Back with a bang

Back with a bang

from "Press Association"

Two penalties from Danish midfielder Jan Molby gave Liverpool their first win in four games under new manager Ronnie Moran and hauled them level on points with Division One leaders Arsenal.

Having lost to Luton Town and Arsenal in the League plus Everton in the FA Cup since Kenny Dalglish's dramatic resignation as manager last month, the pressure was on Liverpool to return to winning form and keep the Championship race alive.

With Arsenal involved in an FA Cup quarter-final, Liverpool were presented with the chance to wipe out the three point gap. Maine Road though, is no easy ground to visit. Luton discovered this when they lost 3-0 here on Tuesday, Manchester City going fifth as a result.

But, against Liverpool, Manchester City supporters in the 35,000 crowd were mystified by a series of questionable decisions and lack of consistency from a man thought to be one of the world's premier referees, George Courtney.

Raced

Courtney awarded a free-kick only when Liverpool defender Gary Ablett impeded City's Clive Allen on the edge of the area during City's bright start.

But when City's 1 million pound goalkeeper Tony Coton brought down Peter Beardsley as he raced towards goal, Courtney gave a penalty and a yellow card to Coton.

Molby put the penalty past the furious Coton and there was even more controversy before half-time. Again Coton was involved, bringing down Liverpool's leading goalscorer Ian Rush. Courtney pointed to the spot but no red card was shown despite the new ruling from FIFA which states that fouling a plyer when he is in a scoring position is an automatic dismissal.

Molby, unaffected by the controversy, coolly made it 2-0.

City's rhythm looked to be disturbed by the two penalties and Liverpool cantered through the second half looking likely to cap one of their counter-attacks with a third goal.

It came in the 86th minute when John Barnes clinically finished from Ray Houghton's pass, the England forward's 12th goal of the season.

Earlier this week former Liverpool striker John Toshack, now manager of Spanish team Real Sociedad, flew to England to discuss the manager's job at Anfield. Under contract at Sociedad, Toshack informed Liverpool he was unable to take the job, leaving Liverpool to confirm Moran will be in charge at least until the end of the season.