Match Reports
Fulham 0-2 Liverpool Liverpool continued their recent unbeaten league form with a valuable win at Craven Cottage today. In an evenly matched first half, it was Fulham who struck the first shot of the game, but Luis Boa Morte failed to trouble the returning Jerzy Dudek with a long range shot. Liverpool did far better with their first chance though and took the lead with 12 minutes played. After the ball to Anelka at the edge of the area, the Frenchman curled a brilliant shot across Van der Sar which landed in the bottom corner of the net. Fulham looked lively throughout the game and almost drew level soon after going behind when Saha sees his 25 yard attempt on goal crash onto the top of the bar with Dudek beaten. The Cottagers were even closer to scoring just a minute later when Marlet rushed through on goal to meet a long pass which Hyypia couldnt deal with. Stephane Henchoz did mange to get his foot to the ball however, making a tremendous saving challenge in the penalty area and suffering a painful looking gash to the leg as Marlet caught Henchoz with his studs. Henchoz was able to return to the action after a couple of minutes of treatment on the touchline. The second half also saw both sides creating good chances for themselves and the result really wasnt certain until the last minute. Hyypia bravely blocked a shot by Clark early in the half, and Murphy was unlucky not to double Liverpool's advantage after watching Van der Sar save a shot which was curling towards goal. A couple of changes by Phil Thompson saw Nick Barmby and Jari Litmanen brought on within ten minutes of each other, replacing Smicer and Anelka respectively, and it was again Litmanen who made a vital contribution to the score, but not before Fulham had come close yet again, through Steve Marlet. In the last minute though, Edwin Van de Sar was caught out of his goal and a long ball by Abel Xavier was nodded past the big 'keeper by Litmanen, who cooly put the ball in the net to make it 2-0. The win moves Liverpool into second place with Newcastle playing Arsenal in the evening match, and Man United playing away to Derby tomorrow.
|