http://www.tribalfootball.com/smalling-hopes-fulham-help-maidstone-man-utd-cash-700971
Smalling hopes Fulham help Maidstone with Man Utd cash
14.03.10 | tribalfootball.com
Fulham defender Chris Smalling hopes his £10 million move to Manchester United can save his former club Maidstone United.
The homeless Ryman League minnows are in danger of going out of business and Smalling is pondering a personal plea to Mohammed Al Fayed.
Smalling and Maidstone hope that Fulham owner Al Fayed will agree to fork out at least five per cent of the £10m banked for a player who cost his club nothing two years ago.
Maidstone's veteran general manager Bill Williams told the Sunday Express: "Chris really shouldn't be involved in politics but we don't get any help from anyone. We have asked Fulham for an extra ex-gratia payment but they said that what they have offered is a full and final payment.
"They have had the chance to test their morals and have made their decision. I've been round the block enough times to know that's the way of the world. But 10 per cent of what they are getting for Chris would probably save our club from extinction."
http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premiership/fulham/fulham-player-in-an-england-shirt?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TransferTavern+%28The+Transfer+Tavern+Home+Page%29
Fulham Player In An England Shirt?
Date: 14th March 2010 at 11:28 am
IS THERE A CHANCE OF SEEING A FULHAM PLAYER IN AN ENGLAND SHIRT AT THE WORLD CUP?
Article By Sefton Monk
Has anyone thought that, why is it that everyone of Fulham's starting eleven is a international or retired international bar the Englishmen? Also 3 of them are captains and one ex-captain who has now retired from international duty. Even though none of these countries are of the standard of England, they still are good international sides with a few in the world cup.
Schwaszer – Australian (captain)
Hughes – Northern Irish (Captain)
Hangeland – Norwegian (captain)
Paintsil – Ghanaian
Duff – Irish
Dempsey – American
Gera – Hungarian (Retired – ex-captain)
Konchesky – English (only 2 Caps)
Murphy – English (Only 9 caps)
Etuhu – English born but represents Nigeria
Zamora – English (uncapped)
Also
Shorey – English (2 caps)
Greening – English (uncapped)
Smalling – English (U21)
Johnson – English
That is eight Englishmen and not one of them a current England international. I will give my opinion on the three I think should be considered for a call up and why they should or should not be included in Fabio Cappelo's plans for the world cup. I would like people to comment on these opinions and to give their point of view please.
Konchesky –
Being apart of Fulham's excellent defence last season, it has been evident that during his absence (because of injury) Fulham did miss him. With current Left-back crisis, Konchesky has now been given an opportunity to stake his claim for a place in the England squad. Konchesky wasn't what Fulham fans called a good defender under Sanchez but Roy Hodgson has improved him as a player, he has now become solid defensively and rarely gets done for pace from an attacker.
Should he get chance at playing for England at South Africa – Yes or NO?
I think that there is tough competition for places now that Cole is doubtful and Bridge has ruled himself out of the World cup. Baines is a really good defender but lacks that creativity when he goes passed the half way line as he showed against Egypt. I think that given that Konchesky showed his quality for Fulham and his good defensive and attacking ability is evident, he would be good stand in for Ashley Cole.
Nicky Shorey –
Is it a coincidence that as soon as Shorey played his first match for Fulham, that they went on to have 6 clean sheets out of 8 games in February. Fulham leaked goals like crazy from the game at Chelsea up until Aston villa at Home. It was unfortunate for Shorey because he played really well for Reading and it didn't quite work out well at Aston Villa. Shorey has been given a new lease of life at Craven Cottage and has a chance of staking a late claim for the England team.
Should he get chance at playing for England at South Africa – Yes or NO?
I think he has just as much chance of playing for England as Konchesky. Shorey's technical ability makes up for his lack pace and height, he holds the line well and rarely lets the attackers get the better of him. Shorey doesn't seem comfortable overlapping the wingers and because of this Fabio might not consider him a viable option for the world cup team.
Bobby Zamora –
Bobby Zamora, what can I say? Bobby has been an ever-present in the Fulham side this season whether it is in Europe, F.A Cup or The Premier League. His goals scoring record this season speaks for itself 15 Goals in 34 starts, which is a lot of goals for a centre forward who also creates a lot for his team-mates. He is what I call an Emile Heskey who can score goals; people might not agree with me but hear my reasoning. Emile Heskey is suited to the Cappello way to play football (Big man up top to bring others into play). Heskey has done a good job for England up front but he lacks that ability to score goals and when there is a cross in that box every England fan hopes that it falls to anyone but Heskey.
Should he get chance at playing for England at South Africa – Yes or NO?
Zamora has that strength that Heskey has but he also has the scoring ability and pace that Heskey lacks. He also is great at bringing in others to the game. Emile Heskey is in and out the Aston Villa team and has only contributed about 4 goals this season. So with Zamora's current form there is no reason why not to take him, as I said Zamora is an Emile Heskey who can score. There are many other better players Bent, Agbonlahor, Crouch and Defoe that deserve the opportunity but Zamora offers that option that is if Emile does not perform you have perfect replacement for him and there needs to be no adjustment in the playing style of the team.
Considering that Cappelo has already had the last friendly before the tournament with out choosing any Fulham players, I think it is highly unlikely that we will see a Fulham player in an England Shirt this summer. Remember, for those superstitious people, England have not won a world cup without a Fulham Player in the team.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/14/premier-league-manchester-united-fulhamWayne Rooney too good for Fulham as Manchester United go top Manchester United 3 Rooney 46, Rooney 84, Berbatov 89
Fulham 0
Kevin McCarra at Old Trafford guardian.co.uk, Sunday 14 March 2010 15.50 GMT Article history
Wayne Rooney celebrates his opening goal in the 3-0 win that restored Manchester United to the top of the Premier League table. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
This match almost entirely concealed its significance. Victory, thanks largely to a pair of goals from Wayne Rooney, takes Manchester United to the head of the table, but there was little sense of occasion. The emphatic result was achieved merely by two late strikes against weary visitors.
There is seldom a good time for a mid-table side to visit Old Trafford, but the scheduling was particularly taxing for Fulham. On Thursday evening they had played a Europa League match at Juventus and Roy Hodgson felt obliged to make four changes to the line-up for the meeting with United. That step may have been made out of necessity more than any conviction that there is such genuine depth in his squad.
Nonetheless, it is the mark of Hodgson's managerial finesse that his side's 3-1 loss in Turin came as something of a surprise. United knew well the effectiveness Fulham have, particularly at Craven Cottage. Sir Alex Ferguson, forced to send out a makeshift centre-half pairing composed of midfielders Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher, had been beaten 3-0 there in December.
It would be a falsehood to suggest United were frothing with desire for vengeance. A match that kicked off at 1.30 looked, in the first-half, like the sort of game that might have been played a couple of hours earlier by hungover men in parks football. Clear-headed though he was, for example, Gary Neville had some feckless moments. In the 14th minute he lost the ball to Simon Davies, with the latter shooting slightly high. Near the interval, Neville then played a pass so poor that it put Antonio Valencia in enough trouble for him to commit a foul and collect a booking.
United still did the bulk of the attacking, but were at risk when Danny Murphy found Bobby Zamora and the striker's volleyed chip went slightly too high. Throughout all the uncertainty, it still looked a certainty that Rooney would make his talent count. The second-half had barely begun when he played a pass to the left-winger Nani, collected the return and shot low into the corner of the net.
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by Guardian Chalkboards
Nani has been criticised for not having the impact on the left for United as he has when he plays on the right. But his willingness to push on against a stoic Fulham defence and continue to deliver crosses into the box paid dividends as he finally found Wayne Rooney free in the box to score the opening goal. In contrast, when Ji-Sung Park is favoured on the left he is deeper and United look to the right for Valencia's pace. At home Nani is fast becoming the go-to player to unlock defences. The goal did not galvanise United, but they exercised more control and Rio Ferdinand, for instance, volleyed over from a corner. By then, too, the visitors had been destabilised by the loss of Brede Hangeland to injury, with Chris Baird stepping back from midfield to deputise.
When Fulham threatened it was because a deflection put the ball behind Nemanja Vidic, but Zamora dithered and the United centre-half recovered to block his attempt. As if realising that they might still be at risk, Ferguson's team then scored again. Dimitar Berbatov controlled a pass from Michael Carrick, broke clear on the right and picked out Rooney, who shot past Schwarzer in the 84th minute. On the verge of full-time, Rooney fired a pass to the right and the substitute Park Ji-sung's cross was headed in by Berbatov.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/match/3104205
Manchester United v Fulham
Match facts
Sunday 14 March 2010 13.30
Score line
Final score Manchester United 3 – 0
(HT 0 – 0)
Fulham
Rooney 46
Rooney 84
Berbatov 89
Bookings Valencia 43
Murphy 57
Manchester United's Percentage Fulham's Percentage
Corners 11 91% 1 9%
On target 9 75% 3 25%
Fouls 7 36% 12 64%
Offside 2 50% 2 50%
Manchester United Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville (Da Silva Fabio, 87), Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Michael Carrick, Luis Carlos Nani, Darren Fletcher, Luis Antonio Valencia (Ji-Sung Park, 73), Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney
Fulham Mark Schwarzer, Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland (Jonathan Greening, 63), Chris Baird, Nicky Shorey, Aaron Hughes, Zoltan Gera, Danny Murphy, Clint Dempsey (Erik Nevland, 72), Simon Davies (Damien Duff, 46), Bobby Zamora
Referee Jones, M
Venue Old Trafford
Attendance 75,207
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7441862/Manchester-United-3-Fulham-0-match-report.html
Manchester United 3 Fulham 0: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday, March 14 2010.
Published: 3:47PM GMT 14 Mar 2010
Wayne Rooney showed just why Real Madrid are 'obsessed' with signing him from Manchester United scoring twice against Fulham as the champions reclaimed top spot in the Premier League.
Rooney's double and a late Dimitar Berbatov header sealed victory against the Londoners at Old Trafford. And Rooney, whose stunning season has made him Real's top target according to former president Ramon Calderon, extending his incredible scoring run to lift Unite above Chelsea and Arsenal in the league table.
Sport on television United's 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage in December marked the low-point of their Premier League campaign on a day when, such were the injury problems facing Sir Alex Ferguson, the champions fielded a back four of Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Ritchie de Laet and Patrice Evra.
At that stage, the picture looked bleak for United, but the upsurge since that pre-Christmas humiliation in west London has been marked. Prior to this game, Ferguson's players had collected 26 points from a possible 33 since losing at Fulham.
With Chelsea and Arsenal climbing above United following victories on Saturday, however, restoring their two-point lead over London's big two with a win against Roy Hodgson's team was anything but a foregone conclusion.
Fulham, perhaps drained by their 3-1 defeat Europa League defeat against Juventus in Turin on Thursday, were chasing their third successive league win against United – a feat only achieved by Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.
United have the scent of a record-breaking 19th league title in their nostrils, however, and Ferguson's programme notes, calling for his team to win each of their remaining nine fixtures, were duly noted by his players, who should have racked up a match-winning lead by half-time.
The slick, flowing football that overcame AC Milan in midweek was repeated against Fulham, but the finishing touch was not quite so clinical. Rooney was the first to let Fulham off the hook when he fluffed a chance from six yards on ten minutes having been teed up by an unselfish pass from Darren Fletcher.
The England forward seemed surprised to receive the ball from Fletcher and the shock was enough to distract him just long enough for goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to smother the ball.
Ten minutes later, Dimitar Berbatov directed a scissor-kick wide of goal, before Rooney forced Schwarzer into a fine save with a powerful shot from 20 yards.
Fulham were content to smother United with up to nine men dropping behind the ball when the home side poured forward. But Bobby Zamora almost gave the visitors the lead on 38 minutes when he raced onto Danny Murphy's pass forward before stretching to direct a volley over Edwin van der Sar's crossbar.
It was a rare moment of concern for United, but while the scoreline remained level, the threat of falling behind continued to hang over Ferguson's team. They simply had to raise their game in the second-half, but Rooney made life so much easier by scoring the opening goal just 20 seconds after the restart.
Fulham barely touched the ball before Rooney laid it off to Nani and burst into the penalty area to claim the return ball, which he sidefooted into the far corner past Schwarzer.
