Fulham sign Shorey on loan

February 1, 2010

Fulham have completed the loan signing of Nicky Shorey from Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

The 28-year-old has recently returned to Villa Park after a successful loan spell at Nottingham Forest, but he has quickly left for a switch to Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers have lost regular left-back Paul Konchesky to injury, earlier this month and targeted Shorey.

Shorey is expected to go straight into the Fulham squad for next weekend’s game at Bolton and is the club’s second signing of the transfer window following the arrival of Stefano Okaka from Roma.

Tags: Bolton, craven cottage, fulham, game, league rivals, Nottingham, okaka, paul konchesky, premier league, Roma, Stefano Okaka, villa park

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)

Tags: black cats, bobby zamora, Clint Dempsey, constant danger, craven cottage, crossbar, Duff, Erik Nevland, impressive achievement, john pantsil, london, lorik cana, Manchester, mark schwarzer, paul konchesky, phil bardsley, premier league, roy hodgson, sixth goal, steed malbranque, superb response, team mate, west Londoners

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)

Tags: Adrian Calello, C. Celtic, cup competition, daniele de rossi, english premiership, Erik Nevland, four games, four wins, french side, Goodison Park, Harry, I. The, Italy, J. Werder, javier saviola, john arne riise, L. French, Liverpool, man john, Maria, Merseyside, morphed, North Korea, oscar cardozo, PARIS, paul konchesky, premiership side, robert pires, rodrigo taddei, roy hodgson, saviola, scott mcdonald, shakhtar donetsk, stadio olimpico, Stefano Okaka, UEFA Cup

City boss Hughes hopes to punish tired Fulham

October 25, 2009

Manchester City coach Mark Hughes is hoping to capitalise on Fulham’s tiring Europa League campaign whey they play on Sunday at Eastlands.

Fulham will visit the north-west after a 1-1 draw against Roma at Craven Cottage on Thursday, a match that came just three days after a Premier League encounter with Hull City.

City have a 100 percent home record and and Hughes is quietly confident that that record will continue because he expects Fulham to be drained after their recent exertions.

“They played Monday, Thursday and now they’re heading up the motorway to play us so it’s a big ask for them,” said the Welshman.

“It’s difficult when you’re in Europe, as we found out at times to our cost (last season), so we hope to benefit from that on this occasion.”

Last season Fulham finished in seventh spot to earn their passage to the Europa League, but they have had a stuttering start to this season, while City — aided by big signings like Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor — have flown up the table to fifth.

But, while Hughes is confident of victory, he has no intention of underestimating the west Londoners.

“They are very organised as you would expect. They have a good work ethic and get back into position very quickly and if you are not playing at the required level they are very difficult to break down,” he said.

“We won’t take them lightly because even when they do change their team, they can always make it difficult for us so we will have to be at the right level and make sure we get the job done.”

Fulham have won just once and scored just twice away from home this term and a win for Hodgson’s men would represent a significant upset on current form.

Despite visiting a clearly confident and buoyant City side, Fulham defender Aaron Hughes sees no reason to fear Hughes’s men.

“It’s going to be a big game on Sunday and they’ve got a lot of very talented individuals who are playing well together,” he said.

“They’ve put in a lot of good performances and it’s going to be a very tough game for us but one we relish and we’ll be going there to get something out of the game.”

City are optimistic that Kolo Toure and Craig Bellamy will return after missing last week’s draw with Wigan but Adebayor is a major doubt and Robinho will miss the match due to a setback in his recovery from a stress-fracture.

For Fulham, defender Paul Konchesky joined a growing injury list against Roma that has already ruled out Danny Murphy, Dickson Etuhu, Simon Davies and Andrew Johnson, leaving Hodgson with shortages in most departments.

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: Aaron Hughes, andrew johnson, big game, carlos tevez, CITY, coach mark, craig bellamy, craven cottage, Danny Murphy, Dickson Etuhu, Eastlands, emmanuel adebayor, England, Europe, exertions, fulham, good work ethic, hodgson, hull city, league campaign, londoners, Manchester, manchester city, Mark Hughes, motorway, paul konchesky, premier league, Roma, Simon Davies, talented individuals, welshman, west Londoners

Van Persie, Mannone lift Arsenal to victory

September 26, 2009

Robin van Persie shrugged off the controversy surrounding his recent contribution to the diving debate to strike the match-winner as Arsenal fended off a spirited Fulham to claim a valuable 1-0 victory on Saturday.

