Sherri shoots down Reds

Teddy Sheringham, the man that 2 million pounds could not buy, saved BSkyB from launching their 304 million pound Premier League coverage with a flop.

Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough rejected a 2 million pound Sheringham bid from Tottenham - and the decision paid off for both Forest and the satellite television station.

Sheringham's spectacular 30th minute goal prevented Sky raising the curtain on a series of five-hour Premier League programmes with no "live" goals for their expectant visitors.

Perhaps Michael Jackson should be blamed. Sky wanted the Leeds - Wimbledon clash which produced three goals yesterday as their opener. But Police refused a switch to Sunday because of Jackson's clashing concert in the city. So Sky subscribers got a match full of honest endeavour but little class for their money. Forest, always the more positive side, were deserved winners against a surprisingly tentative Liverpool who created few opportunities even when briefly on top in the second half.

Forest were denied an even more emphatic victory only by the safe hands of 1 million pound goalkeeper David James who was nevertheless fortunate not to concede a penalty when he felled Roy Keane eight minutes from the end.

Forest clearly set out to seize an early goal. In the opening minutes, Keane shot wide and then he and Nigel Clough (twice) brought excellent reaction saves from England Under-21 goalkeeper James.

Keane was slightly fortunate to remain on the pitch after being booked for a foul on Ronnie Whelan and a minute later tripping Mark Walters - an action which brought manager Graeme Souness leaping angrily from the Liverpool bench.

Stuart Pearce received no more than a strong lecture for kicking out at Steve Nicol before Sheringham cooled tempers with the goal.

Ian Woan found Scot Gemmill on the left who fed Sheringham for a cross shot into the roof of the net.

Sheringham then shot tamely at James and the goalkeeper made an excellent diving save from a Keane header as the first half closed with Liverpool fortunate to be adrift by only a single goal.
They replaced Ian Rush with Steve McManaman while Michael Thomas and Paul Stewart saw much more of the ball after the break.

Thomas might have equalised in the 52nd minute when he rounded Gemmill only to see his shot knocked over by goalkeeper Mark Crossley with his left foot.

There remained only the Keane penalty incident to promote further discussion on the terraces and in the studio before Liverpool's first opening defeat for 11 years was confirmed.

James admitted he was fortunate not to be penalised in BSkyB's first Premier League 'live' transmission. He said: "I thought it was a penalty. I wouldn't have disputed it, but the referee said the guy attempted to dive before I made contact with him."

Copyright - British Soccer Week