Another game, another goal, but there was more to come from the 24-year-old. United had to survive another Zamora scare on 75 minutes when Nemanja Vidic produced a crucial tackle to thwart the forward, but there was only going to be one winner and Rooney confirmed United's victory by making it 2-0 on 84 minutes.
Berbatov, impressive in a rare start alongside Rooney, crossed for his strike partner to score at the near post to take his season tally to 32 goals. It also made it 17 goals since the turn of the year and 23 in his last 21 games. He now has ten goals to go before he equals the 2008 tally of 42 set by Cristiano Ronaldo.
But while Rooney will take the headlines again, Berbatov's performance was worthy of mention and the Bulgarian scored the goal he deserved with a diving header from Ji-Sung Park's 89th minute cross.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1257828/Manchester-United-3-Fulham-0-Unstoppable-Wayne-Rooney-double-champions-Premier-League-summit.html?ITO=1490
Manchester United 3 Fulham 0: Unstoppable Wayne Rooney at the double to fire champions back to Premier League summit
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 6:23 PM on 14th March 2010
Wayne Rooney took his goal glut to 32 with another fine double to take Manchester United back to the Premier League summit.
Although they wasted a huge number of chances, with Dimitar Berbatov the prime culprit, United did enough to re-establish their dominant position with eight games of the campaign remaining.
Rooney provided a suitably quick-fire response after a goalless first half and after he converted Berbatov's cross seven minutes from time to leave him just 10 adrift of Cristiano Ronaldo's massive total of two years ago, Berbatov ended a frustrating afternoon by finally getting his name on the scoresheet.
It has come to that stage in the season where every round of fixtures bring their own pressure. And, on the occasion chosen to mark Old Trafford's 100th birthday, it was United needing to follow the dark side and Arsenal, who after initial struggles, had ended up with three points yesterday.
On the face of it, a Fulham side in the middle of a titanic Europa League tie with Juventus would appear to be the perfect opponents.
Yet, as Ferguson pointed out in the build-up, Roy Hodgson has revolutionised life at Craven Cottage and masterminded a three-goal victory over these same opponents in December.
At the time, United were severely weakened by a loss of defenders. With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic back those problems are now at an end.
On this occasion, it was United's attack that misfired. The hosts had plenty of possession and got into the right areas often enough. But at some stage, all their first half attacks broke down.
Only twice could the Fulham defence take complete credit. A collective effort ensured Rooney did not profit when Darren Fletcher elected to square the ball after charging into the box to reach Berbatov's return pass.
Mark Schwarzer denied Rooney later in the half with a fabulous one-handed save after the England man had curled a shot goalwards from 20 yards.
Restored to the starting line-up after missing the midweek demolition of AC Milan, Berbatov had no-one to blame but himself for failing to convert his best chances, both of which were headers.
True, that part of the game is not the Bulgarian's strong point but, after finding space deep inside the Fulham box, he should have done better after being picked out by Antonio Valencia and Nani respectively.
Rooney was grumbling at half-time after being hauled down by Stephen Kelly without winning a penalty. He was all smiles 29 seconds after the restart though.
A scrappy build-up saw Berbatov nod the ball into his strike partner's path. Rooney then fed Nani before advancing into the big hole Fulham's disorientated defence had left. Once Nani delivered the return pass back into exactly the same area, the outcome was inevitable.
With the home side in front, so was the result. Anxiety remained though as long as the wait for a second continued.
Rooney and Berbatov both failed to profit from decent half chances, in the latter man's case an acrobatic volley from Valencia's cross that flew narrowly wide.
At least they could claim to have got somewhere near the goal, unlike Patrice Evra, who screwed his 25-yard shot so wide it resulted in a Fulham throw.
The value of having Ferdinand and Vidic back in harness was seen as the clock ticked down. Starved of possession and chances, Bobby Zamora had been given little opportunity to press home his England credentials. But when he ran onto a flick from substitute Eric Nevland, Zamora must have felt it was the moment he had waited for.
Instead, after being caught out by the initial move, Vidic darted back and snuffed out the opportunity with a thunderous challenge. For Zamora it was a frustrating afternoon.
It looked like being the same for Berbatov after he failed to convert Ji-sung Park's neat cross.
But after creating yet another goal for Rooney with a neat cut-back seven minutes from time, the £30.75million man finally located the target himself, from Park's cross, to complete a scoreline more in keeping with the one-sided nature of proceedings.
http://fulhampatsfan.blogspot.com/2010/03/fulham-go-down-3-0-to-manchester-united.html
Fulham go down 3-0 to a Manchester United Dominant Performance
Going into the match I was hoping for Fulham to be competitive against Manchester United at Old Trafford. After just playing Juventus on Thursday it wouldn't be crazy to think Fulham could be tired. Well, Fulham were more than competitive in the first half. They definitely held their own. It was the second half where Manchester United dominated. They beat a tired Fulham club 3 - 0 at Old Trafford. Manchester United scored 3 second half goals to take over the match.
The first half began with Fulham starting strong with some possession. Clint Dempsey started off in the second minute with a shot. It didn't take Manchester United long to get into the game. In the 10th minute Wayne Rooney got loose in the box and was right in on Schwarzer. The save was made by the goalkeeper.
In the 14th minute , Clint Dempsey had a shot that just went over the net from just outside the box. The play at this point was going back and forth but, Manchester United were starting to get more control of the game. In the 25th minute Berbatov's header from Nani just went over the net. In the 30th minute a shot by Rooney was denied by a great save by Mark Schwarzer.
Nani was a constant pest for Stephen Kelly. He was involved in many plays. In the 34th minute Rooney put another header on net from a pass from Nani. There we a couple times that Manchester Players were looking for a penalty shot inside the box over possible fouls. I guess the referees did not see it that way.
The last best chance for Fulham came from Bobby Zamora In the 38th minute his flick of a shot just went over the net. He was fed a fantastic pass by Danny Murphy. Manchester United had one more chance . In the 44th minute a shot by Rooney that just went wide of the net. The half ended 0 - 0. Fulham deserved to be even Manchester United at the half.
The second half began very badly for Fulham. In the opening 30 seconds Wayne Rooney scored his first goal of the day from a nice pass from Nani 12 yards out. At this point the tempo of the game changed. Manchester United just took control and I could tell Fulham were getting tired. You didn't see that same spark you saw in the first half from the Cottagers.
Manchester United were starting to have more shots. In the 66th minute a Ferdinand shot just goes over the net off of a corner kick. In the 74th minute, a Rooney header just goes wide. Fulham were still hanging in there.
The best chance of the match came in the 75th minute for Fulham. Bobby Zamora had one on one with the goalkeeper, but at the last minute his shot was blocked by Vidic who flew back into the play. I was thinking at that point it is just not going to be Fulham's day. I couldn't have been more right.
In the last 10 minutes Manchester United scored 2 more goals. Berbatov made a great run and pass to Wayne Rooney. There was not much that Schwarzer could do as Wayne Rooney scored his second goal. This was followed up shortly after that by a Berbatov header that went into the net past Mark Schwarzer. This was set up by a great cross from Park. The game ended with Manchester United winning 3 - 0.
Fulham came to play but just ran out of steam in the second half. I got to watch why Manchester United in my opinion our the best team in the world. This team just keeps coming. The difference in the match is they created and scored on the opportunities they had in the second half.
The score doesn't indicate that Fulham were competitive in this match. Fulham have come along way. They are just not at the same level of Manchester United. Not many teams are at that level. I certainly think Fulham are still a top half of the table club in the league. I think by the end of the season they will still be at that position.
Posted by Fulham-Pats Fan at 10:23 AM
http://www.plymouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=191682
Larrieu Or Stockdale?
Should goalkeeper Romain Larrieu return between the sticks for Plymouth Argyle?
Fulham custodian David Stockdale has been keeping goal for the Pilgrims for the last two months but his loan spell from Fulham is set to end next week. Argyle Head Coach Paul Mariner is likely to ask his counterpart at Craven Cottage Roy Hodgson if he can extend Stockdale's Home Park stay for a third and final month but is it time for Argyle veteran Larrieu to make a return to the first-team?
The statistics for each keeper is just about identical with nothing to choose between each player.
Larrieu (pictured above) has played in 24 Championship games this season, winning six, drawing three and losing 15 games. With Larrieu in goal the team has conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game and won an average of 0.88 points per game, his last game was the defeat against Crystal Palace in January.
Stockdale has almost the same record as Larrieu, he has played in 11 Championship games, winning two, drawing four and losing five games. With Stockdale in goal the team has conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game and won an average of 0.91 points per game.
Not much between them, is it?
Who would you have in goal for Argyle? Take part in our vote and have your say. The poll can be accessed on the Home and News pages.
Roy's Reaction
Sunday 14th March 2010
Fulham FC News
Roy Hodgson confirmed that Brede Hangeland was substituted through injury on Sunday against Manchester United and a clearer picture of the nature of the defender's injury will only be known on Monday.
"It's not good at the moment and we'll have to assess the injury," said Hodgson after the match at Old Trafford. "He has a spasm caused by a blow to the chest. It was doubtful at half time that he would continue but he gave it a try.
"We hope it's not a major injury but it's affected us today of course because we had to reshuffle after going a goal behind.
"He's in the dressing room having treatment at the moment and we'll assess the injury tomorrow [Monday] and get a clear picture of what has happened."
Fulham matched United during the first half at Old Trafford but United took control in the second period and with such an unforgiving fixture list at present, fatigue certainly affected the Whites on Sunday.
"I was hopeful we could reproduce our first half performance in the second half but I can't say anything other than the best team won," said Hodgson. "However I thought the scoreline was harsh on us.
"I thought our first half performance was very solid but of course when Rooney got his goal at the start of the second half we were going to be up against it, especially after having played on Thursday night and considering our injury situation.
"Our programme of late has been very, very hard and we looked exceptionally tired in the last twenty minutes of the game. We've coped with it better than anyone could have expected, especially when we lost five players in the month of January through injury. I think we've done remarkably well to keep playing and it's important we get through this period before things settle down."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/HodgsonUnitedReaction.aspx#ixzz0iBoZ3cx1 (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/HodgsonUnitedReaction.aspx#ixzz0iBoZ3cx1)
Manchester United 3 - 0 Fulham
After Juventus in Turin came Manchester United at Old Trafford. It was certainly a demanding schedule for Roy Hodgson's Team, who faced The Red Devils in the North West less than 48 hours after touching down from Italy following Thursday night's UEFA Europa League clash.
Hodgson's Team put on an admirable performance during the first 45 minutes and more than held their own against United. However, Wayne Rooney's goal just thirty seconds after the restart was a bitter pill to swallow for Hodgson's side, who also had to contend with the loss of Brede Hangeland through injury.
The full extent of the Norwegian's injury will only be known on Monday but Fulham fans will be hoping the centre half will be fit for Thursday night's UEFA Europa League showdown against Juventus at the Cottage.
Fulham welcomed back Danny Murphy and Clint Dempsey to the starting eleven on Sunday following their return to fitness from respective injuries. Dempsey was the main protaganist for Fulham at Old Trafford and his shoot-on-sight policy almost paid dividends on more than one occassion during the first half.
There certainly seemed to be no European hangover on Sunday as Hodgson's Team made a bright, positive start to the match. Dempsey set the tone for the match early on, firing in the first shot of the game after just two minutes play. It was end-to-end football during the first 45, with Fulham earning their fair share of possession and chances with some neat intricate passages of passing play. The Whites certainly seemed more assured in their play with Danny Murphy back in central midfield.
Fulham made a comfortable start and the Old Trafford crowd was certainly in subdued mood before the 10-minute mark, when United produced their first serious effort on goal. Berbatov turned provider and set Carrick through on goal with a perfectly weighted, defence splitting pass. On the right hand side of the area Carrick played a selfless square pass to Rooney for a clear shot on goal. Fortunately Hughes and Schwarzer combined to dispossess the England international as he looked to engineer a finish.
Three minutes later Dempsey created something from nothing when he almost broke the deadlock with a blistering drive from 30 yards which flew just over United's cross bar. Gera then tried his luck from the edge of the area with a shot across van der Sar's goal.
