Gerard Houllier's Liverpool side knew that victory over Charlton at the Valley on the last day of the 2000/01 season would ensure they qualified for the Champions League for the first time since it became known as that in 1992. It proved to be a memorable afternoon for the Reds. Admittedly the first-half was tense- Jamie Carragher was fortunate to get away with a handball in his own penalty area- and Houllier knew that any kind of slip-up from his side could gift Leeds that priceless final spot. It was after 55 minutes that the Reds took the lead, and it was club legend Robbie Fowler who scored. The striker produced an inventive overhead kick inside the box following a corner, and it looped into the top corner of the net. The away fans behind the goals were in raptures. From that point on it was all Liverpool, as Danny Murphy and Fowler both produced clinical strikes to all but finish the game off. Michael Owen added a fourth, ensuring Champions League would be at Anfield in 2001/02. It had been a wonderful season for Houllier's men, who also won an unprecedented cup treble. Liverpool Starting XI: Westerveld, Vignal, Babbel, Hyypia, Carragher, Barmby, McAllister, Gerrard, Berger, Owen, Fowler.
