Tuesday Fulham Stuff (10.05.11)

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Hughes' Liverpool Reaction


Tuesday 10th May 2011




Speaking in the post-match press conference, Fulham Manager Mark Hughes gave his assessment of the 5-2 defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

"We're disappointed because we didn't really see that performance coming," he said after the game. "We've been excellent in the second half of the season and we were really looking forward to this evening, we really felt that we could ask questions of a very good Liverpool side.

"In fairness we were on the back foot from the first 30 seconds when we conceded. Then it was just a calamity of errors from that point onwards. Being 3-0 down before the quarter of an hour mark makes it really difficult to stick to our game plan.

"We got in at half-time and we had to make a decision – we could protect a 3-0 defeat, which is something I've never done in my career or we can have a real go and try and get back into the game. We might find ourselves a bit exposed but that's the consequence of the situation we found ourselves in.

"We had a go, we got back to 3-1 – then you think there's possibly an opportunity to get back into the game if we'd have got a second. But the key goal for Liverpool, which took the game away from us, was the fourth.

"Then we were just trying to get back and show the effort to our fans, who were great tonight. It was a difficult evening for everyone connected with Fulham but they kept going, kept behind us and in the end we have to hold our hands up – we didn't perform tonight."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/May/HughesLiverpoolReaction.aspx#ixzz1LvLHxsiP

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Fulham 2 - 5 Liverpool



Liverpool got off to a dream start, taking the lead after only 35 seconds with their first attack of the match. The lively Luis Suarez was played into space down Fulham's right flank, enabling him to get into the area and play a low pass across the danger area. Carlos Salcido's interception was only half cleared by Mark Schwarzer and the ball fell kindly for Maxi Rodriguez, who side-footed home from eight yards.

The game had barely settled down before the visitors doubled their lead and Maxi registered his second strike of the game. Carlos Salcido was caught under a lofted ball forward and Glen Johnson was on hand to play a delicate cross to the back post where Maxi was waiting with a clean finish past Schwarzer.

Buoyed by their quick-fire opening, Liverpool continued to dominate the opening exchanges as the Whites fought hard to settle down and establish their natural game.

But just as Mark Hughes' men started to build up a head of steam Liverpool managed to mount a dangerous counter-attack as Suarez was played in behind Brede Hangeland, the Liverpool man fell to ground in the penalty after losing control of the ball – but the referee decided in favour of Fulham, ruling no infringement from the chasing Hangeland.

Liverpool made it three just minutes later with a moment Mark Schwarzer would rather forget. Dirk Kuyt chanced his hand with a speculative shot from the edge of the area which squirmed past the Fulham 'keeper at his near post and trickled into the net.

Liverpool continued to look dangerous as the first-half progressed, and it was through the impressive Luis Suarez that the majority of their best chances were coming. The Uruguayan repeatedly demonstrated an uncanny knack for finding space in Fulham's back line.

Fulham were denied what looked like a certain goal on 33 minutes when Clint Dempsey's volley from Simon Davies' corner was cleared off the line by Glen Johnson. Despite the score line Fulham stayed positive and were looking game for a goal as half-time approached.

Mark Hughes started the second-half with a substitution, replacing Simon Davies with Bobby Zamora. The change saw Mousa Dembele move out to the right flank allowing Zamora to join Gudjohnsen up front.

Fulham certainly looked brighter in attack after the break with good opportunities falling to Dempsey and Gudjohnsen early on. And Zamora's influence brought an almost immediate result as he teed up Mousa Dembele with an opportunity that the Belgium international took with aplomb. The Fulham substitute held off the attentions of his marker before touching the ball to Dembele who placed a left footed finish past Pepe Reina on 57 minutes.

Andrew Johnson Replaced Eidur Gudjohnsen on 67 minutes as Mark Hughes looked to build on Fulham's second-half momentum.

But Liverpool pulled away from the Whites again on 70 minutes with a thunderbolt from Maxi, who completed his hat-trick with a fierce 25 yard drive that flew into the top corner via the fingertips of Mark Schwarzer.

The goals continued to come for Liverpool and Luis Suarez made it five for the visitors on 75 minutes. Jonjo Shelvey won possession in midfield and with Suarez peeling away from the Fulham defence on the far side; the final pass was a simple one. Suarez took a touch to round Schwarzer to side foot the ball home.

With the encounter apparently petering out, Steve Sidwell got his name on the score sheet with a wonderfully taken consolation on 85 minutes. Carlos Salcido's delivery into the box was only cleared as far as Sidwell on the edge of the area, the Fulham midfielder took a touch before hitting an unstoppable strike past Reina.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/1011/Premiership/LiverpoolHome.aspx#ixzz1LvLcAWBC

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/09/fulham-liverpool-premier-league?INTCMP=SRCH


Luis Suárez steals the show as Liverpool thrash Fulham

Comments (308)

Guardian report


Fulham 2 Dembélé 57, Sidwell 86
Liverpool 5 Maxi Rodríguez 1, Maxi Rodríguez 7, Kuyt 16, Maxi Rodríguez 70, Suárez 75


David Hytner at Craven Cottage The Guardian, Tuesday 10 May 2011


Maxi Rodríguez celebrates scoring his and Liverpool's second goal against Fulham. Photograph: Tony O'Brien/Action Images


When Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool play like they did here on the banks of the Thames, the turmoil of the first half of the season can resemble a trick of the mind. Were the club really languishing in 12th place in the Premier League when he took over in January?

There are many differences between then and now, principally in terms of confidence and a feel-good factor. But, perhaps above all, there is Luis Suárez, the £22.7m winter window signing from Ajax. It takes something to eclipse the achievement of a hat-trick from a team-mate and nothing ought to be taken away from Maxi Rodríguez, who was in ruthless mood and reached his personal landmark with a beauty from distance. But Suárez managed it.

He was irrepressible, leaving Fulham's defenders dazed and confused and proving the architect of his club's latest resounding win, which lifted them above Tottenham Hotspur into fifth place and pole position for Europa League qualification. They entertain Spurs at Anfield on Sunday. The transformation under Dalglish has been remarkable and he has taken 33 points from a possible 48. Give the man a permanent contract. But he is not the only Liverpool hero.

