English Premier League: Clint Dempsey Makes History, Keeps Fulham in EPL

by Thomas Atzenhoffer on The Bleacher Report

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

In what has been a landmark season for Clint Dempsey, the American forward continues to make a name for himself in the English Premier League.

Following a 2010 appearance in the UEFA Europa League, Fulham had high hopes for success this EPL season. However, the departure of Manager Roy Hodgson for Liverpool during the summer slammed the doors on many of those hopes.

Former manager Mark Hughes was appointed to take his place, and after what was believed to be a season doomed for relegation the London club have risen from the brink thanks to stand-out performer Clint Dempsey.

The Texan and USA Men's National Team member has been on a run of fabulous form since the United States' run in the 2009 Confederations Cup, in which the Americans nearly took the trophy from Brazil.

Dempsey was key to Fulham's success in their run to the Europa League final, and took center stage at the 2010 World Cup for the United States alongside Landon Donovan.

He became only the second American ever to tally a double-digit goal total in the English Premier League on March 19, 2011 in a loss to Everton. Brian McBride, during his own time at Fulham, was the first.

The loss to Everton is the only game Dempsey has scored in that the Cottagers have failed to take points from.

His meteoric rise to fame in the Premier League and the halls of American internationals abroad continued to take off today. Behind the bells and whistles of "El Clasico," the UEFA Champion's League first leg of Real Madrid vs Barcelona, the former Furman Paladin put two into the back of the net in Fulham's 3-0 victory over Bolton.

With those two goals, Dempsey takes his total to 12 on the season, with an additional three assists.

He now sits in eighth place on the EPL scoring list, tied with Newcastle United Captain Kevin Nolan, Javier Hernandez of Manchester United and Tottenham's Rafael Van Der Vaart.

Not only did his performance propel Dempsey above any American in the history of the Premier League, it also made him Fulham's leading scorer in the Premier League era. The 33rd strike of his Fulham career lifted him past Steed Malbranque and Brian McBride.

The Cottagers have taken 19 of 21 points in their last seven home games, and with four games remaining they sit in ninth place on 42 points with a spot in next season's top flight all but guaranteed.

Much of that is thanks to their American hit-man.


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EPL: Kalou, Gyan, Dempsey, Nolan, and 11 Others Enjoying Great Seasons

Many Players are Experiencing Great Seasons under the Radar in the EPL this year.

by Thomas Atzenhoffer on The Bleacher Report
March 25, 2011.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Everyone knows that Dimitar Berbatov is the leading scorer in the English Premiership. Everyone knows that Rafael Van Der Vaart and Gareth Bale are experiencing great seasons with Tottenham Hotspur. However, there are some other attacking players having great success across the league this season that many may not have noticed.

It is no secret that a lot of times players can have great career seasons, but go quietly unnoticed because their club is having a rough year. That is the case for some of those mentioned, and others are here because they are having career years for themselves but are still flying under the radar.

So in the hopes of given out some praise for those that aren't the darlings of the media, here is a group of achievers in this years competition........READ MORE AND START THE SLIDESHOW ON THE BLEACHER REPORT.

Clint Dempsey: A Profile of Fulham's American Attacker Staking His Claim

The Texan Continues to Make a name for himself at Fulham

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
March 21, 2011

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

American players aren't often the most highly thought of in English football. Many regard those of us across the pond to not have the most innate sense of love or passion for the beautiful game, but in the last few years several American players have made those in the English Premier League take notice.

Brian McBride had an excellent career at Fulham, scoring 41 goals in 151 appearances between 2004 and 2008. Tim Howard and Brad Friedel have risen to be two of the best goalkeepers in the EPL for Everton and Aston Villa respectively, and American starlet Landon Donovan experienced an excellent loan spell at Everton last season.

However, none of them have arrived at the level that Clint Dempsey has for an American as of Saturday, and few of them have had the kind of impact that he has in the last two seasons. Dempsey has been the rising star of the Cottagers for several seasons now. Last season he helped to lead them to the final of the 2010 Europa League.

Although they failed to achieve victory against Atletico Madrid, the feat of getting so far by a team that many regarded to be a mid-table bottom-feeding club in England was magnificent to watch.......READ MORE AT THE BLEACHER REPORT

Own Goal Saves the Day, But Should have been Worse

Article first published as Own Goal Saves the Day, But Should have been Worse on Technorati.

