EL NINO BLOWS

While El Nino's goals against Boro were somewhat scrappy - two of them handed on a plate - all three last night were of the highest order.
His first was one of the sweetest strikes you'll see in the Premiership this season, hitting a Kuyt cross so instinctively, first time, that Green didn't even move.
It reminded me a little of Fowler's strike against Newcastle during one of the famous 4-3s, when I think Mcmanaman or McAteer crosses for God to piledrive the ball home without taking a touch.
His second, following more good work from Kuyt, was far from a regulation header, and was planted with aplomb into the top corner.
(Fair play to Kuyt last night by the way. I've been a strong critic of his, but his link-up play for the first two goals were impressive)
The third summed up the striker's pace, touch and movement perfectly, bamboozling Lucas Neill with one touch before casually stroking the ball into the corner.

It's a strange thing, but Torres has turned out to be a different type of striker to what we presumed we were getting for our £27m.
Speaking to lots of Reds when we signed him, it was thought that the Spaniard would play behind an out-and-out front man.
It seemed he liked to drift out to the wings, often dropped deep to collect the ball, if his performances for Athletico were anything to go by.
The consensus was that Fernando's presence would allow Kuyt to head further up the park, and help the Dutchman become the genuine number 9 that we thought he would be.
The opposite, however, has been the case.
Dirk is the one drifting out wide, and its Torres who is playing on the defender's shoulder like a real centre forward.
It's a long time since we've had a striker at Anfield who has got the lot.
Not since the days of Owen or Fowler in their prime.
And its Torres' attitude, and willingness to fight and take the knocks which has impressed as much as his consummate ability.
With 18 goals in the league, he's only one behind Adebayor, and three behind Ronaldo.
Liverpool haven't had a striker who's bagged 20 in the Prem for a long time, but now we've got one that a team like Liverpool deserves.
After all, there's nothing the Kop loves more than a revered number 9.