Fulham 1-2 Liverpool: Reds return to top of Premier League as late James Milner penalty seals narrow victory

Fulham 1-2 Liverpool: Reds return to top of Premier League as late James Milner penalty seals narrow victory
James Milner scored a late penalty as Liverpool narrowly edged out Fulham to return to the top of the Premier League.Milner had to climb off the bench to rescue his side with an 81st-minute spot-kick as Jurgen Klopp’s men looked like they were going to drop two vital points in the title race.A below-par Liverpool had gone ahead through Sadio Mane’s first-half strike, but a poor error from Virgil Van Dijk was capitalised on by former winger Ryan Babel to level for Fulham in the 74th minute.3

Milner scored a late penalty

Milner fired home the winner from 12 yards after Mane was adjudged to have been pulled down by goalkeeper Sergio Rico – a decision which looked soft at best by referee Craig Pawson.But the Reds return to the summit, edging two points clear and putting the pressure on Manchester City, who were not in league action this weekend due to the FA Cup.The loss was Fulham’s seventh in a row, which is a club record in the Premier League, and it appears only a matter of time until their Championship return is confirmed. They had given as good as they got in the opening 25 minutes, with Jean Seri curling over from a good position and Babel industrious in his determination to produce against his former club.But there was always a sense that Liverpool had the keys to unlock the Fulham defence and so it proved in the 26th minute.The Reds made ground down the left, with Roberto Firmino getting to the byline, where he cut back to Mane to slot home from eight yards.3

Liverpool players celebrate Mane’s goal

It was Mane’s seventh goal in the last five games and that run has been well timed considering Mohamed Salah’s now seven-game drought.That proved the only moment of the first half to remember as Liverpool struggled to reach their peak powers, though they started better immediately after the break, with Van Dijk forcing a good save out of Rico from a header.But Fulham also improved after the interval and had Liverpool on the rack as Floyd Ayite headed home from an offside position, correctly spotted by the linesman, and Andre Anguissa tested Alisson Becker with a low volley from distance.With rain pouring at Craven Cottage, Liverpool weathered the metaphorical storm as well and Mane could have killed the game but his glancing header from a corner grazed the crossbar.3

Babel scored against his former club

Van Dijk has been lavished with praise for his performances this season, so he will have to take the criticism for his part in Fulham’s equaliser on the chin.He sold Alisson short with a headed backpass and after the goalkeeper was not the bravest in his challenge with Babel, the Dutchman emerged with the ball and rolled into an empty net.Babel played 146 times for the Anfield club between 2007 and 2011 but proved the only red thing about him now is his hair as he looked like dealing a damaging blow to his former side’s title chances.But Milner’s fourth league goal of the season won it for Klopp’s men with nine minutes to go as they got out of west London back on top.

---

Chelsea legends John Terry and Frank Lampard could have been reunited at the beginning of this season… instead it will end with close friends stood in opposite dugouts when Aston Villa meet
Frank Lampard compares Derby's play-off final match to

---

Arsenal vs Manchester United in 1999: What if Dennis Bergkamp

---

Watford 2-1 Crystal Palace: Super sub Gray strikes late to send Hornets to Wembley 3 months ago Crystal Palace vs Manchester United Preview: In-form Palace side welcome Man United to Selhurst Park
FA Cup: Watford beat Crystal Palace to reach semi-finals with

---

James Milner surpasses Manchester United legend David Beckham

---

Swansea Vs Manchester City Swansea City host the first of the New Years Day fixtures when Manchester City visit The Liberty Stadium. The Swans registered a point in their last game at Aston Villa.
Wenger: What is happening at Arsenal's board level is not

---

The radio broadcasting rights of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup have been won by talkSPORT, including live coverage of every single England and Scotland game during the tournament. The station's coverage will be led by Natalie Sawyer, who presents the network's talkSPORT's Kick Off show and The Times' The Game podcast.
talkSPORT hits the bullseye with live coverage of the World

---

Keylor Antonio Navas Gamboa (Spanish pronunciation: [keiˈloɾ anˈtonjo ˈnaβaz ɣamˈbo.a]; born 15 December 1986) is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Spanish club Real Madrid and the Costa Rica national team.

---

LONDON - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium / New White Hart Lane (62,062) Completed
News list for tottenham s new white hart lane stadium will

---

James McClean has reiterated his strong belief that any player not proudly committed to the Republic of Ireland cause can "sod off and play for someone else". The Derry man pulled no punches in an
McClean to Rice: 'Sod off and play for someone else' - BeSoccer

---

Rangers news: Alfredo Morelos signs one-year contract

---

Kilmarnock to install safe standing section for Under-16s funded entirely by fans Christian Eriksen 'ready to listen' to Tottenham's contract offer as Real Madrid prioritise Paul Pogba Steven Gerrard poaches one of Frank Lampard's scouts to join his Rangers backroom staff
Kilmarnock to install safe standing section for Under-16s

---