Fulham 3-2 Liverpool: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz star for the Cottagers

Fulham handed Liverpool a rare away defeat in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory thanks to three quick-fire goals in the first half.

It looked like Liverpool were marching toward another victory when Alexis Mac Allister fired them into an early lead, but a fantastic Fulham turnaround – featuring three goals in 14 minutes – meant the Cottagers went into the half-time break with an unlikely two-goal advantage.

The visitors dominated the second half as they searched for a way back into the game, and a goal from Luis Diaz threatened to see Fulham’s lead collapse, but the hosts managed to stand strong for the final 20 minutes to claim a superb three points against the league leaders.

The defeat for Liverpool is their first away from home in this competition since falling to Everton just under a year ago, while it is Fulham’s first home win against the Reds since December 2011.

SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT

It was a particularly unexpected first-half performance from the league leaders, who many would have expected to demonstrate their usual dominance after taking the lead.

However, Fulham fought back and took control of the game, netting three goals in just 14 minutes as they cut through a Liverpool defence that appeared to be playing at a pre-season tempo.

The introduction of Diaz and Conor Bradley lifted Liverpool’s level, though there was still little attacking threat as Fulham continued to defend resolutely, but the Cottagers were struggling to get forward with quite the same effectiveness as in the first 45 minutes.

Diaz did eventually break through Fulham’s resilient defence, but his goal proved to be too little for Liverpool as the hosts held on to secure all three points with a wonderful performance.

FULHAM VS. LIVERPOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Alexis Mac Allister goal vs. Fulham (14th min, Fulham 0-1 Liverpool)

Mac Allister fires Liverpool into the lead with a superb strike!

A long ball forward from Fulham is twice won by Liverpool, with Mac Allister picking up the pieces in the midfield and surging towards the opposition penalty area.

The midfielder pushes past Sander Berge and looks towards goal, firing a wonderful long-ranged strike past Bernd Leno and into the far left corner.

Ryan Sessegnon goal vs. Liverpool (23rd min, Fulham 1-1 Liverpool)

Fulham are level, Sessegnon scores with a lovely volley!

Andreas Pereira whips a dangerous cross into the Liverpool box, which the central defenders fail to clear, and the ball ricochets off an unsuspecting Curtis Jones at the back post.

The ball subsequently drops for Sessegnon inside the area, and the winger fires a left-footed volley into the bottom right corner to pull Fulham level.

Alex Iwobi goal vs. Liverpool (33rd min, Fulham 2-1 Liverpool)

Fulham have turned it around, Iwobi fires them into the lead!

A series of errors from Andrew Robertson as the defender tries to switch the ball out wide, but Iwobi intercepts it just outside the box, and the midfielder’s initial strike is blocked.

Robertson gets his head to the deflection, but it lands again at Iwobi’s feet, and the defender then deflects the Nigerian’s strike past Caoimhin Kelleher and into the net.

Rodrigo Muniz goal vs. Liverpool (37th min, Fulham 3-1 Liverpool)

Fulham have three! Muniz, that is brilliant!

A Fulham corner is cleared to Iwobi on the edge of the area, and the midfielder sends the ball flying into the air, with Muniz and Virgil van Dijk battling to win possession.

Muniz backs into the defender, skilfully flicks the dropping ball towards goal and fires through Kelleher’s legs to extend Fulham’s lead, what a first half for the Cottagers.

Luis Diaz goal vs. Fulham (72nd min, Fulham 3-2 Liverpool)

Diaz pulls one back for Liverpool, game on!

A fast counter-attack from Liverpool sees the Reds sweep forward, with the ball played into the middle of the park for Bradley to advance toward Fulham’s box.

Bradley lays off a pass to Diaz just inside the area, and the forward takes a touch before poking an effort past Leno and into the bottom left corner, restoring hope for the visitors

MAN OF THE MATCH – ALEX IWOBI

© Imago

In truth, several Fulham players could have been awarded with man of the match, as Muniz, Iwobi, Sessegnon and Berge all produced superb performances to help lead the hosts to victory.

However, Iwobi stood out as the main contender, scoring the second and assisting the first as Fulham turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead in just 14 first-half minutes.

The midfielder also made one key pass and took four shots throughout his 82 minutes on the pitch, while contributing two tackles and one interception in defensive areas.

FULHAM VS. LIVERPOOL MATCH STATS

Possession: Fulham 38%-62% Liverpool
Shots: Fulham 12-14 Liverpool
Shots on target: Fulham 6-6 Liverpool
Corners: Fulham 4-4 Liverpool
Fouls: Fulham 10-9 Liverpool

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Victory for Fulham means they have won for the first time since besting Tottenham Hotspur prior to the international break, and the Cottagers will aim to continue their push for European football when they face Bournemouth next Monday.

Meanwhile, Liverpool squander the opportunity to move 14 points clear at the top of the table, and they will now look to strengthen their title ambitions when they clash with West Ham United next Sunday.

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