Fulham claimed only their third point at Anfield in eight seasons of Premier League football - adding to the growing belief that they can avoid a scrap for survival this year.

It was only the Whites' second away point of a largely forgettable series of performances on the road, but coming as it did against title contenders and on the back of home wins against Spurs and Newcastle, it guarantees that spirits remain high.

Skipper Danny Murphy enjoyed his return to the ground he once graced and took pride from the comfortable way his team kept the eager home side at bay.

Liverpool would have taken over from Chelsea at the top of the table had they forced a win, but without the injured Steven Gerrard, they lacked a cutting edge and some typically competent defending from the Whites ensured honours were even. Not even Fernando Torres troubled them unduly.

Roy Hodgson admitted the display was no different from others away from home this season, with his side defending for most of the match and creating a few chances on the break. But the big difference was that Fulham did not concede a late goal to undo all the good work, as they did at Hull, Blackburn and Everton.

The Fulham boss will be hoping his team's new-found confidence will spill over into another difficult away game next Saturday, when the Whites travel to Aston Villa - another ground where they have not fared too well in recent seasons.