Fulham record historic win over Liverpool
A Martin Skrtel own goal allowed Fulham to record their first ever
top flight league win on Merseyside in 42 attempts as the London club
prevailed 1-0 over Liverpool on Tuesday in their Premier League clash.
The home defeat hardly represented Liverpool's best possible
preparation for Saturday's FA Cup Final date with Chelsea.
In a meeting between two of new England manager Roy Hodgson's most
recent employers, Liverpool's wretched home league form continued as
they failed to record a victory for the 13th time in 18 games. More
alarmingly, Liverpool could also end the season outside the top eight in
the top division of English football for the first time since 1954.
Manager Kenny Dalglish elected to leave four potential Wembley
starters out of his line-up - goalkeeper Pepe Reina, plus Steven Gerrard,
Daniel Agger and Luis Suarez - and his decision looked a costly one when
Fulham took the lead after only five minutes.
From the game's first attack, Clint Dempsey's pass sent former
Liverpool full-back John Arne Riise down the left-hand touchline and his
cross into the six-yard box was met by another former Anfield player
Alex Kacaniklic.
The 20-year-old's mishit shot bounced against Skrtel's legs,
wrong-footing Doni on its way into the net.
Liverpool responded in reasonably impressive fashion, Skrtel quickly
trying to make amends as he headed wide from a Fabio Aurelio free-kick,
although Fulham might have doubled their lead on 15 minutes when Dempsey
threaded through for Pavel Pogrebnyak whose first-time shot was well
parried by Doni.
Maxi Rodriguez collected Dirk Kuyt's lay-off and sent a shot soaring
over the Fulham bar although Andy Carroll was becoming the most
impressive attacking presence in a red shirt.
After 23 minutes, Kuyt latched onto a loose ball after Carroll's
progress was blocked and volleyed inches wide.
Before the half-hour, Mark Schwarzer mis-handled a cross under
pressure from Carroll, allowing Maxi to square the ball for Jonjo
Shelvey whose shot beat the Fulham keeper but not defender Brede
Hangeland who cleared off the line.
Dalglish brought on Stewart Downing and switched to a 4-4-2 formation
at the interval with early second half signs looking promising as
Shelvey volleyed over and Jay Spearing dispossessed Dempsey before
testing Schwarzer with a 20-yard shot which the goalkeeper kept out at
full-stretch.
Hangeland was also required to make an impressive and timely tackle
to halt the progress of Maxi as he surged into the area and bore down on
Schwarzer's goal.
But Fulham began to exploit some of the gaps created by Liverpool's
increasing attacking urgency.
Dempsey headed just wide from Damien Duff's 53rd minute corner,
substitute Kerim Frei created room for himself on the edge of the area
and saw his well-hit shot impressively touched onto the post by Doni.
AFP
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