"Suárez was fantastic," Dalglish said. "He was running as hard at the end as at the beginning. Even in our wildest dreams we couldn't have thought he'd settle as well as he has done. He has graced the pitch every time he has stepped on it."

Liverpool's resurgence has raised questions about their ability to compete next season. They will not want for motivation, with Manchester United primed to better their haul of 18 league titles. "It's hurtful from our point of view," said the injured captain, Steven Gerrard. "But we are on our way back up and we won't give up the fight to overtake them again. We need to amend the 19-18. We will be doing everything in our power to do that."

Dalglish had started with Suárez as his lone front-man and he was central to much of what Liverpool did. With his slick touch and movement, not to mention his wonderful awareness, it was difficult to take the eyes off him. It was worth remembering that Fulham had kept six clean sheets in seven league fixtures at home since the turn of the year. Suárez helped to bring them to their knees.

It was the Uruguayan who set up the first for Rodríguez, who scored after 32 seconds and now has seven goals in three matches. Played through by Lucas Leiva, Suárez cut back a low cross which squirted off Carlos Salcido and forced Mark Schwarzer into an improvised save with his feet. The ball reached to Rodríguez, who dispatched it low into the far corner.

Rodríguez scored his second when a ball over the top by the impressive Lucas released Glen Johnson, who dug out a cross to the far post where Rodríguez's left-footed volley was true. Fulham's misery was deepened on 16 minutes when Schwarzer, embarrassingly, allowed a tame shot from Dirk Kuyt to wriggle underneath him.

Hughes went for the jugular in the second half, sending on Bobby Zamora up front. There was greater urgency about their play. With Liverpool content to strike on the counter, Fulham flickered. Clint Dempsey, who had seen a first-half volley cleared off the line by Johnson, went close before Moussa Dembélé curled a lovely low shot beyond Pepe Reina. The home crowd crackled to life and allowed themselves to dream outlandish dreams.

But this was not a night for Fulham to take too many positives and Rodríguez deflated the mood with his hat-trick goal; a right-footed blast out of nothing. Suárez then got the goal that he deserved. He danced on to the substitute Jonjo Shelvey's pass and around Schwarzer to finish in one sumptuous movement.

The home team's frustration was reflected by Chris Baird, who appeared to flick a V-sign at the referee, LeeMason, after he was booked for a foul on Kuyt. Steve Sidwell's late rocket was negligible consolation. Liverpool are on the march.

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Fulham v Liverpool Match facts

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/match/2011/may/09/fulham-v-liverpool

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/09/chelsea-contenders-runners-riders?INTCMP=SRCH


Who's next at Chelsea? How the contenders compare

We run the rule over the runners and riders who could be in contention to manage Chelsea if Carlo Ancelotti is sacked


guardian.co.uk, Monday 9 May 2011 22.11 BST


Mark Hughes
Is he available?

Contracted at Fulham until the end of next season but said last week he was keen to discuss a new deal

What's his style?

Attritional. Route one approach at Wales and Blackburn was unloved at Manchester City and his reign ended after less than 18 months

Would Roman approve?

Hughes's penchant for wingers would go down well but in general he would need to produce a more expansive game to satisfy Abramovich

Has he worked for an Abramovich type?

City's owners in Abu Dhabi demanded success in the Abramovich mould and Hughes's desire for patience got short shrift from them

Can he generate immediate success?

Wales and Blackburn were transformed under Hughes but the teams took time to build. At City progress was steady rather than spectacular. After 12 years in management he has yet to win a trophy

What are his chances of getting the job?

Ex-players are always popular but his turbulent City experience could count against him

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/7944316/Fulham-2-Liverpool-5-match-report.html


Fulham 2 Liverpool 5: match report

Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage on Monday May 9 2011.
      

FULHAM 2 - 5 LIVERPOOL Monday, May 09 20:00
Premier League
Craven CottageDembélé (57)Sidwell (86) (HT 0-3)
ATT: 25,693 Maxi Rodríguez (1, 7, 70)Kuyt (16)Suárez (75)


Taking it to the max: Maxi Rodriguez celebrates after scoring a superb hat-trick as Liverpool thrashed Fulham 5-2 at Craven Cottage


Photo: PA By Henry Winter 11:25PM BST 09 May 2011

13 Comments

Their place on the perch may now be history but Liverpool rolled back the years on Monday night, playing with a hunger, intelligence and devastating simplicity of movement to shred Fulham's good home record. In Luis Suarez, Liverpool boasted a strong, quicksilver attacker who could have graced their great sides.

Inspired by Suarez, Kenny Dalglish's vibrant side rose to fifth in the Premier League, raising hope of a challenge to Manchester United next season. "United are our rivals, our competitors but they get our respect,'' said Dalglish. "They set the standards we've got to get to."

Dalglish, typically, played down any talk of title credentials, even of whether this was Liverpool's best performance under his caretakership. "It was our best performance today,'' he deadpanned. But the timing was good, the significance inescapable; an important result and dynamic display came the day after United had moved within touching distance of a record 19th title.

"It's hurtful from our point of view because we held the record for so long,'' said Steven Gerrard in the Sky studio. "But you have to give credit where it's due - they've overtaken us for the time being but the good thing from our point of view is we are on our way back up and we won't give up the fight to overtake them again - don't worry about that.

"That is the motivation - to know your bitter rivals have just overtaken you on league titles. We can still boast about the European Cups of course but we need to amend the 19-18. Myself and everyone else will be doing everything in our power to do that."

What should particularly encourage Liverpool fans is that they achieved this emphatic win with Gerrard injured and Andy Carroll nursing a bruised knee, although Dalglish said he "would be OK" to face Spurs on Sunday. Liverpool did not miss the pair. They didn't miss much in front of goal.

