http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8502031.stm?
Manchester United move down to Roy Hodgson - Smalling
Smalling has only made three Premier League starts for Fulham
Fulham defender Chris Smalling says he has manager Roy Hodgson to thank for his dream move to Manchester United.
The 20-year-old, who will join United this summer, was playing for non-league Maidstone until Hodgson brought him to Craven Cottage in July 2008.
"It's all down to the coaches and how well Roy Hodgson and Billy McKinlay have brought me up over the years," Smalling told BBC London 94.9.
"To have a manager like him show faith in you, it just gives me confidence."
Smalling was not used to full-time training until he joined the Cottagers.
"I was only training a few times a week at Maidstone," he said.
But after a meteoric rise at Fulham, which has seen Smalling make 10 appearances this season, including four starts in the Europa League, the young defender is thrilled to be moving to Old Trafford next season.
"To be mentioned with Manchester United and for Sir Alex Ferguson to take an interest in how I've been doing this season is a dream come true," he continued.
"I'm just going to go there, work hard and repay that faith they have shown in me."
Despite his excitement, Smalling knows he has to concentrate on finishing the season with Fulham.
"I think it is very flattering, but now I'm trying to take it all in my stride and carry on from where I left off," he added.
"Every time I step on the field I try my hardest and give 100% and hopefully I can carry that on when I join them."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8493719.stm
Bolton 0 - 0 Fulham
By Jamie Lillywhite
There was little thoughtful play on offer at the Reebok Stadium
Bolton dropped to one place off the bottom three after failing to break down Fulham in a goalless encounter.
Mark Davies saw a shot diverted on to the crossbar, one of a number of vital saves by Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer.
The closest the visitors came was when Nicky Shorey's free-kick was deflected on to the roof of the net.
In the final moments, Bolton's Johan Elmander shot wide when clean through, while Kevin Davies harshly had a goal ruled out for an alleged push.
The omens were there before the game, Bolton having won only two of their last 13 and Fulham none of their last 11 away games.
But the fact that Bolton had only one clean sheet in their last 24 and Fulham had lost their last four on their travels suggested goals would come.
The visitors looked rather threadbare in attack, however, with Andy Johnson out for the season and Bobby Zamora suffering from illness.
David Elm, starting his first league match of the season, might have done better with an early chance when Jonathan Greening's corner fell to him at the far post but at full stretch he could only divert over the top.
Roy Hodgson delighted to hold back Bolton
Fulham offered some guile through the midfield but it was the more forceful Bolton who had the better opportunities.
Sam Ricketts flicked a Matt Taylor free-kick straight at Schwarzer, who also blocked a Fabrice Muamba effort, the ball ricocheting to Mark Davies, who was unable to bring it under control.
Davies was involved again when the ball fell invitingly to him from a knockdown by namesake Kevin but his fierce shot struck Schwarzer's ankle, then the bar before flying away to safety.
Bolton failed to establish any momentum at the start of the second period despite the exhortations of their supporters, who understandably became exasperated by their side's lack of invention.
606: DEBATE
Fulham offered nothing to the game whatsoever but we didn't deserve the three points either (despite Davies scoring a perfectly good goal at the end)
Jimbo
The Trotters continued to press, however, and Tamir Cohen threaded a neat pass through to Chung Yong Lee, only for Schwarzer to claw the ball away from the Korean midfielder.
Having lost three of their last four matches Bolton's need was greater than mid-table Fulham, and they roused themselves to dominate the final quarter of the contest.
After working the ball across the Fulham defensive line, Muamba arrived with perfect timing but did not connect properly with his volley and it went wide.
The final five minutes produced more excitement than the rest of the match put together, and Kevin Davies slipped an astute pass to find Elmander, who should have done better.
Coyle questions disallowed goal
Then in the final minute of normal time Kevin Davies, making his 500th league appearance, looked to have taken all three points when he headed Lee's corner powerfully into the top corner.
Referee Mark Clattenberg thought otherwise, to the dismay of the home contingent, decided that the veteran striker had pushed Brede Hangeland when leaping above the defender.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bolton manager Owen Coyle:
"I think it is fair to say we certainly didn't get what we deserved from the game.
"I can't be evasive - we have scored a very good goal in the game. Everyone in the stadium knew it was a goal, bar one man.
"That is hard to take, that leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It was clearly a terrific goal. The referee has deemed Kevin has pushed the defender with two hands. I knew at the time there was no contact and I've seen the re-run - certainly not any two hands that I've seen.
"Every point is a good point in the Premier League but the galling thing is we were deserving of three."