A Hard Fought Battle Earns Liverpool 3 Points through Pantsil Own Goal

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
January 27, 2011

Liverpool celebrate back to back victories for the first time under Kenny Dalglish. The fact that last nights victory came in a much harder fought contest than Wolves proves that there is indeed a turn around going on at Anfield under the King. Torres had what would have been the opening goal on the 4th minutes disallowed for being offside, which upon further review was correct.

Raul Meireles continued his fine form as he pushed Liverpool forward. Stephen Gerrard made his return for the Reds and voiced his team to push forward on multiple occasions showing a renewed vigor as the on field leader as he barked orders to his men all night long. Gerrard took the place of Lucas Leiva whom was out with a knock suffered in training. Chritian Poulsen put in another decent performance as he continues to renew his belief in himself, and hopefully in the face of the fans.

The pace of Lucas was missed in the midfield however. The Brazillian usually combines with Dirk Kuyt as the none stop energy to drive the central Liverpool machine, but his injury, and an obviously worn out Kuyt were missing. Kuyt was replaced with youngster Jonjo Shelvey whom has featured in every game under Dalglish.

It should have been 2-0 to Liverpool by Halftime as they had fired multiple shots on goal that would have been into the back of the net against any keeper whom wasn't in as fine of form as Fulham's David Stockdale. Asian Cup duties kept first choice Mark Schwarzer busy in Qatar, but his backup is making a serious push for a permanent place in the staring eleven with displays such as his last night.

The second half saw a continued hard fight as Fulham was lifted by former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy whom rolled back the years to put in a Man of the Match performance. American Clint Dempsey fired several blistering top class shots a Pepe Reina the Spanish keeper was a stalwart for the Reds when they needed him the most.

Attack after attack from Liverpool eventually led to an own goal from Fulham right back John Pantsil. Had he not scored it, Meireles certainly would have finished it off as he was on top of the keeper ready to pounce for what could have been his third goal in as many games. Following his debacle in the back Pantsil let out his frustration in attempts to start altercations with Liverpool Captain Gerrard and earned himself a yellow card in due time.

Maxi Rodriguez also was lively for the match as he continues to become more attuned to the English game and has been playing out wider under Dalglish instead of making so many runs into the middle. This has been helping to create more space for Torres whom is flourishing under the pass and move style of the Liverpool teams of old.

With the team now up to seventh in the table and away from the drop zone, for the moment, the fans can breath a huge sigh of relief as the second coming of King Kenny is inspiring a rebirth and rejuvenation of the Reds. With 14 games to go just how high can the Reds find themselves before the end of the campaign?

What Comes Next for Liverpool? The Reds by the Numbers

Article first published as What Comes Next for Liverpool? The Reds by the Numbers on Technorati.

The King has the Reds on the Rise, But Just How Far Can We Go From Here

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
January 27, 2011

Its 7th Heaven for the Reds for the moment after a second straight win under Kenny Dalglish has propelled the club into the top half of the table. The Reds finished 7th last year and booked a UEFA Europa League spot, but knowing the King he will be aiming higher than that. Champions League Qualification is still a possibility believe it or not because of how crazy this season has been in the English Premier League. With the club finally mounting a climb in the table I thought it would be interesting to see just where the Reds could possibly end up based on a couple different situations.

Champions League?

I know it seems like a long shot but there is still that chance for the Reds. This year confined to the UEFA Europa League, which we reconvene on February 17 in Prague against Sparta Praha in the first leg of our Round of 32 knockout stage tie. Dalglish has the team and fans reunited, but can they push their new found confidence enough to challenge Sunderland, Tottenham, and Chelsea ahead of them for 4th.

Qualifying for the Champions League domestically will take even more effort but it is still possible. Liverpool sit 7th in the table with 32 points from 9 wins 5 draws and 10 losses. If the Reds win out the last 14 games of the season we would have a total of 74 points. That is the highest we can manage no matter what we do. However, if you look at the past five seasons the average number of points needed to place 4th or higher was 71. So it is possible. The highest total of the past five was 76 points which Liverpool amassed in the 07-08 season.

The statistics give us an outside chance on averages but it is still a long shot. Chelsea is currently in 4th place on 41 points with a game in hand. That means the Reds currently have a 9 point swing to make up for, if the Blues win the missing match it will be a 12 point swing. Best case scenario we start by beating the Blues for the double over them at Stamford Bridge on February 6th.

