Last home game of the season ends in defeat

Van der Vaart scored Tottenham's first. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Liverpool's final home game of the season ended in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham that had its fair share of controversy surrounding, none other than, Howard Webb.

Tottenham's first victory at Anfield since 1993 takes them one point above Liverpool into fifth place and they now hold the ace to qualify for the Europa League. With one game remaining in this season, Spurs look to be favorites to seal the final European place next weekend against Birmingham City while Liverpool play at Aston Villa, who beat Arsenal 2-1 today at the Emirates.

Liverpool started the match slowly and it was Tottenham who gained a foothold in the game. A ninth minute corner provided Van der Vaart with his opportunity when the corner was cleared to the edge of the box and his strike, took a small deflection off Glen Johnson as it, sailed over the head of Pepe Reina. The goal happened to be Van der Vaart's 13th league goal in what has been an impressive first season for the attacking midfielder.

Howard Webb awards a controversial penalty

Liverpool began to put Tottenham under pressure as the second half came to a close but they never had any clear cut opportunity. To be fair, Tottenham defended well and looked very solid at the back.

However, the game didn't end without controversy as Howard Webb has come under heavy scrutiny after his decision to award a very soft penalty in the 55th minute to Tottenham. John Flanagan appeared to make contact with Steven Piennar outside the box as they collided shoulder to shoulder. Momentum was probably Flanagan's second worst enemy in the situation, Webb being number one, as it made the challenge look a bit worse than it was. Luka Modric made no mistake from the spot though as he took the penalty well to give Spurs a 2-0 lead.

In the end Tottenham deserved their win. Liverpool didn't play any where near what was expected and they never really created any substantial chances. Tottenham was able to soak up any pressure Liverpool created and managed to shut down the dangerous Luis Suarez.

Dalglish accepted Tottenham was the better team and they deserved their victory,

"They probably played better than us on the day," Dalglish, who signed a three-year deal to remain as manager earlier this week, told Sky Sports.

"I don't think Pepe (Reina) had too many saves to make, but then we never did enough at the other end either to make it decisive for us"

He also disagreed with Webb's penalty decision, as has many, but didn't elaborate on what he told Sky Sports,

"It wasn't even a foul so it doesn't matter if it was inside or outside the area, but for me maybe it's best to do a Moyesy and not come out to do a press conference."

In other news around football, West Ham have been relegated after blowing a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Wigan, who now have a life line heading into the final weekend of the season. Chelsea and Newcastle drew 2-2 at the Bridge, Fulham won 2-0 over Birmingham City and Rangers claimed the Scottish Premier League title after a 5-1 thrashing of Kilmarnock.

South American delight as Liverpool move up to 5th

Liverpool celebrate Maxi's second

Liverpool move up into 5th spot after a wonderful performance against an in form Fulham side at Craven Cottage. A hat-trick from Maxi Rodriquez and some memorizing play from Luis Suarez carried Liverpool to a 5-2 victory.

Maxi just can not stop scoring in recent weeks as everything he hits finds the back of the net. He netted his second hat-trick in 3 games to give Liverpool the result they needed. It wasn't long until the Argentinian found himself on the score sheet as his first minute strike found the back of the net after some mediocre defending by Fulham. Suarez's strike was deflected and Mark Schwarzer scrambled to clear but it fell straight to Maxi's feet as he made no mistake with the finish.

Liverpool were fantastic in the opening minutes of the game as they continually pressured Fulham into mistakes. Just six minutes after Maxi's first, he doubled his tally when a cross was stood up to the back post and Maxi lost his defender as his left footed volley flew past the keeper to give Liverpool a dream start.

Fulham's terrible start continued as a howler from Schwarzer gifted Liverpool their third goal. Dirk Kuyt's shot from the edge of the box rolled under the keeper as Kuyt ran off celebrating his 5th goal in as many games.

Maxi scoring the opening goal

Fulham did start brightly in the second half and put Liverpool under pressure. They found themselves back in the game when Dembele's effort went in on the 57th minute. Fulham continued to pile on the pressure as they went looking for another but it was Liverpool who scored next when Maxi rounded off his hat-trick with a great 20-yard strike. The goal left Fulham depleted and ended the game as a contest.

The scoring wasn't over though as Luis Suarez scored a well deserved goal for his man of the match performance.  Suarez was played in on goal from a great through ball from Johnjo Shelvey and the Uruguayan finished with great composure as he rounded Schwarzer and tapped the ball across the line. However, the goal of the match was Steve Sidwell's late consolation goal when his half volley flew into Pepe Reina's goal from 25-yards out.

Luis Suarez was undoubtedly the man of the match and his performance was so immense that he beat out hat-trick hero Maxi Rodriguez. Suarez never stopped running as he continued to run at defenders and make them uncomfortable time and time again.

After the match, Kenny said Suarez is playing beyond the clubs wildest dreams,

"He was fantastic. He was running as hard at the end as he was at the beginning. He was causing them all sorts of problems."

"He's really settled in and that's a credit to him and his family. They've settled into the area, settled into the football and I don't think in our wildest dreams we thought he'd settle in so quickly and take to English football like he has done."

Liverpool will now look to this weekend as they take on Tottenham at Anfield. The winner looks likely to take 5th spot but with Manchester City losing this weekend both clubs still have a chance at the final Champions League place. It's unlikely but then again, this is football, and anything can happen.

Reds ease past Newcastle to move into 5th spot

Liverpool continued their strong run of form under Kenny Dalglish with a comfortable 3-0 win over Newcastle at Anfield.

Liverpool came into the match knowing a win would move them up into 5th, ahead of Tottenham after their 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge Saturday afternoon. Goals from Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez sealed the three points and ensured Liverpool moved into the final European qualification place.

Liverpool started well and were rewarded with a goal from Maxi, 10 minutes in, as it took a deflection off a Newcastle defender and into Tim Krul's net. Kuyt stretched Liverpool's advantage just after the break by slotting home from the spot.

 Man of the match, Luis Suarez, made sure of all 3 points when he took his goal well after playing a few passes with Dirk Kuyt and gliding the ball under the diving Krul from 10 yards out.

Andy Carroll, who didn't start, came on with 20 minutes left to play in front of angry Newcastle supports who where left disappointed after his departure. The only thing that was missing, from Liverpool's impressive 3-0 victory over Newcastle, was Andy Carroll's name on the score sheet against his former club.

Despite Newcastle's advantage in possession, they couldn't create any chances to trouble the Liverpool goal. Pepe Reina only had one save to deal with all afternoon as Newcastle couldn't find the target.

Liverpool now look to be favorites to take the final European place despite Tottenham's game in hand.