Van Persie’s admission that he exaggerates contact inside the penalty area in a bid to win spot-kicks caused raised eyebrows before the Gunners’ trip to Craven Cottage.

But the Holland striker showed the other side of his game when produced an outstanding second half finish that prevented his side dropping more valuable points.

The result was harsh on Fulham who had the better chances and were denied largely because of an outstanding display by Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had spoken optimistically before the game about his side’s prospect of lifting the Premier League title, although that view had been countered by Danny Murphy’s claim that the current Arsenal side is a shadow of Wenger?s previous teams.

It was Fulham who were the hungrier side during the opening period with Murphy and Dickson Etuhu working hard to take control of central midfield and provide front two Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora with some quality service.

Arsenal’s back-four was getting stretched and, more galling for Wenger, they received little help from their team-mates further down the pitch who gave away possession much too easily, allowing Fulham to sustain early pressure.

Cesc Fabregas was uncharacteristically sloppy when he presented Clint Dempsey with the chance to shoot and the Arsenal skipper was relieved to see his Mannone smother the danger.

And the Italian produced a much more spectacular double save to keep his side on level terms in the 15th minute when he dived to tip away Johnson’s header before reacting quickly to block Dempsey’s follow-up shot from close range.

Arsenal were looking disjointed although Fabregas shot over from a good position in the 18th minute.

More wasteful though was Andrey Arshavin, back in the side after a groin injury, who managed to scoop the ball over the bar from just 12 yards out after being played in by his captain.

The better chances were coming at the other end where Mannone again did well to divert Zoltan Gera’s 36th minute cross-shot after the Hungarian had been played in by Johnson’s clever flick.

Arsenal had been second best throughout the first half and the pattern looked set to continue after the break when Zamora quickly fired in a 20-yard effort that flew narrowly wide of Mannone’s left hand post.

But while Wenger’s side may still be a work in progress, the one thing they do not lack is quality and the ability to change the course of a game in an instant – and that is exactly what happened when van Persie fired them ahead in the 52nd minute.

There was no sign of danger when Alex Song collected Paul Konchesky’s scuffed clearance inside his own half, but the midfielder moved the ball on to Fabregas who picked out Van Persie with a perfectly weighted chip.

Under pressure from Aaron Hughes, the Dutchman’s first touch had to be perfect. It was, and so was his finish that flew low across Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer and inside the far post.

Fulham responded well and Johnson drew another excellent save out of Mannone when he met Zamora’s cross with a flicked header.

And the keeper’s efforts were matched by two excellent blocks from his defenders, the first by Bacary Sagna to deflect Dempsey’s shot against the post moments before William Gallas dived in to halt Zamora’s drive.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Aaron Hughes, Alex Song, andrew johnson, bobby zamora, captain. The, central midfield, Clint Dempsey, close range, controversy, craven cottage, Danny Murphy, Dickson Etuhu, eyebrows, fulham, groin injury, gunners, Holland, hungrier side, Johnson, london, mark schwarzer, paul konchesky, possession, premier league, quality service, robin van persie, skipper, striker, team mates, Van Persie, Vito Mannone, William Gallas, zoltan gera

Panel predictions: how low can you go?

September 14, 2009

The best and brightest here at Reuters Soccer Blog continue to show they’d struggle to tip their own hats in a stiff breeze, let alone a correct score in the Premier League.

Our leader, Paul Radford, managed an unhappy three points this week … and look, who’s that chap who has sneaked through to replace him at the top? That was not the most impressive display of the week, however … for that look at one Julien Pretot, our new signing from the Paris bureau who leapt in with a 14 in his first week!

I expect to see him racing down the entire length of the Channel Tunnel, sliding to his knees and celebrating in front of Reuters Soccer Blog in Canary Wharf.

Remember, you get one point for predicting the right result, and make that five if you hit the nail exactly on the head. This week, I’m giving an extra point to Mike Collett for cheekily predicting Adebayor to score against Arsenal, even if he was a way off on the score. No other points for style as yet, but I expect there’ll be some pleas coming in.

Here are the latest standings:

Reuters Soccer Blog: Kevin Fylan 35, Paul Radford 34, Patrick Johnston 34, Simon Evans 32, Miles Evans 30, Mitch Phillips 24, Mike Collett 18, Neil Maidment 14, Julien Pretot 14, Asia Sports Desk 10, Mark Meadows 8

The Rest of the World: Insert your score in the comments, please. We’ll believe you. Thousands wouldn’t.

