Zamora shoots down Sunderland to make his point

December 7, 2009


Fulham moved into eighth place in the Premier League after Bobby Zamora’s early strike clinched a 1-0 win over Sunderland at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Roy Hodgson’s team qualified for the Europa League last season after finishing seventh and the west Londoners look capable of repeating that impressive achievement this term.

They have lost just one of their last nine league matches thanks to what was only Zamora’s 10th goal in two seasons with the club.

The former West Ham and Tottenham forward has come in for criticism from Fulham fans for his lack of goals and he celebrated his winner by pushing team-mate Damien Duff out of the way to make an angry gesture to the home supporters.

The Black Cats should have been ahead early on when former Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque ran onto Lorik Cana’s pass but Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was equal to the finish.

That near-miss provoked a superb response from Fulham, who took the lead through Zamora in the seventh minute. Duff laid the ball back to John Pantsil and when the ball came over Zamora nipped in front of Phil Bardsley to head home his sixth goal of the season.

Sunderland suffered another blow when Anton Ferdinand was forced to limp off after being fouled by Erik Nevland as the defender tried to shield the ball out of play.

American midfielder Clint Dempsey was a constant danger to the Sunderland defence and he curled a free-kick just over the crossbar before shooting wide from Zamora’s pass.

Zamora came close to a second goal twice in quick succession when he nodded Jonathan Greening’s cross wide, then but headed against the bar from Paul Konchesky’s cross.

Nevland was guilty of a far worse miss before half-time when Zamora found him in the six-yard box. Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop saved Nevland’s first effort and the former Manchester United striker blasted over the rebound with the goal at his mercy.

Dempsey tried his luck again early in the second half as Fulham pressed for the second goal, but his long-range shot was off-target.

Out of nothing Kenwyne Jones was presented with a glorious chance to equalise by Paul Konchesky’s wayward back-pass. Schwarzer came to the rescue with a smart stop to frustrate the visitors.

Bruce’s side went even closer to an equaliser when Darren Bent met Kieran Richardson’s cross with a fierce volley that flashed just wide.

LONDON (AFP)

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Early goals take Hull away from drop zone

November 26, 2009


An early three-goal salvo gave Hull City three vital points in securing a 3-2 win over Everton in the English Premier League on Wednesday.

Stephen Hunt snatched the opener after nine minutes and Andy Dawson netted a free kick in the 20th minute before Dean Marney grabbed a third just before the half hour mark to leave Everton, themselves too close to the drop zone for comfort, shellshocked.

After the break the Merseysiders fought their way back into the contest and a comical own goal from Kamil Zayatte four minutes after the restart gave David Moyes’ men a sliver of hope.

Louis Saha converted a spotkick which Zayatte conceded by fouling the French striker midway through the second period but the Tigers then battened down the hatches and held on for a win which takes them to 15 points, level with the Toffees.

Everton now have just one win in their last 10 games while Hull boss Phil Brown’s gamble of resting experienced veteran Jimmy Bullard owing to a minor knee problem paid off.

Everton had won a League Cup encounter between the sides 4-0 at the KC Stadium earlier this season but were a pale shadow of themselves by comparison.

The win takes Hull up a notch to 15th level on points with Wednesday’s rivals and one clear of Wigan, trounced 9-1 at Spurs at the weekend.

Also on Wednesday, Fulham saw off Blackburn 3-0 as the Londoners moved into the top half of the table with goals from Erik Nevland just before the interval and a second-half brace from Dempsey.

Blackburn dropped back to 12th as their conquerors leapfrogged them.

LONDON (AFP)

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Roma late show shocks Fulham, Celtic face Europa League exit

November 6, 2009


Fulham compromised their hopes of advancing in the Europa League on Thursday when Roma came from behind to win 2-1 in Italy, the English Premiership side ending the Group E contest with nine men, while Everton slumped 2-0 at home to Benfica.

Diomansy Kamara shocked the Stadio Olimpico by netting a spotkick on 19 minutes after Marco Andreolli brought him down but everything went downhill for the visitors thereafter as substitute Erik Nevland was dismissed within three minutes of coming on for a heavy challenge on Daniele De Rossi.

