Match Reports
CHARLTON 0-4 LIVERPOOL Liverpool made it to the Champions League by finishing in 3rd place thanks to a stunning second half performance to equal their best league win this season! Charlton dominated most of the first half, taking full advantage of a tired Liverpool side but it was Liverpool who worked up most of the earlier chances. Fowler and Owen were involved in a build up that led to the ball finding Berger, who fired wide of the target. After 12 minutes Gerrard had a long range effort, and just a minute later he hit a shot over the bar after a McAllister free kick was blocked. But Charlton then started to take control of the game and went forward at every opportunity, winning a number of corners in the process. Svensson forced Westerweld into a save, Babbel handled in the area but the referee missed it and Svensson then hit the post. Westerweld was then forced into another save from a Charlton free kick, Graeme Stuart blasted the ball over the bar and another Claus Jensen free kick was saved by Westerweld with the ball falling to Stuart who saw the keeper make yet another save. Liverpool were far happier with the result at half time and the results elsewhere were also in Liverpool's favour; Leeds were being held 1-1 by Leicester, and Ipswich trailed to Derby. The second half began with Charlton wishing there had not been a half time interval as Liverpool came out the better side. Liverpool had a penalty appeal turned down when the ball appeared to have hit the arm of Todd. Then, after 54 minutes, Gary McAllister swung a corner into the area which was met by Robbie Fowler who hit an overhead kick into the roof of the net. 1-0 to Liverpool! The Reds started to take control of the game and within five minutes, it was 2-0. Owen played the ball into the feet of substitute Danny Murphy, and Murphy took the shot on his left foot before shooting into the near post with Ilic well beaten. It started to look very comfortable on 71 minutes when Fowler netted his second of the game to put the result completely beyond Charlton. Patrick Berger came close soon after, with a shot the required a good tip over by Ilic and with 10 minutes to go, Owen got his name on the scoresheet by firing a shot across the keeper. The result completes Liverpool's route into the Champions League for the first time! View match pictures from this game!
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