Maxi Rodriguez hit a hat-trick, the third goal a real gem. Dirk Kuyt also scored but the eye kept being drawn back to Suarez. The Uruguayan played up front with Liverpool's fast-moving, fluid midfield quickly joining him. He showed real strength in holding up the ball or wriggling past markers. His goal was also superb, brimming with touch and confidence as he rounded a shellshocked Mark Schwarzer.

"Suarez was fantastic, running as hard at the end as at the beginning, said Dalglish, who knows a bit about the Liverpool No 7 shirt. "Even in our wildest dreams we couldn't have thought he'd settle in as well as he has done. He's graced the pitch every time he's stepped on it." His Fulham counterpart was understandably frustrated. "Liverpool are a very good team,'' said Mark Hughes, "but we made them look better than they are.

To be 3-0 down after 15 minutes was not what we were expecting after the way we have played in recent months. That was a real body blow and it affected us - it sapped the confidence out of us. We were desperate to get in at half-time and make it clear to the players that the performance was not acceptable."

To the delight of the visiting fans soon partying in the Putney End, Liverpool produced echoes of their famous style under Dalglish more than two decades ago. Old principles like pass and move, constant pressing, and relentless application were all on show. The movement was exceptional, Fulham having no answer to the fluidity of Dalglish's five-man midfield.

Raul Meireles, Kuyt and Maxi kept racing forward. Lucas and Jay Spearing were also terrific, sitting deeper but delivering some masterful forward passes.

Up top, Suarez was unplayable, twisting the Fulham defence this way and that, darting with the ball constantly towards the Hammersmith End.

Michael Jackson's statue showed more mobility than some of Hughes' defenders in the opening stages. This was a genuine shock; Fulham have prided themselves on their defensive expertise here this season.

The goals began to flow within 32 seconds. Schwarzer palmed Suarez's deflected centre out to Maxi, who drilled it back past him: 0-1.

The raiders in red has only just begun. Glen Johnson had been given the freedom of the right flank by Fulham and was soon lifted the ball to the far-pos. The unmarked Maxi shot home past Chris Baird and Scharzer: 0-2.

As the visiting fans chanted Dalglish's name, Kuyt exchanged passes with Johnson and sped into the box. The Dutchman's shot should still have been a routine stop for Schwarzer but the keeper's senses had been scrambled by the quickfire combinations and blows Liverpool had been landing. Schwarzer allowed the ball to squeeze past him: 3-0.

Fulham fans squirmed in embarrassment. Hughes crossed his arms in resignation. He acted at the break, bringing on Bobby Zamora, who gave Fulham a focal point. Zamora soon laid the ball off to Mousa Dembele, who placed a clever finish past a furious Pepe Reina: 1-3.

Liverpool responded. More hesitancy from Brede Hangeland gifted Maxi a glimpse of goal. From 20 yards, he let fly, the ball racing past the startled Schwarzer: 1-4. Then came Suarez, gliding past Schwarzer: 1-5.

Fulham refused to give up. With six minutes remaining, Steve Sidwell seized on Martin Skrtel's headed clearance and drove it back past Reina: 2-5.

On a night of numbers, Jamie Carragher made appearance No 666 for Liverpool, moving ahead of Emlyn Hughes and Ray Clemence but still way behind Ian Callaghan on 857. "Carra's an iconic Liverpool player,'' added Dalglish.

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http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3382098,00.html


Maxi magic destroys Fulham


Argentinian ace claims another hat-trick in Reds romp


By Ben Collins   



Last updated: 9th May 2011   



Maxi: Hat-trick hero


Man of the Match: Luis Suarez was so good he even topped hat-trick hero Maxi Rodriguez. The Uruguayan striker just would not stop running, causing no end of problems for the Fulham defence. He repeatedly turned his marker, ran at defenders and lost his man to got into those little pockets, just as he did for his deserved late goal.

Moment of the Match: Maxi's superb 20-yard strike gave Mark Schwarzer no chance and sealed a second hat-trick in just three games.

Goal of the Match: That strike was, in fact, topped by Steve Sidwell's late consolation for Fulham, a fine half-volley from 25 yards that flew into the top corner.

Gaffe of the Match: Liverpool's first goal came after a comedy of errors in the Fulham defence but Mark Schwarzer's howler for the third was even worse as he let a tame Dirk Kuyt shot through his grasp at his near post.

Save of the Match: It would have been even worse for Fulham had Schwarzer not denied Jonjo Shelvey low to his left at the death.

Talking points: Just how good was this Liverpool performance? Could they even be title contenders again under Kenny Dalglish next season?.


A Maxi Rodriguez hat-trick set Liverpool on course for a thrilling 5-2 win at Fulham.

The Reds had the chance to climb above Tottenham into fifth place and took full advantage, charging into a 3-0 lead inside 16 minutes.

Maxi gave them a dream start as he swept in the opener after just 32 seconds and the Argentinian midfielder doubled Liverpool's lead just six minutes later.

A Mark Schwarzer error then gifted Dirk Kuyt his fifth goal in five games as the Reds ran riot against a Fulham side which won their last two games 3-0 and had kept six clean sheets in their last seven home games.

Moussa Dembele pulled one back for the hosts in the 57th minute but Maxi restored Liverpool's three-goal cushion in the 70th minute with his seventh goal in three games, which have included two hat-tricks.

Luis Suarez then claimed a richly-deserved goal five minutes later yet Steve Sidwell scored the goal of the night late on, smashing in a 25-yard half-volley to claim a consolation for the Cottagers.


Manchester United are set to surpass Liverpool by securing a record 19th league title but on this showing Liverpool could be serious contenders again next season - and all this without captain Steven Gerrard and record signing Andy Carroll.

Carragher landmark

Carroll didn't even travel as he suffered a slight injury in training but Jamie Carragher remained in defence to make his 666th appearance for Liverpool - moving him second on the club's all-time list.

Yet it soon became apparent it would not be a bad omen for Liverpool as Aaron Hughes' slip let Suarez in, Carlos Salcido and Schwarzer then made a hash of clearing his low cross and Maxi took the chance to convert from 10 yards.

Chris Baird then played Glen Johnson onside and the full-back crossed for Maxi to turn the ball in from close range at the far post.

