22 METROSPORT Monday, September 14, 2009 D YOSSI BENAYOUN believes the international break has enabled Liverpool to shake off their stuttering start to the season and put them back on track for a Premier League title assault. The Israel midfielders hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Burnley took his tally to ten goals in his last 17 appearances for the Reds. Benayoun said: It is always difficult after being away on the international break but this one came at the right time for us. We had lost two of the first four, we needed the break. The team needed to think about the things that we did wrong and come back to try to put things right. We have learned from our mistakes. The 29-year-old, who is fast becoming a vital player for boss Rafael Benitez, added: I played 90 minutes for Israel on Wednesday and then there were two long flights to get back here. But everyone wants to play, regardless of tiredness. Nobody wants to be on the bench. Dirk Kuyt grabbed Liverpools other goal on Saturday and Benayoun believes lowered expectations may aid Liverpools hopes in the league. The season didnt start too well and maybe it has been good that people have already written us off, he said. There will be less pressure, we can build confidence slowly and when we win games like this, everyone can see we have the quality to be up there in the race. FOOTBALL PREMIER LEAGUE Handy contribution: Benayoun salutes the fans Yossi treble gives Reds fresh hope Adebayors antics hinder Citys firepower up frontMARK HUGHES could be facing a striker crisis ahead of next weeks Manchester derby as a result of Emmanuel Adebayors antics in the 4-2 win over Arsenal. The Manchester City striker looks likely to face disciplinary action after appearing to kick former Gunners team-mate Robin van Persie and then running 90 yards to celebrate his goal in front of the away fans. If Adebayor is banned, City boss Hughes will be short of firepower for next Sundays Old Trafford show- down against United, with Robinho definitely out after scans showed the Brazilian has a stress fracture above the ankle. Carlos Tevez is also strug- gling to get over a knee injury in time to face his former club. Hughes said Adebayor should be cut a little bit of slack but a fuming van Persie did not agree. He set out to hurt me and I feel lucky I have not suffered a greater injury, said the Dutchman, who also branded it a mindless and malicious stamp. he added: The contact was only centimetres from my eye. I find it deeply disrespectful. Adebayor also infuriated the away fans when he slid in front of them to celebrate his goal. Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation, criti- cised his actions following fan trouble between West Ham and Millwall. He said: It was a very silly thing to do. Its likely to add to the risk of incidents in the future and does not help eliminate the elements of disorder. The post-match furore overshad- owed Citys fourth straight win keeping them in the top four. Manuel Almunias own-goal had given the hosts a half-time lead but van Persies equaliser triggered a five-goal scoring spree in the final half-hour as Craig Bellamy put City back in front before Adebayor maintained his record of scoring in every league match. Shaun Wright-Phillips added a fourth before Tomas Rosicky grabbed a late consolation for Arsenal. By PHil HowartH Picture: Getty Slide show: adebayor celebrates in front of the arsenal fans and, inset, kicks out at van Persie CARLO ANCELOTTI insists he is unconcerned about bettering former boss Jose Mourinhos starting record, as Chelsea stretched their winning run to five Premier League games. Florent Malouda (pictured) struck deep in stoppage time as Chelsea claimed a last- gasp victory at Stoke to cement their place at the top of the table. But, told he had a better opening spell than Mourinho, the Italian said: It is not a battle against Mourinho, it was a battle against Stoke. We got what we deserved because we tried to attack all the time. To be top of the league is very important. We have good confidence in our play and a very good atmosphere in the dressing room. We played well I dont think we were lucky, we just play until the last minute, he added. Ancelotti cool on record start Giggs, man for all seasons RYAN GIGGS is determined to remain central to Manchester Uniteds cause after extending his own piece of Premier League history in Saturdays impressive 3-1 win at Tottenham. The 35-year-old maintained his record of scoring in every season since the creation of the Premier League by curling in the champions equaliser from a free- kick. Jermain Defoe had given the hosts a first-minute lead but further goals from Anderson and Wayne Rooney sealed Uniteds triumph. Giggs could score his 150th goal for the club against Manchester City next Sunday, but is not expected to play in tomorrows Champions League tie at Besiktas. The Welshman will not enjoy the rest however, insisting he is desperate not to become a peripheral figure at Old Trafford, despite his advancing years. Im proud I have scored in every Premier League season but hopefully that is not it, he said. I dont want it to be my [only] goal for the season. I dont score as many as I used to but I try and score some important ones. This was probably one of them. It gives you confidence when you come to a place like Spurs and get a result. ryan mighty: Giggs curls home the equaliser on Saturday index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html