Ngog gives Liverpool advantage ahead of testing Romanian trip

Striker David Ngog's goal nine minutes from time eventually broke the resistance of a determined Unirea Urziceni at Anfield to give Liverpool a 1-0 first leg lead in the Europa League.

With the visitors intent on soaking up plenty of pressure Rafael Benitez's side struggled to find the creativity to get past the massed Romanian ranks.

However, the Frenchman's close-range header meant the Reds have some breathing space as they head to Bucharest for next week's last-32 second leg.

The victory was only Liverpool's third in nine European fixtures since they hammered Real Madrid 4-0 in the last 16 of the Champions League 11 months ago – a disappointing run which contributed to their exit from Europe's elite-level competition in December.

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora struck a brilliant winner to round off a miserable trip to London for Europa League champions Shakhtar Donetsk as they went down 2-1 at Craven Cottage.

Just two days after the squad was denied entrance into Harrods – owned by Cottagers chairman Mohamed Al Fayed – for looking scruffy, Shakhtar lost a match they looked destined to win comfortably.

Zoltan Gera marked his recovery from a knee injury by firing the opener with just two minutes on the clock, although Shakhtar will be unhappy with keeper Andriy Pyatov's role in the goal.

But then it was one-way traffic as the Ukrainians, inspired by their five-strong Brazilian contingent, outclassed Fulham who clung onto their precious lead until the half hour mark.

Luiz Adriano pounced for the equaliser and a second seemed imminent but Fulham survived until half-time and then clawed back some of the initiative.

Zamora struck the decisive blow in the 63rd minute, unleashing a thunderous 20-yard shot that rattled the crossbar and crashed home for his 14th goal of the season.