Liverpool 3 Leeds United 1: Liverpool have apparently been engulfed in despair, with enough criticism spat at Gerard Houllier to leave him drenched and despairing in the dug-out. But those who count have clearly not lost the faith.
"That was a big win for the team but most of all pour le boss," said Florent Sinama-Pongolle. "We owed him that."
The French teenager was expressing the sentiment of the dressing-room, the home players chirpy if relieved with the strut restored to their stride after this dismissal of Leeds. After three successive defeats had dragged his side into the mysterious unfamiliarity of the lower reaches, Houllier can rest a little easier.
It was fitting that those most instrumental in gleaning this success have benefited most from the Frenchman's influence. For all that Michael Owen may have been a slightly reluctant starter after the shin injury which scuppered his chances of playing for England in Istanbul, it was a volley belted with the left foot, work on which his manager has placed so much emphasis, which paved the way to victory.
Danny Murphy arguably owes his career to the faith Houllier has pinned on him, and he re-established Liverpool's lead, albeit with a weak free-kick, after the interval, the goal owing as much to Paul Robinson's inexplicable fumble as to the referee Jeff Winter's overrule of an offside flag.
Sinama-Pongolle, springing from the bench to offer more bite than either Emile Heskey or Owen had provided, beat Zoumana Camara to Dominic Matteo's inadvertent flick and guided in a splendid third.
"We can kick on from here," said the 19-year-old. "We showed that, when the pressure's on, we stick together, stand up and come through. That bodes well for the future. There's still lots to come, but the confidence is there again, everyone's positive and we'll be climbing the table.
"There's been a lot of pressure on us, and on the coach most of all, so it's nice to play my part in relieving that. He's believed in me and helped me, so to make my mark out there for him is hugely satisfying.
"I never thought I'd be playing so soon. The idea was to give me and Anthony Le Tallec about six months getting used to English football, but the number of injuries the club's had meant we were needed. We've done our bit."
In the glimpses they have offered in the Premiership, the pair hint at lavish talent. Houllier admits the club may see the best of them only when he has gone but they should provide a stunning legacy.
Leeds's improvement from the side humiliated by the same score in Peter Reid's first game in charge in March counted for nothing. That they can play this ruggedly yet still slip into the relegation zone is cruel.
Manchester United visit in the League Cup tomorrow before Arsenal arrive at Elland Road on Saturday with the manager's future remaining in as much doubt as Leeds's Premiership place.
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