LONDON. Apr 3: Sir Stanley Matthews. who hel-|ei destroy Bolton Wanderers in the "Matthews Cup

final of 1953. played a small part In their downfall again on Sunday as Wanderers succumbed to another virtuoso performance in the English League Cup final, reports Reuter.

This time Wanderers were effectively beaten by 23-year-okl England midfielder Steve McMmimnan. whose two solo goal ■ .■ i iixiol a 2 I vic-

tory over the First Division side at Wembley.

Forty-two years ago. Matthews, "the wizard of the dribble." now 80 and the guest of honour on Sunday, weaved his magic to set up a hattrick for Stan Mortensen as his Blackpool side beat Bolton 4-3 in that cup final.

And after being voted man of the match for the way he destroyed Bolton on Sunday. ' McManaman revealed: "Before the game Sir Stanley told me he liked the way 1 dribbled. Coming from him that was

quite a compliment. It inspired me. I knew it was going to be a special afternoon.

Matthews must have been taken back to his own heyday as he watched McManaman score on two outstanding individual efforts, one in each half, to give Liverpool their first trophy in three years and a place In next season's UEFA Cup.

McManaman. who played In Liverpool's last trophy-winning side which won the FA Cup in 1992. said although that was also a great occasion. Sunday's victory surpassed it for him.

"Today was better then 1992. We started the season with people writing us off bui we have won a major trophy and are back in Europe. It was a fantastic day."

Sir Stanley was not the only man singing the lanky youngster's praises.

Liverpool manager Roy Evans lauded him for the way he took both goals, but added: "Apart from Steve, we did not play all that well today. But overall we deserved to win.

"It was Steve's game. Any player who scores two great goals in a Wembley final... well, it's very special."

MeManaman was at the heart of almost everything Liverpool created, roaming free on Wembley's open spaces to lease Bolton this way and that.

He is also at the heart of a revival under Evans, who took over as manager 14 months ago.

Whether a new dynasty is taking shape to rival Liverpool's great teams of the past is still uncertain.

But with McManaman coming of age in a footballing sense, and with Europe about lo witness his sublime skills in next season's UEFA Cup. the jury may be leaning in Liverpool's favour.

"It is idealistic to think this Is the start of a new run." said Evans cautiously. "But the signs are all good."-