Tuesday Fulham Stuff (10.05.11)

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Neil McLeman big match opinion: Shocker's Gunner hurt for Fulham keeper

By Neil McLeman in Mirror Football Blog

Published 22:33 09/05/11



For another £1million, Mark Schwarzer would have become an Arsenal player last summer.

And the Aussie played like a fair dinkum Gunners keeper as he handed ­Liverpool three goals as Fortress Craven Cottage surrendered in the opening 16 minutes.

Schwarzer was not the only guilty party in a Fulham defence that would have needed a month of super injunctions to cover up all their cock-ups.

But he was still as much use as a balaclava at a barbie on Bondi Beach.

The fastest goal of the season was preceded by the biggest balls-up.

Luis Suarez found the freedom of SW6 down the left and, when Carlos Salcido diverted his cross goalwards, Schwarzer preferred to pass to Maxi Rodrigues than pick the ball up.

The Fulham No.1 then hid behind the post as the ­Argentine cracked home his second.

And the yellow-clad keeper saved his worst until last by allowing a Dirk Kuyt drive to slip through his buttery fingers. Game over quicker than an Ashes Test match.

It was ridiculously out of character for Schwarzer - who had conceded only two Premier League goals at Craven Cottage this year after starring in the Europa League last term - and Fulham - who had won six and drawn one at home since their Boxing Day embarrassment against West Ham and are still seeking only their third ever top-10 finish.

At least they were better after the break and Mousa Dembele restored some pride, before Liverpool went back on the goal trail.

But this humiliation was not the best opening gambit for Mark Hughes' contract ­negotiations.

He has only 14 months left on the two-year deal he signed last year and the Fulham boss will be the target of other clubs this summer unless an ­extension is agreed.

With the way the seething Welshman stood on the touchline last night he certainly looked like he wanted to be elsewhere.

And Arsene Wenger might yet be back for Schwarzer in the summer!



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Shocking-display-against-Liverpool-is-Gunner-hurt-for-Fulham-keeper-Schwarzer-by-Neil-McLeman-article734099.html#ixzz1LvYtHKJk

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Gerrard: Record-breaking United have fired us up

Published 23:35 09/05/11


By Neil McLeman



Steven Gerrard last night claimed seeing Liverpool's record of titles overtaken by Manchester United was extra motivation for next season.

The injured Reds skipper watched his side destroy Fulham 5-2 last night with Maxi Rodriguez scoring his second hat-trick in three games. The Argentine's first, after 32 seconds, was the quickest of the season.

Fulham 2-5 Liverpool: Daily Mirror match report

Big match opinion: Shocker's Gunner hurt for Fulham keeper   

Liverpool have now scored 13 goals in their last three games to climb back above Tottenham in fifth place. Fourth place and the final Champions League place is now possible as they trail Manchester City by only four points.

But with Sir Alex Ferguson's side poised to overtake Liverpool's total of 18 titles, Gerrard insisted his club must aim higher next season.

"It's hurtful from our point of view because we held the record for so long," he said. "But you have to give credit where it's due - they've overtaken us for the time being.

"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 else will be doing everything in our power to do that."

Caretaker Reds boss Kenny Dalgish added: "They set the standards that we have got to get to and we will try our best to get there.

"We have always said we will do the best we can, and if I am here next year we will do the same."

Dalgish, who said there was no news in his contract negotiations, said the demolition of Fulham was "a fantastic result and a fantastic performance. We would not have thought we could win 5-2 here in our wildest dreams".

Dirk Kuyt scored his ninth in eight Premier League matches and Luis Suarez added a fifth for the Anfield club's biggest away win of the season.

Mousa Dembele and Steve Sidwell scored for Fulham after the break but Mark Hughes' side still suffered their first home Premier League defeat of the year - and heaviest loss of the season.

And the club's hopes of a Europa League place through the Fair Play League will have been dented by five bookings and reports Chris Baird flicked a V-sign at referee Lee Mason.

Hughes said: "It was all over after 15 minutes, I would suggest. That was a real body blow and it affected us.

"We were desperate to get in at half-time and make it clear to the players that the performance was not acceptable."



