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PHIL SHAW
Liverpool 0 Newcastle United 1
A deftly executed solo goal by Steve Watson, who was on as a replacement for the concussed Les Ferdinand, ended Liverpool's reign as Coca-Cola Cup holders with 13 minutes of a pulsating fourth-round tie remaining at Anfield last night.
When the 21-year-old Newcastle utility player took possession from Peter Beardsley, he looked around for support. Finding none and spotting David James off his line, Watson chipped the 6ft 5in goalkeeper from 20 yards for his second winner of the month against Liverpool.
The first, a comparatively scrappy effort at St James' Park, sealed a Premiership victory for the leaders after Liverpool had outplayed them. This time, Kevin Keegan was moved to describe Watson's blow as "a wonder goal," and claimed with justification that his team deserved their success.
Newcastle thus take their place in the last eight for the first time since 1976, when they lost in the final to Manchester City. In those days, of course, Keeganmania was rife on the Kop, and his return generated an atmosphere redolent of the Shankly and Paisley eras. Sadly for Liverpool, who have now lost five of their six games, the comparisons did not extend to the pitch.
They started brightly enough, with John Barnes stroking some exquisite passes, and ought to have taken a ninth minute lead. First-time touches by Steve McManaman and Stan Collymore put Robbie Fowler through on goal, only for Liverpool's top score to scuff his shot and allow Shaka Hislop to make the save.
Hislop was called into meaningful action only once more, and that, revealingly, was forced upon him by an under-hit back-pass from John Beresford midway through the second half.
Newcastle's best chances, until Liverpool began leaving gaps in the closing minutes, both fell to Robert Lee within five minutes of Fowler's miss. England's best midfielder, as his manager descibes him, brought a smart save from James after one slick move, but curled the second wide.
There was a 10 minute spell, shortly after Ferdinand was led off dazed and bleeding following a clash with Mark Wright, when Newcastle seemed to be losing the plot. David Ginola was so angered by the close marking of Rob Jones that, after one robust challenge, he chased his alleged assailant.
Newcastle gradually recovered their collective composure. Even so, there appeared to be little danger for Liverpool when Watson set off towards their goal, seemingly content to hold the ball up until a colleague arrived. By the time his shot nestled in the net, he was swamped by them.
Watson later missed two easy chances but Keegan was not complaining. "It was a great piece of finishing, although it was forced on him," the Newcastle manager said. "The problem with Steve is that we haven't a clue what his best position is. He was brilliant at right-back for England Under-21s, scored against Liverpool from midfield last time, and now he's done it again from centre-forward."
Ferdinand, who had four stitches in a head wound, must clearly look to his laurels. "Les got a bit of concussion," Keegan said. "He thought it was 4-1 and he scored a hat-trick." The looks on Liverpool faces suggested they felt the same.
Liverpool (3-5-2): James; Wright, Ruddock (Kennedy, 65), Babb; R Jones, McAteer, Barnes, McManaman, Harkness; Fowler, Collymore. Substitutes not used: Clough, Warner (gk).
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Hislop; Barton, Peacock, Howey, Beresford; Gillespie, Lee, Clark, Ginola; Beardsley, Ferdinand (Watson, 61). Substitutes not used: Sellars, Albert.
Referee: P Durkin (Portland, Dorset).
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