After 24 minutes Nani opened up Fulham's defence with a perfect delivery from the left flank for Berbatov, positioned on the six-yard line. Fortunately the Bulgarian sent his headed effort over Schwarzer's cross bar from close range.
Berbatov's strike partner Rooney, looking increasing dnagerous as the minutes past, then forced Schwarzer into a stunning save to deny the striker a certain goal following a shot rifled from 18 yards on the half hour mark.
With 15 minutes of the first half remaining United moved up a gear with Nani causing particular concern down the home side's left flank. Despite United's best efforts Fulham's defence remained resolute, with Shorey and Kelly making some crucial interventions as the home side attacked from the flanks.
Hodgson's side posed their own threat on the counter attack. In fact, Fulham almost earned the lead before the break following an exquisite piece of skill from Zamora, whose attempted lob from 18 yards just failed to dip under the cross bar.
Just before the break Valencia was needlessly booked for tripping Dempsey on the half way line. Wayne Rooney, by far United's most potent threat in the first 45, then tried his luck from distance but failed to find the range to test Schwarzer.
At the end of an entertaining, free-flowing half Fulham thoroughly deserved to be on level terms with United.
Roy Hodgson made one change during the interval, introducing Damien Duff for Simon Davies on Fulham's left flank. The second half started in the worst possible fashion for Fulham, with Wayne Rooney scoring the opening goal of the game after just thirty seconds of play.
Rooney started and finished the move that earned United the lead. The striker took possession thirty yards from goal before sweeping the ball out wide to Nani on the left flank. The winger's return pass found Rooney 10 yards from goal and his finish was clinical.
Following United's opener Fulham were forced on the defensive as United took control of possession. Ten minutes into the second half Nani and Rooney were denied twice in as many minutes. Danny Murphy's frustration at the turn of events was evident when he received a booking following a late challenge on Michael Carrick after 56 minutes.
On the hour mark Roy Hodgson made his second change of the game, introducing Jonathan Greening for Brede Hangeland. Hangeland appeared to be struggling since a clash during the first half. Chris Baird switched back to centre half with Greening taking up position alongside Murphy in central midfield.
Twenty minutes from time Hodgson made his final substitution of the match, replacing Clint Demspey with Erik Nevland. For United Ji-Sung Park came on for Valencia.
Fulham had just one clear opportunity on goal during the second half and it fell to Bobby after 73 minutes. Zamora raced through United's offside trap for a one-on-one with van der Sar. It was fine opportunity but as Zamora struck his effort across goal, Vidic steamed in to produce a last ditch sliding tackle to deny Fulham an equaliser.
After 78 minutes Berbatov almost doubled United's lead after latching onto a cross from the left flank by Ji-Sung Park. Fortunately Berbatov could not find the angle on his headed effort and the ball flew wide of Schwarzer's far post.
A minute later Evra burst through the middle of the park before delivering a right-footed effort just wide of goal. For all United's dominance in the second half Fulham could have easily been on level terms had it not been for Vidic's impressive intervention.
United were building up steam ten minutes from time and Schwarzer pulled off another tremendous fingertip save to deny Fletcher's effort from 16 yards. Fletcher's effort was most certainly heading towards the top corner of the net.
United's pressure eventually told when Rooney scored his second goal of the game after 83 minutes to earn United a 2-0 lead. Berbatov set Rooney up for the close range finish after skipping past Baird and Shorey down Fulham's left flank.
Berbatov increased United's lead to 3-0 two minutes from time after heading past Schwarzer from close range after meeting a cross from the right flank at the near post. After three minutes added time Referee Michael Jones called time on Sunday's contest.
It was United's day at Old Trafford on Sunday with Rooney sure to grab the headlines with his brace against the Whites. Fulham will now turn their attention towards overturning Juventus' first leg lead in the UEFA Europa League at the Cottage on Thursday night before entertaining Manchester City on Sunday.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0910/Premiership/ManUtdAway.aspx#ixzz0iBpJh0TH (http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0910/Premiership/ManUtdAway.aspx#ixzz0iBpJh0TH)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6026999,00.html
Hodgson - Utd were too good
Fulham boss praises gallant effort at Old Trafford
By Carla Hilton
Last updated: 14th March 2010
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has heaped praise on his side, who he says were simply no match for Manchester United.
Fulham crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in what was a largely one-sided game.
The Cottagers did well to keep United at bay for the first half, but an early goal in the second half saw the home side go from strength to strength.
Hodgson says that, overall, he was pleased with how his players performed.
Good start
"I thought the first half, from our point of view, was really quite good," he told Sky Sports. "I thought we passed the ball well.
"But all of our good work was let down within a minute of the second half when we conceded a goal.
"From that moment the game was always going to be difficult."
Forced changes
Fulham were forced into a change on the hour mark when Brede Hangeland was taken off with sore ribs from a challenge earlier in the game.
"It was touch and go in the first half when Hangeland suffered a knock," said Hodgson.
"That forced us into a change and made what was always going to be a difficult task of getting a result even more difficult."
He added: "I am a bit disappointed that we conceded three goals when the boys had played so well in the first half.
"One has to hold their hands up though. We were beaten by a better team.
"I can't really ask any more from the team than they gave today."
Fulham 11/8, Juventus 15/8, Draw 12/5
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3242930,00.html
Rooney sends United top
United outclass Fulham to reclaim top spot
By Carla Hilton Last updated: 14th March 2010
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney, although Nani played an outstanding game.
Goal of the match: Rooney's opener 30 seconds in the second half. A powerful, low shot past Mark Schwarzer, who had no chance of getting to it.
Save of the match: Soon after Rooney's opener he was denied another when his curling shot from 20 yards out was punched clear by a leaping Schwarzer.
Moment of the match: Berbatov finding the net having helped towards Rooney's brace.
Talking point: Sir Alex Ferguson expects his side to win all of their remaining Premier League games. Can they do it?
Manchester United went back to the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford.
It was no more than the defending Premier League champions deserved, having completely outclassed the Cottagers throughout the match.
After a goalless first half, it took Wayne Rooney just 30 seconds from the restart whistle to stamp his mark on the game.
A header down from Dimitar Berbatov fell to Rooney, who initially moved the ball wide to Nani before picking up again and hitting a powerful, low shot past a dumbfounded Mark Schwarzer.
Fulham had done well to hold him at bay until then but they were powerless as the match progressed.
The England striker notched his second late in the game, having again been set up nicely by his strike partner.
Not to be outdone, Berbatov made it 3-0 in stoppage time with a diving header to send United back to top spot.
It has come to that stage in the season where every round of fixtures bring their own pressure.
And, on the occasion chosen to mark Old Trafford's 100th birthday, it was United, needing to follow Chelsea and Arsenal, who after initial struggles had ended up with three points on Saturday.
On the face of it, a Fulham side in the middle of a titanic Europa League tie with Juventus would appear to be the perfect opponents.
Yet, as Sir Alex Ferguson pointed out in the build-up, Roy Hodgson has revolutionised life at Craven Cottage and masterminded a three-goal victory over these same opponents in December.
At the time, United were severely weakened by a loss of defenders.
Special occasion
With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic back those problems are now at an end. On this occasion, it was United's attack that misfired.
The hosts had plenty of possession and got into the right areas often enough. But at some stage, all their first-half attacks broke down.
Only twice could the Fulham defence take complete credit.
A collective effort ensured Rooney did not profit when Darren Fletcher elected to square the ball after charging into the box to reach Berbatov's return pass.
Schwarzer denied Rooney later in the half with a fabulous one-handed save after the England man had curled a shot goalwards from 20 yards.
Restored to the starting line-up after missing the midweek demolition of AC Milan, Berbatov had no-one to blame but himself for failing to convert his best chances, both of which were headers.
True, that part of the game is not the Bulgarian's strong point but, after finding space deep inside the Fulham box, he should have done better after being picked out by Antonio Valencia and Nani, respectively.
Rooney was grumbling at half-time after being hauled down by Stephen Kelly without winning a penalty. He was all smiles 30 seconds after the restart though.
A scrappy build-up saw Berbatov nod the ball into his strike partner's path.
Rooney then fed Nani before advancing into the big hole Fulham's disorientated defence had left.
Once Nani delivered the return pass back into exactly the same area, the outcome was inevitable.
With the home side in front, so was the result. Anxiety remained, though, as long as the wait for a second continued.
Rooney and Berbatov both failed to profit from decent half chances, in the latter man's case an acrobatic volley from Valencia's cross that flew narrowly wide.
At least they could claim to have got somewhere near the goal, unlike Patrice Evra, who screwed his 25-yard shot so wide it resulted in a Fulham throw.
The value of having Ferdinand and Vidic back in harness was seen as the clock ticked down.
Starved of possession and chances, Bobby Zamora had been given little opportunity to press home his England credentials.
But when he ran onto a flick from substitute Eric Nevland, Zamora must have felt it was the moment he had waited for.
Instead, after being caught out by the initial move, Vidic darted back and snuffed out the opportunity with a thunderous challenge.
For Zamora it was a frustrating afternoon. It looked like being the same for Berbatov after he failed to convert Park Ji-Sung's neat cross.
But after creating yet another goal for Rooney with a neat cut-back seven minutes from time, the £30.75million man finally located the target himself, from Park's cross, to complete a scoreline more in keeping with the one-sided nature of proceedings.
Manchester United
Team Statistics
Fulham
3 Goals
0
0 1st Half Goals
0
9 Shots on Target
3
14 Shots off Target
2
12 Blocked Shots
3
11 Corners
1
7 Fouls
12
2 Offsides
2
1 Yellow Cards
1
0 Red Cards
0
82.2 Passing Success
75.5
14 Tackles
14
78.6 Tackles Success
57.1
55.5 Possession
44.5
60.7 Territorial Advantage
39.3
http://www.skysports.com/football/user_ratings/0,19768,11065_3242930,00.html
Fulham Player ratings
Player Our Rating Your Rating Rate player
Mark Schwarzer
Excellent saves 6 6.3 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Brede Hangeland
Played well before knock 5 4.6 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Stephen Kelly
Average display 4 4.3 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Aaron Hughes
Average display 4 4.2 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Chris Baird
Average display 5 4.4 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Nicky Shorey
Average display 5 4.5 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Danny Murphy
Heavy challenges 4 4.2 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Simon Davies
Created chances 6 4.6 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Bobby Zamora
Missed opportunities 4 4.1 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Clint Dempsey
Created chances 6 4.7 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Zoltan Gera
Average display
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/patrick_barclay/article7061636.ece
Rooney banishes devils to become selfless team man showing way to England
Patrick Barclay, Chief Football Commentator
The commentator was screaming his name, the crowd were chanting it and his Manchester United team-mates were joyously converging on him.
The only person in Old Trafford not obsessed with Wayne Rooney was Rooney himself — and at that moment just after 8.30 on Wednesday night, as Rooney, beaming, trotted gratefully to Nani, the personality that has carried him over the threshold of greatness was revealed.
It was a beautiful sight. Rooney cared only to thank his Portuguese team-mate for the pass, bent into his path with the outside of the right boot, that had been stroked into the AC Milan net for the second of four United goals. The Englishman has a rare and particular kind of ego and its crucial aspect is that it is always subject to the interests of the team. For football, at its highest levels, is a game of unselfishness.
We saw it in 1970 when Pelé took delight in rolling, for Carlos Alberto, the ball that launched the Brazil captain's iconic goal. We saw it in 1986 when Diego Maradona, man-marked by the West Germans in another memorable World Cup final, concentrated on laying the stage for Jorge Valdano and Jorge Burruchaga, whose Maradona-prompted goals won it for Argentina. It is the quality of champions and Rooney — at this point every supporter of English football should pause for humble reflection — has got it.
Players destined to inhabit the next class down might point to the name on the back of their shirts. Rooney exposes that as naff. He is above clichés, at least in his behaviour. He is too intelligent to be swayed by passing clamours. When everyone was entreating him to be more selfish — with the notable exception of Sir Alex Ferguson, who appeared in two minds — he interpreted it as a stimulus to score more frequently for the team. The difference is not always understood in this strike-centric footballing culture.
