Sturridge hat trick sinks Fulham

 

Liverpool came back from a goal behind at Craven Cottage on Sunday to win the game 3-1 courtesy a Daniel Sturridge hat trick. Berbatov opened the scoring for the home side but the Reds quickly found an equaliser and went from strength to strength. Fulham were angry that they weren’t awarded a penalty after the ball struck Lucas’s hand in the second half, and this perhaps stumped their momentum.

Liverpool began the game with a pretty different starting XI. Steven Gerrard was the main man missing but there was also no Agger or Skrtel giving Coates a chance to start. Wisdom and Shelvey also made appearances.

Liverpool began the game strongly, applying pressure on the Fulham back four. Phillippe Coutinho left the away fans gasping early in the game after a stinging shot from range was saved by Mark Schwarzer. Despite the Reds perhaps getting the better of the starts Fulham did manage to settle into a rhythm and it was Dimitar Berbatov who found the first goal of the game.

Liverpool wasted no time in finding an equaliser though, as Daniel Sturridge found his chance three minutes later. A lovely long ball from Andre Wisdom in defence allowed Sturridge to pick up the pass on the edge of the box, and  a powerful effort from an angle saw the ball fly high into the back of the net.

Liverpool were now in a comfortable position, ready for the second half and it was Daniel Sturridge again who found the Reds their second. Just after the hour mark after an assist from Coutinho, Sturridge slotted home his effort from inside the box.

Sturridge was on fire, but shortly before his second goal Fulham found themselves aggrieved after Lucas Leiva appeared to handle the ball in the box. The referee chose not to award Fulham the penalty and this perhaps allowed Liverpool to catch them off guard.

With 15 minutes left to go, Fabio Borini was brought into the game replacing Jonjo Shelvey. The Italian quickly had an influence on the game seeing and effort rebound off the far post.

Sturridge completed his first ever hat trick with five minutes left on the clock; his goal into the top right corner completed a well deserved hat trick and left Fulham licking their wounds.