LIVERPOOL 2 CITY 0
League Division 1
31st March 1986
attendance 43,316
scorers McMahon(32 & 58)
Ref D Scott
City Siddall, Reid, Power, Redmond, McCarthy, Phillips, Lillis, May, Kinsey, Simpson, Wilson – sub Baker(unused)
Liverpool Grobbelaar, Gillespie, Beglin, Nicol, Whelan, Hansen, Dalglish, Johnston, Rush, Molby, McMahon – sub Wark
FROM THE PRESS BOX
STEPHEN BIERLEY WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 1ST APRIL 1986
Goal difference it may be, and only one goal at that, but Liverpool are back at the top of the First Division. The only matter for regret at Anfield yesterday afternoon for the home supporter’s was that their team did not double or treble the score against Manchester City.
Two goals by Steve McMahon had to suffice. City, seven matches without a win before this game and casting an occasional nervous glance at the lower end of the table, clung on for dear life in the face of unremitting pressure, but finally lost their grip in the 32nd minute when McMahon pummelled horne a close-range drive.
Heavy rain had made the pitch like a sponge, and City‘s defence needed to have the same consistency. For half an hour Siddall. on loan from Stoke and playing his first game, had only one direct shot to save. Any loose balls seemed to attract McMahon like a magnet, though, and he looked certain to strike true sooner or later.
Johnston’s corner was knocked in by Molby, Rush tried a spectacular overhead kick, and. as City watched entranced. McMahon scored. .
His second goal‘ was a beauty. A Dalglish flick. Molby wide to Johnston, a low cross, and a skimming drive. City never stood a chance.
Yet for all their possession and pressure thereafter, Liverpool could not make the goal difference any different. Indeed but for a fine save by Grobbelaar from Simpson, Everton mnght have remained at the top. But there is no denying Liverpool have hit a form and consistency that will be difficult to stop. The old Anfield dommatlon has returned.
Dalglish was back in the fray after not playing on Easter Saturday, and again was a huge influence. There is no doubt either that Steve Nicol’s return has come just at the right time. Nlcol and Johnston saw a lot of the ball, and clearly relished being reunited. City rarely had the welght up front to cause Hansen and Gillespie more than the briefest moments of hindrance in getting the ball forward, at any rate in the first half.
After the interval. Simpson escaped twice. once rolling his shot narrowly wide and then forcing Grobbelaar into his only serious save. Kinsey and Lillis might just as well have been banging their heads against a solid oak door.
Once, and only once, Kinsey found himself in the clear and, with Grobbelaar charging off his line, he slipped the ball beyond the Liverpool goalkeepers lunge. But, having been forced wide, Kinsey dwelt on the ball. and the moment was lost. Otherwise it was mostly all Liverpool.