Back on Friday with the tips for the weekend and remember, you’ve got to be in it to be able to, er, gloat about how much better you are at tipping scores than we are.

PHOTO: Fulham’s Paul Konchesky (R) celebrates after scoring against Everton at Craven Cottage in London, September 13, 2009. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty

Source

Tags: adebayor, Asia, asia sports, channel tunnel, correct score, craven cottage, extra point, fulham, impressive display, Kevin Fylan, kieran doherty, london, mark meadows, Mike Collett, Miles Evans, mitch phillips, Neil Maidment, PARIS, patrick johnston, paul konchesky, paul radford, premier league, s paul, simon evans, source panel, sports desk, stiff breeze

Chelsea warm-up for Barca with derby win

May 2, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea fired a warning shot at Barcelona ahead of their Champions League clash this week by crushing Fulham 3-1 in Saturday’s west London derby here at Stamford Bridge.

A goal apiece for the impressive Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba saw Chelsea tighten their grip on third place in the English Premier League, but of more significance was the message sent out ahead of the semi-final second leg with Barca on Wednesday.

Chelsea had been accused by the Catalan club of employing negative tactics in last week’s first leg at the Nou Camp, which finished in a goalless draw.

But this zesty display provided emphatic confirmation that Guus Hiddink’s side, for all their physicality, also possess a razor-sharp attacking edge. Hiddink also saw his gamble in fielding his strongest side pay off, with all his A-list stars emerging unscathed.

There was a nervy moment in the second half when Drogba needed two minutes of treatment after being clattered by John Pantsil, but the striker was able to carry on comfortably enough until he was substituted, purely as a precaution, in the 84th minute.

That might just have been the most satisfying result of the afternoon for Hiddink, although the Dutchman should not be oblivious to the fact that the polished performances of Drogba, Malouda and Anelka papered over some worrying defensive cracks.

These were especially evident in the first half, when Fulham, despite missing two of their first-choice attackers in Andy Johnson and Simon Davies, might easily have plundered more than just one goal.

Hiddink, however, will doubtless prefer to focus on the bright and breezy football which regularly reduced Fulham’s normally cast-iron back-line to quivering wrecks.

The visitors had barely even touched the ball when they found themselves behind in the 52nd second.

A neat exchange between Anelka and Malouda ended with the latter teeing up Drogba and, after the Ivorian’s lay-off evaded Brede Hangeland, Anelka fired past Mark Schwarzer.

Perhaps Chelsea were lulled into complacency by that early breakthrough. They were certainly unusually lax in the fourth minute in allowing Nevland to spring their offside trap and sprint onto Danny Murphy’s through-ball.

The Norwegian’s shot across Cech was well struck but should still have been saved: instead, it squirmed through the Czech goalkeeper’s fingers.

The home fans were silenced, but not for long. Six minutes later, Anelka set Drogba clear down the right and, after Pantsil failed to cut out his cross, Malouda found the far corner with his first-time shot.

Hiddink might have expected his side to seize the game by the scruff of the neck after that, but still Fulham sensed opportunities.

Nevland volleyed fractionally over the crossbar – his last meaningful contribution before limping off injured – and Bobby Zamora’s header forced Cech to scramble across his goal before it sneaked past the post.

With Zoltan Gera also seeing a shot loop just over after deflecting off John Terry, it was Chelsea who were more in need of the interval, if only so Hiddink could drum in some defensive home truths.

Once again, the interim manager proved his worth. Alex and Michael Essien were hauled off but the changes hardly proved disruptive. Within eight minutes of the re-start, Anelka slid a precise pass behind Paul Konchesky and Drogba shot under the diving Schwarzer.

That gave Chelsea the breathing space they needed and they duly ran down the remaining half-an-hour, expending just enough energy to keep their lead intact while also keeping themselves fresh for Barcelona, the game that will ultimately define their season.

Tags: alex, Andy Johnson, barca, CHELSEA, Danny Murphy, didier drogba, dutchman, English Premier League, Essien, florent malouda, fulham, guus hiddink, ivorian, john pantsil, john terry, london, mark schwarzer, Michael, negative tactics, Nicolas Anelka, nou camp, paul konchesky, physicality, Simon Davies, stamford bridge, warning shot, west london, zoltan gera

Tevez leads United in Fulham FA Cup rout

March 8, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Manchester United’s imperious march towards five trophies in a season continued here Saturday as Carlos Tevez scored twice in a 4-0 win over Fulham that saw his side into the FA Cup semi-finals.