As much as I want to see Liverpool in the Champions League next season I truly don't know if we can over come the gap, nor keep Tottenham from beating us in that same race. If the planets aligned just right I see Liverpool getting out of the next 14 games with 9 wins 3 Draws and 2 Losses. That would bring our points total to 62.

The Lowest 4th place finish in the last ten seasons belongs to Liverpool from the 2003-2004 season where we finished with 60 points, and Everton Finished 4th on 61 Points the following season. So numbers wise if we can obtain at least 60 points we have 5/1 odds on a Champions League spot. Given as upside down as this season has truly been who is to say we cant still make it.

Transfer Impacts?

The final say in whether Liverpool add some extra ability to increase the likelyhood of such a push for the 4th spot in the table remains to be seen. The controversies surrounding all the transfer targets of the Reds is increasing, and with every waking moment the window is closer to being shut as there are only 4 days left. If deals are going to be made they need to be made now.

Luis Suarez is still the top target along with Charlie Adam. Stephen Warnock is still on the cards to replace Paul Konchesky, if the later does indeed return to Fulham, and the cash and time is available to complete a move for the former Liverpool Academy starlet.

Other outside transfer targets in and out of the media have been Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Ashley Young and Stewart Downing (Aston Villa), Eljero Elia (Hamburg), David Bentley (Loaned to Birmingham City), Charles N'Zogbia (Wigan), Matt Jarvis (Wolves), and even Ronaldinho was linked with both Liverpool and Blackburn before he marked his return to Brazil. Also Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich) and Danial Sturridge (Chelsea) were mentioned looking at loan moves before the opening of the transfer window in January, but neither ever seemed to have carried any weight.

At the rate it is going I truly don't see many moves being completed, and the King will have to take what he has and mold it to his pass and move offense to get the best finish possible.

Liverpool vs Fulham Line Ups Announced

Liverpool and Fulham announce official Line-Ups for Todays Clash

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
January 26, 2011

The line-up cards have been turned in and it looks like it will be a great game tonight in front of the Anfield faithful. Only about half an hour until You Never Walk Alone will be belted from the Kop to the Shankley Gates.

Fulham will have to work hard as several players are missing due to injury and Asian Cup duty. Dickson Etuhu is out but Aaron Hughes will start despite his recent knock. Bobby Zamora is still sidelined due to a broken leg, and first choice keeper Mark Schwarzer is away with Australia as they continue to march on through the Asian Cup. Clint Dempsey and Andrew Johnson will both hope their current form will help lift their side as both have been enjoying a rich vein of goal scoring as of the new year. Steve Sidwell is set to make his first start for his new club since arriving from Aston Villa earlier in the month.

Liverpool welcome back Steven Gerrard and Pepe Reina will return the captains armband after the former serving his three match ban for a Red Card picked up against Manchester United a fortnight ago. Martin Kelly again will be in the side for Kenny Dalglish as the young defender is establishing himself in the starting eleven nicely. Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles look to continue their goal scoring exploits as the Reds look to strike a dagger into the Cottagers and ride three points into the top ten of the table.


Line-Ups

Liverpool: Reine; Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Meireles, Poulsen, Kuyt, Gerrard, Maxi, Torres.

Fulham: Stockdale; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Baird, Duff, Sidwell, Murphy (c), Dempsey, Dembele, A Johnson

Reds take on Cottagers at Anfield

Article first published as Liverpool vs Fulham EPL Preview on Technorati.

Liverpool vs Fulham Match Preview

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
January 26, 2011

Liverpool will face Fulham this Wednesday in a make-up game due to the horrendous weather that shook the Western seaboard of the United Kingdom in December. The time since then has seen what is the possible rekindling of confidence for both sides as each will hope to take maximum points.

Pantsil Brings Down Torres

The recent run of form that has struck Mark Hughes and the Cottagers was rather unexpected. While riding on the back of Texan and US National team member Clint Dempsey has been the key for most of the season, the recent return to form for striker Andy Johnson has spurned on the Cottagers. The arrival of Steve Sidwell from Aston Villa during the window looks to be a positive, but he still must beat out the likes of Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu for a starting 11 spot. With a record of 3-1-1 since the start of the New Year, the Londoners look to come to Merseyside ready for a fight.

