Peter Crouch hit a superb hat-trick as Liverpool thumped Arsenal 4-1 at Anfield to leapfrog the Londoners to the third place in the Premiership on Saturday. The giant forward scored twice in the first half to give the hosts a deserved lead, before Danish defender Daniel Agger added the third in the second-period. William Gallas pulled one back for the visitors but Crouch was on target again to complete his hat-trick and deprive Arsenal of any comeback chance. Crouch's hat-trick was the first for Liverpool against Arsenal since Robbie Fowler hit his famous five-minute treble in 1994. The victory lifted Liverpool to third place with 57 points, two ahead of fourth-placed Arsenal who still have one game in hand. The Reds approached the game seeking vengeance for their three defeats to the Gunners this season including embarrassing 3-1 and 6-3 defeats at home in the FA and Carling Cups.
The home fans were soon in a state of jubilance when Alvaro Arbeloa and Jermaine Pennant brilliantly combined in the right-flank to give Crouch the opportunity to tap-in Arbeloa's low cross into Jens Lehmann's net after just four minutes. The England striker doubled Liverpool's lead in the 35th minute after he connected with Aurelio's pinpoint cross to out-jump his marker and head into the back of the net. Arsenal produced a sluggish display as they rarely threatened Jose Reina's goal. They were obviously missing their striking duo Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie. Eight minutes into the second half though, Henry's deputy Emmanuel Adebayor was unlucky not to reduce the deficit when his low drive bounced off Reina's post. Agger added the third on the hour mark when he headed in Aurelio's inviting free kick past the helpless Lehmann. French versatile defender Gallas pulled back a scrappy goal for Arsenal in the 73rd minute when he touched Kolo Toure's close-range header from almost on the line into the empty net. Man of the match Crouch was there to say his word again nine minutes from time after he superbly controlled Pennant's cross before skillfully turning Toure and beating Lehmann with a fine finish.
