This morning Liverpool were top of the league. They had already beaten Manchester United at home and (famously) Chelsea away, but today they could not find a way through a Fulham team that defended exceedingly well. A fantastic point for the whites.
The Fulham back six had a stormer, collectively and individually. The team unit worked hard and did all it could, but against the top teams there will be times when a system can be outmanouevered, at which point individuals need stand tall – literally and figuratively – and save the day. Our defence did so on several occasions.
Mark Schwarzer’s contributions were vital. In the first half Liverpool, somewhat fortunately, found a way through the defence, and there was Robbie Keane, in front of goal with only Schwarzer to beat. The forward hesitated but Schwarzer certainly didn’t, hurtling out and charging down Keane’s shot when a goal seemed all but certain. In the second half Schwarzer saved the day again, clawing out a drive from Dirk Kuyt that looked like it was heading for the top corner. In front of him John Paintsil made a number of telling last-gasp interventions and stood firm in the face of a prolonged assault down the Liverpool left. To his left Aaron Hughes was similarly impressive, nullifying Fernando Torres and making half a dozen telling tackles. Hangeland and Konchesky did their jobs impeccably as well. Danny Murphy had an off day with the ball, but tackled like he has never tackled before.
In the first half we gave as good as we got. Liverpool’s passing was ragged, while Fulham moved the ball incisively and enjoyed long periods of possession. It can be hard to find shooting room against Liverpool, but twice Fulham players could have scored. First Johnson scuffed an a tricky volley following good work by Bullard, then Zamora accelerated down the right, stopped and started and left Mascherano on his backside, cut inside, and weighed up his options. Bullard had pelted into the box but checked his run and dropped back to the edge of the area; Zamora saw him and played a fine ball infield; Bullard’s strike screamed towards the top corner; Reina just flicked it over the bar. Close. Great work from Zamora, whose intelligent build up play is getting more impressive each week. He had a stormer today.
In the second half Liverpool did the sensible thing and brought on Xabi Alonso. This was disturbing, but the defence held their nerve and kept their concentration. Considering the quality of the opposition, they were not unduly troubled. The second half seemed to last an hour, but Liverpool could find no way through. Yes, this was as good a point as we’ve won this season.
