Fulham 0 Liverpool 2
Fulham saw that it was not just over the Seine that the Tricolore was flying
proudly last night. The French were also having a serious impact on association
football down by the Thames, too. Though it may have been Luis Saha and Steed
Malbranque among Fulham's six French players who caught the eye and demonstrated
just how much the Londoners have progressed in their first season, it was a goal
from that mercurial son of Gaul, Nicolas Anelka, which effectively won this contest
between two French-managed clubs.
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Fulham striker Steve Marlet goes close at the end
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Jari Litmanen's late second goal merely calmed any added-time nerves that Liverpool
may have suffered as Phil Thompson's men recorded a 10th away victory which propelled
them to within a point of the top two.
With Michael Owen rested on the bench, Anelka was the focus for Liverpool's limited
attacking forays and, apart from his 12th-minute goal, was a constant distraction
to the home rearguard. "He's getting sharper all the time," Thompson
acknowledged. "We all know about his skills, but his work rate was very high.
The lad has been an absolute gem since he joined us. He has a special gift and
I'm always excited when I see him one-on-one with people. His goal was very special."
It was certainly a neat piece of improvisation, although it came after an adventurous
Fulham, their attack led by Saha and Steve Marlet, and with Luis Boa Morte and
Malbranque willing and swift-running accomplices, had taken the early initiative.
In virtually Liverpool's first assault, the former Arsenal man, who is on loan
from Paris St-Germain, attempted a right-footed effort from the edge of the area.
It struck Rufus Brevett on the foot and while Fulham reacted hesitatingly the
ball obligingly returned to Anelka, who opted for his left foot and curled a crafty
effort into the far corner. It was the Frenchman's second Premiership goal, following
his first in last Sunday's Liverpool derby.
Thereafter, this was an encounter that Fulham, spirited in their tackling and
studious in their build-ups, might easily have won. But they failed, as so often
this season, because they do not possess sufficient quality in their finishing.
Fulham supporters were asked to vote for their man of the match by mobile phone
and duly awarded the honour to Saha. How the fans must have yearned for the chance
to vote for Anelka as several opportunities went begging.
Fulham's assistant manager, Christian Damiano, admitted: "We had four or
five good chances and the goalkeeper was fantastic. But that's typical of our
season. We need to have more power up front."
Liverpool, of course, have hardly been deficient in that department. They had
scored 10 goals in their two previous Premiership away games and, by comparison,
this was a sluggish, uninspiring performance. But then Thompson's team had undergone
a radical transition in cultures as they moved from the torrid atmosphere of Galatasaray
to the gentility of west London.
It may have been overstating a point to describe this as a victory of pragmatism,
but if Liverpool can manage to secure the points on an afternoon when they are
manifestly below their best, it bodes well for their championship chances. On
such occasions they lean heavily on such figures as Sami Hyypia and Stéphane
Henchoz. The centre-back pairing was a picture of authority throughout.
John Arne Riise was also prominent among the Liverpool rearguard, and the Fulham
regulars took great delight in having the chance to vent their disapproval at
the Norwegian who had opted for Anfield rather than here last summer. It must
be a decision he regrets now...
After Anelka's goal, Fulham responded with style and were rewarded with not a
little misfortune. Saha's sweet volley hit the bar. Then Marlet was thwarted only
by an impeccable challenge from Henchoz, who sustained a nasty cut in the process.
| Match
Stats |
Fulham |
Liverpool |
| Goal
attempts |
11 |
10 |
| On
Target |
5 |
4 |
| Hit
woodwork |
1 |
0 |
| Fouls |
13 |
14 |
| Offsides |
0 |
3 |
| Corners |
9 |
3 |
| Yellows |
3 |
2 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source:
www.sports.com |
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Liverpool appeared vulnerable and Saha set up Boa Morte, but the Portuguese striker
scooped the chance over the bar. There have been questions asked about Saha's
ability to transfer his First Division prowess to the Premiership, but in the
first half he was the bane of the Liverpool back four, and after one powerful
run into the area was only denied by Jerzy Dudek, who had come in for the England
under-21 international Chris Kirkland.
Soon after the interval, Boa Morte was cautioned for diving, joining Fulham's
Sylvain Legwinski and Brevett, together with Liverpool's Stephen Wright and Hyypia
in the referee's notebook.
Increasingly, the visitors threatened on the counter- attack and Danny Murphy
forced a fine save from Edwin van der Sar before setting up Anelka, who, from
an acute angle, buried his shot in the crowd. In between, Marlet directed a header
narrowly wide.
Fulham's manager, Jean Tigana, brought on Barry Hayles for Boa Morte, while Thompson
replaced Vladimir Smicer with Nick Barmby. It was the England man's first appearance
after a lengthy absence. Anelka created a chance for Heskey, who failed to trouble
Van der Sar, before making way for Litmanen.
In the closing minutes, Legwinski prised an opening for Marlet, but the striker
dragged his effort wide of the far post. As the Frenchman was still wondering
how he had missed, Abel Xavier cleared the ball down the flank. Van der Sar, well
out of his area, challenged Litmanen but the little Finn eluded him before sliding
the ball into an unprotected net. Some Finn. Some finish. Yesterday, that was
the deciding factor.
Fulham:
Van der Sar, Finnan, Goma, Ouaddou, Brevett, Legwinski, Malbranque, Davis
(Clark 25), Saha, Marlet, Boa Morte (Hayles 66), Clark (Collins 76).
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Melville.
Booked: Legwinski,(F, 42) Brevett(F, 45), Boa Morte(UB, 48).
Liverpool:
Dudek, Xavier, Hyypia, Henchoz, Wright, Smicer (Barmby 71), Hamann, Murphy,
Riise, Anelka (Litmanen 80), Heskey.
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, McAllister, Owen.
Booked: Wright, Hyypia.
Goals: Anelka 13, Litmanen 90.
Att: 21,103 Ref: A Wiley (Burntwood).