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Steven-Gerrard-watched-his-Liverpool-side-go-fifth-by-thrashing-Fulham-then-admitted-seeing-record-of-titles-overtaken-by-Manchester-United-was-extra-motivation-for-next-season-article734121.html#ixzz1LvZFTwwj

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Fulham 2-5 Liverpool: Maxi hat-trick takes Reds up to fifth


Published 22:12 09/05/11


By Mike Walters


No sooner had Sir Alex Ferguson moved to within a point of sealing Manchester United's 19th title than his old sparring partner Kenny Dalglish sent a spectacular message to the grumpy old genius.

The Kop didn't just blow away Fulham with a ­blistering three-goal salute in the opening 16 minutes.

They served notice that next season's biggest threat to United's throne may come from a familiar old foe down the East Lancs Road.

Neil McLeman big match opinion: Shocker's Gunner hurt for Schwarzer   

It is 21 years since Dalglish led Liverpool to their 18th crown, a record which Ferguson would love to topple at Blackburn on Saturday if it drowns out the noisy neighbours on their retreat from the FA Cup final at Wembley.

But the Kop's ­transformation under King Kenny has been so startling that their moonwalk in SW6 may not have been mere showboating. It may be the shape of things to come.

On the night Jamie Carragher made his 666th appearance for the Kop, moving to No.2 in the all-time charts above Emlyn Hughes and Ray Clemence, Fulham should have dialled 999.

Sunset along the Thames towpath provided the perfect illumination to admire one of the greats whose place in the hall of fame is assured.

But that's enough about the Michael Jackson statue – a monument to naffness which has brought only ridicule to a fine club where Mark Hughes has inspired a largely unnoticed recovery.

Regrettably, Hughes' back four were made to look as thick as two short plinths as Carragher's big night quickly turned into a procession.

Only 32 seconds had elapsed when Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer inexplicably tried to field Luis Suarez's deflected cross with his feet instead of his hands, and Maxi Rodriguez arrived at the far post to punish his indecision.

One of Wacko Jacko's biggest-selling albums was called Bad, but after six minutes Fulham came up with their own sequel: Worse.

England full-back Glen Johnson's right-wing cross picked out Maxi again, and he made light of a tight angle to squeeze a left-footed volley into the far corner.

With Fulham trapped in full self-destruct mode, Suarez was denied a penalty under Brede Hangeland's push, but it was not long before Schwarzer and his senses were parted again.

Dirk Kuyt's low shot would not have troubled an ­orchestral percussionist with his cymbals, or Mrs Doubtfire when her oven gloves caught fire, but he managed only to shovel it inside his near post – and by now the only question was whether Liverpool's goals would outnumber the Jackson Five's brothers.

Kuyt's ninth goal in the last eight games made him the first Kop player to score in five consecutive League games since John Aldridge in 1989.

And even when Fulham did threaten to hide their blushes, Johnson was well-placed to clear Clint ­Dempsey's volley off the line.

Fulham went through the motions of a fightback after the break, and their ­persistence was rewarded when Moussa Dembele swept sub Bobby Zamora's lay-off beyond Pepe Reina after 57 minutes.

Maxi completed his second hat-trick in three games with a thunderous 25-yard shot into the top corner.

Suarez capped a ­brilliant individual performance by scampering clear on to sub Jonjo Shelvey's sublime pass and rounding Schwarzer to score easily.

Steve Sidwell's late strike from long range in reply scored high marks for artistic impression, but was mere window dressing.

***

FULHAM: Schwarzer 3, Baird 5, Hughes 4, Hangeland 5, Salcido 4, Murphy 5, Sidwell 5, Davies 5 (Zamora, 46, 7), Dembele 7 (Kakuta, 76), Gudjohnsen 6 (Johnson, 67), Dempsey 6.

LIVERPOOL: Reina 6, Johnson 8, Carragher 7, Skrtel 6, Flanagan 6, Rodriguez 8 (Cole, 82), Lucas 8, Spearing 7, Meireles 6 (Shelvey, 48), Suarez 9, Kuyt 8.

