ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Fulham 1
Liverpool 2
LONDON • Liverpool usurped Manchester City to take top spot in the Premier League, but needed a James Milner penalty nine minutes from time to see off lowly Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage yesterday.
The in-form Sadio Mane put the visitors in front midway through the first half, but a rare defensive mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker allowed Ryan Babel to give his former club a huge scare 16 minutes from time.
Fulham's awful defending all season is the reason they are heading back to the Championship after just one season back in the top flight, and the hosts gave Jurgen Klopp's men a much-needed gift when goalkeeper Sergio Rico bundled over Mane and Milner secured all three points from the spot.
Most of their attacking threat came down their left side in the first half and that proved the source of the breakthrough on 26 minutes.
Mane took his hot streak to 11 goals in 11 games with a simple finish after exchanging passes with Roberto Firmino.
At the other end, Babel was Fulham's biggest threat all afternoon and Tom Cairney fired wastefully over after he outpaced Trent Alexander-Arnold before the break.
The Reds started the second half with greater intent to try and put the game to bed.
SPOT ON
We made it difficult for ourselves; we weren't calm enough on the ball, and then my mistake made it even more exciting.
VIRGIL VAN DIJK, Liverpool defender, on his miscommunication with goalkeeper Alisson which led to Fulham's equaliser.
However, as a torrential rain shower swept over the banks of the Thames to make playing conditions hazardous, Liverpool's slender lead proved a dangerous one.
While Mane was inches away from doubling his tally for the day with a deft header from a corner that clipped the top of the crossbar, disaster seemed to have struck for Liverpool when van Dijk's header back towards Alisson did not have enough pace and Babel nipped in to tap into an empty net.
However, the league leaders showed why they are in the running to end a 29-year title drought to get a vital three points with the help of some erratic goalkeeping from Rico.
Mohamed Salah's goal drought continued with just one strike in his last 10 games, but it was his shot that Rico spilled before the Spaniard unnecessarily pulled down Mane.
Milner took responsibility from the penalty spot and calmly sent Rico the wrong way to restore Liverpool's lead nine minutes from time, and this time they never looked like throwing it away.
The Reds now hold a two-point lead over Pep Guardiola's side, but the champions have a game in hand.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
LONDON: Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has warned Maurizio Sarri he must be given a more important role next season if the Blues boss wants him to stay at Stamford Bridge. Giroud has been largely
France star demands 'more important' role with Chelsea
Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel says it will be 'super difficult' for Neymar to be fit for their Champions League tie against Manchester United next month. The Brazilian superstar suffered a fractured metatarsal against Strasbourg in the French Cup on Wednesday night.
UEFA Champions League: 'Super difficult' for Neymar to be fit
MILAN (Reuters) - Former European Cup winners AC Milan endured a bittersweet 3-2 win at SPAL in the last round of the Serie A, finishing the campaign outside the top four after their nearest rivals both booked their Champions League berths on Sunday. The result left Milan fifth on 68 points, one
UPDATE 1-Soccer-AC Milan miss out on top-four finish despite
Football: Sacked Puel says it was an 'honour' to manage Leicester and work for late owner Vichai Claude Puel's 16-month reign came to an end after the 4-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace on Feb 23
Sacked Puel says an 'honour' to manage Leicester
Report Ad
Free Shipping Available. Buy on eBay. Money Back Guarantee!
Pochettino defiant as poor Tottenham form continues - Premier
Please like, subsrcibe and comment! This video is unavailable. Watch Queue Queue
Anthony Martial #11 News, Stats, Photos - Manchester United
Is Jose Mourinho delivering on promises in his second Chelsea spell? A team who could develop together similar to the lines of his erstwhile rivals Barcelona. He certainly looked like a man on
Neymar to miss United tie after being ruled out for 10 weeks tie against Manchester United after the French club confirmed on Wednesday that the world's most expensive player would be out for
Neymar to miss United tie after being ruled out for 10 weeks
England captain Kane wants to end career as NFL kicker
Spurs need to 'believe', Football News & Top Stories - The
Former England star Wayne Rooney scored three goals on Saturday night to lead DC United to a crushing 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Rooney registered his first three goals of the new season and
Rooney Bags First MLS Hat-trick in D.C. Romp - News18
Mauricio Pochettino urges Spurs to fight for title and Champions League Description: The pair will now be fresh for Tuesday's crucial Champions League trip to Catalonia with Spurs needing to win at the Camp Nou to guarantee progress to the last 16.
Pochettino says destiny has rewarded Spurs after Champions
Aug 24, 2011 · Tottenham Hotspur poised to receive £8.5m from Boris Johnson This article is more than 7 years old London mayor offering football club financial assistance to revamp their stadium and help
Why West Ham, Not Tottenham, Are Poised to Be London's Next
0 comments:
Post a Comment