Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler scored on his return from a six-match ban as
his side won the Football League 100th Championship Challenge at Sunderland.
The England marksman was on target from the penalty spot to cancel out Allan
Johnston's third-minute opener after the 100th champions had made the early
running against the side who have claimed the title a record 18 occasions.
Jamie Redknapp and Kevin Phillips made it 2-2 before Reds skipper Paul Ince
saw his shot deflected past keeper Thomas Sorensen for the winner 13 minutes
from time.
But the night ended in agony for England striker Phillips seven minutes later
when he appeared to pull a hamstring as he chased down a long ball and was
stretchered from the field to warm applause from a crowd of 18,111.
Sunderland got off to the best possible start when England striker Phillips
intercepted Patrik Berger's misguided pass and fed the ball out to Johnston on
the left.
The Scottish international winger cut back inside defender Rigobert Song and
curled a shot over wandering keeper Brad Friedel and into the far corner.
Liverpool gradually warmed to their task as Ince and Redknapp started to play
the ball around, but they had to settle for speculative shots from Berger and
David Thompson as they struggled to bring Fowler into the game.
But the England international, back in the team after his ban for the clash
with Graeme Le Saux and his controversial goal celebrations in the Merseyside
derby, found his way on to the scoresheet seven minutes before the break from
the penalty spot.
Substitute Jean Michel Ferri, on for the injured Karlheinz Riedle, was felled
by Chris Makin and Fowler slammed the ball home.
Liverpool continued to pressure their hosts after the break as the impressive
Thompson and Fowler linked up to put Song away on the right, Craddock's
attempted clearance hitting Fowler and running wide after 56 minutes.
But the Merseysiders took the lead 11 minutes later when the Sunderland
defence failed to clear their lines and Redknapp nipped in to round Sorensen and
slide the ball home from close range.
Phillips got his first real chance 20 minutes from time after substitute Danny
Dichio flicked on Sorensen's clearance, but he lifted the ball high over the bar
under the close attention of defender Djimi Traore, on for Berger.
But the diminutive striker, who scored 25 times during his side's championship
campaign, was not to be denied and he finally found his way on to the scoresheet
six minutes later when he stooped to head Gavin McCann's near-post free-kick
past Friedel.
The Sunderland fans were still celebrating when Ince's speculative effort took
a deflection and trickled past the helpless Sorensen to restore his side's
lead.
But the home fans will be more worried about the injury to their hero Phillips
after he was stretchered off late in the game.
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