Fulham shock league-leaders with memorable victory

Fulham 3-2 Liverpool

Chatting to Fulham fans last week I found that we shared a curious optimism. After two underwhelming performances (against Palace and Arsenal) surely the team would come roaring back for the Liverpool game. A draw (1-1 or 2-2) was deemed most likely. I am sure that no-one anticipated the magical fifteen minutes that would stun the Premier League.

Inevitably Marco Silva made changes from the Arsenal defeat. He recalled Calvin Bassey, Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi, Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz, all of whom were to contribute to Liverpool's downfall.

Sunday's match, like the Cup tie a week previously, fell on a hot afternoon.

There was early controversy when a foraging Pereira advanced on goal. As he passed to Muniz the keeper swept his legs away and Virgil van Dijk floored the striker. Both incidents were dismissed as a 'coming together' or 'occupying the same space' and though other referees than Chris Kavanagh might have pointed to the spot, Fulham wouldn't need a contentious penalty to overcome the prospective Champions.

Just as it seemed that the Whites' defensive plan was working, neither Alex Iwobi nor Sander Berge moved to block Alexis Mac Allister from giving the visitors a 14th minute lead. Both Fulham players were to atone for this lapse.

Nine minutes later Berge started the attack which led to Pereira's cross rebounding off Curtis Jones to a waiting Ryan Sessegnon. His despatch was impeccable. After another nine minutes Andrew Robertson inexplicably passed the ball to Iwobi, who lost it, regained it and thumped it past Caoimhin Kelleher.

There was still time for a third goal before the interval and it proved both bizarre and wondrous. Pereira, who had contributed to both Fulham goals, had also squandered two comer kicks and his third showed scant improvement although the ball eventually found Iwobi.

Unexpectedly the Nigerian ballooned but it dropped towards Muniz, who was very tightly marked by van Dijk. The Fulham man used his strength to throw off the opponent and his skill to control the ball, shooting on the turn through Kelleher's kegs. "All of a sudden," lamented Arne Slot. "I blinked my eyes and we were 3-1 down."

All predictions were now off. Slot denied that the first half had been a disaster but he knew that his team would have to improve considerably to avoid defeat. Of course they had time to manage this and plenty of talent on the benches.

Early in the second half Mo Salah, invisible till then, wrested the ball off Bassey and provided Diogo Jota with a chance that Leno coolly dealt with. To increase pressure the manager brought on Harvey Elliott and Luis Diaz, followed by Conor Bradley and Darwin Nunez. These changes effected a 72nd minute goal for Diaz, aided by Bradley.

In reply Silva sent on Raul Jimenez, Harrison Reed and Emile Smith Rowe. After Elliott hit the bar it was, untypically, Emile who got carded for a professional foul and Harrison who nearly scored, Kelleher saving at full stretch. Bassey, prominent in defence and attack, and Leno made sure there was no equaliser.

What a wonderful victory! Match of the Day 2 showed it top of the bill, lauded Calvin Bassey in particular and followed with a flashback to Jimenez's goal at Brighton. Even the Metro on Monday published a photo of Muniz triumphant.

Interestingly the fans selected Sessegnon's goal against Spurs as the best in March. The neat Jimenez effort came second. Already Muniz must be favourite for April. Long may this profusion of great goals continue.