Capital Punishment for Liverpool and Man United
Published on: 20th December, 2009
Capital Punishment for Liverpool and Man United | Related News
Liverpool’s season slumped to a new low as Rafa Benitez’s out-of-sorts side crashed to a 2-0 defeat away to the division’s bottom club Portsmouth.
Pompey were good value for the points and took the lead on 33 minutes when Nadir Belhadj thumped home a stunning volley from an acute angle after former Portsmouth full-back Glen Johnson failed to clear the ball properly.
Just before half-time, Liverpool had Javier Mascherano sent off for a reckless challenge on Tal Ben Haim and Pompey wrapped up the win eight minutes from time when Frederic Piquionne flicked the ball in the air before lashing a crisp volley past Jose Reina.
Arsenal remain firmly in the title hunt, although Arsene Wenger’s charges were made to work for three points and three trade mark goals against Hull City at Emirates Stadium.
Aston Villa enhanced their UEFA Champions League hopes with a battling a 1-0 victory over Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur did likewise with a 2-0 success at Blackburn Rovers.
Mark Hughes, with former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini watching in the stands, oversaw a seven-goal thriller in what proved to be his final match as Manchester City manager against a stubborn Sunderland.
Fulham ruthlessly capitalised on Manchester United’s defensive crisis after a commanding 3-0 win over the careless champions at Craven Cottage.
Danny Murphy enjoys scoring against United and he broke the deadlock on 22 minutes with an expertly placed shot beyond Tomasz Kuszczak from 25 yards after he robbed the dithering Paul Scholes of possession.
Fulham increased the lead barely 20 seconds after half-time when Clint Dempsey nodded down a cross for the in-form Bobby Zamora to prod home in predatory fashion.
Zamora was involved in Fulham’s third goal on 75 minutes as he superbly controlled a deep free-kick before laying the ball off on the edge of the box for Damien Duff to rifle a volley beyond Kuszczak.
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