Liverpool were rampant, to the glee of a large travelling contingent, and Suarez saw a penalty appeal turned down before a howler from Schwarzer made it 3-0.

There was little power in Kuyt's shot from just inside the penalty area but the goalkeeper allowed the ball to squirm underneath him at the near post.

Maxi turned Suarez's cut-back over as Fulham continued to be run ragged out wide, although just before the break, Fulham's Clint Dempsey saw Johnson clear his half-volley off the line from Simon Davies' corner.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes threw on Bobby Zamora for Davies at the break and the England striker had an immediate impact, leading to Dempsey firing just over from the edge of the box.

Eidur Gudjohnsen also dragged a 20-yard effort wide before Baird fed Zamora, who laid off for Dembele to take a touch before curling home beautifully beyond Jose Reina.


Suarez superb
Liverpool remained a threat on the break, though, particularly through the fine movement of the effervescent Suarez.

Yet it was Maxi who killed off any hope of a Fulham fightback, completing his hat-trick with a stunning 20-yard drive into the top corner.

Suarez made it another five-star performance for Kenny Dalglish's men when he raced onto substitute Jonjo Shelvey's through-ball and rounded Schwarzer to prod home his fourth Liverpool goal.

The Uruguay striker beat the offside trap again moments later only to blaze over while Sidwell pounced on a loose clearance and fired into the top corner.

Liverpool kept coming forward, though, and Schwarzer denied Shelvey before Jay Spearing and Kuyt both had efforts blocked on the line late on.


Fulham
Team Statistics
Liverpool

2 Goals
5

0 1st Half Goals
3

4 Shots on Target
9

4 Shots off Target
7

4 Blocked Shots
1

6 Corners
5

17 Fouls
12

1 Offsides
1

5 Yellow Cards
2

0 Red Cards
0

77.4 Passing Success
74.8

17 Tackles
25

76.5 Tackles Success
76

49.1 Possession
50.9

56.8 Territorial Advantage
43.2

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http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/fulham-2-5-liverpool/

Fulham 2-5 Liverpool

Filed under: Match reports — rich @ 9:37 pm


Well bugger me. Who knew?  Last we heard Liverpool were a deluded team caught up in their glorious but distant past, on the rebound from appointing our best ever manager. Then this.

Fulham were in many ways the archetects of their own downfall – how many times have you seen Hangeland and Hughes made to look like amateurs? – but Liverpool brought something special with them tonight. Curiously you could almost see it before kick-off: they had the body-language of Roman centurions about to do battle; they seemed to know that they would win.

News to me, as I had thought we had a good chance, but Liverpool scored in 30 seconds when Suarez skipped off down the left, cut inside and eventually found Maxi Bloody Rodriguez, who scored.

Then he got another, Glen Johnson beat the offside trap (!) and crossed to the far post, from where Maxi volleyed past our yellow suited goalkeeper.

Then a third, Kuyt this time, drilling hard and low and past Mark Schwarzer's hands and in.  Whooops.

At this point an argument could have been made for making three subs, as we were getting embarrassed. At half-time no single player could claim to have earned 5/10.  In the event we saw Zamora on for Davies, when the introduction of Etuhu might have given us more chance in the middle of the park.  But it made a difference, as Sidwell and Murphy stepped up and Zamora bounded around with that endearing optimism he sometimes has.

We got one back when Zamora teed up Dembele in the Duff zone, 3-1.  Then came the game's best spell, as the crowd roared the Whites on.  A goal here would make all the difference, and momentum was with us.

Then it wasn't. Maxi blasted one of those goals that makes you think "that's the hardest I've seen a football kicked", the Suarez flew past Schwarzer and tapped home a fifth.  Steve Sidwell got in on the screamer fun with a belter of his own, but sensibly opted not to celebrate such a meaningless moment.

It was the sort of match where you find out afterwards that Aaron Hughes had a cold and Brede Hangeland's hamstring wasn't quite right after all.  I've never seen those two outplayed so comprehensively, and while much of that is a result of Suarez's skill and general slipperiness, we're better than we showed.  Murphy had a poor first half but stepped up in the second, and it was encouraging to see Zamora so strong again.  Kakuta's play suggested that he might have been a good choice to start, but, well, we got hammered anyway.

One minor annoyance: Liverpool's players were poleaxed six times (I counted them), and while Mereiles went off, the remainder were surely in the "you don't need to act like that" category.  Anyway: have we just seen next season's champions? They looked awfully good.  We just looked awful.

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6924292,00.html

Kenny hails five-star Reds


Maxi hat-trick sets Dalgish's men on course for thrilling victory


By Ben Collins.   



Last Updated: May 9, 2011 11:14pm


Kenny Dalglish hailed a Liverpool masterclass after they thumped Fulham 5-2 at Craven Cottage.

The Reds were rampant as a Maxi Rodriguez hat-trick set them on course for a fourth win in five games, which took them above Tottenham into fifth place.

The visitors charged into a 3-0 lead inside 16 minutes, with Maxi scoring after just 32 seconds and the Argentinian midfielder again in the seventh minute.

A Mark Schwarzer error then gifted Dirk Kuyt his fifth goal in five games before Moussa Dembele pulled one back for the hosts in the 57th minute.

But Maxi restored Liverpool's three-goal cushion in the 70th minute with his seventh goal in three games, which have included two hat-tricks, while Luis Suarez claimed a richly-deserved goal five minutes later.

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.Steve Sidwell hit a fine late consolation for the Cottagers but that did not detract from a great evening for Dalglish's men.

"It was a fantastic performance," the Liverpool boss told Sky Sports.

"We started really brightly, which may seem stating the obvious when you get a couple of early goals.

Movement
"But the football we played, the movement, the work-rate and the effort they put in to stop Fulham playing.

"They picked it up in the second half and had right go at us, which you would expect, but we matched them.

"Although they scored two, you can't take it away when you've scored five. It was fantastic."

Maxi has looked a different player since Dalglish took charge in January.

His latest treble took his tally to nine for the season and Dalglish feels the football Liverpool are playing is perfectly suited to Maxi's game.

