Liverpool Slip By Swansea, Sturridge and Henderson Net Two

 4-3 

Swansea City came into Anfield for a Premier League match with Liverpool today as the Reds looked to keep pace with the rest of the top clubs in the table.  Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City won matches yesterday putting the pressure on Liverpool to produce a positive result.

Liverpool came storming out of the gate and scored in the opening moments of the match.  Raheem Sterling was able to tackle the ball off Swansea rightback Angel Rangel to initiate a counter-attack.  Sterling saw the run of Sturridge and played a well weighted ball to beat the offsides trap.  Sturridge had to take a touch around the keeper coming off his line before finishing on an empty net for the opening goal of the game (3').

Liverpool extended the lead when Sturridge setup Jordan Henderson for a goal.  Sturridge came in across the egde of the box from the right and played a square-ball for Henderson who picked out the far corner for a second goal (20').

Swansea made a timely response and equalized in a matter of minutes.  From an almost mirrored image of the previous goal, Nathan Dyer drove across the egde of the box from the right and played a square-ball to Jonjo Shelvey.  Taking the shot first-time, Shelvey buried the ball into the near-post corner to get Swansea back in match (23').

The equalizer then came following a favorable deflection inside the Liverpool penalty area.  A Swansea free-kick was played into the box and Wilfred Bony managed to get a flicked header on the cross.  The forward's header did not have much power behind it, but it deflected off the shoulder of Skrtel giving the keeper no chance at a save (27').

Liverpool then reestablished the lead with a second goal by Sturridge.  Luis Suarez found space to work on the left and put the ball right on Sturridge in front of goal.  Sturridge scored with a header finish to put Liverpool back ahead (36').

Shortly after the half-time break Liverpool defender Skrtel gave Swansea a chance to again level the score when he was called for a foul in the box.  Bony was pulled down by Skrtel according to the referee and Swansea were awarded a penalty.  Bony scored from the spot and the match was level once more (48').

Liverpool's defense was rather on edge for the remainder of the match after seeing their lead lost twice already.  Despite some nervous moments however, the defense held strong and the Reds produced a winning goal.  Suarez created space to shoot following a great chest-trap, but defender Williams was in place to block his shot.  The blocked shot fell right for Henderson though, who he scored the game winner from the loose ball (74').

Liverpool have proven once again that their offense is nearly unstoppable.  The defense, on the other hand, shows more signs of vulnerability as the goals continue to be conceded.  All focus in on the Premier League for Liverpool going forward with a road trip to Southampton is next.  Swansea are still alive in the Europa Cup and a match at Napoli midweek.

Arsenal Ahead in EPL, Beat Swansea

1-2

Arsenal travelled to Wales for a Premier League game against Swansea City today.  Swansea came out playing possession heavy football and made Arsenal play defense early.  The crowd was also involved and Swansea fed off their energy.  Arsenal settled in and created their own chances late in the first-half.  Neither side scored by half-time and staying on-sides was a problem for both clubs all day.

In the second-half the visitors turned up their game and Arsenal scored two goals less than five minutes apart.  First Arsenal's other new German signing Serge Gnabry was played in-on-goal by Ramsey following good combination play in the box (58').  Moments later Ramsey scored when Arsenal perfectly worked a counter-attack.  Giroud played the final pass for Ramsey who had his shot partially deflected, but not enough to keep it out of the net (62').

Swansea never gave up though, and made a positive change when Wilfred Bony was introduced.  The big striker was a lot for the Arsenal defense to handle and he helped setup a goal late for Swansea.  Leftback Davies made a driving run into Arsenal's box and Bony played a chipped ball over the top for him.  Defender Mertesacker managed to get just a piece of the ball on its way toward Davies, but he could not quite get enough.  Davies was able to get a touch off his thigh to direct the ball into the net, giving Swansea life late in the match (82').

Swansea could not work another goal following the late score and Arsenal held on for the road win.  Arsenal are now on top of the table in the Premier League after six rounds.  More clubs will play Sunday and Monday, but none can earn enough points to overtake the Gunners.