The clamour before that concerned his temper problem. Twice it emerged when he was playing for England: when they lost to Northern Ireland in Belfast in 2005 and he swore at his captain, who happened to be David Beckham; and when he had to be pulled off the field during a defeat by Spain in Madrid the year before in case he was sent off. On each occasion, the profession chorused its customary bad advice. "Don't lose that devil," he was told. "It's what makes you the player you are."
That devil made the most recent of its now-rare appearances nearly a year ago, when Rooney was sent off at Craven Cottage for hurling the ball and departed punching a corner flag. He has learnt to channel his energy, as great players do. No devil eroded Pelé or Maradona (not on the field, anyway). England's greats — Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore — knew how to behave, too. And where was the devil in Tom Finney? You are more likely to find it in underachievers such as Paul Gascoigne.
Rooney has worked this out. He has transcended the hackneyed claptrap of his environment. He is a man of the world and to survey those pictures of him gazing at the 12 inches of solid gold that is the World Cup last week was almost to feel the excitement of what might begin to happen in South Africa in June. After the beauty of Glenn Hoddle, the brittle genius of Gazza and the glitter of Beckham, the real thing is on England's side.
Even Spain, as they continue to give an impression of near-invincibility, will go to the tournament with a healthy respect for it. And if, for just a month, the rest of Fabio Capello's players can be persuaded to forget about the names on the back of their shirts, a team in the admirable image of Rooney can make history.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Why-Fulham-fans-shouldn-t-worry-about-Manchester-United-defeat-because-they-ve-have-never-had-it-so-good-David-Anderson-comment-article355529.html
Never mind Man United defeat, Fulham fans have never had it so good
By David Anderson in Mirror Football Blog
Published 18:08 14/03/10
The original Supermac - Harold Macmillan, not Malcolm Macdonald - once told the British public: "You've never had it so good."
Fifty-three years on from his famous Bedford speech, Roy Hodgson could empathise with those sentiments as he reflects on the golden age he has ushered in at Craven Cottage.
What with their Premier League status secured long ago, a Europa League tie with Juventus looming on Thursday and an FA Cup quarter-final replay with Spurs, Fulham fans have never had it so good.
Never mind Mother's Day, their supporters must feel like it's Christmas, Easter and every Bank Holiday Monday going rolled into one at the moment.
Despite the strides the Cottagers have made under Hodgson, their away form remains a concern.
Their sole league win on the road was at Portsmouth on the opening day of the season and only Burnley, who get a nose bleed when they go as far as the M65, suffer from worse travel sickness.
They did well in the first half against United. Too many teams who roll up at Old Trafford these days are beaten before they have even emerged from the tunnel.
But prompted by Danny Murphy's passing, Fulham played their usual neat football and might have taken something from the game if Bobby Zamora had been more clinical from two great chances in either half.
Hodgson, who lost defensive lynchpin Brede Hangeland to injury, put the England wannabe's misses down to fatigue and says campaigning on three fronts is taking its toll on his small squad.
"Bobby had a chance in the first half and another in the second half and I think that could be put down a little bit to the programme of the lads and it has been very, very hard," he said.
"You can't expect the same sharpness we had a couple of months ago.
"After Juventus and our replay against Tottenham, we should be more like our normal programme of playing once a week.
"I only hope that it we go out of one competition, it doesn't impact on us. I wouldn't want to see our season, which has been quite fantastic up to the middle of March, slip away."
The Fulham fans can leave Hodgson to worry about that. Whatever happens over the next 12 huge days, it has still been one hell of a ride this season.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2890769/Ill-watch-World-Cup-on-the-telly.html
I'll watch World Cup on the telly
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 13 Mar 2010
FULHAM goal ace Bobby Zamora is spending this summer in gamblers' paradise Las Vegas as he resigns himself to missing out on the World Cup.
Zamora, 29, has scored 15 goals this season yet did not get a call-up to England's friendly against Egypt on March 3 and has now booked his holiday.
He said: "I have booked it but, wherever I am, I will be watching the World Cup on the TV.
"I would be prepared to cancel it but it's not something I'm thinking about."
But Fulham team-mate Paul Konchesky believes he is an outside bet to make Fabio Capello's squad for South Africa.
The left-back, 28, said: "If I'm doing well and the team's doing well you never know. I'd like to think I've got a chance."
Man United 3 Fulham 0
Published: Today
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WAYNE ROONEY took his goal tally to 32 with another double to fire Manchester United back to the Premier League summit.
United were guilty of missing a number of chances, with Dimitar Berbatov the main culprit.
But they totally outclassed Fulham to leapfrog title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal.
Rooney provided a quick-fire response after a goalless first half, sweeping home Nani's pass after 46 minutes.
And the in-form England striker converted Berbatov's cross six minutes from time to leave him just 10 adrift of Cristiano Ronaldo's massive total of two years ago.
Fulham refused to roll over and die on a frustrating afternoon but there was still time for Rooney's strike partner to hammer the final nail in their coffin.
The Bulgarian had not enjoyed the best game of his career in front of goal but his perseverance was rewarded a minute from time when he headed home the third.
United enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening 45 minutes and tore the Cottagers apart at will.
But all their first-half attacks came to nothing with the lack of a killer touch costing them dear.
Fulham did their best to contain the champions and a collective effort ensured Rooney did not profit when Darren Fletcher squared the ball after reaching Berbatov's return pass.
Mark Schwarzer then denied Roo with a one-handed save after the hitman had curled in a 20-yarder.
Restored to the starting line-up after missing the midweek demolition of AC Milan, Berbatov had no one to blame but himself for failing to convert his best chances.
Heading may not be his strong point but the former Tottenham man should have done better after being picked out by Antonio Valencia and Nani respectively.
Rooney was left grumbling at half-time after being hauled down by Stephen Kelly without winning a penalty.
But he was all smiles 29 seconds after the restart when a scrappy build-up saw Berbatov nod the ball into his path.
Rooney fed Nani before latching onto the return to break the deadlock.
With the home side in front, the result appeared a forgone conclusion.
But Rooney and Berbatov both failed to profit from decent half-chances, while Patrice Evra sliced well wide.
The value of having Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in tandem at the back paid dividends for United as the clock ticked down.
Starved of possession and chances, Bobby Zamora had been given little opportunity to press home his England credentials.
But when he ran onto a flick from substitute Eric Nevland, Zamora must have felt it was the moment he had waited for.
Instead, after being caught out by the initial move, Vidic darted back and snuffed out the opportunity with a well-timed challenge.
For Zamora it was a hugely disappointing afternoon.
And it looked like being the same for Berbatov after he failed to convert Park Ji Sung's neat cross.
But after creating yet another goal for Rooney in the 84th minute, he finally headed home from Park's cross to complete another impressive win a minute from time.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville (Fabio Da Silva 87), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia (Park 73), Carrick, Fletcher, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Obertan, Corry Evans, Diouf, Gill. Booked: Valencia.
Goals: Rooney 46, 84, Berbatov 89.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Kelly, Hangeland (Greening 62), Hughes, Shorey, Davies (Duff 46), Murphy, Baird, Dempsey (Nevland 72), Gera, Zamora. Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Okaka, Stoor, Dikgacoi. Booked: Murphy.
Att: 75,207
Ref: Michael Jones (Cheshire).
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2891805/Manchester-United-3-Fulham-0.html#ixzz0iByorzta (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2891805/Manchester-United-3-Fulham-0.html#ixzz0iByorzta)
Man United v Fulham ratings
MAN UTD
Van der Sar 6
Neville 6 (Fabio 5)
Ferdinand 7
Vidic 8
Evra 7
Valencia 5 (Park 6)
Carrick 8
Fletcher 7
Berbatov 8
Nani 7
Rooney 9 - STAR MAN
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Obertan, Corry Evans, Diouf, Gill. Booked: Valencia.
FULHAM
Schwarzer 7
Kelly 6
Hangeland 5 (Greening 5)
Hughes 5
Shorey 6
Davies 5 (Duff 5)
Murphy 8
Dempsey 5 (Nevland 5)
Baird 7
Gera 5
Zamora 5
Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Okaka, Stoor, Dikgacoi. Booked: Murphy.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2892397/Man-United-v-Fulham-ratings.html#ixzz0iEcfCIsT (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2892397/Man-United-v-Fulham-ratings.html#ixzz0iEcfCIsT)
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2010/03/chance-for-fa-to-make-an-example-of-boateng-tackle-.html
Simply the best of everything made it a week to remember
What a week: the best pass of the season, the best piece of control and the best goal. The pass? Nani's peach for Wayne Rooney to score his second against AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday. The control? Dimitar Berbatov's sublime skill to set up Rooney's second against Fulham yesterday. The goal? Jonathan Zebina's screamer for Juventus against Fulham in the Europa League on Thursday.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/rooneys-class-claims-new-victim-in-fulham-1921460.html
Rooney's class claims new victim in Fulham
Manchester United 3 Fulham 0: Ferguson bullish about United's chances for title run-in after second-half masterclass
By Ian Herbert, Deputy Football Correspondent
Monday, 15 March 2010
Sir Alex Ferguson's minor revelation in his programme notes was that he has set his side "a title target – to win every game between now and the end of the season!" Note the exclamation mark. It suggests that this little pact is just a bit of training ground fun, made in jest like the goal-scoring bets he'd once have with Cristiano Ronaldo and the talk he'll probably soon have with Wayne Rooney about him scoring 42 goals this season. "I don't know about that but I'm not putting it beyond him," Ferguson said of that particular target last night.
But there's nothing jovial about the sight of United at present. Their eight-game run-in, with Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City all ahead, makes Ferguson's challenge a particularly formidable one in a season in which any side can upset another – and will continue to do. But they are title challengers who have quietly gathered the momentum of a juggernaut – eight wins, two draws and the loss at Goodison Park since Roy Hodgson's side dealt them a 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage in late December.
In Rooney, two goals the richer and now just 10 away from Ronaldo's 42-goal haul of two years ago, they possess a player whom Chelsea will need all the properties of a brick wall to stop when the sides meet here on 3 April.
As his side climbed back ahead of Chelsea by two points, with a goal difference which is four better, Ferguson also declared last night that he expects this title race will be the closest ever. But that is what we thought precisely 12 months ago, when Rafael Benitez's resurgent Liverpool smashed United 4-1 at Old Trafford, leaving the club so wounded that their place on that "loving perch" that Ferguson once talked of looked as immutable as ever.
United chose yesterday to commemorate the very first game on their hallowed Stretford turf, against Liverpool, a century back. The script of that day's one- penny match programme, which was distributed with yesterday's match magazine, belonged to different times. "In their leisure moments our players have for their use a fine gymnasium, billiard or reading room and in the latter we may have our chaps preparing [to become] barristers or MPs," it read. A scenario almost as outdated as Benitez putting one over on Ferguson.
Fulham were a tired side who, just as Hodgson had predicted last spring, seemed overwhelmed by the demands of undertaking a Europa League programme on a relatively small squad. So war-weary were Hodgson's players that he gave Simon Davies and Damien Duff a job-share, fielding each for 45 minutes. But nothing should detract from the way United strolled through a team who have beaten them in consecutive league fixtures beside the Thames.
Rooney's finishing was sublime – an elegant side-footed finish from Nani's cross fewer than 30 seconds into the second half, then a sharp swipe with the in-step from Dimitar Berbatov's 84th minute assist – prompting the Bulgarian to satisfy that appetite football has for "world's best" tags. "I think he is the best in the world and he is still so young," Berbatov said. "I've just told him many times – just stay healthy and you can achieve anything."
Ferguson considers Rooney a certainty for PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year. "You can't ignore his form and I think he has a great chance of winning both," the manager said. But Berbatov's goal, a brave header to convert substitute Park Ji-Sung's fine cross a minute from time, was the most deserved of the afternoon. This has been another season when the Bulgarian's languid style and self-professed preference to be a provider rather than a finisher has called his contribution into question, but on days when the going is easy he looks like a world best, too. That word "assist" does not do justice to the way he took down a 30-yard pass, nutmegged Nicky Shorey and raced beyond Chris Baird to set up Rooney's second.