"The movement of the team and anticipation has been fantastic," he said.

"The way they go about their work and the way they train is a credit to their profession.

Very clever
"The wee man (Maxi) is a very clever player, he's very intelligent. If there's some movement he'll be the one that's in and round it.

"Some balls have fallen for him in the box and he's put them away, but he's been there to put them away. He's also been involved in the team movement as well.

"The fact he's playing games has helped. He had a few games off and has come back really strong.

"I'm delighted for him and delighted for everybody."

.

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Liverpool rewarded for fantastic football - Dalglish


BBC Video Interview

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13341075.stm

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Mark Hughes admits to 'key errors' against Liverpool

BBC Video Interview

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13341076.stm

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6924293,00.html


Slow start shocks Hughes

Fulham boss stunned by crushing Liverpool defeat


Last Updated: May 9, 2011 11:22pm




Mark Hughes was at a loss to explain Fulham's performance following Monday night's 5-2 defeat at home to Liverpool.

The Cottagers have been in fine form over the past couple of months to consolidate a position in mid-table and Hughes was expecting another positive display against Kenny Dalglish's Reds.

However, they slumped to a heavy loss with the damage done inside the opening 16 minutes as Liverpool stormed into a 3-0 lead.

The opening goal came after just 32 seconds and Hughes conceded after the final whistle there were far too many mistakes from his troops.

"It's difficult to explain, to be perfectly honest," he told Sky Sports.

"We've been excellent in the second half of the season and none of us really expected that level of performance.

"It started in the first 30 seconds, when we didn't really deal with a bread-and-butter ball down the right-hand channel.

"From that moment it was consecutive errors, which we have talked time and time about."

Fulham improved after the interval and got on the scoresheet courtesy of Moussa Dembele and Steve Sidwell, but never threatened to retrieve a point and remain 10th in the Premier League standings.

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Suarez masterclass leaves Fulham shell-shocked

By Yann Tear


May 9 2011


Fulham 2-5 Liverpool

THREE goals in a crazy opening quarter of an hour torpedoed Fulham hopes of ending the season with the sort of flourish that might guide them towards their highest ever finish.

It took Liverpool a mere 32 seconds to get their noses in front with a goal from Maxi Rodriguez and the momentum became intoxicating for the visitors – who were full of hunger and pace.

Although the Argentinian went on to rattle in a hat-trick for the visitors, there was no real debate about the real cause of Fulham's torment.

Luis Suarez gave a masterclass of attacking football – full of twits and turns and impossible pirouettes which must have left poor Brede Hangeland with twisted blood.

His close control, pslide rule passing and ability to wriggle out of the tightest of corners must have transcended any pain felt by home fans. It was a truly special performance.

It would have been perverse had the Uruguayan stayed off the scoresheet, such was influence on proceedings and he duly delivered the fifth, sidestepping Mark Schawarzer to roll the ball into an empty net.

Fulham were all at sea during that opening salvo from Kenny Dalglish's men. If Mark Hughes hoped to cash in on Merseyside depression following Man United's inevitable usurping of their place at the top of the domestic league pile, he was quickly left disappointed.

Maxi cashed in after Suarez's first bit of trickery on the left had created panic and on seven minutes, Glen Johnson overlapped to send a cross to the far post for Maxi to volley home goal number two.

Floundering Fulham did not help their cause though – and Schwarzer was badly at fault for allowing a Dirk Kuyt shot from the edge of the area to creep inside his near post. But it was that sort of night where everything Liverpool touched seemed to turn to gold.

Improbably, Fulham sniffed a chance of getting back into it when half time sub Bobby Zamora teed up Moussa Dembele to reduce the arrears on 57 minutes and the home side built up an impressive head of steam.

But any hopes they may have had of staging their own Istanbul comeback vanished on 70 minutes when Maxi completed his treble with an angled drive from 25 yards against the run of play.

After Suarez had unpicked a bemused Fulham defence yet again on 75 minutes, Steve Sidwell (pictured) crashed in his first goal for the club four minutes from time. But by then, it was hardly a cause for celebration.


Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/05/09/suarez-masterclass-leaves-fulham-shell-shocked-64767-28664224/#ixzz1LvSn3Ptj

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http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/05/09/2479120/the-game-was-gone-in-the-first-15-minutes-mark-hughes



'The game was gone in the first 15 minutes' – Mark Hughes bemoans Fulham's costly start against Liverpool

Welsh boss praised the performance of Luis Suarez, conceding that the former Ajax striker was an 'exceptional player' who 'dictated' his side at Craven Cottage



By Andrew Kennedy at Craven Cottage


9 May 2011 23:50:00


Fulham manager Mark Hughes admitted early errors from his side cost them dearly against Liverpool as the Reds ran out 5-2 winners.

Opening minute Salcido against own post from a Luis Suarez cross but Maxi Rodriguez was on hand to put the loose ball away, and minutes later the Argentine doubled his tally before a terrible error from Mark Schwarzer gifted Dirk Kuyt and third goal.

And Hughes bemoaned the terrible start from his side.

"Consecutive errors led to goals," the Fulham boss told reporters. "On too many occasions we were giving away unforced errors, and giving the ball away in the wrong part of the pitch.

"The game was gone in the first 15 minutes, it wasn't something we'd expected the way we've played in recent months."

And Hughes revealed he was just glad to get his side in at half time with the score at 3-0 and try and repair the damage.

"[We were] desperate to get in at half time and make it clear to the players it wasn't acceptable and we needed to rectify it," he continued.

"We're not the type of team to shore up and go for damage limitation.

"We've been fantastic for the majority of the season, we were all taken aback by how the game panned out, today we just need to learn from it."

And despite scoring two second half goals Hughes acknowledge they were never in with a chance of rescuing the game.

"They were two good goals," he admitted. "But we never had a foot in the game. They didn't make a difference."

Fulham's tormentor in-chief was striker Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan had a hand in the opening goal, scored the final goal and was involved in everything good that Liverpool did and Hughes admitted he was impressed with the forward.

