Liverpool Win First Merseyside Derby of the Season

MILTON KEYNES, England, October 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --

- Gerrard too Strong as Liverpool Win the Match Attax Merseyside Derby

It was cards at the ready in Liverpool, as Steven Gerrard and Tim Howard went head to head in the first Merseyside derby of the season. The pair swapped a grass pitch for a cardboard one, in a game that marked the release of the new Topps Match Attax collection.

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What should have been a tense affair turned into a stroll in the park for Steven Gerrard's team, as they cruised to an 8-3 victory.

Gerrard stormed into an early three goal lead, with Tim Cahill, Robin Van Persie and Bolton's Gary Cahill all on target for the Liverpool star's team. Tim Howard's side quickly hit back through Wayne Rooney as the American international looked to get a foothold in the game.

There was plenty of banter between the two players, who couldn't hide their competitiveness as they battled for control of the game. Gerrard extended his lead through John Terry but Howard's team quickly hit back to make it 4-2.

The comeback was short lived and it was Gerrard himself who put his team in the driving seat, scoring his side's fifth goal of the game. Ashley Young added a sixth giving Gerrard an unassailable 6-2 lead over his Merseyside rival. Vidic and Tevez added the gloss to what was a stunning show of strategy and skill from the Liverpool captain, whose team ran out 8-3 winners.

It was the first time either player had played Topps Match Attax and for Tim Howard it was a real learning experience: "I put Clint (Dempsey) in my team as he's a mate. Friends don't get you anywhere in this game. It's harder than I thought!"

Topps Match Attax, the Official Premier League trading card game, features over 400 cards from all the Premier League clubs and is the best selling collectable trading card game in the UK, with an estimated 1.3 million collectors.

The game involves two players selecting a team of 11 players and 3 substitutes, using attack and defence ratings on the cards to out-score one another. Just like a proper Barclays Premier League match it can become very tactical.

Rod Pearson, Marketing Director at Topps said "As we've seen here today, Match Attax is a fantastic game that's easy to learn but difficult to master. The collection has been a playground phenomenon for three seasons now and continues to be the leading collectable football trading card game in the world."

"It's great to see two top Premier League stars, such as Tim and Steven, playing Match Attax and demonstrating the skill and strategy needed to master this amazing game."

ABOUT TOPPS MATCH ATTAX

Topps Match Attax is the official Premier League trading card game, with 461 cards to collect.

Packets of 6 cards 50p RSP, Starter Packs (Collection Binder, Pitch, 25 cards and exclusive Limited Edition Card) GBP4.99 RSP.

Play Match Attax Live and challenge your friends or take on a Barclays Premier League dream team online*.

*Available to Premium Members who have purchased a GBP3.99 Match Attax Live season ticket (for 2010/11 season), i-code inserts found 1 in every 2 Topps Match Attax packets, when entered gives user 2 virtual packets of Topps Match Attax.

More information about Match Attax is available at http://www.toppsfootball.co.uk/matchattax

SOURCE Topps Europe Ltd