Thanks to a brilliant performance in goal from Finnish keeper Antti Niemi and a fantastic goal from former New England Revs midfielder Clint Dempsey, Fulham won’t (likely) be relegated this season. After a nosedive in form saw the Cottagers move from UEFA Cup aspirations toward the relegation zone, the win that Fulham desperately needed came at home to Champions League finalist Liverpool, of all clubs.
Of course, Rafa Benitez fielded a side containing just two of the same players that defeated Chelsea in the Champions League semifinal on Tuesday; this and the match that comes after it are meaningless to the Reds, because Liverpool has already secured Champions League qualification. Even though Liverpool would receive a better draw by finishing third in the EPL table, Benitez, given his track record in Europe’s most prestigious competition, is unlikely to be fazed by anything he might come across in qualifying.
When asked about Benitez’s “weakened” team, Fulham’s interim manager Laurie Sanchez retorted sarcastically, “I don’t think Sissoko, Fowler, Bellamy are very good players to be fair…” In the end, the win was all about Clint Dempsey’s goal, a beautiful give-and-go at the top of the box with Liam Rosenior fired home after 69 minutes. The only team that could now place Fulham in danger of relegation is Charlton Athletic, which as of halftime was losing 1-0 at home to Tottenham. Anything less than a win and Fulham is guaranteed of staying up for next season.