By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport

   Robbie Fowler celebrated his 100th goal for Liverpool today in only 165
appearances as Middlesbrough were swept aside at Anfield. 
   And the 21-year-old Toxteth-born striker marked the occasion by
unveiling a T-shirt with the words "Job's A Good 'Un." scrawled on it. 
   Certainly Fowler is a special talent as he proved with a superb
four-goal flourish against Bryan Robson's strugglers. 
   Fowler must have known it was going to be his day when he scored the
opening goal after 29 seconds  the fastest in the Premiership this season. 
   He then joined the 100 club with his 15th goal of the season after 28
minutes and then spent the next 60 seconds showing off his T-shirt to his
team-mates. 
   Stig Bjornebye got a third before half-time with Fowler adding two more
after the break to complete Middlesbrough's misery. 
   Middlesbrough boss Robson had recalled Emerson to his line-up with the
Brazilian making his first appearance in the Premiership for six weeks. 
   But he may as well have been resting on a beach in Rio for all the
impact he had on this game. 
   But it would be unfair to rest all Middlesbrough's problems at his door. 
There are other issues Robson needs to address. 
   Central defenders Phil Whelan and Derek Whyte struggled to cope with the
power and pace of Fowler and Stan Collymore, recalled in place of
flu-victim Patrik Berger. 
    Emerson was left trailing in Collymore's slipstream immediately after
the kick-off with the striker taking the ball to the edge of the area. 
   Collymore's shot hit a defender and broke to Fowler, who steered the
ball beyond stranded keeper Gary Walsh. 
   Middlesbrough, without a win in their previous 11 matches, could not
have had a worse start and their problems increased after 28 minutes when
they went further behind. 
   Collymore, bright and lively, smashed in a shot that struck the foot of
the post and Fowler, following up, swept the ball home to set a Liverpool
landmark. 
   Liverpool added a third on the stroke of half-time and again Collymore
had a part in the goal. He whipped in a free kick that Walsh got a hand to
only for Stig Bjornebye to steer in the rebound. 
   Middlesbrough flickered briefly in the second half although Fabrizio
Ravanelli was unable to get in the game. Like Emerson he must have felt he
would have been better employed elsewhere. 
   Jan Fjortoft got a consolation goal after 75 minutes when he headed in a
free kick from Craig Hignett. 
   But that only spurred Fowler into action with two goals in seven minutes
to complete Liverpool's domination and keep their title challenge on track. 
   Steve McManaman, who scorned a glorious chances earlier, released Fowler
and he made no mistake. 
   Then in the 84th minute he got his fourth and his 17th of the season
when he sold a dummy to keeper Walsh. 


FOWLER BEATS RUSH RECORD WITH 100TH GOAL

   Robbie Fowler stole a march on Liverpool legend Ian Rush today by
joining the Anfield 100 club. 
   The 21-year-old striker carried out a one-man demolition job on
Middlesbrough with four goals in an emphatic 5-1 victory. 
   Fowler unveiled a tee-shirt after the second goal, which brought up the
milestone, which it was originally thought carried the words God Has A Son.
But it was later revealed the message was Job's A Good 'Un. 
  Certainly the England striker was too much of a handful for
Middlesbrough, who are now without a win in 12 Premiership matches. 
   Fowler's 100 goals have come in 165 matches while Rush's ton came in 166
games  and manager Roy Evans was delighted for his Toxteth-born star. 
   "We hope Robbie goes on to beat all Rushie's records, but this is a
great start," said Evans. 
   "It is unbelievable he should have beaten his record as Rushie laid down
standards at this club for others to follow." 
   Fowler said: "I wasn't thinking of Rushie's record but I am delighted to
get those four goals. 
   "If I can score as many as he did, I will be more than happy. He is a
legend around here and it was a great thrill to play with him." 
   Fowler's first goal came after only 29 seconds and was the fastest in
the Premiership this season. 
   That made it an uphill task for Middlesbrough, who are slowly sinking
into the relegation quicksand despite investing heavily in foreign signings. 
   Stan Collymore, recalled to the side in place of 'flu victim Patrik
Berger, was also impressive as Liverpool moved into second spot. 
   Evans said: "There is not a better talent than Collymore in the game
when his application is right. 
   "He keeps getting kicked in the teeth and I admit I might not have
played him if Berger had been fit. 
   "He played today like he played last season and that's what we expect of
him in the future." 
   Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson was desperately searching for
consolation after this drubbing and said: "Fowler was up for it and looking
sharp. He was sprinting everywhere. 
   "Coming to Anfield and conceding a goal within 30 seconds was obviously
going to make things difficult, but we will not come up against teams like
Liverpool every week. 
   "When they are in this mood with red-hot attacking play it would have
been hard, no matter what team I had fielded." 
   Robson recalled Emerson for his first Premiership match in six weeks but
he made little impact. 
   The Middlesbrough manager said: "With all the training he has missed he
was below par and we have got to work on his fitness next week."  

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