"He's a talented player," he added. "He's an exceptional player, always in pockets of space which in fairness we allowed him.

"If we dictate him then it's ok, but he dictated us today."

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Fulham 2 Liverpool 5: Maxi hits three as Reds claim pole position in Euro hunt


By Dominic King

Last updated at 1:23 AM on 10th May 2011


They may be about to be knocked off their perch but the fight back has begun. A 19th league title might be heading Manchester United's way but, on the banks of the Thames, Liverpool thrillingly showed they are on the move again.

In ruthlessly sweeping Fulham aside at Craven Cottage, thanks to a hat-trick from Maxi Rodriguez and goals from Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez, the visitors made themselves favourites to clinch the final Europa League spot.

But, more than anything, a message was sent to Sir Alex Ferguson that they are ready to go head-to-head with United again.


Three and easy: Maxi celebrates his hat-trick at Craven Cottage


Red hot: Maxi hits his second goal in the opening seven minutes, with the Argentine netting seven goals in the last three games

The transformation in Liverpool's fortunes under Kenny Dalglish has been remarkable and, with the right investment, the fairytale can continue.

This is a big summer. Seeing United erode their status as England's most successful club has hurt and nobody will relish the task of rectifying the situation more than Dalglish - only the club's American owners know why he has not yet been given the permanent contract he deserves.

When he returned as manager on January 9, Liverpool were in the bottom half and bereft of confidence. Look at them now.


Lightning start: Maxi Rodriguez (third left) hit the quickest goal of this Barclays Premier League season after just 31 seconds


That's my boy! Maxi celebrates with boss Dalglish

So good has their form been, Dalglish has accumulated more points in the same period than his old adversary Ferguson.

'Anyone who wins the title is usually the best team,' said Dalglish. 'I don't think Manchester United are any different. We have always had respect for Manchester United and if they do win the title, we will offer them congratulations. They have set the standards and we will try our best to get there.'

On an evening when Jamie Carragher moved second in the list of all-time Liverpool appearances - this being his 666th game - it was Fulham who were condemned to hell as an awful defensive display gave Dalglish's side a helping hand.


Fine form: Dirk Kuyt (centre) continued his scoring run, firing in his fifth goal in five games

Match facts

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Schwarzer 4; Baird 4,
Hughes 5, Hangeland 4, Salcido 4;
Sidwell 5, Murphy 5; Davies 5
(Zamora 46min, 6), Gudjohnsen 4
(Johnson 67, 6), Dempsey 5; Dembele 4
(Kakuta 76). Subs not used: Stockdale,
Senderos, Etuhu, Greening. Booked:
Murphy, Dempsey, Salcido, Sidwell,
Baird.

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Reina 7; Flanagan 7, Carragher 7, Skrtel 7, Johnson 8;
Meireles 7 (Shelvey 48, 6), Spearing 7;
Lucas 7, Rodriguez 8 (Cole 82), Kuyt 7;
Suarez 9. Subs not used: Gulacsi,
Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Poulsen, Robinson.
Booked: Reina, Skrtel.

Man of the match: Maxi Rodriguez.

Referee: Lee Mason 6.

This had threatened to be the most demanding assignment for the visitors in the run-in, given that Fulham had taken 10 points from the last 15, had won six out of their last seven at home and conceded only to Blackburn in that time.

But such is the confidence in this Liverpool side at the moment, they made a quite remarkable start that effectively settled the game within 16 minutes.

'It was a fantastic result and performance,' said Dalglish. 'Fulham have got a great record here and you always expect a difficult game at Craven Cottage. To score five goals is beyond our expectations. We are delighted.'

Referee Lee Mason had only just blown his whistle when Lucas sent Suarez storming down the left.

His centre was cut out by Carlos Salcido but the Mexican cleared only to Maxi, who swept home from close range to register the fastest goal of the Barclays Premier League season with just 31 seconds on the clock, five quicker than Javier Hernandez's strike for Manchester United against Chelsea the day before. Better would follow.


Proud moment: Jamie Carragher dons a Liverpool shirt for the 666th time, moving him to second on the club's all-time appearance list


Fit of pique: Referee Lee Mason had little choice but to book Pepe Reina after the furious Spanish keeper booted the ball out of Craven Cottage following Fulham's goal

Another raking pass from Lucas sent Glen Johnson away to cross from the right. Maxi was again the recipient, volleying past Mark Schwarzer from eight yards.

Amazingly, it then got even better for the visitors and much worse for Fulham.

Kuyt was allowed to stroll in behind Salcido and hit a shot that Schwarzer should have gathered comfortably. Instead, he allowed the Dutchman's daisy-cutter to squirm through his fingers and could only look on in horror as the ball trickled across the line.

He may have been slightly embarrassed as he turned to celebrate but Kuyt has typified Liverpool's renaissance under Dalglish and this strike meant he became the first player since John Aldridge in 1989 to score in five consecutive League games for the club.

Moments before Kuyt struck, the visitors could have had a penalty when Suarez tumbled after a coming together with Brede Hangeland but Mason saw it differently.

Fulham were better in the second half and Moussa Dembele pulled one back but that was the signal for Liverpool to turn it on again, with Maxi taking his tally to seven in three games before the superb Suarez got in on the act.



Not even Steve Sidwell's late consolation could keep the smile off Dalglish's face or quell the chants of the exultant away supporters in the Putney End which, perhaps, reverberated all the way to Manchester.


In command: Since taking over the helm at Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish (second right) has seen his side take 33 points out of a possible 48


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1385261/Fulham-2-Liverpool-5-Maxi-hits-Reds-run-riot.html#ixzz1LvURvW00

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FULHAM 2 LIVERPOOL 5: HEAT IN THE COTTAGE TURNED UP TO MAXI   

Tuesday May 10,2011


By Tony Banks 


MANCHESTER UNITED might be out to knock Liverpool off their perch, as Sir Alex Ferguson might say – but Kenny Dalglish's men looked ­determined to clamber back on to it last night.

