Liverpool victory halts losing run
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Michael Owen on target for Liverpool against Leeds
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LIVERPOOL, England -- Liverpool beat Leeds 3-1 to end their three-match losing streak in the Premier League in a lunchtime kick-off.
Michael Owen and substitutes Danny Murphy and Florent Sinama-Pongolle scored the goals that gave Liverpool their first league win since September 20 to ease the pressure on manager Gerard Houllier.
The victory lifts Liverpool up to seventh in the table with Leeds, for whom Alan Smith scored, struggling down in 17th place.
Liverpool took the lead after 35 minutes when Leeds failed to clear a corner.
Igor Biscan played the ball back in for John Arne Riise who headed the ball down for Owen. The England striker let it bounce once and then volleyed it into the top corner with his left foot for his ninth goal of the season.
Leeds scored a deserved equaliser seven minutes later after Jermaine Pennant crossed into the box, with Smith reacting marginally faster than Biscan to stab the ball into the net for his first goal since August 23 and his 50th for Leeds.
But Liverpool regained the lead after 56 minutes with a controversial goal direct from a Danny Murphy free kick awarded after Pennant handled.
Three Liverpool players were in offside positions as Murphy's 25-metre free kick eluded Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson. Although the linesman flagged, referee Jeff Winter allowed the goal to stand after consulting him.
Murphy, who had missed the last three matches with a back injury, scored just eight minutes after replacing the injured Vladimir Smicer.
Liverpool wrapped up the points when French teenager Sinama-Pongolle, who replaced Owen at halftime, scored his first goal for the club on only his second league appearance with an 18-metre right-footed shot.
Copyright 2003
Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
