Fulham lost 2-0 to Liverpool on Saturday to put a dent in their hopes of staying in the Premier League.

Before the game, most of the focus was on who Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez would pick, after he controversially fielded a weakened Liverpool team in the same fixture last season.

He did, however, field a strong team, even though Steven Gerrard was not in the 16 and Fernando Torres was on the bench.

There was a feeling around Craven Cottage among many Fulham fans that this was a must-win game; and the Fulham team seemed to have this same idea, starting the brighter team.

Despite having the lion's share of the opening possession, Fulham were unable to turn any of it into a clear cut chance.

Liverpool, on the other hand, did look threatening when they attacked, and Peter Crouch headed a Jermaine Pennant cross just wide.

Pennant was looking the most threatening player on the pitch, and he gave Liverpool the lead with 16 minutes gone, when he latched onto the end of a Lucas pass, before smashing the ball into the top of the net past the stationary Kasey Keller.

This goal changed the dynamics of the match, with Liverpool taking control of the match, and John Arne Riise's long range shot flew just wide.

Nevertheless, Fulham were still creating chances, and Brede Hangeland almost scored an equaliser when his header narrowly missed the target.

Fulham's best chance of an equaliser in the first half fell to Brian McBride, who failed to make clean contact with the ball after finding himself one on one with José Reina.

After a quiet opening to the second half, a Simon Davies cross opened up the Liverpool defence, but a stretching McBride was unable to make any contact.

Fulham started to find the belief they had in the first half, creating numerous chances, with Clint Dempsey heading just wide from a David Healy cross.

However, as in the first half, Liverpool scored while Fulham were the better team.

Danny Murphy lost possession in the middle of the pitch and Jermaine Pennant put Peter Crouch through to fire into the Fulham goal with just over 20 minutes left.

As with the first goal, Keller will be disappointed with his role in the goal, as Crouch's shot went under him.

Minutes later, Fulham's best chance fell to Murphy, but despite breaking beyond Liverpool's defence, he was unable to place his shot past Reina.

Liverpool took control of the game after this moment, and despite late efforts from Leon Andreasen and Clint Dempsey, Fulham were unable to score even a consolation and left Craven Cottage dejected, with the Bolton win all but condemning Fulham to relegation.

Fulham: Keller 4, Stalteri 6, Hughes 5, Hangeland 6, Konchesky 5, Davies 5, Bullard 5, Murphy 4 (Andreasen 78, 6), Dempsey 7, HEALY 7 (Nevland 76, 5), McBride 5 (Kamara 81, 5)

Liverpool: Reina 7, Finnan 7, Skrtel 7, Hyypia 6 (Carragher 46, 7), Riise 7, PENNANT 8, Lucas 7, Mascherano 6 (Alonso 72, 6), Benayoun 6, Voronin 5 (Aurelio 82, 6), Crouch 7

Man of the Match: Jermaine Pennant (Liverpool).

8:56am Monday 21st April 2008

Print   Email this