Former Liverpool man John Arne Riise then levelled after 69 minutes with a deflected effort and Stefano Okaka headed the clincher a quarter of an hour from the end before defender Paul Konchesky fouled Rodrigo Taddei to leave Fulham two men down.

The loss means Roy Hodgson’s side, who had held the Romans on their own turf, suffered their first reverse in the group and they now stand third, two points behind Roma with two games remaining.

At Goodison Park, Everton were outclassed for the second time by Benfica, the Portuguese winning with strikes from Javier Saviola after good work by highly-rated Angel di Maria, then an acrobatic volley from Oscar Cardozo to leave the Portuguese three points clear at the top of Group I.

The win meant a happy return to Merseyside for Benfica legend Eusebio, who scored six of his nine goals at Goodison in the 1966 World Cup, including two in a win over Brazil and four more in the memorable 5-3 success over North Korea.

“Today for me, for my family, it’s a good day, for Benfica to play here. This stadium for me is the best stadium in my playing life,” Eusebio told Channel Five television before the game.

The top two teams from each group will join the third-placed sides from the eight Champions League groups in the last 32.

Shakhtar Donetsk, who won the final UEFA Cup competition last season before the competition morphed into the Europa League, are through after they made it four wins in four games, beating French side Toulouse 2-0 in Group J.

Werder Bremen of Germany are through after seeing off Austria Vienna 2-0 in Group L.

French veteran Robert Pires was twice on target for Villarreal in Group G group in a 4-1 home romp over Lazio to join the Italians on six points.

Celtic’s hopes of advancing hang by a thread after they could only manage a goalless draw in Hamburg, to whom they had lost at home in Group C.

Celtic, just one win now in 25 European away ties, prop up the group with Thursday’s point only their second to date after striker Scott McDonald missed two good chances to secure maximum points at the Nordbank Arena.

The Germans lie second in the group on seven points with Israeli outfit Hapoel Tel Aviv out in front after the latter moved onto nine points following a 3-0 romp at Rapid Vienna.

Elsewhere, Ajax are as good as through after they won 2-0 away to nine-man Dinamo Zagreb with Marko Pantelic and Demy de Zeeuw on target.

Dinamo had Leandro Cufre and Adrian Calello dismissed in a match played behind closed doors owing to recent crowd trouble.

Anderlecht are also looking set fair for the next phase after a 3-1 home success over Romania’s Timisoara left them and their Dutch rivals six points clear.

In Group B, veteran Hernan Crespo was on target as Genoa edged out Lille 3-2 while Valencia, twice Champions League finalists, let slip a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Slavia Prague.

Lille are still a point ahead of Valencia and Genoa.

Turkish side Galalatasary are through from Group F after Aussie striker and former Leeds and Liverpool forward Harry Kewell netted the opener in a 3-0 win at Dinamo Bucharest.

PARIS (AFP)

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Ancelotti on learning curve at Chelsea

August 23, 2009


Carlo Ancelotti admits he has learned a lot about English football during the first few days of the Premier League campaign.

While Ancelotti’s Chelsea side have claimed two victories – a fortunate opening day win against Hull City and a more convincing triumph at Sunderland – two of their main title rivals have stumbled.

The most spectacular of those falls was Manchester United’s shock defeat to Burnley and with only two games gone, Chelsea already enjoy a three-point advantage over United and Liverpool.

The Chelsea manager is wise enough to know that a three-point lead counts for nothing at this stage of the season, but will count for an awful lot nine months down the line.

And with a challenging trip to near neighbours Fulham next up on Sunday, Ancelotti acknowledges that it is vitally important his side maintain their steady start.

“It’s normal that you see different results at the start of the season because some teams are not in the best condition,” said the former AC Milan coach.

“So maybe unbelievable results can happen and Burnley’s result against Manchester United was an unbelievable result.

“I’ve learned already in my first matches that every game is difficult. You feel the push of the fans away from home and every game has a very good atmosphere.

“The season is very, very long and what’s happened to other teams can happen to us. But I’m not thinking of others’ problems, I’m thinking of our own work. And to be top of the table is not bad.

“It’s better to be trying to stay at the top of the table, and not be further down trying to get up.”

