A Martin Skrtel own-goal allowed Fulham to record their first ever top-flight league win on Merseyside in 42 attempts as the London club prevailed 1-0 over Liverpool on Tuesday in their Premier League clash.
The home defeat hardly represented Liverpool’s best possible preparation for Saturday’s FA Cup Final date with Chelsea.
In a meeting between two of new England manager Roy Hodgson’s most recent employers, Liverpool’s wretched home league form continued as they failed to record a victory for the 13th time in 18 games.
More alarmingly, Liverpool could also end the season outside the top eight in the top division of English soccer for the first time since 1954.
Manager Kenny Dalglish elected to leave four potential Wembley starters out of his line up — goalkeeper Pepe Reina, plus Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger and Luis Suarez — and his decision looked like a costly one when Fulham took the lead after only five minutes.
From the game’s first attack, Clint Dempsey’s pass sent former Liverpool full back John Arne Riise down the left-hand touchline and his cross into the six-yard box was met by another former Anfield player, Alex Kacaniklic.
The 20-year-old’s misfired shot bounced against Skrtel’s legs, wrong-footing Doni on its way into the net.
Liverpool responded in reasonably impressive fashion, Skrtel quickly trying to make amends as he headed wide from a Fabio Aurelio free-kick, although Fulham might have doubled their lead on 15 minutes when Dempsey threaded through for Pavel Pogrebnyak, whose first-time shot was well parried by Doni.
Maxi Rodriguez collected Dirk Kuyt’s lay off and sent a shot soaring over the Fulham bar, although Andy Carroll was becoming the most impressive attacking presence in a red shirt.
After 23 minutes, Kuyt latched onto a loose ball after Carroll’s progress was blocked and volleyed just wide.
Before the half-hour, Mark Schwarzer mishandled a cross under pressure from Carroll, allowing Maxi to square the ball for Jonjo Shelvey whose shot beat the Fulham goalkeeper, but not defender Brede Hangeland, who cleared off the line.
Dalglish brought on Stewart Downing and switched to a 4-4-2 formation at the interval with early second half signs looking promising as Shelvey volleyed over and Jay Spearing dispossessed Dempsey before testing Schwarzer with a long-range shot, which the goalkeeper kept out at full-stretch.
Hangeland was also required to make an impressive and timely tackle to halt the progress of Maxi as he surged into the area and bore down on Schwarzer’s goal.
However, Fulham began to exploit some of the gaps created by Liverpool’s increasing attacking urgency.
Dempsey headed just wide from Damien Duff’s 53rd minute corner, substitute Kerim Frei created room for himself on the edge of the area and saw his well-hit shot impressively touched onto the post by Doni.
? EVERTON 1, STOKE CITY 1
AP, STOKE, England
Everton extended their unbeaten Premier League run to seven games on Tuesday, despite conceding a second-half equalizer to substitute Cameron Jerome in a 1-1 draw at Stoke City.
Everton took the lead at the Britannia Stadium from Peter Crouch’s own-goal — the 1,000th goal in the Premier League this season — when Stoke leftback Marc Wilson’s clearance hit the striker in the back and the ball went into the net a minute before halftime.
Jerome leveled by bursting forward and holding off two defenders before firing past goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Everton are three points above fierce Merseyside rivals Liverpool in seventh place with two rounds remaining. Stoke rose to 13th.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely