Diao Nets The Winner As Reds Go Top

By Craig McWalter
October 19 2002

Liverpool went top of the Premiership table this morning thanks to a goal made in Senegal set up by Diouf and converted by Diao. Read On For Full Story.

Liverpool Go Top

Liverpool went top of the Premiership this morning with a 1-0 victory at Leeds.

Reds Boss Houllier left England star Micheal Owen on the bench and went with El Hadji Diouf and Milan Baros up front and Liverpool old boy Nick Barmby started for Leeds who were again without Robbie Fowler.

Leeds started brightly but Houllier's men came more into the game after 20 mins and had alot of posession but failed to make it count.

Despite all the posession Liverpool had it was Leeds who created the best chances of the half when Alan Smith picked up the ball and took it past Hamann but saw his shot come off Sami Hyypia and deflect just wide.

Liverpool then gave away a needless free-kick which was crossed in from Ian Harte and Harry Kewell saw his header come back off the crossbar, Dudek was also forced to make a great save from an Harry Kewell header before half-time.

The Yorkshire side started the 2nd half in good form again but failed in trying to cut out any clear chances to trouble Dudek in the Liverpool goal and The Reds started to get some of there own passing going which they did not trouble Robinson rarely in the Leeds United goal but Robinson tipped for England was picking the ball out of the net on 65 mins when Hamann picked the ball up in midfield and sent Diouf away with a great ball and his cross fell at the feet of fellow Senegal International team mate Diao who poked the ball home to put Houllier's men ahead.

Liverpool after that were in control passing the ball around but nearly gifted Leeds an equaliser 5 minutes from the end when John Arne Riise lost posession and it fell to Viduka who got away from Hyypia and his cross fell at the feet of Aussie Harry Kewell who brilliantly dragged the ball back away from Carragher only to see his shot sail over the bar.