In what could be a dress rehearsal for the Europa League Final, Fulham carved out a share of the spoils with a resolute draw at Liverpool.
True it may have been a backs-to-th-wall performance with the defence doing the lions share of the work but credit where credit is due, not many teams could have soaked up that pressure and come away with a draw.
Almost from the off Liverpool were doing all the pressing and with only three minutes gone Bobby Zamora and Aaron Hughes had to combine smartly to thwart the home side as Daniel Agger headed a dangerous looking ball towards goal.
David Ngog was the next to try his luck after Danny Murphy was caught in possession by Javier Mascherano, but his shot, from just outside the box, was high and wide.
Pushing forward, Glen Johnson`s cross found th ehea dof Steven Gerrard and Mark Schwarzer had to remain alert to foil an acrobatic overhead kick from Alberto Aquilani. Seconds later Schwarzer did well to block a Maxi Rodriguez effort with his legs.
Being kept by far the busier of the keepers, Schwarzer then had to deal with a long range effort from Mascherano, an effort that he safely palmed away. Jonathan Greening, having already been booked, cynically brought down Johnson but, much to Rafa Benitez`s annoyance, didn`t get a second yellow card.
The second half witnessed much of the same with Aquilani testing Schwarzer from eighteen yards with the keeper tipping his shot, from the edge of the area, over the bar. Ryan Babel also tested Schwarzer with a low shot that the Australian did well to keep out at the near post.
As time began to be of the essence for Liverpool, Sotiris Kyrgiakos wasted a golden opportunity, heading over a Dirk Kuyt cross from five yards out. After having survived three minutes of stoppage time, the game was over and the spoils were shared.
Well done Fulham!
Vital Fulham On Twitter >> Click Here
Share this article
