When Stewart Downing moved from Villa Park to Anfield for a huge transfer fee of 20m, much was expected of the full England International.
Stewart Downing powers Liverpool to huge win
Downing started his career with some good performances, but there was nothing on paper to show them. He waited for his first Liverpool goal for a long time and in the end it came against Oldham Athletic in an FA Cup tie, he then scored an amazing goal against Stoke City in another FA Cup Match only to be overshadowed by Suarez.
The first Premier League goal and assist still eluded him; he was the man of the match in Liverpool’s League Cup final victory over Cardiff City.
The wait went into another season, he gave in strong performances in the Europa League and proved to be a more than able cover for Enrique at Left Back.
There were speculations that Downing would leave, his future was uncertain, then came the moment. In the 36th minute of the match against Fulham, Downing received the ball and held it just outside the penalty box. He waited for Steven Gerrard to make a run into the box from a long distance and then made a terrific pass to the Reds and England Captain, who finished it off brilliantly.
Liverpool decided to rest 18 year old Raheem Sterling, who had recently signed a 5 year contract with Liverpool and Joe Allen. Instead Suso and Shelvey started the match in their positions.
Liverpool took the lead in the 8th minute through Martin Skrtel. The Slovakian fired one in with his foot after a Steven Gerrard corner, the shot was something a striker would have been proud of.
Fulham failed to trouble Reina in the opposite end. Agger and Skrtel kept them at bay. Agger’s performance once again justifies why selling him would have been a huge mistake. The Danish captain has been one of Liverpool’s consistent players this season.
At half time the score was still 2-0, thanks to Fulham stopper Schwarzer. Suarez and Suso had enough and more opportunities to increase the lead.
Liverpool continued to dominate the match in the second half too, Suarez missed a tight chance in the very first minute of the match, but it was one he should have scored owing to his standards.
In the 52nd minute Downing got his first Premier League goal for Liverpool with a terrific powerful shot with his left foot past the Fulham Goal Keeper. Former Liverpool man Riise was the one who made the mistake which led to the goal. The number 19 then celebrated by putting his finger to the lips.
Fulham improved a lot more then, and the game became end to end.
In the dying minutes of the match Suarez took a free kick that was on target byt Schwarzer parried it out of play. The resulting corner was not directly take and they kept the ball well. Jose Enrique then made a run down the wing and pulled the ball back to Suarez, who then finished it off easily to make it 4-0 and get a goal that he deserved so well.
In the end it was Liverpool’s best Performance in a long time and they had it coming.
Tags: Anfield, EPL, Liverpool, Premier League, Stewart Downing, Villa Park
