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2 vs 5
Played
May 9, 2011 3:00 PM EDT
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 Rodriguez hat-trick and goals from Kuyt and Suarez

By Andrew Kennedy at Craven Cottage

Mark Schwarzer
8
27
2.0

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

Carlos Amoldo Salcido
5
23
2.0

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
5
16
2.0

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

Aaron Hughes
4
14
2.5

A performance in a similar vein to his fellow center 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
3
14
1.5

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 fullback completely failed to mark the Argentine as he slotted home his second.

Clint Dempsey
22
21
2.5

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
3
13
2.0

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
5
13
2.5

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
Flop of the Match
6
15
2.5

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 halftime.

Moussa Dembele
10
11
2.5

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
4
19
2.0

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
8
8
2.5

Replaced Simon Davies at halftime. 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
5
10
2.5

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

José Reina Paez
78
6
3.0

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

Glen Johnson
105
4
4.0

Fantastic display from the England man, returning to his favored 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
84
6
3.5

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
82
9
3.5

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
77
5
3.0

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
75
5
3.0

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
78
13
3.0

Some great distribution from the Brazilian. 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 t times.

Jay Spearing
88
3
3.5

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

Maxi Rodríguez
Top of the Match
175
3
4.0

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
208
7
4.0

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

Dirk Kuyt
111
2
3.5

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
60
9
3.0

Replaced Rodriguez with 10 minutes to play.

Jonjo Shelvey
77
7
3.0

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
Arsenal
30 2
Wayne Rooney Wayne Rooney
Striker
Man United
27 6
Kun Agüero Kun Agüero
Striker
Man City
23 3
Aiyegbeni Yakubu Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker
Blackburn Rovers
17 4
Emmanuel Adebayor Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker
Tottenham
17 3