Liverpool edge past Fulham 1-0

Liverpool: A second-half own goal by Ghana defender John Pantsil gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Fulham at Anfield on Wednesday to maintain the team's resurgence under new manager Kenny Dalglish.

Pantsil sliced an attempted clearance into his own net following a goalmouth scramble in the 53rd minute to gift Liverpool a second successive victory, lifting the 18-time champions up to seventh in the table.

Spain striker Fernando Torres had a goal harshly ruled out for offside in a first half in which the hosts had a slight advantage, but Fulham came back strongly after halftime.

The London club, which remained 15th in the standings, squandered a number of late openings, with defender Brede Hangeland having a header cleared off the line.

Liverpool is now unbeaten in its last three games under Dalglish, who took over for a second spell in charge of the club on Jan. 9 following the firing of Roy Hodgson, the former Fulham manager.

Hodgson's replacement, Mark Hughes, saw his team provide a rip-roaring finish to the game but the visitors were indebted to an incorrect call by the linesman and the exploits of goalkeeper David Stockdale to remain level at halftime.

Torres was unfortunate to see his sixth-minute strike, which he put away after running onto Raul Meireles' through-ball, ruled out for offside. Replays suggested the official got his decision wrong.

Stockdale pushed wide a header by Meireles before tipping over a long-range effort by full back Glen Johnson.

Fulham's only attempts of the first half came from United States midfielder Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele, both saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina.

The deadlock was broken in comic style in the 52nd. A shot from Torres was deflected onto the post and came back out to Pantsil, who sliced an attempted clearance into his own net.

Fulham had the better of the final stages and was unlucky not to take one of host of chances created.

Aaron Hughes forced Reina into a superb low save and the Northern Ireland international's central-defensive partner Hangeland saw his header hacked clear off the line by Meireles.

Striker Moussa Dembele also went close for Fulham but Liverpool hung on.