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson:
"They had by far the better goal chances in the game but we have got a very good goalkeeper and a resilient, hard-working and determined team.
"I congratulate the referee on the strength of his decision and having watched the video I think Brede was just about to head the ball when he felt the push.
"Of course I don't think you'd expect me to say anything other than it was a good decision and I don't think I'll be expecting Owen Coyle to say anything other than, 'We was robbed'.
"But I don't think in 2010 we have had an awful lot of luck with decisions and deflections and things like that."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/06/bolton-wanderers-fulham-premier-league?
Bolton miss out after Kevin Davies's last-minute strike is overruled
David Hopps at the Reebok Stadium
guardian.co.uk,
Saturday 6 February 2010 17.27 GMT
The Bolton midfielder, Mark Davies, left, fends off the tackle of Fulham's Danny Murphy. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images
looked to have grabbed victory for Bolton in the last minute only for the referee, Mark Clattenburg, to rule out his close-range header from Lee Chung-Yong's free kick because of a push. It looked harsh – a decision given largely on Davies' reputation.
At least it will give Bolton's manager, Owen Coyle, something to get angry about, because so far the statistics do not quite stack up. Coyle satisfied local rivalries when Bolton overturned his old club, Burnley, but he has had a daunting start and Arsenal, twice, and Liverpool proved too strong.
A stalemate against Fulham, who tend to approach away matches as daintily as a course in flower arranging, is the most disappointing yet.
If Bolton had produced such a nondescript display under Gary Megson, the protests would have rained down. As it is, Coyle is still seen a saviour. They are so furious over his departure down the road in Burnley that he must be a prize catch. Mustn't he?
Bolton's lumbering striker, Johan Elmander, should have also won it for Bolton in the last minute, but put through by Kevin Davies, he shot wide.
Fulham will be happier with this stalemate. Already short of strikers they lost Bobby Zamora, their top scorer, to illness so David Elm made his first Premier League start of the season; Greter Steinsson was a last-minute withdrawal because of illness for Bolton.
The match ambled along inconsequentially for 24 minutes, at which point Matt Taylor's free kick from the right did at least allow Sam Ricketts's header to give Mark Schwarzer a gentle catch.
Bolton gradually took control and, in the last six minutes of the half, twice came close to taking the lead. First, Fabrice Muamba forced his way past Murphy and his deflected drive fell to Mark Davies, who Bolton could not touch it past Mark Schwarzer. Then Bolton came even closer, Mark Davies's shot skidding off Schwarzer's legs and against the foot of his right-hand post. Davies should have buried it.
Only in the last 20 minutes did Bolton briefly lift the crowd's mood. Tamir Cohen's little chip on the edge of the area gave Lee a chance to skip around the goalkeeper, but he got a strong hand to the ball and Fulham survived.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/match/1350887
Bolton Wanderers v Fulham
Match Facts
Saturday 6 February 2010 15.00
Score line
Final score Bolton Wanderers 0 – 0 (HT 0 – 0) Fulham
Bolton Wanderers's Percentage Fulham's Percentage
Corners 2 28% 5 72%
On target 8 100% 0 0%
Fouls 9 39% 14 61%
Offside 1 50% 1 50%
Bolton Wanderers Jussi Jaaskelainen, Paul Robinson, Zat Knight, Sam Ricketts, Andy O'Brien, A (Chris Basham, 64), Fabrice Muamba, Matt Taylor (Vladimir Weiss, 71), Mark Davies, M (Johan Elmander, 57), Tamir Cohen, Chung-Yong Lee, Kevin Davies, K
Fulham Mark Schwarzer, Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird, Nicky Shorey, Aaron Hughes, Danny Murphy, Damien Duff, Jonathan Greening, Kagisho Dikgacoi (Dickson Etuhu, 55), Erik Nevland (Chris Smalling, 76), David Elm (Stefano Chuka Okaka, 76)
Referee Clattenburg, M
Venue Reebok Stadium
Attendance 22,289
Bolton 0 Fulham 0: Davies denied 500th celebration as Hodgson's men hang on
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 5:31 PM on 06th February 2010
Kevin Davies had a late winner disallowed as struggling Bolton missed the chance to beat out-of-form Fulham this afternoon.
The Trotters captain saw his last-minute header ruled out for a push in a dramatic end to a dreary Barclays Premier League clash at the Reebok Stadium.
Moments earlier the much-maligned Johan Elmander had also spurned a glorious opportunity by shooting wide when well placed.
In the first half Mark Davies saw a shot deflected onto the woodwork by Mark Schwarzer but otherwise the game lacked inspiration.