Ancelotti has quickly shown he intends to rotate his squad around and has already employed different formations against Hull and Sunderland.

Having come across Roy Hodgson when the Fulham manager was working in Italy in charge at Inter Milan over a decade ago, the Chelsea coach expects to face well-organised opponents capable of ending the Blues’ winning start.

“In Italy Roy has a very good reputation. I know him because when he was coach of Switzerland I went to watch him coach for a week. I know Fulham will present a more difficult test than Sunderland but we are playing well at the moment and we want to continue in that way.

“Ancelotti will be without central defender Alex who has a groin problem while Russian midfielder Yuri Zhirkov is still struggling with a knee problem.

Hodgson’s injury problems are more serious with striker Andrew Johnson having damaged his shoulder in the 3-1 Europa League victory of Amkar Perm of Russia.

Hodgson could at least draw comfort from the fact that Johnson’s injury is not as bad as first feared, and now faces a decision over who should partner Bobby Zamora up front.

Norway international Erik Nevland could start if he proves his fitness although US star Clint Dempsey could also be pushed forward from his usual position on the flanks.

Hodgson will hand a first league start to Damien Duff who will have the added incentive of facing his former club.

Duff had three seasons at Stamford Bridge, helping the club to win two titles before switching to Newcastle in 2006.

LONDON (AFP)

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Fulham hammer Perth Glory on Aussie tour

July 16, 2009


Fulham wrapped up their pre-season tour of Australia with an impressive 5-0 rout of Perth Glory here on Wednesday, with Erik Nevland bagging an eight-minute hat-trick.

The English Premier League team had a mixed time in their first two outings against A-League sides, losing 2-1 to Gold Coast and then beating Melbourne Victory 3-0.

But they were far too good for the Glory, dominating possession and creating almost endless scoring opportunities against an outclassed opponent.

“I’ve been pleased with all three games,” Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said, looking forward to the new season and a European campaign.

“What you saw from the team tonight is going to be what we are looking for when we go into Europe as well.

“We took the game very seriously and worked in the same way had we been playing Premier League opposition.

“What I’ve seen is players with a very focussed attitude to how we want to play.”

Fulham were dangerous from the off, with strikers Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora creating havoc, Hodgson playing down reports a deal had been struck with Hull that would see the latter join City in a five-million-pound deal.

Johnson opened the scoring in the 17th minute, pouncing on a rebound to slot home.

A rare opportunity to see Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in action was a big draw for local fans, but the Fulham custodian was barely called into action in the first half and was substituted at the break.

Both Johnson and Zamora, whom Hodgson said would be hard to replace should he move to Hull City, were also rested in the second half as Fulham worked into a strong breeze.

Substitute Nevland got on the end of some crafty passes from Zoltan Gera and Edward Johnson to make it 2-0 in the 60th minute.

Just four minutes later, Nevland made it a brace when he slotted coolly past Alex Vrteski from the edge of the box.

The 31-year-old Norwegian made it a quickfire hat-trick in the 68th minute — Fulham’s fourth — after he ran onto a clever through ball from Johnson and again found himself with just Vrteski to beat.

Andranik added a fifth in the 82nd minute as the Londoners ended their tour in style.

PERTH, Australia (AFP)

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Fulham beats Aussie champions Melbourne 3-0

July 11, 2009


English Premier League side Fulham made up for their upset midweek defeat to claim a comfortable 3-0 win over Australian A-League champions Melbourne Victory here on Saturday.

A first-half penalty to Andy Johnson and second-half strikes from substitute Eddie Johnson and Norwegian Erik Nevland helped the Cottagers make amends for their surprise 2-1 loss to A-League newcomers Gold Coast United in Queensland last Wednesday.

Andy Johnson ran on to a superb Danny Murphy through pass but was bundled to the ground by Melbourne skipper and former Rangers and Millwall defender Kevin Muscat and was awarded a penalty.

Johnson took the kick and neatly dispatched it low to the keeper?s left in the 32nd minute.

Fulham, who have qualified for the inaugural Europa League this season after finishing seventh in the English Premier League last season, were far more enterprising in the second half.