Tevez’s first-half double at Craven Cottage put Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in charge before further goals from Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-Sung wrapped up a commanding victory.

With the FIFA Club World Cup and the League Cup already in the Old Trafford trophy room and the Premier League title theirs to lose, this win left United two victories away from winning the FA Cup for the twelfth time.

And before they resume league action against Liverpool next weekend, they face Inter Milan in Manchester with a place in the Champions League quarter-finals up for grabs.

It’s little wonder Ferguson gives the impression his hardest job right now is keeping expectations down to a manageable level.

This was a victory completed with supreme confidence and surprising ease against Premier League rivals who had lost just twice at home this season before this game.

Ferguson was even allowed the luxury of resting a clutch of his star players including Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov ahead of the midweek European clash.

Tevez’s third minute shot gave a clear indication of what was to come but, doubtless to the relief of the watching Inter scouts, United did appear unusually vulnerable for a spell when Fulham finally found their feet and began to pressurise the visitors’ back four.

Surprisingly the guiltiest culprit among United’s defence was Serbian centre-back Nemanja Vidic who was initially caught out by Andy Johnson’s clever flick from Simon Davies’s long ball that eluded Edwin Van der Sar, which was kept out of the net only by Vidic’s recovering lunge.

With Clint Dempsey also forcing an early save from United keeper van der Sar, Fulham could claim to have had the best of the opening 19 minutes.

That was as good as it got, however, for Roy Hodgson’s side who saw all their good early work go to waste when they failed to deal with a 20th minute corner, allowing Tevez to head United into the lead.

Anderson’s ball in was won by Rooney and the England striker’s header flew towards the back post where his strike-partner easily out-jumped Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky to finish from close range.

United were moving smoothly through the gears, and when Fulham midfielder Davies volleyed over from inside the area, there was a sense of inevitability about the outcome.

That feeling was reinforced in dramatic style when Tevez conjured a superb individual effort to put United 2-0 up in the 35th minute.

The Argentine collected the ball just inside the Fulham half and with the home defence backing off, advanced towards the edge of the box where he unleashed a powerful right foot drive that flashed into the top corner.

Tevez’s moment of brilliance meant that Rooney’s earlier astonishing miss – the striker turned Park’s low cross against the post from just five yards out – was quickly forgotten as United took total command.

Any remaining doubts about the likely outcome were erased when Rooney made up for his earlier gaffe by placing an inch-perfect shot beyond Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer from the edge of area to make it 3-0 just five minutes into the second-half.

United conjured a fourth goal when Park intercepted Zoltan Gera’s wayward pass and curled an excellent finish past Schwarzer with nine minutes remaining.

Written by: AFP

Tags: alex ferguson, Anderson, Andy Johnson, Argentine, Australia, berbatov, carlos tevez, Clint Dempsey, craven cottage, dimitar, Edwin van der, edwin van der sar, England, English Premier League, european clash, FA Cup, fa cup semi finals, Ferguson, fifa club world cup, fulham, inter milan, league rivals, Liverpool, london, manageable level, Manchester, mark schwarzer, Milan, old trafford, paul konchesky, ronaldo, roy hodgson, Simon Davies, sir alex ferguson, Sung, supreme confidence, trophy room, twelfth time, wayne rooney

Zamora helps Fulham see off Albion

February 22, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Bobby Zamora finally ended his goal-drought to help Fulham beat struggling West Bromwich Albion 2-0 on Sunday.

Zamora bagged his first league goal since September with a close-range effort in the second half before Andy Johnson added the second for Roy Hodgson’s team at Craven Cottage.

Aside from an FA Cup goal against non-league Kettering, this was former West Ham forward Zamora’s only repayment on his five million pounds transfer fee since a goal against Bolton 21 league games ago.

Fulham’s win continued their impressive form at the Cottage, where they have won eight times this season, while Tony Mowbray’s visitors look destined for relegation to the Championship.

Johnson and Paul Konchesky returned to the Fulham line-up after missing the midweek defeat at Manchester United through injury.

The presence of Johnson seemed to galvanise Fulham in the early stages.

The England forward won a free-kick after tricking Gianni Zuiverloon into a trip 25 yards from goal. Danny Murphy struck the set-piece brilliantly, curling his shot towards the near corner only for Scott Carson to tip the ball onto a post.

