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.

---

Zinedine Zidane refused to discuss Gareth Bale's future after the Welsh star was snubbed for Real Madrid's clash against Villarreal. The 29-year-old did not even make the bench for Sunday's LaLiga encounter at the Bernabeu, which ended in a 3-2 win for Real.
Zinedine Zidane defiant after axing Gareth Bale from Real

---

Manchester United v Liverpool: Fans fume as Michael Oliver is

---

Liverpool transfer news: Reds have £61m bid for Benfica wonderkid Joao Felix rejected bid of £61m has been rejected by Benfica. The bid from the Premier League leaders was deemed to be some
Liverpool's £60m Joao Felix bid rejected by Benfica as Jurgen

---

Tottenham news: 'I think Mauricio Pochettino will leave,' Mido believes and thinks Juventus could be next job The former White Hart Lane striker fears the popular manager could leave the north
'I think Mauricio Pochettino will leave,' Mido believes and

---

Tottenham Hotspur new stadium: Premier League may force Spurs to keep playing at Wembley if there are more delays The Londoners were due to be in their new home for the start of this season but
Tottenham Hotspur new stadium: Premier League may force Spurs

---

'We are not tired': Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp warns Manchester City his side are raring to go as they battle for domestic and European glory
Jurgen Klopp names the 3 things Liverpool must do to beat Man

---

Chelsea have been ordered to pay Antonio Conte €10.3m in compensation after the Coach won his legal battle with the club. The Times reports a Premier League managers' arbitration tribunal
Conte reportedly wins legal battle against Chelsea | The

---

Team news. 19:15: Wayne Rooney took his place on the England bench for the friendly clash with the United States as expected - with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate handing debuts to Lewis Dunk and Callum Wilson. England's all-time leading goalscorer Rooney will make a substitute appearance at Wembley as the FA honour his international career.

---

FINANCES: The two fans behind the independent protest fund that has funded the majority of the protests against Roland Duchatelet have released their
Protesting Charlton fans make Roland Duchatelet pay price for

---

Chelsea transfer news: Blues sends scouts to watch potential 'Eden Hazard replacements' Joao Felix, Ruben Dias and Bruno Fernandes. derby as they prepare for life without Eden Hazard
Chelsea send scouts to watch 'Hazard replacement' Joao Felix

---

Brazil legend Pele has backed Liverpool to win the Premier League this season. The Reds are battling reigning champions Manchester City to end their 29-year wait for a top-flight title, but currently sit in second place behind their rivals, who they trail by..
Brazil legend Pele backs Liverpool to win Premier League

---

England legend Peter Shilton has paid an emotional tribute to World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who has sadly died at the age of 81. It was announced on Tuesday the iconic gloveman had passed away peacefully overnight.
Twitter tributes to World Cup winner Gordon Banks

---

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was Monday charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his side's defeat to Burnley. Mauricio Pochettino in an argument with Referee

---

Manchester United verdict: Simon Jordan responds to Jose Mourinho's 'cheap shot' at Solskjaer and says Woodward is 'the bland leading the bland'

---

Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari. More evidence the youngster has Solari's committed backing came in Amsterdam. When Marcelo took his seat on the sideline, any last grains of doubt over who the number one left-back would be in Madrid's favoured competition dropped away.
Sergio Reguilón #23 News, Stats, Photos - Real Madrid

---