Fulham v Liverpool: Premier League
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Sixteen years ago, almost to the day, Liverpool visited Craven Cottage and, when Yossi Benayoun scored the winning goal in injury-time to send his team two points clear at the top of the table, the away end could contain itself no longer. 'And now you're gonna believe us, and now you're gonna believe us,' resounded the chant, 'we're gonna win the league!' Bereft of the title since 1990, relief was palpable.
The problem was, Manchester United had two games in hand. The first, the following day, climaxed with Martin Tyler's 'Machedaaaaaaa' moment, and the second at Wigan, six straight wins later, effectively settled things. Anfield would have to wait a further 11 years to see the Premier League trophy – and even that was disrupted by the pandemic.
This season, there will be no such mishaps. Liverpool have been, by some distance, the best side in the country – a low bar, yes, but also one they've sailed over – and all that remains now is for them to indulge in six weeks of parties, starting today. Only they who have suffered can know true joy.
Fulham, though, won't want to be their patsies – especially after the resounding disappointment of last weekend, a 3-0 home tousing, to Palace, in the last eight of the Cup. With all the noise made elsewhere, it's easy to overlook the excellence of Marco Silva's work, but taking a side up from the Championship and immediately establishing them in the middle of the Premier League – without wild spending – is a task proving beyond almost every manager attempting it, and one for which he deserves much praise. The neutrals among us might forgive his side if they mentally check out, but we can be certain that he will not.
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Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info 'About Roko Simic I cannot speak many things," said Erol Bulut, Cardiff City's manager on the day the striker was to sign for the club. "It's a club signing, so, from what I know, he will get loaned to Kortrijk. Maybe in the future he will be good for Cardiff, but for now I cannot say any more." That answer from Bulut set off immediate alarm bells for me and, understandably, supporters who read them on this website. Bulut had been desperate to add a starting striker and some pace on the wings in the final throes of last summer's transfer window, instead he got a player not deemed ready for Championship football who was loaned out to Belgium without kicking a ball. A Yousef Salech-type signing back then might have just made a big difference. Equally, there were wingers Cardiff were keen on but couldn't get done for one reason or another. 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