Liverpool's cherished haul of 18 league titles is surely about to be overtaken by United this Saturday. It was Dalglish who led Liverpool to their last title as long ago as 1990 but, if they keep on with this sort of improvement in his second reign, maybe they can soon start to be counted among the contenders again.

Dalglish, of course, still has not been given the job permanently by the Anfield board, though that situation is expected to be rectified imminently. As far as a job application goes, last night's performance – with Maxi Rodriguez hitting a hat-trick – was as perfect as you could wish for.

Dalglish had arrived having steered Liverpool to the brink of Europa League qualification and even a faint hope of the top four, with just one defeat in their last seven matches .

Fulham, via the Fair Play League, were also aiming for the Europa League and only a third top-10 finish in the Premier League. Six wins in their last seven at Craven Cottage had propelled them into that position. But they will want to forget this one.

Liverpool got off to an amazing start. There were just 26 seconds on the clock when Lucas's ball caught out Aaron Hughes down the left. Luis Suarez raced away, his low cross was only half-cleared by Carlos Salcido and, when goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer could only hack the ball out, Rodriguez rammed it into the corner of the net. 

Six minutes later Liverpool had their second, amid some more shocking defending. This time, Glen Johnson got clean away down the right and, when his cross came over, Rodriguez was all alone at the far post to volley in from a narrow angle.

And things were about to get a whole lot worse for Fulham. Johnson fed the ball through to Dirk Kuyt, who was left alone by Salcido, and his shot should have been easily dealt with by Schwarzer. But the ball went straight under his body by his near post.

It was difficult to believe how a team who had improved so markedly under Hughes in the second half of the season could be so shambolic. Suarez, whom Fulham could not get a grip of, should have scored when he again slipped past Brede Hangeland with ease and raced unchallenged to the byline, only to shoot over with just Schwarzer to beat.

Fulham finally mustered a response when Clint Dempsey fired in a shot after a corner was only half-cleared, but Johnson was in the right place to clear the ball off the line.

An exasperated Hughes brought on Bobby Zamora at half-time to try to give his side at least some semblance of attacking punch.

And he was nearly rewarded when Dempsey picked up Danny Murphy's pass and clipped a shot just over the bar.There was marginally more zip about Fulham in the second half and they finally broke through just before the hour, Zamora again involved.

The striker fed the ball in to Moussa Dembele, who curled his shot past goalkeeper Pepe Reina from 12 yards.

It was a glimmer of hope – but it was brief.

Rodriguez, though, was having none of it. Battling to get the ball off Hangeland again, he stepped away as Fulham again stood off and cracked the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. It was his seventh goal in just three games.

Substitute John Shelvey's lovely through-ball put Suarez clean away past a ragged Fulham defence and the Uruguayan got the goal his performance on the night deserved.

Steve Sidwell thumped in what looked like an angrily hit shot from about 25 yards, but the night belonged to Liverpool and Dalglish.

That CV is looking pretty polished now.

Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido; Davies, Murphy, Sidwell, Dempsey (Zamora 46); Gudjohnsen (Johnson 67), Dembele (Kakuta 76). Booked: Murphy, Dempsey, Salcido, Sidwell, Baird. Goals: ­Dembele 57, Sidwell 86.

Liverpool (4-5-1): Reina; Johnson, ­Carragher, Skrtel, Flanagan; Kuyt, Spearing, Meireles (Shelvey 48), Lucas, Rodriguez (Cole 82); Suarez. Booked: Reina, Skrtel. Goals: Rodriguez 1, 7, 70, Kuyt 16, Suarez 75

Referee: L Mason (Lancashire



Read more: http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/245730/Fulham-2-Liverpool-5-Heat-in-the-Cottage-turned-up-to-MaxiFulham-2-Liverpool-5-Heat-in-the-Cottage-turned-up-to-Maxi#ixzz1LvX7ytPL

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Hughes frustration tempered by admiration for Suarez

By Yann Tear


May 10 2011



 
MARK HUGHES hailed the stunning performance from Liverpool's Luis Suarez which wrecked his team's hopes at Craven Cottage on Monday night.

But he also blasted his side for making the Merseysiders 'look better than they are'.

Suarez netted once in a 5-2 win which was founded on a three goal burst in the opening 15 minutes, from which Fulham never recovered.

"We never really dealt with the quality of Suarez," the Whites boss acknowledged.

"I haven't seen a great deal of him, but obviously he's a talented player.

"I don't think our guys have been up against him too much at international level, so it was a new experience for them and they'll learn from it.

"He was always mobile, always in little pockets of space. Maybe we allowed him too much time and never really dictated to him. It was always the other way round and when good players have time and space, they can hurt you, which he certainly did. He was outstanding tonight."

But Hughes added: "On too many occasions we made unforced errors and making wrong decisions in poor areas of the field. We possibly made them look better than they are.

"The game had gone from us within the first 15 minutes. Three-nil down at home was certainly not something we were expecting from the way we've played in recent months.

"It was a real body blow to us and I think it affected us. It sapped the confidence out of what we were trying to do."

Speaking of his team's brief rally in the second half, Hughes said: "It would have been very easy to get people behind the ball and do a damage limitation exercise, but that's not what we're about or what I'm about.

"It was about getting a response to try and get back into the game and the first 10-15 minutes of the second half, I thought we did that and we got a goal back.

"If we'd got a second it would have been an interesting game. But credit to Liverpool. I thought they were excellent on the night."


Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/05/10/hughes-frustration-tempered-by-admiration-for-suarez-64767-28664263/#ixzz1LvXQXh6Y

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http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/rodriguez-continues-hot-streak-to-crush-fulham-2281720.html


Rodriguez continues hot streak to crush Fulham

Fulham 2 Liverpool 5

By Mark Fleming at Craven Cottage


Tuesday, 10 May 2011


Finishing fifth in the Premier League is small fry when considered against Liverpool's glorious history, particularly with Manchester United on the verge of breaking their long-standing record with their 19th title. However, it would represent a major achievement should they manage to hold off Tottenham Hotspur, who they face on Sunday, after the first half of the season, when they were 12th in the Premier League, just four points above the relegation zone before Kenny Dalglish stepped in.

