• Fulham v Liverpool, Premier League

Dempsey stuns 10-man Liverpool

Pepe Reina made a good early save but had egg on his face later in the game © PA Photos

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Fulham v Liverpool gallery

Fulham survived a barrage before Clint Dempsey popped up with five minutes remaining to sink 10-man Liverpool 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

The Reds dominated the contest, forcing a string of saves from Mark Schwarzer, but their momentum was checked by the controversial dismissal of Jay Spearing with 18 minutes remaining and their mood was soured when Dempsey pounced on an error from Pepe Reina to grab three vital points in Fulham's relegation battle.

Fulham made a bright start and should arguably have opened the scoring on five minutes but Moussa Dembele shot straight at Reina after scampering beyond the Liverpool backline.

But following the scare, it was Liverpool who controlled the play. A flowing move involving Charlie Adam and Luis Suarez fashioned an opening for Andy Carroll. The £35m man struck his shot well but it went straight at Mark Schwarzer who shovelled the ball away.

Moments later Schwarzer made a fine save to deny Adam, while at the other end Reina had to be alert to push away a fierce drive from Dembele.

Jordan Henderson has come under scrutiny following his big-money move from Sunderland and he came agonisingly close to opening the scoring on the half hour. His shot beat Schwarzer but spun off the inside of the post, across the line and away.

Liverpool continued to dominate after the break, with Jose Enrique's excellent volley forcing a reaction save from Schwarzer.

Philippe Senderos halted a lightning Liverpool break by hauling down Adam on the edge of the box, with Craig Bellamy's fierce free kick being deflected away.

Suarez thought he had made the breakthrough on 63 minutes when slipping the ball beyond the Fulham keeper, but he was adjudged to have been fractionally offside.

Liverpool's momentum was checked when Spearing was dismissed with 18 minutes remaining. The midfielder, taking up the anchor role following the injury to Lucas, cleanly won the ball in a challenge with Dembele but his follow through caught the Fulham man and referee Kevin Friend deemed it worthy of a straight red card.

With a man advantage, Fulham came into the game and Dempsey crashed a shot against the bar before pouncing for the winner.

Former Liverpool man Danny Murphy tried his luck from 20 yards but their appeared little danger as the shot was straight at Reina. However, the usually reliable Spaniard spilled the shot and Dempsey was on hand to stab home.

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