Liverpool 5-1 Fulham

Fowler scored his first goal in nine games since returning to Anfield
Robbie Fowler scored his first goal since returning to Liverpool as the Reds consolidated their third place in the Premiership with a win over Fulham.

Fowler headed in at the far post after 16 minutes when Luis Garcia flicked on a Harry Kewell corner before Collins John equalised with an angled shot.

Michael Brown's own goal restored the Reds lead and Fernando Morientes lashed in to put the home side 3-1 up.

Peter Crouch and Stephen Warnock then struck late on to complete a Reds win.

Liverpool had stated their attacking intentions from the start when they had a goal disallowed for offside in the third minute as they looked to improve their poor scoring record.

Morientes had an early chance when he was released through by Fowler but he lacked confidence and conviction as he shot tamely at keeper Tony Warner.

But, just when it looked like the home side's problems in front of goal would continue, Fowler nodded in for his first goal in nine outings since returning to the club in January.

Morientes angled a shot into the side-netting after again latching on to a Fowler pass before Fulham shocked the home side with an equaliser.

John produced a diagonal run from the visitors right into the Reds box and, after being found by a precise Mark Pembridge pass, drove a shot through the legs of keeper Jose Reina.

The visitors did not stay on level terms for long though as Zat Knight missed an attempted clearance and a Reds break ended with a low Kewell cross being put into his own net by Brown.

John went close with a header while Steed Malbranque fizzed a shot just wide as Fulham tried to hit back with Liverpool's normally tight defence looking at odds with itself.

Fulham are the only team without an away win in the Premiership and they were almost given the uphill task of reducing a two-goal deficit only for Luis Garcia to hit the crossbar with a curling shot.

Knight headed against the post at the other end in a warning Liverpool heeded as they gave themselves a two-goal cushion when Morientes lashed home.

The Spanish striker fired into the roof of the net following a goalmouth scramble for his first goal since 10 December last year.

Crouch then flicked in a shot before Warnock drove home after a crumbling Fulham failed to clear their lines.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Traore, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Hamann, Kewell (Warnock 88), Fowler (Cisse 68), Morientes (Crouch 81).
Subs Not Used: Dudek, Hyypia.

Goals: Fowler 16, Brown 34 og, Morientes 71, Crouch 89, Warnock 90.

Fulham: Warner, Rosenior, Knight (Christanval 69), Pearce, Bridge, Radzinski (McBride 78), Malbranque, Brown, Pembridge, Boa Morte, John.
Subs Not Used: Crossley, Helguson, Niclas Jensen.

Booked: Brown, Bridge.

Goals: John 25.

Att: 42,293

Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

SOURCE - BBC SPORT