Both sides badly needed a cutting edge and Fulham could have done without the loss of their top goalscorer Bobby Zamora for the fixture.
Fresh from learning Andrew Johnson could miss the rest of the season through injury, Fulham suffered another attacking blow as Zamora succumbed to injury.
The former West Ham forward was conspicuous by his absence as Fulham, searching for form despite ending a five-game losing streak in midweek, looked toothless with Erik Nevland and David Elm up front.
But that no doubt came as a relief to Bolton as manager Owen Coyle was forced to make two changes to his rearguard.
Andy O'Brien was brought in after Gary Cahill suffered a shoulder injury while Gretar Steinsson pulled out ill after being named on the teamsheet and was replaced by Paul Robinson.
The tone for a laboured affair was set early on and it took 10 minutes for either side to create even a half-chance.
That fell Fulham's way when a corner reached Elm at the back post but the outstretched Swede stabbed over.
Kevin Davies, making his 500th league appearance, tried his luck from distance for Bolton but Aaron Hughes blocked.
The hosts' first serious opportunity came after 19 minutes when Mark Davies teed up a volley for Tamir Cohen but the Israeli sliced over.
Bolton tested Schwarzer for the first time midway through the first half when a curling Matt Taylor free-kick was met by the head of Sam Ricketts but the goalkeeper was not troubled.
Fulham found an opening soon after as Kagisho Dikgacoi got forward and shot from 25 yards but his low effort missed the target.
Yet such was the lack of incident it was almost half-time before either side threatened again.
A powerful run by Fabrice Muamba pushed Fulham back but his shot was deflected into the path of Mark Davies, and he in turn was unable to make the most of an unexpected opportunity.
Mark Davies almost made up for that two minutes before the break as Bolton created a gilt-edged opportunity out of keeping with what had gone before.
Lee Chung-yong's ball was nodded down by Kevin Davies and Mark Davies' first-time shot was deflected by Schwarzer onto the woodwork and clear.
It was a rare moment of quality and the second half began at a familiar pedestrian pace.
Fulham were forced into a change after 55 minutes when Dikgacoi limped off. Dickson Etuhu was sent on in his place.
Taylor shot into the wall from a free-kick and Mark Davies was withdrawn soon after as Bolton attempted to add firepower by introducing Elmander.
Taylor had their next opportunity with a volley that was comfortably dealt with by Schwarzer while a Kevin Davies effort also failed to trouble the keeper.
At the other end Jussi Jaaskelainen could not claim a Jonathan Greening cross but no Fulham players were on hand to pounce.
The substitution that really threatened to change the game was made by Bolton as on-loan Manchester City youngster Vladimir Weiss was sent on with 20 minutes remaining.
The Slovakian immediately got into the action and cut inside from the left but his shot was deflected over for a corner.
Fulham's on-loan player, Nicky Shorey, attempted to break the deadlock from a late free-kick but his curling effort was deflected narrowly over.
Remarkably the game burst into life in the final three minutes as Kevin Davies played Elmander through on goal but the striker contrived to shoot wide from six yards.
Bolton summoned up another late rally but Kevin Davies' firm header from Lee's corner was adjudged to have come after a push by the home skipper.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1248987/Bolton-0-Fulham-0-Davies-denied-500th-celebration-Hodgsons-men-hang-on.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0emzxOIRX (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1248987/Bolton-0-Fulham-0-Davies-denied-500th-celebration-Hodgsons-men-hang-on.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0emzxOIRX)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/7173718/Bolton-Wanderers-0-Fulham-0-match-report.html?
Bolton Wanderers 0 Fulham 0: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Bolton Wanderers and Fulham at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday Feb 6 2010.
By Bruce Maxwell
Published: 5:45PM GMT 06 Feb 2010
Johan Elmander and referee Mark Clattenburg conspired to continue the relegation concerns for Bolton Wanderers and their new manager Owen Coyle in an otherwise uneventful goalless draw with Fulham at the Reebok Stadium.
Swede Elmander, signed for £10 million by former manager Gary Megson, was played clean through by Kevin Davies in the 87th minute only to steer his shot wide before Clattenburg ruled out Davies' 89th minute "goal" from a corner for a push by the Bolton forward.
Manchester United go top after Bolton winA drab first half only really came to life in its concluding five minutes as the home side finally carved out a couple of chances, both falling to midfielder Mark Davies.
In the 40th minute, Fabrice Muamba's shot was deflected into the path of Davies who failed to make clean contact on the ball and only succeeding in guiding the ball to Mark Schwarzer.
