Liverpool grabbed a dramatic late victory at Craven Cottage. The visitors, who struck the posts four times in the first-half, failed to find a way past an inspired Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal on a frustrating 90 minutes of football for the Reds- until up-popped Benayoun in stoppage time.

Rafa Benitez made three changes to the side that beat Aston Villa in their last Premier League fixture with Emiliano Insua, Dossena and Lucas Leiva coming in Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Javier Mascherano. Fernando Torres started the clash in his normal striking role.

In Liverpool’s first real attacking threat, Andrea Dossena forced a fine save from Mark Schwarzer from just outside the box. An excellent piece of skill from Torres on the edge of the Fulham area found the Italian, but his effort was blocked by the home keeper.

A Martin Skrtel shot was flicked on by Andrea Dossena, but unluckily for the Reds the ball smashed against the Fulham crossbar.

Liverpool were now well and truly on top as Fernando Torres had a low shot saved by the Cottager’s keeper, before later powering a header just wide of Mark Schwarzer’s goal as the Red’s stepped up a gear.

Fulham were living very dangerously but amazingly the posts saved the home side three more times before the break.

Andrea Dossena struck the bar for a second time with a diving header from a Steven Gerrard cross, before Fernando Torres struck the far post with a smart shot across the keeper. The Liverpool forward had done everything right, but the ball somehow stayed out.

The home side were literally camped in their own half waiting for a chance to break as Liverpool applied more pressure.

A Liverpool corner was only cleared as far Xabi Alonso who volleyed the ball against the crossbar! More than one visiting player raised his arms to his head in disbelief as the ball bounced away to safety for a fourth time…

Next it was the turn of the Liverpool number ‘9’. Fernando Torres wrong-footed Pantsil before unleashing a fierce shot from just outside the area. The forward’s drilled effort however was well saved by the Fulham number ‘1’.

The Merseysiders continued to dominate the Premier League clash following the break. Chances though were fewer and far between, but with Reina as a spectator, Liverpool still looked favourites to score.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres almost linked-up to give Rafa Benitez’ side a much deserved lead. The Spanish striker however was inches away from meeting the skipper’s cross.

It looked like it was not going to be Liverpool’s day as the game moved into stoppage time. But the Red’s persistence finally paid off as second-half substitute Yossi Benayoun found the back of the net from inside the box. The goal was the least Torres and his team-mates deserved after dominating the match from start to finish.


- Match Stats: Fulham 0-1 Liverpool

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey, Murphy (Dacourt, 76), Etuhu, Davies (Gera, 79), Zamora, Johnson (Nevland, 88)

Booked: Pantsil, Gera

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Alonso, Lucas Leiva, Kuyt (Benayoun, 76), Gerrard (Agger, 90+4) Dossena (Babel, 64), Torres

Goals: Benayoun 90+2

Booked: Babel, Skrtel