They made the match safe in the 67th minute when American Eddie Johnson raced on to a ball and slotted home past goalkeeper Glen Moss for 2-0.

South Korean Seol Ki-Hyeon dispossessed Victory midfielder Billy Celeski in the middle of the pitch and flicked a perfect pass into the path of Nevland who clinically made it three on 73 minutes.

Nevland had an opportunity for a fourth goal when he attempted to lob the goalkeeper with a delicate half volley, only for it to rebound off the crossbar.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson, who played his strongest possible line-up from kick-off, said that made a huge difference to the result compared with the surprise loss to Gold Coast where he experimented.

“It was a better performance, but tonight we played with what we considered our best line-up for 60 minutes,” Hodgson said.

“Melbourne were good, they were very competitive, created some good chances in the first half.”

Fulham’s Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was substituted with 25 minutes remaining to generous applause from the crowd of 20,000.

With one win and one loss so far in Australia, Fulham round off their three-match tour with another friendly against Perth Glory in Perth on Wednesday.

MELBOURNE (AFP)

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Disallowed Viduka goal leaves Magpies on brink

May 17, 2009


NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) – Mark Viduka endured an afternoon of frustration as he failed to find a way past fellow Australian Mark Schwarzer in Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat by Fulham, which leaves the Magpies on the brink of relegation.

Striker Viduka saw a goal disallowed and another effort cleared off the line to leave Alan Shearer’s side entering the final game of the season in the relegation zone.

Diomansy Kamara’s fourth goal of the season shortly before half-time cements Fulham’s seventh place in the table and keeps them on track to qualify for the revamped Europa League.

But Newcastle’s concerns remain at the other end of the table, where even a victory at Aston Villa on May 24 might not be enough to secure safety after Hull’s draw at Bolton.

They will also have to do without key defender Sebastien Bassong through suspension at Villa Park after the French centre-back was sent off on the hour for tripping Kamara as the Fulham forward sped through on goal.

Whether Michael Owen figures in a week’s time remains to be seen. Newcastle were again without their injury-prone 16-million-pound striker, who has strenuously denied claims he’s set to retire at the end of the season to concentrate on his racehorse stable.

Owen, who is widely expected to leave the club when his 110,000-pound-a-week contract expires in the summer, failed to recover after missing training on Friday with a groin problem, to fuel speculation he has played his last game in a black and white shirt.

His replacement up front alongside Viduka, Obafemi Martins, who was clearly not 100 percent fit after groin problems of his own, struck the post with a fierce shot from 15 yards after swapping passes with Kevin Nolan on the quarter hour, before Viduka went close with a header from Danny Guthrie’s centre as Newcastle made the early running.

But it was far from one-way traffic. Steve Harper was forced to save from Zoltan Gera while Clint Dempsey shot narrowly wide before Erik Nevland curled a 20-yard effort inches wide with Harper beaten after being released by a neat Kamara flick as the visitors began to exert more influence on the contest.

Fulham’s dangerous front two combined to greater effect four minutes before the interval to finally break the deadlock.

Danny Murphy’s pass beat Newcastle’s offside trap to release Nevland, who held off Bassong to round Harper before squaring to the unmarked Kamara, who had the simple task of firing the ball into the roof of an unguarded net.

Viduka posed a constant threat for Newcastle, and the 33-year-old looked like rewarding his industry with a goal as Newcastle made an impressive start to the second-half.

But he was denied twice within a matter of seconds five minutes after the restart, first by Dickson Etuhu, and secondly by referee Howard Webb.

Etuhu was well placed to hack Viduka’s glancing header off the line after the forward reacted first to Danny Guthrie’s free-kick. Viduka found his target when heading home Guthrie’s resulting corner, only for Webb to controversially rule the effort out for Nolan’s foul on Schwarzer.

Newcastle struggled with their numerical disadvantage after Bassong’s exit, but it took two fine Schwarzer saves at the end to secure the points for Fulham.

The first, 12 minutes from time, saw the Australian international beat out a close-range Martins effort after the bustling striker forced his way past Aaron Hughes to shoot from a narrow angle.

Then, in injury-time, Nicky Butt saw his snap shot from eight yards brilliantly kept out by Schwarzer at the foot of his right-hand post.

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