King Kenny Dalglish finally got his first win this weekend against Wolves in an attacking display that has been sorely missed from the Reds this season. His fourth game in charge saw Fernando Torres continue to return to his old self scoring two goals, and witnessed Raul Meireles coming into his own as he displayed a man of the match performance at Molineux Stadium.

Steven Gerrard will also be returning for the King in this match after serving a three game ban for his red card against Manchester United a fortnight ago. Other than having their captain back the Reds have no new faces to appear under the leadership of Dalglish as the transfer battles for Luis Suarez or Ajax, Charlie Adam of Blackpool, and Charles N'Zogbia of Wigan continue to linger on. Ryan Babel took his leave from Anfield just this morning by accepting a transfer to TSG Hoffenheim of the Bundesliga.

I look for this to be a cagey start as Fulham will hope to disrupt the early flow of the game to lessen the effect of the Liverpool fans. By the 20th minute or so things should settle in much like the Wolves match over the weekend for the Reds. Torres and Meireles look to still be in top class shape with the support of Steven Gerrard to add into the balance. Fulham will rely on American wide-man Dempsey as usual and with a heavy dose of pressure on Johnson to strike. However, I foresee King Kenny getting the best out of his men again as the pass and move style from the Liverpool of old begins to flow into this new generation. Liverpool take three points putting them into the top half of the table in a hard fought 2-1 victory.

Possible Line-ups

Liverpool Possible Stating Eleven: Reina; Kelly, Skrtle, Agger, Johnson, Kuyt, Lucas, Meireles, Maxi, Gerrard, Torres.

Fulham Possible Starting Eleven: Stockdale; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Baird, Dempsey, Murphy, Sidwell, Duff, Johnson, Davies.

England Gridlocked by Winter Storms, Liverpool vs. Fulham Frozen Out

No Liverpool vs. Fulham Grudge match, but Transfer Rumors Galore for the Reds.

By Rhydon Atzenhoffer

December 20, 2010

With all of the British Isles in the grips of a devastatingly powerful winter storm, only a few games were able to be played in the English Premiership on the weekend. With most of the big matches cancelled due to the weather it is giving some teams possibly a much needed rest. The Reds have been in rather sporadic form this season. Big victory here, pathetic loses here, and clear wins becoming draws there. It has been quite a rough season for new gaffer Roy Hodgson.

The old Fulham boss took to the North to ply his trade on the River Mersey while Manchester City ousted manager Mark Hughes went south to take the reins after Hodgson’s departure. The former Manchester United player has had a difficult time in London with only United States winger Clint Dempsey truly putting in the class performances for the Cottagers. With that said it is no wonder that Roy Hodgson and Liverpool have been possible planning a raid for the talented Texan.

Clint Dempsey is in fine form for Fulham

Aside from Dempsey and the other possible new faces that have been circulating in the column this past week there are now several more names popping up on the list. With the manager proclaiming his desire for a Transfer Kitty in January it is certain that there will be some moving and shaking in some capacity.

The most prolific of the names listed as of late has to be Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez whom has fallen out of favor with the Bavarian Giants. The big German would be another target man up from to match with Fernando Torres allowing Hodgson to have two powerful finesse strikers to pair with his traditional 4-4-2 playing style.

 Out of Favor Mario Gomez of Bayern Munich

Another name that has been linked in the last few days in Chelsea’s young attacker Daniel Sturridge whom is believed to be a temporary loan signing to be a stop gap for the Reds until the Summer transfer window when they can possible afford to muster the funds for acquisitions that have been suggested earlier in the year such as Diego Forlan from Atletico Madrid.

 Sturridge would add more youthful options and speed

With so many names circulating as possibly additions it has also been made apparent that the Reds will be looking to offload summer signing Milan Jovanovic only six months after he was brought into the fold. He at this point appears to be surplus to the needs and wants of Hodgson, and he will be used in most cases to help raise additional funds for January incomers. The proof that youngsters David Ngog and Ryan Babel are progressing under the new tutelage of Hodgson gives hope that they can fill the gap left by the 29 year old Serbian.

With so much talk as of late it is heating up to be an exciting transfer period to say the least. With the halfway point here it is imperative that Liverpool continue to make some progress up the table or we could be seeing Roy on the way out.