Fulham 3-1 Liverpool: Cottagers Stun Nine-Man Reds

Rafael Benitez's side ransacked at Craven Cottage.

Oct 31, 2009 12:50:45 PM

EPL: Jamie Carragher - Diomansy Kamara, Fulham v Liverpool (Getty Images)

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EPL: Jamie Carragher - Diomansy Kamara, Fulham v Liverpool (Getty Images)

Erik Nevland scored the decisive goal as Fulham defeated Liverpool 3-1 at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

Liverpool dominated possession in the first half but it was Fulham that took the lead as Bobby Zamora tapped in a mishit shot by Damien Duff. Fernando Torres equalised for the visitors with a fantastic volley from 20 yards just before half-time before substitute Erik Nevland put the Cottagers back in the lead in the second half.

Things went from bad to worse for the Reds as Philipp Degen was sent off with 11 minutes left to play. It then turned into a catastrophe as Jamie Carragher was shown red two minutes later for a challenge on Zamora before Clint Dempsey delivered a hammer blow in the 88th minute.

The Reds almost found an opening goal in the 19th minute. Dirk Kuyt smashed a low cross along the six yard box as Torres dived to make a connection with the ball. The Spaniard came agonisingly close to getting a touch but couldn't quite get there.

A cross from Philipp Degen on the right found Yossi Benayoun at the back post. The Israeli international controlled well and hit the ball on the bounce, rattling the crossbar with his shot. Liverpool had a follow-up strike but it hit a crowd of players and came to nothing.

Fulham sprang on the break as Diomansy Kamara played the ball to Damien Duff on the left. The Irish international attempted a shot towards the far corner but didn't make a great connection, dragging it slightly. Fortunately it was straight into the path of Zamora who had ghosted in at the back post. He made no mistake, slotting the ball into the net from close range, 1-0 to Fulham.

Silent Assassin | Zamora keeps Liverpool quiet

The Cottagers' goal was against the run of play and it rocked Liverpool who found it hard to break down a resolute Fulham defence from this point.

Liverpool equalised just before half-time through Spanish striker Fernando Torres. It was sloppy defending by Fulham who failed to clear a weak header by Andriy Voronin. The ball fell to 'El Nino' on the edge of the box who rifled a wonderful right-footed volley beyond Mark Schwarzer into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal.

Roy Hodgson made two changes for the second half, bringing on Erik Nevland and Zoltan Gera to replace Kamara and Duff.

Fulham had a claim for a penalty on the hour mark when Zamora, chasing a long ball forward, had Jamie Carragher on his heels. The Liverpool skipper eased the English forward out of it but then appeared to drag Zamora down as the ball ran through to Pepe Reina.

Rafael Benitez made a curious change minutes later, deciding to withdraw Torres and replace him with Ryan Babel. The Spaniard didn't look impressed as his number was raised.

Zamora was involved again for Fulham, creating space for himself on the edge of the box. His shot flew over the crossbar but it was good forward play by the Englishman.

Liverpool conceded minutes later following sloppy play by Kuyt. The Dutchman tried to prevent a throw-in and was caught out by Paul Konchesky, the Englishman pinched the ball and attacked the by-line before floating a cross towards the back post. The substitutes combined as Gera headed the ball back across goal and Nevland flicked the ball past Reina and into the back of the net, 2-1 to Fulham.

Shell-shocked | Benitez can hardly believe his eyes

Degen was shown red in the 79th minute after a lunging tackle on Clint Dempsey. Minutes later and Carragher was also given his marching orders, the Liverpool captain got on the wrong side of Zamora and clearly hauled down the Fulham forward as he bore down on goal.

Fulham took full advantage of the numerical advantage as they ripped through the remnants of the Liverpool defence. Nevland broke at the Reds and threaded a beautiful pass to Dempsey in the left-hand side of the penalty area. The American held his nerve and smashed the ball into the bottom left-hand corner beyond a hapless Reina.

Owen Watson, Goal.com

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