Normal service was also resumed here from Rio Ferdinand, unruffled and frequently stepping up from defence to distribute, though there were echoes of the Fernando Torres v Nemanja Vidic clash of last March when the Serbian was deceived by a long ball flicked on by Erik Nevland on 74 minutes and found himself chasing Bobby Zamora's shadow towards United's goal as Fulham scented an equaliser. Vidic placed a fine recovering tackle, though Torres will be a different proposition. Games can turn on moments like that.
Fulham needed two immaculate saves by Mark Schwarzer to save them embarrassment and Hodgson, who will learn today whether the blow to the chest which forced Brede Hangeland has caused damage, did not even offer conjecture on Rooney's value on the day when Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon mischievously suggested he was worth £100m.
"I think it's fairly pointless for me to waste everyone's time here by saying that I think Wayne Rooney is an excellent player because you can get that from the man in the pub," Hodgson said. A point of classic simplicity about a player at whose feet the course of this season now rests.
Manchester United (4-4-2): Van der Sar; Neville (Fabio, 87) Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia (Park, 73) Fletcher, Carrick, Nani; Rooney, Berbatov. Substitutes not used: Kuszczak (gk), C Evans, Fabio, Obertan, Diouf, Gill.
Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland (Greening, 63), Shorey; Gera, Baird, Murphy, Davies (Duff, 45); Zamora, Dempsey (Nevland, 72). Substitutes not used: Zuberbuhler (gk), Okaka, Nevland, Stoor, Greening, Dikgacoi.
Referee: M Jones (Chester).
Booked: Man Utd Valencia; Fulham: Murphy.
Man of the Match: Berbatov.
Attendance: 75,207.
Title run-in: Challengers' remaining fixtures
*Manchester United (Played 30, Points 66)
Sun 21 Mar ......... Liverpool (h)
Sat 27 Mar ......... Bolton (a)
Sat 3 Apr ......... Chelsea (h)
Sun 11 Apr ......... Blackburn Rovers (a)
Sat 17 Apr ......... Manchester City (a)
Sun 25 Apr ......... Tottenham Hotspur (h)
Sat 1 May ......... Sunderland (a)
Sun 9 May ......... Stoke City (h)
*Chelsea (P29, Pts 64)
Sun 21 Mar ......... Blackburn Rovers (a)
Wed 24 Mar......... Portsmouth (a)
Sat 27 Mar ......... Aston Villa (h)
Sat 3 Apr ......... Manchester United (a)
Tues 13 Apr ......... Bolton Wanderers (h)
Sat 17 Apr ......... Tottenham Hotspur (a)
Sun 25 Apr ......... Stoke City (h)
Sat 1 May ......... Liverpool (a)
Sun 9 May ......... Wigan Athletic (h)
*Arsenal (P30, Pts 64)
Sat 20 Mar ......... West Ham United (h)
Sat 27 Mar ......... Birmingham City (a)
Sat 3 Apr ......... Wolverhampton W (h)
Sat 10 Apr ......... Tottenham Hotspur (a)
Sun 18 Apr ......... Wigan Athletic (a)
Sat 24 Apr ......... Manchester City (h)
Sat 1 May ......... Blackburn Rovers (a)
Sun 9 May ......... Fulham (h)
It's Gunner be tough for us
By NEIL CUSTIS
Published: Today
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ALEX FERGUSON believes Arsenal will be a bigger challenge to their title aspirations than Chelsea.
And he has ordered his players to win every game from now until the end of the season to beat them.
Manchester United leapfrogged both of their main challengers yesterday to take top spot with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford.
Now Ferguson wants to ensure they keep their foot on the pedal as he fears it is the Gunners who could deny them a record 19th title.
The United boss said: "Every game is vital now. At the moment it is looking like the tightest Premier League we have had.
"We are back in the lead but Chelsea have a game in hand.
"It's also going to be a hard-fought tussle with Arsenal coming strongly now... and I have a suspicion they might yet mount the biggest challenge.
"To a certain extent the title is in our hands because Chelsea have to come to Old Trafford and naturally that will be a massive match. But, as I say, I am wary of Arsenal if they don't suffer too many more injuries to key players."
United are two points ahead of both Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Gunners beat Hull on Saturday with a dramatic injury-time winner while Chelsea overpowered West Ham 4-1.
Now Fergie says United must keep winning to make sure they become the first club to lift four titles in a row.
Ferguson added: "I have set us a title target - win every game between now and the end of the season! Obviously it's a big ask but that's what we must aim for if we are to achieve our objective of winning the championship again.
"We are in a good run of form in the Premier League but our rivals are going well, too, and it's as well for everyone to understand that's what it could take to come out top.
"That's the expectation and there is no hiding from it."
United had a setback when they lost their sixth league game this season at Everton last month. But they have bounced back with five straight wins, including the defeat of AC Milan, scoring 13 goals in the process and conceding one. Ferguson said: "Consistency is the name of the game now and if I am honest we have had more off-days than I would like.
"The Everton game was a let-down, though I have got to say that three days later we were back to normal for a cracking win against West Ham."
Ferguson believes he has the squad to make it a treble year with the Carling Cup already in the bag and a quarter-final place in the Champions League booked.
He said: "I have built a squad that should enable us to compete on all fronts and I am not going to prioritise except to say that it is essential we strain every sinew to win the league.
"We have, of course, lost Michael Owen, who damaged a hamstring in the Carling Cup final, and we don't have Anderson, who is now back home in Brazil for a cruciate ligament operation that will rule him out for the rest of the season.
"There are one or two other worries, too, but we still have enough men to cope. And any player who perhaps worried earlier in the season that he was not getting enough pitch time in the first team will perhaps now find the answer to his problem."
United won yesterday with a superb second-half performance.
The first half was goalless but Wayne Rooney scored within 30 seconds of the restart before adding a second with Dimitar Berbatov getting the third.
Ferguson admitted: "We had to work hard for that.
"Fulham made us work hard and made us chase about a bit.
"It was hard to get the ball off them. They have clever players with good composure and experience.
"They made it difficult for us. We had to try and increase the pace a bit, hurry them up a bit and make the game a bit quicker.
"The most important thing was our start to the second half. When you get a start like that it puts the other team on the back foot. We were more confident after that.
"I had just got to my seat when we scored. It was a good time. There was only 30 seconds gone in the second half, so it was a terrific opening for us."
Star man Wayne Rooney is spearheading United's march with 24 goals in 22 games.
He has 32 in total but is playing down the chase for Ronaldo's goal total of 42.
He said: "If I am being honest, getting to 42 goals wouldn't mean a lot to me.
"It is not something I have looked at. But, obviously, it is nice to score goals."
Rooney added: "In the first half we started slowly. Fulham were well organised and got men behind the ball.
"Our play was not good enough to break them down. We knew we had to increase the tempo in the second half.
"We had to dig out a result. We knew Fulham would find it difficult to come here and play on a big pitch after playing on Thursday night.
"They were well organised but we knew there might be spaces after half-time. Thankfully, that is how it went.
"The timing of our first goal gave us a massive boost. It lifted us as a team. Fulham seemed a bit deflated after that.
"It gave us the opportunity to control the game and attack them a bit more. It paid off for us.
"We are capable. We are confident and playing well at the minute.
"We had a job to do and thankfully we have done it."
It was a disappointing day for Fulham manager Roy Hodgson.
He fears the weight of games right now is showing on his team after they lost 3-1 to Juventus in Turin on Thursday.
Hodgson said: "At 0-0 you have that bit of extra energy but when we went 1-0 down it was a bit harder.
"We were beaten by the better team but 3-0 is a bit harsh because I thought we made them work."
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2892300/Alex-Ferguson-reckons-Arsenal-are-Man-Uniteds-biggest-title-threat.html#ixzz0iEexHo23 (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2892300/Alex-Ferguson-reckons-Arsenal-are-Man-Uniteds-biggest-title-threat.html#ixzz0iEexHo23)
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/126423/Alex-Ferguson-still-has-fire-power-as-United-prove-they-re-second-to-none/
ALEX FERGUSON STILL HAS FIRE POWER AS UNITED PROVE THEY'RE SECOND TO NONE
15th March 2010
By Kevin Francis
Manchester United 3 Fulham 0
It's now more than two decades old, but that famous Fergie hairdryer is still in mint condition!
The proof was there for all to see at Old Trafford yesterday when Manchester United broke the deadlock just 20 seconds after emerging from a half-time managerial rant.
Sir Alex Ferguson was clearly not best pleased with a succession of missed scoring opportunities against Fulham.
And the manager, now in his 24th year at the club, got his way immediately, with red-hot hitman Wayne Rooney scoring straight from the kick-off.
Another Rooney goal – his 32nd of an incredible season – plus one from Dimitar Berbatov hammered home just how Fergie can inspire his troops.
This morning they sit proudly back on top of the Premier League, enjoying a two-point lead over rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.
Rooney set the ball rolling when he supplied Nani with the ball and then collected a return pass as United raced upfield in the opening minute of the second half.
He then calmly stroked it in from 12 yards with his right foot. It was United's 24th goal in their last six home league games and was definitely overdue in a match they completely dominated.
An 84th-minute second for Rooney came when Berbatov, who had a cracking game, slipped between Chris Baird and Nicky Shorey.
He slid the ball into Rooney, who had the simplest of jobs to stroke it home coolly.
In the final minute Berbatov headed in the third from a centre by substitute Ji-Sung Park, leaving United and their fans very happy indeed.
At times, it was almost a case of 'fire at will' as United relentlessly kept up the pressure on Fulham.
The Cottagers had lost only one of their last six league games, but they were always the poorer team and were lucky to be all-square at the interval.
The home side had come close to taking the lead after seven minutes following a left-wing run from Nani.
His centre into the six-yard box was met by Berbatov, but, slightly off balance, he headed over the bar. It was a similar story in the 25th minute when following another penetrative cross from Nani, Berbatov unluckily sent another header just over.
Mark Schwarzer, voted Player of the Month for February, had to be at his brilliant best in the 30th minute to deny Rooney.
His fiercely struck right-foot shot from another Berbatov pass was punched out by the keeper, who dived brilliantly to his right.
Rooney and his team-mates protested strongly when the England striker's goal-bound shot hit the arm of Stephen Kelly.
But referee Michael Jones brushed aside the penalty claims, indicating it was not an intentional move by the defender.
United had a succession of goalscoring attempts in the second half, with one of the best coming from midfielder Darren Fletcher in the 83rd minute.
His rising left-foot shot was brilliantly punched away by Schwarzer, who dived well to his left.
Not surprisingly, with United in such typically attacking mode, chances were few and far between for their visitors from the capital.
Their first effort came after 12 minutes when a rising shot from Clint Dempsey from 22 yards flew over the bar. One of their best chances came in the 38th minute when Danny Murphy's upfield punt found Bobby Zamora on the edge of the box.
Zamora tried to lob the ball over keeper Edwin van der Sar, but it dropped agonizingly behind the wrong side of the bar.
United's reargued was in competent form, with Nemanja Vidic illustrating their strength with one particularly good block on Zamora in the 73rd minute.
However, the threat posed by Fulham was not particularly great on a day that United claimed the points with a far from flattering display.
Trotta Called-Up
Monday 15th March 2010
Fulham FC News
Fulham Academy striker Marcello Trotta has been called up to the Italy Under-19 squad for their international friendly against Germany on Wednesday 17th March 2010 in Sacile.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/TrottaCalled-Up.aspx#ixzz0iGGBHNJz (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/TrottaCalled-Up.aspx#ixzz0iGGBHNJz)
Fair Play Update
Monday 15th March 2010
Fulham FC News
The latest Barclays Premier League Fair Play tables have been released. The tables are compiled from marks awarded by The Premier League Match Delegates.
Fulham's fans have moved up from third to first in the Behaviour of the Public Fair play table. Meanwhile the Team remains third in the Fair Play league.