ATTENDANCE: 25,693

REFEREE: Lee Mason

MAN OF THE MATCH: Luis Suarez - All hail to the new king of the Kop.

VILLAIN OF THE MATCH: Mark Schwarzer - His flapping was a throwback to Aussie slip fielders in the Ashes.

***

FASTEST PREMIER LEAGUE GOALS OF 2010-11

9-5-2011 Maxi Liverpool v Fulham 00:32

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26-12-2010 Barry Man City v Newcastle 01:10

27-11-2010 Berbatov Man United v Blackburn 01:12

19-9-2010 Kalou Chelsea v Blackpool 01:13

22-1-2011 Berbatov Man United v Birmingham 01:32



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-2-5-Liverpool-Maxi-Rodriguez-hat-trick-takes-Reds-into-fifth-place-article734055.html#ixzz1LvZpWSzw

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9475026.stm


Fulham   2 - 5   Liverpool



Rodriguez has scored seven goals in his last three games

By Sam Sheringham 


Maxi Rodriguez scored his second hat-trick in three games as a rampant Liverpool crushed Fulham to boost their hopes of reaching the Europa League.

Rodriguez put Liverpool ahead after 32 seconds, and volleyed a second before Dirk Kuyt made it 3-0 on 16 minutes.

Moussa Dembele gave Fulham hope with a crisp finish from Bobby Zamora's pass.

Rodriguez smashed a spectacular third from 25 yards and Luis Suarez rounded Mark Schwarzer to make it 5-1 before Steve Sidwell fired a late consolation.

It was a sensational display from Liverpool, who have now scored 13 goals in their last three games and have climbed from 12th to fifth in the table since Kenny Dalglish took over from Roy Hodgson in January.

The Reds are two points clear of Tottenham, who play Manchester City on Tuesday and travel to Anfield on Sunday for a game that is effectively a play-off for the Europa League spot.


Click to play
Dalglish proud of Liverpool players
Whether participating in that competition would be a blessing or a curse for either club is a moot point but the Reds certainly set off like a team determined to secure another season of European football.

Suarez broke clear down the left and advanced into the penalty box before trying to pick out Kuyt.

The low cross was deflected towards goal by Carlos Salcido and although Schwarzer stopped it creeping in at the far post, Rodriguez was on hand to lash into the opposite corner.

Six minutes later, Glen Johnson found space behind Salcido and crossed to the far post, where Rodriguez volleyed low past Schwarzer.

There was a moment of controversy on 14 minutes when a long ball found Suarez bearing down on goal. The irrepressible Uruguayan took a tumble after an apparent push from Brede Hangeland but the officials rejected the visitors' penalty appeals.

Any sense of grievance on Liverpool's part was short-lived as Kuyt received the ball in space on the right and drilled a speculative effort towards the near post, which Schwarzer inexplicably allowed to slip through his fingers to gift the Dutchman a ninth goal in his last eight league games.

Suarez and Rodriguez both missed presentable chances before Clint Dempsey had Fulham's first opportunity of the game just after the half-hour mark - but his low volley from a corner was cleared off the line by Johnson.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes brought on Zamora for Simon Davies at half-time and the change paid dividends as the home side began the second period in the ascendancy.

First Zamora had a goal-bound header blocked and then Dempsey fired narrowly over the bar from the edge of the area.


Click to play
Hughes admits to 'key errors'
The goal, after 57 minutes, was nothing less than Fulham deserved as Zamora's lay-off teed up Dembele for a powerful side-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Fulham briefly threatened a comeback but Rodriguez's superb drive from outside the area guaranteed Liverpool the points and allowed the Argentine to depart to a standing ovation.

Five minutes later, substitute Jonjo Shelvey threaded a pinpoint pass through to Suarez, who coolly took the ball around the goalkeeper and tapped in.

Despite being on the receiving end of a fearful hammering, Fulham refused to throw in the towel and Sidwell's superb chest down and half-volley from the edge of the box would have graced any fixture.

As it was, the goal merely reduced the deficit to three and there was still time for Suarez, Shelvey and Kuyt to go close to adding a sixth.

