Fulham’s grit, desire and determination paid off, earning them a richly-deserved point against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s venomous strike just before half-an-hour had the Cottage shaking before a contentious Mo Salah penalty meant the spoils were shared.
Scott Parker stuck to his principles and assembled a similar side to that he fielded in Manchester. Mario Lemina the only change in the base of midfield.
The presence of fans buoyed the lads in the opening stages. Fulham came flying out of the traps with Lemina notching up the first attempt of the afternoon which flew wide. A sweeping move set away Ivan Cavaleiro moments later and forced Alisson into a good save. A blistering start from Fulham.
The onslaught continued and referee Andre Marriner had a call to make. Fabinho was deemed to have won the ball in the box; a call which could’ve gone either way. The fans continued to make a ruckus as they saw their side dominate the opening half of the first half.
Ademola Lookman looked lively, as he has done all season, and Alisson was forced to make another stop low to his left. The deserved lead arrived on 26 minutes. A man in form Bobby De Cordova-Reid slammed into the corner after a neat pass from André-Frank Anguissa.
More insistent pressure continued to push Liverpool back into their own half. Tosin Adarabioyo got a toe onto Cavaleiro’s free kick which was expertly saved by Alisson. The play was hauled back for the defender standing in an offside position.
A half came and went with Alphonse Areola untroubled in between the sticks with arguably the best half of football of the season from those in front of him.
The Liverpool back line looked fragile as Andy Robertson watched a ball bounce inside his own six-yard box with Cavaleiro sniffing around. They scrambled the danger clear.
As anticipated, the Reds came out with purpose. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low cross stuck to the palms of Areola.
The Frenchman knew he’d be called into action in the second period. He made a stunning point-blank save to deny Jordan Henderson who had a clear sight of goal. An initial wave of pressure was withstood, and the Whites hit back with a spell of their own. Adarabioyo nodded over a corner from the penalty spot.
Liverpool needed a penalty given in dubious fashion to get them level. Abou Kamara was adjudged to have handled the ball in the wall from a free kick and Mo Salah buried it from 12-yards.
Areola’s magnetic gloves were needed as again as Jones powered through the middle. The stopper down low to repel any danger. Wave after wave of attack battered Fulham shores in the remaining 15 minutes but the boys defended admirably to come away with a point.
Fulham: Areola, De Cordova-Reid, Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Robinson; Anguissa, Lemina (Reed 80’), Loftus-Cheek (Kamara 74’); Cavaleiro, Lookman (Bryan 88’).
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold (Williams 69’), Matip (Minamino 46’), Fabinho, Robertson; Jones, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah (Origi 82’), Firmino, Mané.