Billy. Youll enjoy the references to the previous games Henry Winter refers to.
A good press article. A journo that is always fair .
Henry Winter
11:00PM BST 14 Apr 2012
Comments14 Comments
What A Redemption Day: From Catcalls To Curtain Calls.
If Suárez impressed with his refined touch, relentless running and elegantly taken goal, Carroll’s contribution beneath the FA’s vaulting arch was largely disappointing, particularly when it came to finishing until late on.
Suárez’s talent has always been celebrated; the technically accomplished Uruguayan could arguably have graced some of Liverpool’s great teams. Carroll’s place in the Anfield firmament has been questioned, even his future.
Until the 87th minute at Wembley yesterday. With one header Carroll turned his reputation on its head. With one bound he was free.
Suddenly all the crowing over his £35 million fee was silenced. Suddenly all the unflattering comparisons with that £5.5 million poacher, Nikica Jelavic, who had given Everton a first-half lead, were placed on hold.
“That goal alone was worth £35  million,’’ said Jamie Carragher.
He who laughs last, laughs loudest.
Somewhere in France, Liverpool’s sacked director of football Damien Comolli will be permitting himself a quiet smile. When it became clear that Fernando Torres was intent on moving to Chelsea in late January 2011, Comolli informed Kenny Dalglish that he could get Carroll from Newcastle. They would have to move quickly. They did.
Dalglish has always spoken admiringly of how Comolli accelerated the deal through as the clock ticked down to the transfer deadline. The main noise since has been critics cackling at Carroll’s moments of profligacy. Dalglish has always kept the faith, looking to pair Carroll with the £22 million Suárez.
Fielding Liverpool’s two most expensive signings hardly seemed the most difficult of decisions but the blend has not always seemed right. It is as if two styles were being interwoven; Suárez likes those little passes teased in behind defences. Carroll prefers to hold the ball up. It’s different speeds and the gears can grind.
One of the occasions that Liverpool have functioned best during Dalglish’s second spell in charge came at Craven Cottage last season with Suárez up front on his own, and a five-man midfield supporting him and protecting the back four. Liverpool were irresistible. But Dalglish has always been determined to pair his No 7 and No 9. In fairness to Carroll, he is always on the move, always showing for the ball, but his finishing has been average and this was only his eighth goal in 42 appearances this season.
Yet the past few days have brought hugely significant goals. Carroll headed a fine one at Blackburn on Tuesday, climbing from the floor to meet the ball, bringing Liverpool victory, preventing Dalglish from enduring more criticism. Yesterday’s prevented extra-time and probably a further chorus of disapproval aimed at Dalglish.
For those older Liverpool fans, yesterday’s events will carry distinct echoes of the past.
At the 1986 FA Cup final at Wembley, Everton took a first-half lead (through Gary Lineker) but a No 9 helped orchestrate a second-half comeback, although few would be foolish enough to compare the great Ian Rush with the raw Carroll.
Rush, watching from the jewellery-rattling seats yesterday, would have snaffled up rather scuffed some of the chances Carroll wasted before his moment of nirvana.
For Liverpool supporters with even longer memories, Everton led their 1971 Old Trafford FA Cup semi-final at the interval (through Alan Ball) but Liverpool hit back to win 2-1 (through Alun Evans and Brian Hall).
Yesterday proved an enjoyable stroll down memory lane for those who view life through red-tinted glasses. ( Ed: OH YES !)
Neutrals would have seen a semi-final of average technical quality, scarred by some defensive mistakes, and the unarguable reality that Carroll still has a lot of developing to do to reach Suárez’s level of persistent influence, let alone Rush’s. Carroll, and those around him, must guard against the striker feeling that one game of heads and ponytails means he has arrived. In travelling terms along the road to Wembley, Carroll is still on the M1, stopped off at Watford Gap, with some way to go. The journey is far from complete.
Carroll must go back through the tape of this semi-final, looking and learning, perhaps inviting Rush to sit in with him, teaching him how to make his runs better, how to develop his penalty-box craft more.
He remains heavily reliant on his left foot, constantly losing vital split-seconds by transferring the ball on to preferred foot. Sometimes it works well, Carroll turning deftly in the Everton area and rolling the ball back to Jay Spearing who should have given Liverpool an early lead.
For long periods there was little to suggest that Carroll could be the answer to Liverpool’s problems. A spin through the game’s first-half timeline confirmed that. Incident after incident revealed an indifferent touch. After nine minutes, Carroll embarked on a run but lost control. Then Marouane Fellaini nicked the ball off a hesitant Carroll.
Carroll’s supporters have long argued that he needs service, that if wingers get the ball in the right areas then this tall target-man can inflict Duncan Ferguson-type damage on defences. Yet when Stewart Downing delivered a magnificent cross two minutes into the second half, Carroll headed wide, horribly so. Carroll attempted to hide his embarrassment by pulling his shirt over his head.
Carroll does not give in easily and that is one reason why Dalglish regards him highly. In attempting to make amends, Carroll increased his work-rate, even tracking back with Fellaini but fouling him.
Nothing seemed to be going right for the 23 year-old but he never stopped working, never stopped seeking out team-mates and he was involved in Liverpool’s equaliser just after the hour. He headed the ball wide to Suárez, setting the scene for Sylvain Distin’s defensive meltdown and Suárez’s expert finish.
After the clinical from Suárez, Carroll’s attempts to find the net briefly bordered on the comical. He twice shot wide. He seemed almost intent on producing a spectacular hit to make up for the misses.
Fortune favours the determined. Carroll never hid and with three minutes remaining, he was presented with a superb chance.
It came from the accurate figure of Craig Bellamy, who lifted a free kick into the box and Carroll made his move, outjumping his marker Fellaini, who reacted poorly, rooted to the spot, a statue next to the determined, mobile Liverpool No 9.
The angle of Carroll’s flicked header gave Tim Howard no chance.
The timing gave Everton little chance of recovery.
Soon it was all over, the whistle blown, the clouds dispersed over Carroll.
But he must view this as a start of his voyage towards becoming a good all-round centre-forward, not an end. He remains a work in progress.
If he continues working, Carroll can become a force for Liverpool – and England.
That ll do for me.
