Tweet
These days, allowing five goals against you at home is not what you normally see at Craven Cottage. But it happened as Liverpool completely outplayed Fulham – their passing quick, their players comfortable on the ball and their finishing expert. Now the only thing for Fulham is to move one, learn from it and try to remember how to defend again.
Fulham’s defensive line was all over the place. In the first half they could handle neither Luis Suarez or Glen Johnson down each wing. Liverpool’s first two goals came as a result of punts from near the halfway line for Liverpool players to collect and run into the Fulham box, cut the ball across and for another Liverpool player to slot the ball into the net.
Mark Schwarzer had a poor game also. Liverpool’s third goal looked savable. Dirk Kuyt beat Salcido and took his chance with a direct shot. The ball went straight towards Schwarzer but, perhaps because the shot was so direct, palmed it into the net.
Fulham needed to regroup. Clint Dempsey had a shot cleared off the line – they were 3-nil down but gaining a number of corner kicks with some good chances – their approach play wasn’t too far from clawing back a goal. Perhaps one goal could spur on a comeback.
Well, it seemed like the slim chance of a comeback was possible at the start of the second half. Bobby Zamora came on for Simon Davies. Fulham started to play better with their passing more controlled. It was rewarded with a fine goal. Chris Baird passed it into the box for Bobby Zamora to lay it off to Moussa Dembele who placed it coolly past Pepe Reina. Game on.
Until…until Maxi scored a ferocious drive past Schwarzer. Game on? Game over.
And then, Suarez made it 5-1 to Liverpool. He deserved a goal as he was Liverpool’s main threat going forward and continually beat Carlos Salcido throughout the game. Jonjo Shelvey played a through ball to Suarez who took it round Schwazer to slot it in in-front of a jubilant Liverpool away crowd.
As the game wound down, Danny Murphy crossed the ball into the Liverpool box. They cleared the ball but it fell to Steve Sidwell who then superbly half-volleyed it in for a late consolation and one which should be a contender for goal of the month. Sidwell got a pat on the head from Murphy but he didn’t celebrate – his face only showed disappointment as he walked back to his own half.
Disappointment – a word that sums up the performance. Not just for the scoreline but for the performance. Defending, goalkeeping and attacking were all poor. Even tackling at times was just out of character. Perhaps it was due to frustration but Fulham’s tackling was at times simply uncalled for. One that summed up this frustration was Baird’s harsh tackle on Kuyt by the touchline, which on another night may have been a red card offence. If Fulham are to qualify for the Europa League through Fair Play then tonight’s performance didn’t do much justice.
Category: match report
Tags: match report, Team NewsTweet « Match Preview: Liverpool (h) | Home |
Leave a ReplyIf you have not commented here before, please take a moment to peruse our
Commenting Guidelines. -->
Name (required)
Mail (will not be published) (required)
Website
Follow Us
Harry Redknapp, England manager? (Awful writing) Is It Too Early to Get Excited About Sturridge? Denmark 1 - 2 England (Via Hamlet) more news... Search The Offside
Related LinksFulham JerseysFulham TicketsHotels near Craven CottagePremier League Fantasy Game
Categories Andy JohnsonBobby ZamoraBrede HangelandBrian McBrideCarling CupCarlos SalcidoChris BairdClint DempseyDamien DuffDanny MurphyDavid StockdaleDiomansy KamaraEddie JohnsonEnglish Premier LeagueEuropa LeagueFA CupGael KakutaGeneralLoanersLoansMark HughesMark SchwarzerMatch Previewmatch reportMatthew BriggsMoussa DembéléOff TopicOpinionPlayer AcquisitionsPlayer NewsPodcastRelegationReserve NewsSteve SidwellTeam NewsTransfersZoltan Gera
Send Your Tips! Found a great story, photo or video that's perfect for The Offside?
Email fulham[at]theoffside[dot]com
Archives Select Archive Month May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007
About The Offside | Advertise on The Offside | Privacy Policy
Top Content: Football Match Tickets | Football Kits for Sale | English Premier League | Italian Serie A | Spanish La Liga | German Bundesliga | French Ligue 1 | Major League Soccer | Europa League Groups | Champions League Groups | Travel to Europe for the Champions League | UEFA Champions League Tickets | FIFA World Rankings | Noticias de Futbol
Related information: Betting on Football | Travel to a Football Match | The DA - Football Humor | International Flights | Cheap Hotels Worldwide
© BootsnAll Travel Network - All rights reserved
Plan Your Soccer Travels | Soccer TicketsClose X
Home 
World 
Europe English Premier League 
Fulham FC 
StoreTravelScores 
England: PremiershipEngland: ChampionshipEngland: League OneEngland: League TwoEngland: ConferenceFranceGermanyGreeceHollandItaly PolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaScotlandSpainTurkeyUkraineChampions League | Europa LeagueClose X Podcast Powered by podPress (v8.8)
No comments:
Post a Comment