.

Danny Welbeck struck the only goal of the match at Old Trafford as a youthful Manchester United side made light of Fabio's early red card to edge past Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0.

Fabio was given his marching orders on 29 minutes for a crude challenge on Michael Kightly and the visitors had their chances but United - for whom Michael Owen made his second start - held firm.

Manchester City captain Kolo Toure banished the club's derby blues by scoring the winner in extra-time at Eastlands to beat Fulham 2-1.

It was his first goal since he arrived from Arsenal in the summer and a welcome one at that.

City found it hard going against Fulham after losing in stoppage time against Manchester United on Sunday but Toure found the target in the 111th minute to take Mark Hughes' men into the last 16.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson named a completely different starting XI to the one that lost to Wolves in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday and the west Londoners opened the scoring with a wonder goal from Zoltan Gera, only for Gareth Barry to pull City level.

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Trophies the yardstick for Hughes

Mark Hughes is convinced one trophy is all it will take for Manchester City to become one of England's superclubs.

After spending in excess of £120m this summer, City have already proved their ability by winning four matches on the trot and running Manchester United so close at Old Trafford on Sunday has underlined their top four credentials.

But, ahead of Wednesday's Carling Cup encounter with Fulham at Eastlands, the City chief knows either would allow his team to take the final step towards gatecrashing the game's elite.

"If you win trophies and have experience of winning trophies as a group of players and as a club, it helps you," he said.

"It shows you the qualities needed to overcome opposition and win things. We haven't got that yet. But if we can get into positions to win trophies it would allow us to go that final step."

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Wenger: Wilshere has something special

Arsene Wenger has hailed Jack Wilshere, claiming the midfielder has "something special".

The youngster turned in another fine performance as the Gunners defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-0 in the third round of the Carling Cup at the Emirates Stadium, writes Stewart Coggin.

He was also involved in the match's most controversial incident when Jerome Thomas was handed a straight red card for hitting out at Wilshere before half-time after the pair challenged for a ball.

Second-half goals from Sanchez Watt and Carlos Vela put the 10-man Baggies to the sword, but much of the post-match discussion centred around the lively Wilshere.

"I think he did very well, he looked lively and dangerous," said Wenger. "In a difficult part of the game he was dangerous, when it was very tight in the first half he looked to find openings.

"He was not scared, he has something it is very hard to give players, he gets the ball and takes people on, still sometimes there is a lack of experience in his decision making but there is something special there.

"I believe in the future he will be a central player but at the moment he needs education, playing wide left and wide right."

Wenger was happy to see his youthful side reach the fourth round, and praised the efforts of his players against a West Brom team leading the Championship.

"Overall it was a good game, it would have been a great game if it had strayed 11 against 11 but we were patient, played with cohesion, didn't make mistakes and in the end the natural outcome was there," he added.

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Carling Cup review - Tues 22nd Sept

A review of how the Barclays Premier League clubs fared in Carling Cup third round on Tuesday.

Arsenal's young Gunners booked a place in round four of the Carling Cup with victory over 10-man West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium.

Sanchez Watt opened the scoring just after the hour as the Baggies were eventually undone following the first-half sending off of midfielder Jerome Thomas, who once played for Arsenal. Mexican striker Carlos Vela added a second from close range.

Barnsley advanced to the fourth round after edging a five-goal thriller against Burnley at Oakwell.

Jon Macken cancelled out Steven Fletcher's 22nd-minute strike just 30 seconds later, while Anderson De Silva's spectacular effort in the sixth minute of injury time gave the Tykes a half-time lead. Burnley fought back with a goal created by Fernando Guerrero and scored by Chris Eagles, but Hugo Colace scored a bullet header with 15 minutes remaining to settle the tie.

Portsmouth recovered from a difficult start to overcome Carlisle United 3-1.

Around 600 Portsmouth fans were rewarded for their 750-mile round trip to Brunton Park with a win, but nobody was more relieved at the final whistle than manager Paul Hart, who had seen his side go 1-0 down when Ian Harte put the League One side a goal up from the penalty spot after only two minutes.

It was Aaron Mokoena who gave away the penalty after hauling down Richard Offiong, but Pompey regained their composure quickly and strikes from Aruna Dindane, Danny Webber and Anthony Vanden Borre - all their first for the club - sealed a morale-boosting 3-1 victory.

David Ngog struck the only goal as Liverpool edged out a fired-up Leeds United side.

The Barclays Premier League giants were outplayed by the League One leaders for much of the third-round tie but Ngog netted against the run of play after 65 minutes. Leeds spurned a number of chances throughout the tie as Elland Road enjoyed a big-match atmosphere once again but their lack of composure in front of goal cost them.

Benni McCarthy's fortuitous free-kick ensured a successful return to Nottingham Forest for Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce as Rovers reached the fourth round with a slender 1-0 victory at the City Ground.

Allardyce, who managed Forest's city rivals Notts County between 1997 and 1999, guiding the Magpies to the old Third Division title by a staggering 19 points in his second season, saw his side score against the run of play in the 37th minute.

Martin Olsson had been brought down on the left side of the area. McCarthy's curling right-foot cross appeared to evade everyone in the box and nestle in the far corner beyond Paul Smith's desperate dive. It was harsh on the Championship club who created the better chances throughout and missed a second-half penalty when Jason Brown superbly saved Dexter Blackstock's kick.

Stoke City snatched a place in the fourth round after a remarkable 4-3 win over Blackpool. David Vaughan and Billy Clarke put the visitors 2-0 ahead but Stoke scored three times in five minutes to take the lead.

Ben Burgess drew Blackpool level just a minute later but Andy Griffin grabbed a last-minute winner to end a thrilling contest.

Jordan Henderson and Fraizer Campbell dumped Birmingham City out of the Carling Cup as Sunderland coasted into the fourth round.

Teenager Henderson scored his first senior goal for the club with just four minutes gone, and when Campbell matched his feat 19 minutes later, the match was effectively over. John Mensah had a second-half strike chalked off for a foul, but the Black Cats never looked back on a night when they were simply too strong for the visitors.

Defender Gary Cahill was the unlikely hero for Bolton Wanderers as he produced a stunning strike in extra time to help beat West Ham United 3-1 in their third round tie at the Reebok Stadium.

The centre-back drilled home from 25 yards just six minutes into the additional period to turn things around for the home side, with Johan Elmander sliding in a third very late on. Wanderers captain Kevin Davies had struck with a header just before the end of 90 minutes to cancel out Herita Ilunga's first goal for the club on the hour.

Arsenal 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
Barnsley 3-2 Burnley
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 West Ham United (AET)
Carlisle United 1-3 Portsmouth
Leeds United 0-1 Liverpool
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
Peterborough 2-0 Newcastle United
Scunthorpe 2-0 Port Vale (AET)
Stoke City 4-3 Blackpool
Sunderland 2-0 Birmingham City

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