2 vs 5
Played
May 9, 2011 8:00 PM BST
Craven Cottage — London
Referee:‬ L. Mason‎
Attendance:‬ 25693‎
 
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Fulham 2-5 Liverpool

Dominant performance from away side brushes aside west London clubs home record, with Maxi Rodriguez hat-trick and goals from Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez

By Andrew Kennedy at Craven Cottage

  • Mark Schwarzer
    29
    55
    2.00

    Mark Schwarzer

    The Australian had no one other than himself to blame for the third goal, and will certainly have no excuses as he allowed Kuyt’s relatively tame shot from the edge of the box slip through his legs.

  • C. Salcido
    27
    39
    2.00

    C. Salcido

    Lost possession too cheaply at times, and allowed Johnson to cross unchallenged in the build up to Maxi Rodriguez’s second goal of the evening.

  • Brede Hangeland
    17
    47
    2.00

    Brede Hangeland

    Poor performance from the centre-back. Whilst dominating in the air, he struggled throughout with the pace and movement of Suarez who quite frankly ran him ragged.

  • Aaron Hughes
    16
    32
    2.50

    Aaron Hughes

    A performance in a similar vein to his fellow centre-half, as he was routinely caught out by the movement, speed and incisive passing of the Liverpool front line. Caught ball watching at times.

  • Chris Baird
    25
    56
    1.50

    Chris Baird Flop of the Match

    Really poor display from the Northern Ireland man, who was at fault for the first two goals. His slip allowed Suarez room to drive in the build up to Maxi Rodriguez’s first, before the full-back completely failed to mark the Argentine as he slotted home his second.

  • Clint Dempsey
    34
    30
    2.50

    Clint Dempsey

    Certainly the most lively attacking threat from the Fulham team. Was unlucky to have his shot cleared off the line ten minutes before the end of the first half, and at least looked to take the initiative going forward, unlike some of his team mates.

  • Danny Murphy
    24
    27
    2.00

    Danny Murphy

    The Fulham captain looked off the pace as he was outclassed by the Liverpool midfield, with his poor distribution consistently failing to find a team mate.

  • Steve Sidwell
    15
    30
    2.50

    Steve Sidwell

    Lost out in the midfield battle far too easily at times, although he did grow into the game but once the result was inevitable. Rose well in the Liverpool box towards the end of first half, only to see his header easily collected by Reina, before striking the ball beautifully to grab a late consolation.

  • Simon Davies
    14
    27
    2.50

    Simon Davies

    Never really tested the young Liverpool full back Flanagan, although when he did so the wide man was able to provide a decent cross into the box. Replaced by Zamora at half-time.

  • Moussa Dembele
    24
    31
    2.50

    Moussa Dembele

    His partnership with Gudjohnsen looked blunt at best, although Dembele looked more potent than his counterpart up top, creating space well and also slotting home in the second half to give Fulham hopes of a resurgence.

  • Eidur Smari  Gudjohnsen
    9
    39
    2.00

    Eidur Smari Gudjohnsen

    Non-existent performance from the former Chelsea striker, who flattered to deceive throughout and may have his mind on the summer break already. Replaced by Andy Johnson with 25 minutes left to play.

Substitutions

  • B. Zamora
    22
    20
    2.50

    B. Zamora

    Replaced Simon Davies at half time. Strength up front provided an attacking impetus, as he held the ball up well, particularly when teeing up Dembele to grab a goal for the home side.

  • Andy Johnson
    13
    37
    2.50

    Andy Johnson

    Replaced Gudjohnsen 20 minutes into the second half. Relatively quiet and didn't do anything to spark a late revival.

  • José Reina Paez
    216
    9
    3.00

    José Reina Paez

    A quiet evening for the Liverpool No.1, who was rarely called upon by his defence who coped well with what attacking threat Fulham posed and was faultless for both Dembele and Sidwell goals.

  • Glen Johnson
    293
    11
    4.00

    Glen Johnson

    Fantastic display from the England man, returning to his favoured right back position. Provided a superb hanging cross for Maxi Rodriguez’s second goal, and was on hand defensively to block Clint Dempsey’s goal bound effort.

  • Jamie Carragher
    211
    15
    3.50

    Jamie Carragher

    Arguably couldn’t have asked for a more comfortable game to celebrate becoming the club’s second all-time appearance maker, although allowed Dembele too much room as he lined up to take his shot for the Fulham goal.

  • Martin Skrtel
    217
    17
    3.50

    Martin Skrtel

    Solid as ever from the only Liverpool player to feature in every game this season. Was on hand to intervene when necessary, although stood up Zamora too easily in the build-up to Dembele’s second half goal.

  • John Flanagan
    220
    20
    3.00

    John Flanagan

    Solid performance for the young left-back, who nullified Davies and then Dembele well down the flank. Never looked out of his depth.

  • Raúl Meireles
    202
    12
    3.00

    Raúl Meireles

    Did well to hang back just behind the thrust of Liverpool’s attacking play, and was unlucky not to be found from a number of later runs he made into the opposition box. Substituted three minutes into the second half due to injury.

  • Lucas Leiva
    233
    26
    3.00

    Lucas Leiva

    Some great distribution from the Brazilian, who’s divisive through balls to Flanagan and Meireles were wasted by both players respectively. Tendency to take the ball off his own players however did slow play down at times.

  • Jay Spearing
    244
    17
    3.50

    Jay Spearing

    The Youngster put in another solid shift in the centre of midfield, more than holding his own against Sidwell and Murphy.

  • Maxi Rodríguez
    418
    16
    4.00

    Maxi Rodríguez Top of the Match

    Continuing in a rich vein of goal scoring form, the Argentine was well placed to fine the net after 40 seconds of play. Another fine finish followed five minutes later for his second, blasting home from a tight angle. Yet the best was saved for last, with his strike from 25-yards flying past Schwarzer for his third goal of the game, and his second hat-trick in less than a month. Replaced by Cole with 10 minutes to play.

  • Luis Suárez
    537
    13
    4.00

    Luis Suárez

    First class, top drawer, whatever the cliche that was Luis Suarez this evening. The Uruguayan proved a nightmare all game for the Fulham backline, repeatedly getting the better of centre-back Hangeland. Deserved his goal to cap off a fine solo performance.

  • Dirk Kuyt
    301
    12
    3.50

    Dirk Kuyt

    A continuation of the form that has seen the Dutchman keep £35million man out of the starting XI. His strike made it game over and 3-0 after just over fifteen minutes, the goal being his ninth in eight Premier League games.

Substitutions

  • Joe Cole
    147
    33
    3.00

    Joe Cole

    Replaced Rodriguez with 10 minutes to play.

  • Jonjo Shelvey
    204
    30
    3.00

    Jonjo Shelvey

    Replaced Meireles minutes into the first half. Offered little up top, but did track back well and put in a solid shift.

Results
 
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Manchester United
26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool
23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham
21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa
19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City
19 0