Jay Spearing was sent off as Liverpool's run of six straight away wins ended with a 1-0 defeat at Fulham.
The midfielder's 72nd-minute dismissal took the wind out of the vibrant visitors' sails, and the Cottagers cashed in on their advantage with a late Clint Dempsey winner (85).
The result was tough on a Reds side who hit the post twice and stay seventh, but the hosts' propensity for long-range potshots meant Pepe Reina was always in business and in the final analysis it was Martin Jol's side celebrating just a second home win in the league this term.
Both sides missed early sitters, Moussa Dembele losing his nerve when one-on-one and Andy Carroll side-footing straight at Mark Schwarzer, and the Fulham keeper was helpless when a Jordan Henderson curler hit the inside of an upright.
Two second-half decisions infuriated the travelling contingent, Luis Suarez seeing a goal ruled out for a tight offside call and Spearing earning a straight red for an off-the-ground tackle which took both ball and Dembele.
Still the game stayed in the balance, Dempsey bending a shot onto the bar and Schwarzer brilliantly tipping sub Stewart Downing's drive against the timber.
For all the good goalkeeping it was Reina's error which settled it, the Spaniard spilling Danny Murphy's scudder to grateful Dempsey's feet
No comments:
Post a Comment