Clint Dempsey and Fulham own the Monday Premier League spotlight, welcoming Liverpool to Craven Cottage (3 p.m., ESPN2/ESPN3.com).
Fulham is in need of a result to get a bit more separation from the relegation zone and make its way toward a mid-table standing. Liverpool, meanwhile, will take to the field without central midfield stalwart Lucas for the first time since he suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Reds are hoping to join Arsenal and Newcastle in a tie for fifth place, and a victory would put them level with those two clubs on 26 points.
Dempsey remains on the verge of history, as his next Premier League goal will separate himself from Brian McBride and give him the edge for most Premiership goals scored by an American.
If you will be watching today's match, please feel free to share any thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below. Enjoy the action.
yeah he could take Lennon’s place. Lennon has speed which Dempsey does not have, but he does have strength and perserverence. Besides Bale has speed to make up for it. Dempsey scores more than Lennon and helps open up space for the strikers.
I could see him even starting for Liverpool. Dempsey could start for a few CL teams like Sevilla/Villarreal/PSG types. He’d have to work his butt off and it would not be guaranteed, but he can do it.
Can’t say I noticed him much in the last 35 minutes, but he was indeed very, very good in the first half.
^^ This. Deuce is far and away my favorite player of all time. He has the skill to play and contribute for any club outside of Manchester right now, but his relative worth to Fulham is so much greater than it would be to a top 6 team.
Without Deuce, Fulham would be battling relegation all season, no doubt about it. With him, they’ll likely finish mid-table somewhere.
Contrast that to a top 6 squad like Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs or Chelsea. Could he contribute at any of those clubs? If given the chance, absolutely. But would he be the difference maker in securing a Champions League spot? I doubt it, and that’s likely the kind of price it would take to wrench him out of Craven Cottage.
I love dempsey. Love him. But I think we’re getting a little greedy in our fake transfers.
Who does dempsey start ahead of at spurs? Lennon? Coz that would mean wholesale system changes for a team unbeaten in 11 league games (with 10 wins).
Doubt dempsey will ever move to a top 6 team in england. Not that he couldn’t play at that level, just that he wouldn’t be a significant enough upgrade for any of those teams to spring for him.
In the last 35 minutes alone he gave away the ball multiple times because he was slow with his decision making. I missed the first half so my opinion maybe, so I apologize, but he wasn’t good in the second half in my opinion.
uh, gio can’t play for anybody
He’s 28 years old. Why would he want to go to a CL team and have to fight for playing time? He might be able to go to France and be pretty much assure of PT, but then he’s jumping down in competition. He’s the best player on a perennial mid-table team in the best (or at least 2nd best) league in the world. That’s a pretty damn good place to be.
He’s been a perfect fit for Fulham. If he really wants to get spot minutes for a CL club, then I hope it happens someday. I have so thoroughly enjoyed watching him PLAY for Fulham since he went to the Cottage, that I really hope that he stays put. I believe he could come through on the pitch for just about anybody, but at Fulham he gets his chance to do it week in and week out. Clint never backs down. He only gets chippy and aggressive against the best clubs and players. God, I love watching him play.
If Dos Santos can’t play for Spurs, I doubt Dempsey can
Anyone else on Long Island lose power in about the 80th minute? Ruined my day.
I swore to never post on this blog again because I was always responding to bullsh** like this. Ethuhu was great tonight. One of the best games I’ve seen him play. He made many crucial tackles and got the ball off his feet quickly and accurately. I don’t know what match you were watching.
4 goals in 14 league matches. Fulham’s top scorer this season.
Seriously Dempsey is too good for Fulham. Not saying he’s Top 4 quality. But he definitely could play for Tottenham
Clint awarded the Barclay’s Man of the Match award.
He was quality the season they went to the Europa final.
37 league goals in 161 league matches.
Highest scoring American in PL history. Highest goal scorer for Fulham in the PL. Zamora and AJ aren’t even close. Clearly he is Fulham’s most effective goal scorer. They need to sell him off and he needs to take his game to the next level.
I bet if he can excel his play in the EL, like score a goal or help them advance into the competition come next summer he will head to a CL team. For sure
Deuce with the match winner!
Dickson Ethuhu (sp) is garbage, i’ve never seen him play well in the maybe 50 or so games i’ve seen him in.
Clint!!!!
Something was long overdue. Woodwork, woodwork, then finally!
GOAL FULHAM!!!! Gotta love it when Dempsey scores and the commentator goes, “All the way from Texas!!” Well done my fellow Texan, well done. 1-0 Fulham over Liverpool.
Yeah. Say what you want about Bellamy, but at least he acts like a man unlike Suarez.
The Deuce is loose!
DEUCE!!!!
CLINT DEMPSEY SCORES!!!!!
DEMPSEY!!!!!
Dempsey! There it is!
This is a great match…Clint looking more and more likely to score.
Wow!! Clint with a great move in the box, makes Johnson fall down and curls his effort of the bar.
Yikes. Too bad that harsh red card may determine the outcome.
Good thing he was tussling with Bellamy and not someone like Suarez. Suarez would have faked being head butted and Dempsey would be gone.
Could Dempsey take Bellamy in a fight? He’s got the size advantage.
Currently playing around the world.
It might help if he had someone to take the pressure off. Nobody else seemingly can hold onto the ball for Fulham.
Clint is too good. Easily the best American player.
Dempsey is having chances and isn’t making the most of them. He needs to seriously work on his shooting ability and he’ll be very dangerous in the EPL. His passing, dribbling and touches are on point, just his ability to put “hard” accurate shots on frame. Liverpool are giving him way too much space and he doesn’t look “hungry”.
I’m proctoring a writing exam at a west coast university. Cool that you can stream from my campus. Too bad I cannot use the sound, however, since my students would rebel.
seriously Dempsey should get out of Fulham while he can. I doubt they will be relegated. More likely to finish 12-15. And they will be dropped out of the EL soon. He should see if PSG or Villarreal still want him and if he can, move next summer
Dempsey get that Hat-trick son
Never thought I’d say this, but Liverpool is done without Lucas. He was the unsung hero of the year. What a career turnaround since 3 years ago, when he was the most hated man in town.
Come on you Whites!!
Come on Fulham! get one Deuce!
That’s lunch time on the West Coast! Thank you, ESPN3.com.