FAIR PLAY LEAGUE
Position Played R/Y P/P R/O R/R B/O Pts Score Avge
1 Arsenal 28 240 234 171 171 153 969 242.3 8.65
2 Tottenham Hotspur 28 229 233 166 168 150 946 236.5 8.45
3 Fulham 28 244 208 166 171 155 944 236 8.43
4 Manchester United 28 234 223 163 166 155 941 235.3 8.4
5 Chelsea 28 230 231 163 166 149 939 234.8 8.38
6 Burnley 27 225 207 161 167 143 903 225.8 8.36
7 Manchester City 27 231 211 153 160 133 888 222 8.22
8 Aston Villa 26 212 202 148 151 141 854 213.5 8.21
9 Wigan Athletic 27 223 200 153 159 144 879 219.8 8.14
10 West Ham United 27 217 204 152 156 146 875 218.8 8.1
11 Everton 27 217 203 156 161 133 870 217.5 8.06
12 Wolves 27 210 206 152 157 143 868 217 8.04
13 Liverpool 28 220 217 159 161 137 894 223.5 7.98
14 Blackburn Rovers 28 230 193 155 160 149 887 221.8 7.92
15 Stoke City 27 208 195 150 159 138 850 212.5 7.87
16 Bolton Wanderers 27 213 191 150 157 137 848 212 7.85
17 Birmingham City 27 218 199 147 150 130 844 211 7.82
18 Portsmouth 27 201 184 147 153 144 829 207.3 7.68
19 Hull City 27 210 184 149 154 128 825 206.3 7.64
20 Sunderland 27 198 189 145 154 137 823 205.8 7.62
Key:
R/Y = Red & Yellow Cards - Maximum 10 pts per Match
(Red 3 pts, Yellow 1 pt)
P/P = Positive Play - Maximum 10 pts per Match
R/O = Respect Towards Opponent - Maximum 7 pts per Match
R/R = Respect Towards Referee - Maximum 7 pts per Match
B/O = Behaviour of Officials - Maximum 6 pts per Match
BEHAVIOUR OF THE PUBLIC FAIR PLAY LEAGUE
Position Played Pts Avge
1 Fulham 28 234 8.36
2 Burnley 27 225 8.33
3 Sunderland 27 221 8.19
4 Liverpool 28 229 8.18
5 West Ham United 27 219 8.11
6 Wigan Athletic 27 219 8.11
7 Manchester City 27 218 8.07
8 Wolves 27 216 8
9 Arsenal 28 223 7.96
10 Tottenham Hotspur 28 222 7.93
11 Chelsea 28 221 7.89
12 Manchester United 28 219 7.82
13 Stoke City 27 211 7.82
14 Aston Villa 26 203 7.81
15 Blackburn Rovers 28 218 7.79
16 Birmingham City 27 210 7.78
17 Everton 27 209 7.74
18 Bolton Wanderers 27 207 7.67
19 Hull City 27 198 7.33
20 Portsmouth 27 198 7.33
Matches up to and including Sunday 28th February 2010.
Prize money of £30,000 is awarded to the club finishing the Season at the top of the Fair Play League, with £20,000 going to the club whose supporters are deemed to be the best behaved.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/FairPlayUpdate.aspx#ixzz0iGGu0j5X (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/FairPlayUpdate.aspx#ixzz0iGGu0j5X)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6028697,00.html
Juve in keeper crisis
39-year-old Chimenti expected to stand-in against Fulham
By Jamie Casey Last updated: 15th March 2010
Juventus have been dealt a major blow with the news that stand-in keeper Alex Manninger will be out for up to three weeks.
The Austrian has been deputising for first choice Gianluigi Buffon, currently out with a thigh injury, but has now suffered a similar injury to the Italy international.
Veteran third choice keeper Antonio Chimenti, 39, stood in for Juve's 3-3 draw with Siena on Sunday, before tests on Manninger's injury on Monday revealed a muscle strain.
The former Arsenal keeper will be out of action for a minimum of two weeks and is definitely out of Thursday's Europa League meeting with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The Italian giants hold a 3-1 lead from the first leg in Turin and Chimenti is expected to start once again with 19-year-old rookie Carlo Pinsoglio set to provide extra cover.
Meanwhile, Uruguay international defender Jose Martin Caceres has developed an abdominal injury and will return to parent club Barcelona for treatment.
http://www.football.virginmedia.com/page/Football/Championship/Headlines/0,,12555~1994772,00.html
Brown back with Fulham
15 Mar 2010
Bristol Rovers loan midfielder Wayne Brown has been recalled by parent club Fulham.
Brown initally joined the Pirates on a one-month deal but saw his stay extended after suffering an injury that interrupted his run in Paul Trollope's side.
The 21-year-old came on as a substitute in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Tranmere in his first game back from an ankle problem, however Fulham have decided they want him to return to Craven Cottage.
The London club want Brown for their reserve team friendly against Birmingham on Tuesday night.
Thanks WN, your efforts are always appreciated......... except today!!!!!.... if I read another word about how good that Evertonian scally is I'll scream. :035:
Seriously..... really appreciate you scouring the media, just to keep us up to date
Quote from: Fernhurst on March 15, 2010, 04:09:07 PM
Thanks WN, your efforts are always appreciated......... except today!!!!!.... if I read another word about how good that Evertonian scally is I'll scream. :035:
Seriously..... really appreciate you scouring the media, just to keep us up to date
Haha. Thanks for the appreciation Fernhurst. You have got to be impressed with the lad though. Now he is doing less defensive work and only light training to conserve his energy for match day Rooney is one of the most compelling players I have ever seen. Have you ever seen hunger like it? Also, I know the commentators always say "he never misses those", but I am not sure how many players would finish with as much certainty and quality as he does. If he can keep this up in South Africa there will be no-one to hold a candle to him.
Juventus Travel Advice
Monday 15th March 2010
Fulham FC News
Fulham fans are reminded to leave plenty of time if they are coming to Thursday evening's game against Juventus at Craven Cottage.
With the match kicking-off at 6pm supporters are advised to take into account rush hour congestion and allow for additional travel time.
Tickets for this game have sold out and supporters collecting tickets on the day are reminded that the Craven Cottage Ticket Office will be open from 9am for collections.
To avoid congestion at the turnstiles supporters are kindly asked to enter the stadium and take their seats as early as possible on Thursday evening.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/JuventusArriveEarly.aspx#ixzz0iGTlkY1s (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/JuventusArriveEarly.aspx#ixzz0iGTlkY1s)
Special Edition Juventus Matchday Programme
With a place in the quarter-final of the UEFA Europa League up for grabs Thursday evening's visit of Italian giants Juventus is a game not to be missed.
The 27-time Serie A winners and twice European champions may have taken the first leg advantage, but a crucial away goal from Dickson Etuhu sets up an exciting second leg encounter at Craven Cottage.
An electrifying atmosphere is once again expected on the banks of the Thames, with Roy Hodgson's side entering the action unbeaten at home in Europe this season.
The Whites have already seen off Manchester United and Liverpool comfortably here this term, and will be looking to add Juve to that expanding list of big-name conquests.
So as the two teams do battle at our famous old ground, be sure to pick up the one-off Special Edition, perfect-bound Matchday Programme to commemorate what could well be the most famous of nights in our long history.
Packed from cover to cover with all the essential matchday information, the 84-page journal is the essential companion and souvenir for every Fulham fixture.
With its eye catching design and in-depth features, the very special edition includes:
Exclusive insight from Manager Roy Hodgson.
Danny Murphy's views on recent action in his Captain's Column.
An exclusive interview with Fulham number one Mark Schwarzer who insists there is still plenty to play for.
A Q&A with former Fulham shot-stopper and ex Juve goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar.
The Guest Column with former Whites goal hero Geoff Horsfield.
A look back on our memorable last 32 defeat of Shakhtar Donetsk.
UEFA Europa League round-up and match action from our first leg game with Juventus and FA Cup Sixth Round draw with Tottenham.
Through The Ranks with Academy starlet Courtney Harris.
A look back at Dickson Etuhu's career in the Scrapbook.
The latest action from the Fulham Academy and unprecedented fan interaction and tonnes of fun for younger fans too.
PLUS: A chance to win a fantastic eye-catching LG Crystal mobile phone in our Lucky Programme Number draw.
The brilliant matchday publication will be on sale in and around the ground from two-hours before kick-off and at half-time around the ground.
The brilliant matchday publication will be on sale in and around the ground from two-hours before kick-off, so don't miss out.
Buy Matchday Programmes online|
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Fanzone/FFCMatchdayProgramme.aspx#ixzz0iGU8JH7i (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Fanzone/FFCMatchdayProgramme.aspx#ixzz0iGU8JH7i)
http://hammyend.com/?p=5960
Juve slip up
by Dan on March 15, 2010
From 3-0 up and cruising to a far from satisfactory 3-3 draw against Siena, for whom Marco Materazzi played up front.
Perhaps Fulham have a chance on Thursday ...
http://fulham.theoffside.com/mark-schwarzer/loaner-report-31510.html
Loaner Report 3/15/10
By: timmyg | March 15th, 2010
Diomansy Kamara did not dress in Celtic's 3-0 win over Kilmarnock on Saturday due to a hamstring injury.
Eddie Johnson came off the bench in the 87th minute in Aris Thessaloniki's 2-0 win vs. PAOK Salonika on Sunday.
David Stockdale started, played 90 minutes and registered 7 saves in Plymouth Argyle's 1-1 draw at Coventry City on Saturday. He started and played 90 minutes in the Pilgrims' 2-0 loss at QPR last Tuesday.
Toni Kallio did not dress in Sheffield United's 1-0 loss to Peterborough United last Tuesday and in the Blades' 1-1 draw with QPR on Saturday.
Wayne Brown came off the bench in the 45th minute in Bristol Rovers' 0-0 draw with Tranmere on Saturday. Fulham have since recalled his loan deal.
Matthew Saunders started, played 90 minutes and scored TWO goals in Lincoln City's 3-1 win over Hereford United on Saturday.
http://www.sportsecho.co.uk/lincolncity/Lincoln-City-attempt-extend-Matthew-Saunders-loan/article-1910972-detail/article.html
Lincoln City attempt to extend Matthew Saunders loan
Monday, March 15, 2010,
Lincoln City will attempt to extend Matthew Saunders' loan this week after Chris Sutton hailed the Fulham midfielder's impact on the club's relegation fight.
The playmaker is due to return to the capital after tomorrow's night's clash against Dagenham, but the Imps are set to push for a one-month extension.
Talks were set to begin today with the Premier League outfit and Sutton is hopeful Saunders will remain at Sincil Bank, where he has become a key figure in recent weeks.
The 20-year-old was in irresistible form on Friday when he scored twice in a 3-1 win against Hereford as the Imps moved 10 points clear of the drop zone.
And Sutton admitted Saunders' contribution has been instrumental during the club's League Two relegation dogfight.
"Matty has done very well for us in the two months he has been here," said Sutton.
"Coming to us has aided his development because he's playing games in a competitive league, but in return he has shown what a good player he is.
"We want to keep him because his contribution has been key to us and we are hoping to keep him for one more month.
"We'll be talking to Fulham and I'm hopeful we will receive the all clear because he certainly does make a difference to our team with his footballing brain.
"He does have an immense about of ability and his performance on Friday demonstrated that."
Down's Syndrome Tournament Success
Monday 15th March 2010
Fulham FC News
The sounds of cheers and applause echoed from Fulham FC's Motspur Park Training Ground on Sunday, 14th March as Down's Syndrome football teams from across London came together to launch Down's Syndrome Awareness Week.
The tournament brought together 60 DSActive players representing the four London-based DSActive teams: Fulham Badgers, QPR Tiger Cubs, Charlton Upbeats and West Ham United DS Team. Unlike traditional tournaments, the main focus was not on winning or losing, but just taking part.
The day commenced at 11am with circuit training focusing on passing, dribbling, hand-eye co-ordination and team development. Each area of focus was led by a different club opening the players up to new skills and techniques as well as different coaching methods.
After an awards ceremony for the younger players and lunch, the players came back to the Training Ground to engage in a tournament. Two matches were played side by side allowing all the players equal opportunities to play in the ten minute matches.
Each team played six matches. The players worked on using the techniques they used in training including 'back heel' and 'trapping the ball' as well as penalty and corner kicks. Goals were scored and goals were blocked. It didn't matter who scored – everyone cheered.
Patricia James from the DSA said "It was fantastic, all of the clubs came together to put on this brilliant tournament. The end result was extraordinary with 60 players coming together to demonstrate what people with Down's Syndrome can achieve – a perfect kick off to Down's Syndrome Awareness Week.
