DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Friday, January 26, 2001 - Web posted at 10:12:36 AM GMT

Liverpool blast Palace to reach final

LONDON - Liverpool turned on the style to thrash first division Crystal Palace 5-0 at Anfield on Wednesday for a 6-2 aggregate success and a place in the League Cup final.

Liverpool ripped through the visiting defence with three goals in five first half minutes from Vladimir Smicer, Danny Murphy and Igor Biscan to wipe out their 2-1 first leg deficit.

Murphy added his second after the break and Robbie Fowler, who was outstanding all night, completed the rout a minute from time.

In the night's only Premier League game, a late Ian Harte penalty gave Leeds United a 2-1 win at Aston Villa, the home side's fifth successive league defeat.

At Anfield, Smicer had things moving in the 13th minute when Fowler sent him clear and the Czech calmly slotted past Alex Kolinko.

New signing Jari Litmanen, who again looked sharp throughout, escaped three minutes later and crossed for Murphy to expertly volley in the second.

A clever Fowler back-heel sent Croatian midfielder Biscan scuttling clear for the third after another two minutes.

Veteran midfielder Gary McAllister then rapped a post from 30 metres as Liverpool took total control.

Murphy clipped in his second six minutes into the second half and Litmanen should have made it five but took too many touches.

Palace goalkeeper Kolinko was sent off eight minutes from time for bringing down Fowler but the England striker raised the biggest cheer of the night when he poked in the fifth.

At Villa Park, Harte's spot kick, awarded after Steve Staunton brought down Robbie Keane, settled an uninspiring game between two out-of-form teams mired in mid-table.

Leeds climbed three places to 10th on 32 points while Villa, who have won only once in 11 league games, remained 13th on 29.

Paul Merson smashed in a powerful shot to put Villa ahead after 24 minutes, the team's first goal in five league games.

But the lead lasted only four minutes as Lee Bowyer touched in from close range for the equaliser.

Merson twice hit the woodwork in the last five minutes, but Leeds held out for their third away win of an inconsistent season.

- Nampa-Reuters

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