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Liverpool overcomes battling Charlton

In-form strikers Robbie Fowler and Stan Collymore grabbed the goals that took Liverpool a step nearer a return to Wembley. Fowler opened the scoring for the Coca-Cola Cup holders after 12 minutes with his 27th goal of a marvellous season.

 

And Collymore weighed in with the second after 59 minutes -- his 14th of the campaign following his £8.5million move from Nottingham Forest -- to send the Reds into the last eight of the FA Cup.

It is little wonder Ian Rush cannot get in the starting line-up -- the Liverpool folk hero is expected to leave in the summer on a free transfer. But he replaced Collymore for the last 11 minutes tonight and was given a rapturous reception by the Kop. The man who holds the record for the most FA Cup goals this century -- 42 -- almost added to his tally within minutes of coming on.

Fowler unselfishly released Rush and it seemed a certain goal but, not for the first time, Charlton keeper Mike Salmon made a marvellous block.

 

The Londoners gave a spirited display, befitting a team with such an impressive record away from home this season. And Liverpool were forced to endure a nervy final three minutes after substitute Kim Grant pulled a goal back. It was the first time Liverpool had conceded a goal in the competition this season and they were relieved to hear the final whistle.

 

Charlton almost made a dream start when Jason McAteer misdirected a cross from Mark Robson but Lee Bowyer could not get any power on his shot. Salmon then did well to first punch clear a shot from McAteer before blocking the rebound from Fowler.

 

Fowler put Liverpool ahead with a goal that is fast becoming his trade mark, making space in the penalty area to get on the end of a cross from McAteer. Carl Leaburn, who had been forced to go off the field after damaging a boot when the first goal was scored, headed narrowly over after Robson had swung in a corner. Collymore should have put Liverpool further ahead before the break and Charlton defender Richard Rufus was forced to make a hurried clearance.

Collymore squandered another good opportunity when he only found Salmon's body with his shot after Fowler and Steve McManaman had linked up.

 

Liverpool went further ahead when Michael Thomas picked out Collymore who was lurking in the penalty area and this time he made no mistake. The home fans sat back expecting a rout with Fowler and McManaman both denied by Salmon. Fowler then saw another shot beaten away by Salmon and the keeper's parry just evaded Rush who was on hand to snap up any opportunity.

Grant then beat keeper David James with a speculative 20-yard shot that looped over the Liverpool keeper to give Charlton a glimmer of hope. But Liverpool weathered the late storm to take their unbeaten run to 15 matches and set up a quarter final tie at Leeds.

 

Liverpool manager Roy Evans declared himself a member of the Charlton fan club after his Premiership side chalked up a 2-1 victory in their FA Cup fifth-round tie at Anfield tonight.

Substitute Kim Grant pulled a goal back for the first division promotion chasers with three minutes remaining to set up a tense finale.

 

Evans, whose side had seemed in control after goals from Robbie Fowler (12 minutes) and Stan Collymore (59), said: "I like the way Charlton play. They are entertaining and adventurous. We didn't kill the game off like we should have done but Charlton are a team that never give up."

"At times I felt we fell below the standard we have set ourselves. We need to concentrate fully for 90 minutes."

 

Collymore, who now has 14 goals for the season, was taken off with 11 minutes to go and replaced by Ian Rush, who is set to leave the club on a free transfer at the end of season.

Evans explained: "Stan has had a touch of the flu the last couple of days and hasn't felt too brilliant."

 

Fowler's goal -- his 27th of the term -- came when Charlton were down to 10 men with striker Carl Leaburn off the field looking for a new set of boots. Manager Alan Curbishley said: "Carl's boots had split and we were chasing around looking for a new pair. It disrupted us. There weren't any in the bag on the touchline and we found the dressing rooms locked. We were chasing around."  Curbishley added: "I am a little bit disappointed with this performance. A couple of things never came off. When we got the goal it gave us a new lease of life and put the pressure on Liverpool. I wanted the game to go on for another five minutes. We can take heart from this game. My big fear was that we would come away on a downer but we are going away on a high."

 

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