Johnson threatened again when he collected a Simon Davies pass and sprinted towards goal. Leon Barnett lumbered across to challenge and Johnson tumbled as soon as there was contact, but referee Martin Atkinson waved away his penalty appeals.

Albion had a stroke of luck when Clint Dempsey fired in a long-range effort that swerved past Carson, only to crash against the crossbar.

If Hodgson’s side felt frustrated by the near-miss, they didn’t show it.

Johnson and Zamora carved out another chance for Murphy and the former Liverpool midfielder bent his shot against the crossbar again.

The visitors almost gifted Fulham the lead when Barnett’s diving headed clearance almost beat Carson, who had to scramble back towards his own goal-line to clear.

There was still time for Zamora to volley over a good chance before half-time.

Albion briefly showed signs of life when Marc Antoine-Fortune headed wide before wasting an even better chance as he took too long to shoot.

That was as good as it got for the visitors as Zamora finally broke the deadlock in the 61st minute.

Dickson Etuhu sent the ball in from the right, Johnson glanced the lightest of headers to the far post and Zamora touched home only his third goal of the season.

Fulham defender Brede Hangeland saw his header turned onto the crossbar by Carson but, with 72 minutes gone, Zamora set up the second goal.

His shot was parried away by Carson into the path of Johnson who took a touch before slotting into the vacant net.

Albion’s misery was compete in stoppage time when Roman Bednar’s penalty was pushed away by Mark Schwarzer.

Written by: AFP

Tags: Andy Johnson, bobby zamora, CARSON, Clint Dempsey, craven cottage, Danny Murphy, davies pass, Dickson Etuhu, England, English Premier League, FA Cup, fulham, gianni zuiverloon, goal drought, Johnson, league goal, Liverpool, london, Manchester, manchester united, marc antoine fortune, mark schwarzer, martin atkinson, Paul, paul konchesky, roy hodgson, Scott Carson, signs of life, Simon Davies, stroke of luck, tony mowbray, West Bromwich, west bromwich albion, west ham, Zamora

Fulham survive Swansea battering to earn replay

February 14, 2009

SWANSEA, Wales (AFP) – Fulham narrowly avoided an FA Cup upset as the Premier League side escaped with a 1-1 draw against Championship giant-killers Swansea in the fifth round on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson’s men were outplayed for long periods and, although they took the lead through a fortunate Garry Monk own goal in the first half, it was no surprise when Trinidad and Tobago striker Jason Scotland equalised to earn a replay at Craven Cottage later this month.

That was the least Swansea deserved for some enterprising play and only some desperate defending and the fine form of Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer prevented the hosts reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 1964.

Roberto Martinez’s team, who knocked out holders Portsmouth in the last round, are on a 16-match unbeaten run and harbour realistic hopes of winning promotion so it was no surprise to see they were quickly into their smooth-passing rhythm.

They almost opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Mark Gower’s one-two with Scotland gave him a sight of goal in the box and the left winger slipped his low shot calmly past Australia goalkeeper Schwarzer, only to see it strike the inside of the post.

Swansea weren’t just good in possession. They constantly harried Fulham in midfiled and Gower should have given them the lead in the 25th minute.

Angel Rangel’s cross from the right picked out Gower at the far post but his close-range effort went straight to Schwarzer and he was able to parry the ball to safety.

Alan Tate curled an effort from outside the box just over the bar as Swansea continued to dominate.

Fulham were struggling to find any momentum but, out of nowhere, the west London team were gifted the lead in the 44th minute.

Ashley Williams conceded a corner and Paul Konchesky’s harmless delivery was deflected off Monk into his net as Brede Hangeland challenged.

Even that hammer blow didn’t knock Swansea out of their stride and Gower was denied by Schwarzer early in the second half after Scotland had chested the ball into his path in the Fulham box.

Schwarzer produced another superb save to tip-over Scotland’s drive but Swansea’s pressure finally told in the 52nd minute.

Scotland showed tremendous skill as he received possession in a tight spot and cleverly turned Aaron Hughes before arrowing a low drive past Schwarzer to claim his 12th goal in 12 games.

Rangel burst into the box as Swansea scented a second and Fulham were grateful to get away with a corner, which saw Tate’s shot on the turn held by Schwarzer at his near post.

Swansea launched a final assault in the closing minutes and Rangel fired just over the bar. Dyer could have won it but he fired a good chance into the side-netting.

Written by: AFP