That would simply have added further gloss to a superb display in a game in which captain Jamie Carragher made his 666th appearance to go second behind Ian Callaghan (857) in the Reds' all-time list.

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http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23948441-poor-start-sapped-our-confidence-admits-mark-hughes.do


Poor start sapped our confidence, admits Mark Hughes


10 May 2011





Fulham boss Mark Hughes was left to rue a disastrous opening spell as his side were crushed 5-2 by Livepool at Craven Cottage.

Maxi Rodriguez might have stolen the headlines with his second hat-trick in three matches, but Luis Suarez was the driving force behind last night's win, which propelled the Reds up to fifth place in the Premier League.

Liverpool's win owed much to a 16-minute horror show from Fulham, who fell behind to the Premier League's fastest goal this season inside 32 seconds, and were 3-0 down before they got going.

Moussa Dembele pulled a goal back but Maxi completed his hat-trick and Suarez made it 5-1 - Dirk Kuyt having scored earlier - before Steve Sidwell netted a consolation.

Hughes, whose side had been in great form previously, said: "The game had obviously gone from us within the first 15 minutes.

"Three-nil down at home, it certainly wasn't something that we were expecting, not given the way we've played in recent months.

"It sapped the confidence out of what we were trying to do. We were desperate to get them in at half-time and make it clear to the players that performance wasn't acceptable.

"It could've been very easy just to get people behind the ball and do a damage-limitation exercise but that's not what we're about, that's not what I'm about, and it was a case of getting a response."

The £22.8million fee Liverpool paid Ajax for Suarez is looking more of a bargain by the week, and manager Dalglish did not hold back with the plaudits.

"He was fantastic," said the Scot. "I don't think in our wildest dreams he could've settled in as quickly as he has done and taken to English football the way that he has done."

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http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/we-made-reds-look-better-hughes-1210938.html

We made Reds look better - Hughes

Last Updated: Tue, 10 May 2011 09:41


Mark Hughes praised Liverpool's display in their 5-2 win against his Fulham side, but felt his players made them 'look better'.

The Cottagers boss watched as his side were 3-0 down inside 16 minutes after a Maxi Rodriguez brace and one from Dirk Kuyt following an error from keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Fulham improved slightly after the break and pulled one back thanks to Moussa Dembele's effort, before Rodriguez completed his hat-trick and Luis Suarez made it 5-1. Steve Sidwell's stunning first Fulham goal on 86 minutes was a mere consolation for the Londoners.

Afterwards Hughes said: "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."

On Fulham's early second half rally, Hughes added: "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."

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Captain's Comment

Tuesday 10th May 2011




Danny Murphy spoke of the mountain Fulham were left to climb after conceding two goals in the first six minutes of play against a rejuvenated Liverpool at the Cottage on Monday night.

Fulham's captain was bitterly disappointed after the match but highlighted the need to get back on track on Sunday against Birmingham City and strengthen the Club's position in the top ten ahead of the final game of the season against Arsenal.

"It's difficult to find the right words to say why it happened," said Murphy of Monday evening's 5-2 defeat. "You can look at individual mistakes and a lot of us made mistakes on the night but going two-nil down after six minutes, against any team, gives you a mountain to climb.

"To give a two goal lead against a side playing with confidence who are second in the form table, you're asking for trouble. You have to try and put yourself back on the front foot as a team and chase them down and trouble them.

"The obvious thing to do is regroup and get some rhythm back and we tried to get back at them. I felt in the second half we gave them a few problems when Bobby came on, but it was too little too late.

"It's disappointing because since January we've been on a good run and our home form has been great. We certainly didn't see that [result] coming. The last poor performance like that was against Manchester City which was a similar type of scenario.

"Over a period of three or four months our form has been good so it's important not to let one blip get us down but for me personally, it's really disappointing because you always want to do well against your old team.

"We'll regroup – we've got a big game against Birmingham City on Sunday. It'll be a fight at St. Andrews and we want to finish as high as possible. We've always said the top ten is our aim and we've still got a good chance of that."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/May/MurphyLiverpoolReaction.aspx#ixzz1LwLNltKY