Going to Extremes: Liverpool 3 - Fulham 2

photo by Grant Neufeld	via PhotoRee

In which another last gasp goal secures three more points for Scott's team....: 

"Polar Opposites" is the only way to describe Liverpool's last two games. At one extreme, we have the 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal last Sunday at Anfield. While at the other we have the nail-biting, sofa pounding, face-in-hands frustration that was only relieved by an incredibly fortuitous penalty, converted with aplomb by the timeless Steven Gerrard.  Many are already asking if such a win away at lowly Fulham is a sign that the Reds are finally ready to start winning the close ones instead of drawing against the likes of West Brom. For me, it is too early for such speculation, out loud at least. But there is something to the question.

Yet another howler by poor Kolo Toure, slicing an unpressured clearance into his own goal, gifted the home side the lead within 10 minutes and it wasn't until Gerrard's sublime through ball was bounced off the post and in by Daniel Sturridge that Liverpool leveled.  Unfortunately, a second half lack of communication among Simon Mignolet, Jon Flanagan and Martin Skrtl, resulting in a hapless clearance attempt by the Slovak, gifted yet another lead via a Darren Bent tap in.

That's when determination, skill and Lady Luck sided with the Reds. With the ball almost continuously in the home side's half from then on, Philippe Coutinho cut in from the right and found the cure for his erratic shooting - a deflection.   Then, when nearly all hope was lost in the 90th minute, a defensive blunder by Fulham sent Gerrard to the spot and he did well to beat the diving Stockdale who had guessed correctly. A hard-earned, lucky 3 points.

Meanwhile, back at Anfield a few days earlier, Liverpool looked a different team against a high-pressing Arsenal side that conceded 4 times in the opening 20 minutes. Boy I hope everybody continues to try the high defensive line...

Martin Skrtl and Raheem Sterling each bagged a brace while Sturridge continued to add to his tally also before a woeful tackle attempt by Gerrard led to a consolation penalty.

This was complete domination due to the skill, intensity and tempo that Liverpool relentlessly thrust upon the discombobulated Arsenal squad. Such was the disruption in their midfield ranks that Ozil was literally spun around and sat down by the lively Jordan Henderson before the notching his assist.  The former Sunderland player has come of age, forcing me to retract my disparaging remarks from last year.

Crossed at the Last Minute: Manchester United 2 - Fulham 2

Manchester United suffered another late setback yesterday, drawing 2-2 with a relegation-threatened Fulham side. Providing tonic to the League's weaklings yet again, United dominated possession yet failed to create any real attacking threat for much of the contest. Going down early to Fulham's first attack of the afternoon forced the Reds to fight back and pull ahead late in the contest. Being held to a draw with virtually the last kick of the contest at a venue where they made last gasp victories their signature move will only add to the heaps of frustration the team and their many fans are currently suffering. 

Herewith, the game day ratings for another chapter in a season that has rapidly turned into a farce:                    

De Gea: Nothing to do but pick the ball out of the net twice. 6.5

Rafael: Decent crosses but unable to connect. Why was he pulled? 6.5

Vidic: Didn't do nearly enough with his clearance in extra time. 5.0

Smalling: Nothing to do. Literally nothing to do. 6.0

Evra: Wild shot from distance and a tame header just before the interval. 5.5

Carrick: Sat deep in the middle and shot wide from distance. Distributed the ball well, especially from distance.  Gave his side the lead with a deflected bullet. 6.5

Fletcher: Failed to track Steve Sidwell for Fulham's first goal in four games. 4.5

Young: Open lots but not enough end product. 5.0

Mata: Not totally ineffective on the flank, but influence mainly down to long passes and extraordinary touches. Denied from point blank but got his third assist in three games on the rebound. 7.0

A Complete Game: Liverpool 4 - Fulham 0

Photo by Stevesworldofphotos on Flickr

Which made Correspondent Scott a happy man for the International Break:

While they didn't score as many goals in the second half as they did in the first, Liverpool's 4-0 drubbing of Fulham at Anfield on Saturday was their most complete game yet this season.  With Liverpool boy Austin Powers (nay, Mike Myers) in attendance, the Reds positively exploded with offensive firepower after the first 20 minutes and kept the Cottagers pinned back for the rest of the game.  It's really a wonder they didn't score more in the second half after leading 3-0 at the interval.

The own goal that opened the flood gates was a direct result of the quality of Steven Gerrard's delivery of the free kick.  The captain may have his detractors (even I have risked blasphemy to point out his shortcomings when necessary) but he has resurged as an experienced force each week, now with a lengthy run of healthy play.

Soon after, despite all the pressing, Liverpool's second goal came from another set piece - this time a corner.  How about that Martin Skrtl?  Emphatically powering home his header, the Slovak has found new life after his previous relegation to the bench.

The all-out siege on Fulham's goal continued until the halftime whistle and produced another fine goal when Jordan Henderson deftly weighted  his pass for the indomitable Luis Suarez to slip past the onrushing 'keeper.  Such was the euphoria and momentum that the Reds barely protested when the referee waved off the tepid appeals for a penalty when Kieran Richardson clearly handled the ball.

Darkness on the Edge of Town: Manchester United 1 - Fulham 0

Photo by pcutler on Flickr

It may have been a stroll in the park at home versus Fulham in the FA Cup a week ago, but surely Sir Alex and his crew expected a more difficult encounter in Saturday's late fixture at Craven Cottage, if only due to the more intimate and louder atmosphere at Fulham's home ground. Despite these expectations, things began appealingly enough for the visitors, as Patrice Evra rocked the top of the Fulham goal bar amidst a flurry of United opportunities that ultimately went begging at the seven minute mark. But if the Red Devils looked threatening from the outset, Fulham were no slouch, either: John Arne Riise tested United 'keeper David De Gea from long range with a well struck, dipping shot, and Bryan Ruiz offered Evra the sincerest form of flattery by testing the goal post at the opposite end.

The opportunities for scoring continued fast and furiously throughout the opening twenty minutes, with both defenses appearing to take the first shift off.  While Wayne Rooney had to be disappointed not to have found the scoreboard, it was the newly mohawked Nani who carried much of the early play for the men in Red.

Rooney's poor luck continued as afternoon wore into evening, and England boss Roy Hodgson saw his top dog bang the post -- the third time the visitors had tested the Cottagers' woodwork rather than the strength of the net. If Robin Van Persie's threat to this point in time had been kept largely in the dark, so soon was everyone else -- the lights at Craven Cottage deciding to take some time off and channel their own inner Bruce Springsteen near the 42 minute mark, leaving a darkness on the edge of town, as well as at the stadium on the bank of the Thames.