[AnfieldRoad92]

Day 1: Stadium of Lights

Just returned from Newcastle this early this evening. It was quite a game. 3-1 to us, of course, but it was nothing if not exciting. Rafa started the game in a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mascherano was on the bench and Babel was slotted in behind N'gog and Torres.

I thought this was a risky move, but I was quickly convinced that it was the right one when I watched the young Sunderland back line try to cope with all the attacking options we had. The freedom the formation created for Gerrard, Alonso and Babel just tortured the Sunderland defence and the link-play between the front three was sublime. Within the first 5 minutes, N'gog was able to nod in from a short Torres cross.

Steed Malbranque pulled even after just ten minutes after some sloppy defending but most of the remaining half was played virtually in the Black Cats' penalty area. N'gog showed just how useful he can be with his back to goal when created space for Torres who picked up the ball and laid it off for Ryan Babel to slam into the top corner of the net.

The side reverted back into a more traditional 4-4-2 with Aurélio coming on for Riera and Babel moving left, but a brilliant pass from Kuyt put Torres through on goal and secured the win and

My man of the match has to be N'gog in his first Premier League game ever even though objectively Babel was the star performer.

...

Another result to go our way was the Arsenal v Mancs, who drew at the Emirates. Hopefully they don't do the same to us next week.