Official Site: SECOND HALF BRACE SEALS ANOTHER CRUCIAL WIN

Official Site
Mark Platt 05 February 2005
Liverpool boosted their aspirations of achieving a coveted top four finish in this season's FA Barclays Premiership with a crucial 3-1 win over Fulham this afternoon.
Second half goals by Sami Hyypia and Milan Baros sealed a victory that closes the gap on Everton to just four points.

Fernando Morientes had earlier netted his first Anfield goal to give the Reds an 8th minute lead but Andy Cole levelled shortly afterwards and for long periods it looked as though this game would end 1-1.

Despite enjoying long periods of domination Liverpool found it difficult to breach a stubborn Fulham rearguard and it was with widespread relief that the two second half goals were greeted.

Rafael Benitez opted to field the same starting eleven that had performed so well against Charlton in midweek and the bright opening they made to this game pointed to another crucial victory.

Those hopes were raised further when Morientes opened the scoring. Nando is quickly becoming a crowd favourite and he endeared himself to the fans again with a glancing header from a Garcia cross that gave Van der Sar no chance.

It was a well deserved breakthrough but one that the Reds frustratingly failed to build on. In the 15th minute Garcia gave conceded possession in the centre circle and was punished for his error. The ball was played out wide to Boa Morte. He centred from the left and Cole converted with a diving header.

The equalising goal took the sting out of what had been an impressive start by the Reds and we had to wait until the 63rd minute before the ascendancy was regained.

Riise was fouled out wide on the left and Gerrard's delivery from the subsequent set-piece was turned home by the head of the big Finn.

Thirteen minutes from time Baros added a third and ensured there would be no nervous finale when he fired low past Van der Sar from close-range following a good run and cross by Riise.