Torres Shines In Carling Cup

Liverpool’s new records signing, Spain’s Fernando Torres, recorded his first hat-trick as the Reds came out on top in a six-goal thriller against Reading at The Madejski Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The scoring was opened by Israeli international Yossi Benayoun, his first for the Mereysiders. It was a stunning solo effort after 23 minutes. He first nutmegged Andre Bikey then fired the ball beyond Reading’s goalkeeper Adam Federici. it was an unstoppable shot.

But as we know Reading are not a side to simply lie down and Bobby Convey equalised just five minutes later with an equally spectacular strike, volleying home low from the edge of the box giving Charles Itandje, Liverpool’s young debutant goalkeeper, little chance. It was turning into a game of great goals!

But it was then left to Torres to show his class and great strength as he held off Ulises de la Cruz before coolly side-footing the ball into the bottom corner of the net to put Liverpool back in front.

Fernando Torres celebrates one of his hat-trick goals, his first for Liverpool

Most of the Liverpool fans watching must have been asking themselves why Torres was left out of the starting eleven that face Birmingham at Anfield at the weekend as they watched him produce a wonderful performance. And it was the Spanish international who felt he should have had a penalty moments later after he went down under Bikey’s clumsy challenge in the area but referee simply waved play on.

Itandje then put a black mar on his debut by failing to gather a corner and John Halls forced the loose ball home. 2 - 2, never underestimate Reading!

But Torres had the final say when he superbly fired the ball into the top corner after John Arne Riise had escaped down the left flank. He then rounded the perfect evening off by racing clear from a superbly weighted through ball by Steven Gerrard three minutes from time. It left Torres one one one with the Reading keeper. Torres dropped his shoulder a couple of times, left the goalie on the floor and coolly slotting home.

Elsewhere, Arsene Wenger, as he has so often in the past in the Carling Cup, sent out a young side to see off the challenge of Newcastle. The young hero was Nicklas Bendtner who scored his first-ever Gunners goal.

Bendtner struck with seven minutes remaining, but the home side were indebted to Philippe Senderos who produced a superb goalline clearance to deny Obafemi Martins moments later before Denilson kiled the game off with the second. Of course Newcastle were without, yet again, Michael Owen after he went off on Saturday. It just looked as though he stumbled and fell over. He is due to have another operation on Friday, for a hernia and will no doubt miss England’s next two qualifying goals.

Georgios Samaras took advantage of his first start of the season for Manchester City to score the only goal of the game against Norwich at The City of Manchester Stadium. I never know whether to call it that or Eastlands! Anyway, Norwich had threatened to upset Sven Goran Eriksson’s side and enjoyed much of the possession but were made to pay in the last minute when Samaras raced clear and slotted the ball beyond David Marshall. City are certainly becoming a hard unit to beat under the former England boss, a nice habit to get into!

David Nugent was another player to take his chance after being picked for the Carling Cup as he helped Portsmouth overcome Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor. Harry Redknapp’s side were on the back-foot for long periods but made the breakthrough with 21 minutes remaining when Nugent chased down Mendes’ ball and beat Gabor Kiraly.

Cardiff cruised into the fourth round after racing into a four-goal lead inside half an hour against West Brom at The Hawthorns. The extremely experienced strike partnership of Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink continues to reap rewards with the former Liverpool forward opening the scoring after just four minutes.

Hasselbaink lashed home a second after 23 minutes, Fowler added a third from the penalty spot and Trevor Sinclair sent some Baggies fans heading for the exit in the 30th minute. Ishmael Miller pulled one back three minutes later and added a second from the penalty spot at the death but it was all in vain.

Tuesday Nights full results:

Arsenal 2 Newcastle 0
Burnley 0 Portsmouth 1
Reading 2 Liverpool 4
Man City 1 Norwich 0
West Brom 2 Cardiff 4
Sheff Utd 5 Morecambe 0
Blackpool 2 Southend 1
Luton 3 Charlton 1

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Many thanks
Rik