Expanding on the DSActive programme, Patricia continued, "The DSA looks forward to continuing to development its partnerships with the participating clubs and building new DSActive teams throughout the country as we strive to provide every person with Down's Syndrome the same opportunity as yesterday's players."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/DownsSyndromeTournamentReview.aspx#ixzz0iGnnWkRK (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/DownsSyndromeTournamentReview.aspx#ixzz0iGnnWkRK)
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23815157-fulham-wont-let-it-slip-away-insists-roy-hodgson.do
Fulham won't let it slip away, insists Roy Hodgson
Graham Chase
15.03.10
Roy Hodgson today called on his threadbare squad to hold their nerve as they enter the most crucial period of their season.
Fulham are low on numbers and facing significant injury problems, which could get worse today when they will discover the full extent of a chest problem sustained by key defender Brede Hangeland at Old Trafford.
His injury comes as Fulham prepare for three big games in seven days, starting with Thursday's Europa League tie against Juventus at Craven Cottage, where Hodgson's side will try to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit.
Fulham then face Champions League hopefuls Manchester City on Sunday and travel to Tottenham for an FA Cup quarter-final replay the following Wednesday.
Hodgson knows the schedule will be a big test for his men and said: "It's going to be very important for us to get through this period now. It's a tough spell with Juventus and the replay against Tottenham before things settle down into a more normal programme of playing once a week.
"My major concern is that, after having done so well, if we go out of any of the competitions, that will impact upon us. It's going to be very important that that doesn't happen and we won't allow our season, which has been quite fantastic, to slip away.
"Our programme has been very, very hard and maybe I can't expect the players to have the same sharpness a couple of months ago when we weren't playing all of these games.
"We've coped with it better than anyone could have expected us to cope with it given that in January we lost five players. I think we've done remarkably well to keep going as we have done."
Hodgson is anxious for Hangeland to feature in Fulham's key run. The centre-back was injured when colliding with Manchester United's Antonio Valencia in the first half yesterday. He played almost 20 minutes of the second period before admitting defeat and will face further assessment today.
At least Fulham were boosted by the return of Danny Murphy following a groin problem, while Clint Dempsey made his first start as he continues his comeback from two months out with a knee injury. Hodgson was also encouraged by Fulham's first-half performance at Old Trafford when his side contained the champions.
But 30 seconds after the restart, Wayne Rooney put United ahead with a low finish after he was picked out by Nani's cross. The visitors' best chance came when Bobby Zamora broke clear only to be denied by a fine sliding challenge from Nemanja Vidic.
And United doubled their lead when Dimitar Berbatov broke into the area and crossed for Rooney to score his 32nd goal of the season.
Berbatov completed the scoring with a near-post header from Ji-Sung Park's cross as United moved two points clear of Chelsea and Arsenal at the top.
Rooney continues to insist he is not motivated by the prospect of matching Cristiano Ronaldo's haul of 42 goals two seasons ago.
"It is not something I have looked at," said the England striker. "Obviously, it is nice to score goals. I want to score goals in every game and what Cristiano Ronaldo achieved was unbelievable. But I am a different player and a different person. I am not comparing myself to Cristiano."
Despite Rooney's claims, Berbatov feels his team-mate will manage at least 40. The Bulgarian said: "He still has plenty of games left so I wish him luck and we will all help him get over the 40 mark.
"At the moment he is the best in the world. And he is still so young so he has plenty of chances to get even better. I've told him many times to just stay healthy and he can achieve everything."
The former Tottenham striker moved into double figures in the Premier League yesterday and, despite being outshone by Rooney this term, defended his contribution to United.
Berbatov said: "If we win it doesn't matter if I don't score, as long as we are champions at the end of the season. I like making assists as much as I like scoring. I was just as happy making the second goal for Wayne as I was scoring the third myself."
United host Liverpool next Sunday and face Chelsea at Old Trafford on 3 April and Berbatov feels that playing those games at home could prove crucial as Sir Alex Ferguson's side chase a record fourth straight title.
He added: "The title race is tight but I'm convinced we are going to win it. Chelsea and Arsenal are great teams and we have some difficult games ahead. But we have home advantage for those big games so I am optimistic that we will be champions."
He also praised Hodgson's side and said: "I think Fulham, with their possession, made us work hard and chase around a bit. It was hard to get the ball off them. They have experienced players who are comfortable on the ball."
http://www.football-italia.net/mar15i.html
Juve squad thin for Fulham
Monday 15 March, 2010
Juventus face the prospect of travelling to Fulham on Thursday without their two best goalkeepers. Injuries have also claimed much of the defence.
Gigi Buffon and Alex Manninger are both out with thigh problems, which forced Alberto Zaccheroni to hand a rare start to Antonio Chimenti on Sunday.
It didn't go well, as Juventus threw away a three-goal lead at home to Siena and were eventually held to a disappointing 3-3 draw.
Tuttosport understands Zaccheroni is unsure whether to persist with Chimenti and may try 19-year-old Carlo Pinsoglio instead.
As for the defence, Nicola Legrottaglie is suspended and has a thigh problem anyway.
Giorgio Chiellini is also unlikely to make it back in time despite a scan ruling out a muscle tear.
Zaccheroni is likely to move Jonathan Zebina into central defence alongside Fabio Cannavaro and put Zdenek Grygera at right-back.
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/matches/season=2010/round=2000039/match=2000953/prematch/focus/index.html
Juve wary of Fulham's fortress
Published: Monday 15 March 2010, 11.33CET
Juventus have a 3-1 first-leg advantage and long European pedigree, but they also possess a poor recent record against English sides and are taking nothing for granted as they travel to Fulham FC.
by Richard Aikman
Juventus have a 3-1 first-leg advantage and long European pedigree, but they also possess a poor recent record against English sides and are taking nothing for granted as they travel to Fulham FC.
Read moreJuventus travel to Fulham FC on Thursday hoping to end an English jinx that has plagued the Italian side in Europe for over a quarter of a century.
The Bianconeri's last eight trips to England have brought nothing more than a solitary draw and their four most recent meetings with Premier League sides in knockout competition have ended in elimination. Yet having claimed a 3-1 first-leg lead in Turin, Juve are confident they can end their hoodoo by reaching the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.
"Fulham are a nice club; it's a great stadium to play in," said Alex Manninger, though the former Arsenal FC goalkeeper will not be there after picking up a thigh injury on Sunday. "We need to play a controlled game at Craven Cottage because they will certainly go for it. We know they are a good home side, very organised, but we scored some great goals against them. It won't be easy, but we go there with a big advantage."
Juventus were 3-1 up by half-time at the Stadio Olimpico, goals from Nicola Legrottaglie, Jonathan Zebina and David Trezeguet leaving Roy Hodgson's side needing at least victory by two clear goals to reach the last eight. For Juventus then, caution is the watchword. "We are confident of going the distance and we know we can go all the way but we still have a long way to go," said Manninger, whose injury, with Gianluigi Buffon already ruled out, means either Carlo Pinsoglio or Antonio Chimenti could make their UEFA club competition debuts.
La Vecchia Signora will certainly want to defend better than they did against AC Siena on Sunday when they squandered a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Serie A's bottom side. Hasan Salihamidžić is expecting another tough game in west London. "It'll be very hard over there because it's a small ground," said Salihamidžić. "They play with a great tempo at home and we'll have to be very careful. But if we put them under pressure, the sort of pressure we did in the first leg, it will be really hard for them to play well."
Fulham lost 3-0 at Manchester United FC on Sunday and are without a win in five matches, so Bobby Zamora knows his side face an uphill struggle to turn the table on their visitors. "We sussed them out a little bit more [in Turin] in the second half than we did the first half and hopefully we can continue that at Craven Cottage," said the striker. "It's going to be a tough game, we know that, but we've got a good home record. We've beaten Manchester United and Liverpool at home this season and I see no reason why we can't beat Juventus."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/8568017.stm
Sheffield United defender Toni Kallio out for six weeks
Kallio has made eight appearances for United in two loan spells this term
Sheffield United defender Toni Kallio has been ruled out for six weeks.
The 31-year-old Finn, who is on loan from Fulham, picked up a calf injury against Crystal Palace on 6 March.
Assistant manager Sam Ellis to told BBC Radio Sheffield: "We've been given a time of six weeks, so he's not going to be back fit until the end of April."
United are trying to bring in a defender on loan in time for Tuesday's Blackpool game with Chris Morgan and Kyle Bartley also ruled out.
Morgan is suspended for Tuesday's game and Bartley is suffering with severe food poisoning.
"We're quite short of players. We're going to have to see if we can bring somebody in," added Ellis.
http://www.footballfancast.com/football-blogs/easy-sunday-morning-10-noticed-sundays-games?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ffc_Premiership_Blogs+%28FFC_Premiership_Blogs%29
Easy like a Sunday Morning – 10 Things I noticed from Sunday's PL games
Date: 15th March 2010 at 2:45 pm |
1. Payback - Such is the theatrical nature of Football in the post Murdoch-era that Sky Sports always seem to feel the need to find a theme for matches. Struggling with one for the historically uncontroversial encounter between Manchester United and Fulham, they decided the theme of "revenge" was a decent one to go with, after the team with the most unfortunate nickname in football – The Cottagers – beat off the Red Devils in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Revenge was ever present in the build up coverage, as it had been earlier in the week whenever Sky presenters were forced to advertise their upcoming fixtures at the end of other programmes. A montage was compiled, set to James Brown's "The Payback", complete with lots of footage of players looking very angry in slow motion and the words "revenge" and "payback" forcefully thrust in our faces in bold, ominous looking red lettering at sporadic intervals. "They'll want revenge won't they Jamie?" inquired Richard Keys in the studio, helpfully reminding us how dramatic and important this clash was going to be. "Oh certainly" – Jamie Redknapp might of replied if I'd actually been listening. "Is there an element of Revenge about today?" was the first question posed by Geoff Shreeves as he interviewed Sir Alex Ferguson just before kick off, presumably hoping to lend an air of credibility to the arduous work that had gone into pretending there was in the build up. "No not really" was his reply. Oh....oh ok then.
2. Easy like a Sunday morning – United started comfortably, and ended pretty comfortably too. They also enjoyed a thoroughly comfortable middle period in what was, all in all, a very comfortable victory. Fulham somehow hung on for the first half through a combination of Dimitar Berbatov's crippling fear of being a striker and the good old-fashioned tactic of throwing themselves in front of every attempt like demented break-dancers.
3. Under pressure - It didn't last long however, and Fulham were undone within a minute of the second half as Wayne Rooney and Nani combined to easily side foot their way through the Fulham defence and put the Champions ahead. From then on the game was entirely played in the Fulham half as United pushed forward with all the vigor of a particularly untesting training game, and Danny Murphy did his best to seethe quietly with anger and occasionally hack down Wayne Rooney.
4. It only takes a minute...er...girl? - Presumably working from the rope a dope book of victory tactics, Fulham almost proved that old adage of one goal never being enough (except when it's enough) when Bobby Zamora somehow found himself clean through on goal only to take too many touches and be cleanly taken out by Nemanja Vidic. Normal service was then resumed as Fulham struggled to keep the ball for longer than 3 passes and the game descended into a war of attrition between the United front 5 and the deep lying Fulham back 10.
5. Golden touch – Eventually it was the Usual suspect who dealt the deathly blow as Rooney grabbed yet another brace to add to his collection, after Berbatov had skilled his was passed two Fulham defenders to tee it up on a plate (yes I know that's a mixed metaphor). Rooney even contrived to scuff the shot, as he had his first, but such is his form at the moment that it could've come off any part of his body and it would still likely have gone in. Ronaldo once scored a goal with his crotch during his infamous 42-goal season and such is the form of his former teammate now that I wouldn't be surprised to see a goal from every extremity fly in before the season's out.
6. Dance of the plum sugar daddy fairies - A far more competitive game then took place at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, as the hosts battered Manchester City in the first half before contriving to be battered even worse themselves in the second, before they all called a truce and settled for a draw. Prokofiev's Dance of the Knights (or Montagues and Capulets) was blasted out of the PA before the game, which struck me as a ridiculously over dramatic gesture worthy of Sky Sports themselves. As it turned out however the game almost lived up to it, and both managers – but mainly Roberto Mancini – will feel more aggrieved than satisfied by the score line.