Not just that, but Liverpool are ending the season in spectacular style, with 13 goals in their last three games, having also beaten Newcastle 3-0 and Birmingham 5-0. First Dalglish made Liverpool hard to beat; now he is making them wonderful to watch. This was the Liverpool of old, playing the kind of precise, destructive football that was once the trademark of teams from Anfield.

Maxi Rodriguez took his personal tally to seven goals in the last three games, with his second hat-trick in two weeks. Liverpool's goal threat however was not confined to the Argentina international, as across the team they have a hungry look about them. Luis Suarez produced another performance of the highest class up front, while in midfield Lucas Leiva continued his impressive season to orchestrate the waves of Liverpool attacks.

No Steven Gerrard, no £35m striker Andy Carroll; but nonetheless a performance of true Liverpool vintage. The question that remains unanswered is why Dalglish has not yet been appointed the club's permanent manager.

The Scot knocked back the questions on that subject after the game, preferring to credit the players for their cultured and destructive display. "To come here and score five goals was beyond our wildest expectations," Dalglish said. "If we finish fifth we will be delighted. Nobody would have anticipated the run we have had since January."

Gerrard, who spent the evening as a pundit on Sky Sports, said of the prospect of United surpassing Liverpool's 18 league titles: "It's hurtful from because we held the record for so long. But you have to give credit where it's due – they've overtaken us for the time being but the good thing from our point of view is we are on our way back up and we won't give up the fight to overtake them again – don't worry about that."

Fulham's decent home form of 2011 was ripped to shreds inside 16 minutes. The visitors opened the scoring after just 31 seconds, when Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer made a mess of kicking a back pass away, and Rodriguez fired in from eight yards for the fastest Premier League goal of the season.

The Argentine scored again after seven minutes, this time from the opposite flank, as he finished with a left-foot volley at the far post from Glen Johnson's cross. The £1.5m it cost former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez to take Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid in January 2010 now looks to be one of the steals of recent years.

In the 16th minute, the shell-shocked Londoners conceded a third goal, when Dirk Kuyt received a simple pass from Johnson and drilled a low shot from 20 yards that Schwarzer meekly let slip through his fingers. Poor Fulham were stunned by Liverpool's blitzkrieg assault, and understandably took some time to recover their composure.

The home side posed few problems for Dalglish's team, and when they did get close to scoring, Liverpool's dogged determination, personified by Jamie Carragher in his 666th appearance for the club, kept them out.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes brought on Bobby Zamora after the break, and the England striker teed up Mousa Dembélé, who struck the ball into the bottom corner past Pepe Reina.

However Liverpool were too strong, and snuffed out the brief Fulham revival with a fourth goal, a 25-yard strike from Rodriguez to guarantee another match ball was his. The excellent Suarez added a fifth when he took a pass from substitute Jonjo Shelvey in his stride before rounding Schwarzer and sliding the ball into the empty net. Steve Sidwell struck Fulham's second goal with four minutes left, but did not bother to celebrate so complete was Liverpool's domination.

It was embarrassing for Hughes, who was booed by a section of Fulham fans despite the club's resurgence before last night's defeat. Hughes said: "It was all over after 15 minutes. That was a real body blow. We made consecutive errors for the goals, unforced errors and wrong decisions. Liverpool are a very good team, but we made them look better than they are."

Fulham (4-4-2) Schwarzer; Baird, Hangeland, Hughes, Salcido; Davies (Zamora, h-t), Sidwell, Murphy, Dempsey; Gudjohnsen (A Johnson, 67), Dembélé (Kakuta, 76). Substitutes not used Stockdale (gk), Senderos, Etuhu, Greening.

Booked Murphy, Dempsey, Salcido, Sidwell.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1) Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Flanagan; Lucas, Spearing; Kuyt, Meireles (Shelvey, 48), Rodriguez (Cole, 86); Suarez. Substitutes not used Gulacsi (gk), Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Poulsen, Robinson. Booked Skrtel, Reina.

Referee L Mason (Lancashire). Match rating 8/10.

Attendance 25,693. Man of the match Suarez

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http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/on-that/

On That

Filed under: General — timmyg @ 3:24 am


Just goes to show you how our 3-0 win over Bolton two weeks ago could have been quite different if Fabrice Muamba converted his early chance, no?

Rich is right, we were awful. But we were awful at moments. And in this league, good teams makes you pay at such moments. Especially by players that cost £4.4million-a-year in wages (Maxi went to Liverpool on a free, oddly in January), and £22.8 million on a transfer respectively. (I'll let Dirk Kuyt and his £9 million tag slide, as Schwarzer pulled a Warner on that one. Sheesh.)

On our telecast stateside Steve Mcnamanman drew the comparison between today's romp by 'Pool and City's demolition job around Thanksgiving. Well, not really. Below are the passing charts for both teams in both games as compared to ours.



Amongst that sea of blue, City managed to complete 474 of 580 passes. Comparatively, we completed 351 of 490 passes. But who are they to? City was a machine that match; have they ever been so dominant since? We chased shadows of shadows.

Today? Liverpool deserved it, but I felt it was a wacky 6-2 loss as you'll ever see. JamieR is 100% right by saying the match "felt more random than significant." The whole time I just wanted to press the 'reset' button and start all over. The whole back line and goalkeeper were out of sorts, which for this team is beyond bizarre. Liverpool played a high line to match our high line, and one errant pass would lead to a fast break for them. Would Etuhu have helped in this match?

We completed 390 of 520 passes, and appeared to have some semblance of a game plan and some control of the midfield—even with all the brainfarts on defense. Liverpool completed 382 of 528 passes, but a majority were between their back line.

[Total tangent, but today and Liverpool's recent and incredible run just further illustrates how potent a team can be when they want to play for their manager. It's becoming increasingly apparent to me that our opponents today never gave Roy a chance from the get-go, and hid behind the ownership debate(s) and debacle(s). They knew what they were doing all along.]

Ah well, St. Andrews on Sunday and then Arsenal the week after. Things could get a whole lot worse, but also a whole lot better.

Personally, I just want this season to end, now.