7. Bent out of shape – Kenwyne Jones put the Mackems ahead with a pure center forwards header, whilst Darren Bent spent the entire first half shooting like he was looking for a beach ball to deflect it in. Jones went off through injury but Sunderland continued to pour forward whilst simultaneously being rubbish when they got there.
8. Holding back the tide – The second half positively exploded into life and we got fights, (well the sort of really tame fights you get in football) people falling over and a goal keeper inspired as Craig Gordon single handedly kept City at bay. Bellamy, Tevez and Santa Cruz were the main culprits, with the latter in particular doing a great impression of someone who didn't really want to score. Most efforts were struck too close to Gordon to give him too much trouble, but it was never the less a dynamic display from the Scot who it was clear it was going to take something truly special to beat.
9. The curse of the commentator – And so it was, as Andy Gray triumphantly declared "that's it, it's definitely gonna be one of those days" after another Gordon save, that Adam Johnson collected the ball from the resulting corner and curled in a millimeter perfect shot in the last minute to rescue a more than deserved point. Picking up the ball on the right angle of the penalty area, he placed a curling left foot shot in the only place it could possibly have gone, even beating the man on the line who, unfortunately, failed miserably at the task of being half an inch taller.
10. New(ish) kid on the block – With all the talk likely to be of Rooney being England's savior this summer, the talk in the pundit's cupboard afterwards was of a possible call up for Johnson. He's looked a great talent whenever he's played for the sky blues and with such an important and eye catching goal, will hopefully get a longer stint in the side to show his quality. He's certainly got it. And with a place up for grabs with Beckham now likely out of the World Cup to concentrate on his scarf wearing abilities, he may just get that as well.
http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2010/03/15/fulham-suffer-hangeland-injury-blow-64767-26037047/
Fulham suffer Hangeland injury blow
Mar 15 2010 By Jacob Murtagh
Brede Hangeland
FULHAM are sweating on the fitness of Brede Hangeland after getting crocked in Sunday's defeat at Manchester United.
The giant Norwegian defender was substituted in the second-half at Old Trafford with a chest problem, and had treatment in the dressing room after the game.
And boss Roy Hodgson is desperate not to have another name added to his injury list.
"It's not good at the moment," said Hodgson after the match.
"He has a spasm caused by a blow to the chest. It was doubtful at half-time that he would continue but he gave it a try.
"We hope it's not a major injury but it's affected us today of course because we had to reshuffle after going a goal behind.
"We'll assess the injury tomorrow [Monday] and get a clear picture of what has happened."
http://hammyend.com/?p=5962
Italian injury crisis
by Dan on March 15, 2010
Juventus seem to be racking up the injuries. This from the AP wire:
Alex Manninger will miss another 15-20 days with a right thigh injury, adding to Juventus' goalkeeping worries with starter Gianluigi Buffon already out for a month with a similar injury.
Juventus reported Monday that medical tests on Manninger
revealed a muscle strain.
Third-choice Antonio Chimenti played in Juve's 3-3 draw with Siena on Sunday and will likely get the nod for the Europa League return game with Fulham and Juve's next Serie A match against Sampdoria.
Also, Juve defender Jose Martin Caceres has an abdominal problem and will head to Barcelona for tests Tuesday since the Spanish club holds his rights.
What a price a stirring second leg Fulham fightback?
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Pompey-FA-Cup-semi-final.6151188.jp
Pompey FA Cup semi final details released
Published Date: 15 March 2010
Pompey's season ticket holders will get the chance to buy two tickets each for the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
The club has confirmed that it has been allocated 32,000 tickets for the match on April 11.
They will be sold over a seven-day period starting from Wednesday, March 24, with Pompey Blue members guaranteed one ticket as well as the two-ticket allocation to season ticket holders.
Adult tickets are priced at £30, £40, £50 and £60. Seats for under 17s and those aged over 60 cost £20, £30, £40 and £50.
Tickets will be sold on the following days:-
· Wednesday, March 24: South stand upper season ticket holders
· Thursday, March 25: North stand upper season ticket holders
· Friday, March 26: Jobsite Stand (Fratton end) season ticket holders
· Saturday, March 27: North stand lower/south stand lower season ticket holders
· Monday, March 29: Pompey Blue members
Any season ticket holder unable to purchase tickets on their allocated date will be able to purchase tickets on a following day.
On March 30, Pompey will offer one ticket each to fans on the club's database who have bought tickets to three or more matches at Fratton Park this season – up to and including the FA Cup quarter-final against Birmingham City.
Pompey say they will be notified of their eligibility and their relevant client ID number – which is required for booking – by post or email.
Supporter groups will be allocated 800 tickets and any remaining tickets will go on general sale to supporters on the club's database at a date to be announced.
The club said that the same ratio of tickets from each price band will be sold on each day to allow supporters from all sections of Fratton Park to have the widest choice of seats available. The tickets will be told online and through the Ticketmaster agency by telephoning 0844 847 1898 and selecting option one.
When Pompey reached the FA Cup final two years ago, many fans claimed it had been impossible to get through to Ticketmaster by phone, such was the demand for tickets.
Pompey say that for the coming sale, the agency will have 200 lines dedicated to Pompey, with a phased purchasing system ensuring waiting time is kept to a minimum for fans.
On top of the ticket price, there will be a fixed charge of £3 per ticket and £4.95 for registered post per delivery. Pompey say that the postage fee is required because the Football Association does not allow the issue of duplicate tickets.
Pompey's ticket office will handle directly a total of 100 pairs of wheelchair tickets and 50 pairs of visually impaired/ambulant tickets will also be made available. These tickets cost £30, with a carer going free.
Only postal applications will be accepted, with proof of disability for non-season ticket holders. Applications to: Allison McNeil, Disabled Liaison Officer, Portsmouth Football Club Ticket Office, Rodney Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO4 8SX.
Official coach travel is being run by Lucketts Travel and is priced at £19 for adults and £15 for under 16s (who must be accompanied by an adult).
Coach travel can be booked online or by calling 0845 389 0644 or at the Lucketts Travel sales office in Broadcut, Wallington, Fareham, PO16 8TB.
Coaches will depart Fratton Park from 9am on April 11 with coaches leaving once fully loaded. The last coach will leave at 10.30am.
The semi-final match will kick-off at 4pm, with Pompey meeting the winners of the sixth-round replay between Spurs and Fulham, which will be played on March 24.
http://www.clubcall.com/aston-villa/defender-linked-exit-door-1038175.html
Defender linked with exit door
Aston Villa, 12:19, March 15, 2010
Aston Villa defender Habib Beye is again being linked with a move away as Sunderland and Fulham chase his signature.
The Black Cats were linked with a move for the player during the January transfer window but a deal failed to materialise and he ended up staying at Villa Park.
However Beye has opened the door to a move to the Stadium of Light after revealing he wants to move on in search of first-team football at the end of the season, while the Cottagers could also be an option for him.
Martin O'Neill is unlikely to stand in the player's way at the end of the season and there will be no shortage of interest in the former Newcastle defender.
http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2010/03/can_the_cottagers_overcome_juv.php
Can the Cottagers Overcome Juventus?
Posted by Tom Wille 5 hours, 52 minutes ago
It was a rough week for Fulham Football Club. After knocking out defending Europa League champions Shakhtar Donetsk in the previous round, the Cottagers were rewarded with a trip to Turin to take on perennial powerhouse Juventus in the final 16 of the competition. On top of that, the Whites had to travel to Manchester to take on defending league champions Manchester United. As most of you all know, the week did not go as planned. Juventus pasted the Cottagers 3-1 and Manchester United walked all over the Whites en route to a 3-0 win on Sunday.
While the loss to Manchester United was tough to watch, most any Fulham supporter would tell you that he/she expected nothing from that match, particularly coming off a midweek trip to Italy. Despite the loss the Cottagers remain in 10th place on 38 points with 9 matches to play. The club is not going to get relegated and unless something amazing happens, this team will not qualify for Europe a second consecutive season.
So while qualification for Europe next season is in doubt, that leaves us with the Europa League this season and the major hole the Cottagers have to dig themselves out of after falling 3-1 to Juventus last Thursday in Turin. While the match will be played along the River Thames at Craven Cottage, it is a big ask to keep the Italian giants off the scoresheet and also score two of your own, which is what it will take for the Cottagers to advance to the final eight of the competition.
I know as Fulham supporters we have come to expect the unexpected over the last few joyous seasons, but truth be told, I am not that optimistic that the Cottagers have it in them to get the kind of result they need against Juve when they visit the Cottage. It is not impossible, but the Italians were the far superior team in Italy and while the venue will change, the players on the pitch will likely stay the same. With a comfortable lead, Juve will be playing with confidence and for all intents and purposes, they will be playing with defense on mind content to sit back and defend knowing that Fulham needs to score two goals to advance.
Is it possible that Fulham can turn the tables and advance? Yes. However, I would not go into Thursday's match fully expecting the Cottagers to advance. This is not a lower level English team they are playing. This is a European powerhouse that has been in situations like this many, many times throughout the years. It will not be easy and in fact, will require Fulham to play the best match they have played in a long, long time. I will watch on Thursday but I fear the European run from Fulham will come to an end. I will not write the eulogy on Europe just yet, but I am putting together ideas for it.
Lastly, the Cottagers are still alive and kicking in the FA Cup. After drawing with Spurs 0-0 at the Cottage last week, Fulham will surrender the home field advantage when the two square off on Wednesday, March 24th at White Hart Lane with a spot in the semi-finals at Wembley against Portsmouth at stake. It would have been nice if Fulham could have gotten the win at the Cottage in the first leg, but it was not to be and a trip to North London has to be made.
Spurs are tough at home and this will be a difficult match for the Cottagers to win. However, Roy Hodgson will surely have his team up for this match full well knowing that a win separates the Cottagers from a spot in the final by one match against Premier League strugglers Portsmouth.
At this point in time, I am more excited about the FA Cup than I am the Europa League. Had the result in Italy last week been different, I might think differently, but it seems to be a near impossible challenge that faces the Cottagers on Thursday against Juventus.
Which competition are you most excited about right now? Do you think Fulham has any chance of beating Juventus by two goals and advancing in the Europa League? If you do believe they can, what makes you believe that it can happen?
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/5062560.Goldberg_happy_with_Worcester_City_victory/
Goldberg happy with Worcester City victory
4:20pm Monday 15th March 2010
By Jeff Hutton »
BROMLEY manager Mark Goldberg was a happy man after his side rediscovered their winning touch to see off Worcester City 2-0 on Saturday.
Goldberg said: "I was very pleased with the performance this afternoon, especially in the second half.
"I thought we tried to play too much football from the back in the first half. We did encourage this at the start of the game, but the pitch was a lot more bobbly than we had realised and we got ourselves in trouble when trying to overplay.
"We didn't penetrate enough although we still created two or three goal scoring opportunities and the goal that was taken by Warren McBean was magnificent.
"It was a really professional finish after a turn of pace and he showed what he is all about."
The manager added: "In the second half, we asked the players to penetrate a little bit quicker and start playing our football further up the pitch.
"I think it worked, the midfield tucked in a little bit better, we always felt we were going to carve opportunities to score and we kept it relatively tight at the back.
"All in all, it was a very good performance, clean sheet and three points and we will just keep seeing if we can reach our highest position since reaching the Blue Square South."
Goalkeeper Wes Foderingham made his debut for Goldberg's side, and the manager was quick to praise the on-loan Fulham stopper.
He explained:"I thought Wes showed a lot of confidence in his first game and he managed his area extremely well.
"Having him behind the back four seemed to give us a new confidence and we kept feeling we were capable of keeping a clean sheet.
"His kicking was good and he created opportunities from his goal kicks, which is something that we can add to our armoury."
The Lillywhites travel to Dover Athletic next Saturday in a game which Goldberg believes could decide Bromley's fate this season.
He said: "I think the Dover game is a bit of a make or break game to see how high we can finish in the league.
"There are a lot of teams in the pack around us and if we lose then we might end up as a mid-table team, whereas if we win the game, we will be confident of achieving our highest finish so far, so it is a very important match for us."