The closest the first half would come to a goal followed three minutes later with the same Bolton midfielder involved.
This time, Chung-Yong Lee's ball found the head of target man Kevin Davies who took advantage of Brede Hangeland's slip and nodded down for his namesake.
Mark Davies struck a fierce shot on target, forcing Schwarzer into a superb reflex block that turned the ball onto the bar.
Similarly, the second half took a long time to generate much interest, the arrival of Bolton substitute Vladimir Weiss, on loan from
Manchester City, providing a large impetus for the home team's attacking play, at least.
First, Tamir Cohen and Lee exchanged passes at the end of a flowing Bolton move, the former advancing and only being halted when Schwarzer saved at his feet. Then Slovakian winger Weiss cut in from the left for a crisp shot that deflected just over the Fulham goal.
Nicky Shorey's free kick for the visitors took a similar deflection over the Bolton crossbar and substitute Stefano Okaka steered a tame header at Jussi Jaaskelainen as the game continued in stalemate.
Cox volleyed in his eight goal of the season from eight yards and but for an 84th minute penalty save by home keeper David Stockdale, on loan from Fulham, Albion may have won by a larger margin.
Stockdale – who had already brilliantly denied Bednar in the 36th minute following a superb breakaway attack, instigated by man of the match Cox – guessed the right way to deny Dorrans from the spot after David McNamee had fouled fellow substitute Luke Moore.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1249034/Plymouth-Argyle-0-West-Brom-1-Three-wins-games-gives-Albions-promotion-hopes-boost.html#ixzz0en2rn1ih (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1249034/Plymouth-Argyle-0-West-Brom-1-Three-wins-games-gives-Albions-promotion-hopes-boost.html#ixzz0en2rn1ih)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_5922313,00.html?
Hodgson happy with his week
Cottagers boss happy with Reebok point
Last updated: 6th February 2010
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is pleased that his side have got their season back on track this week.
The Cottagers had lost five consecutive Premier League games prior to beating Portsmouth and drawing with Bolton.
Fulham were far from their best in Lancashire, but kept their shape at the back and held out a lively Bolton attack.
Hodgson knew it would be a tough encounter at the Reebok Stadium and was pleased with his side's character and mental strength.
Pleased
"I'm pleased. Of course I am. These were two very tough games," he told Sky Sports.
"Today we were coming here against a rampant Bolton side. They play their football well and put you under pressure
"They are good at keeping the ball in and around the box. I'm delighted with the goalless draw
"We consider ourselves fortunate, but it was a brave performance. I'm really quite satisfied. We have an awful lot of players missing. I thought the lads who came in did really well.
"We were lucky today that (Mark) Schwarzer was in magnificent form and that the back four were very strong.
"I was pleased with the determination and the character to get the points."
Right decision
Kevin Davies thought he had scored a late winner only for referee Mark Clattenburg to rule out the goal for a push on Brede Hangeland.
After reviewing the effort on a video replay Hodgson felt the correct decision was made.
"I do honestly believe having seen the video that it was a good decision," he continued. "They will consider themselves had done by."
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3150887,00.html
Bolton denied late win
Davies' header controversially ruled out
Last updated: 6th February 2010
Man of the Match - Mark Schwarzer
An assured display and only made one mistake throughout the match.
Controversy of the Match - Disallowed goal
Kevin Davies had the ball in the back of the net late on, but referee Mark Clattenburg saw something no one else did.
Miss of the Match - Johan Elmander
Elmander could, and should, have won it for Bolton after firing wide from Davies' through-ball
Save of the Match - Schwarzer
Schwarzer someone gets a hand on the ball as Lee is just about to roll home from close range.
Kevin Davies had a late header controversially disallowed at the Reebok as Bolton's clash with Fulham finished goalless.
The experienced striker thought he had secured the points late on, only for referee Mark Clattenburg to rule out the goal for a push on Brede Hangeland.
There was little to excite the home fans in the first half with Mark Schwazer's fine save from Mark Davies' shot the best chance of the half.
The introduction of Vladimir Weiss lifted the home side in the second period with Johan Elmander squandering their best chance with only Schwarzer to beat.
Bolton finished the game in the ascendancy and might have claimed a deserved three-point haul had Clattenburg allowed Davies' header.
The tone for a laboured affair was set early on and it took 10 minutes for either side to create even a half-chance.
That fell Fulham's way when a corner reached David Elm at the back post but the outstretched Swede stabbed over.
Kevin Davies, making his 500th league appearance, tried his luck from distance for Bolton but Aaron Hughes blocked.
First chance
The hosts' first serious opportunity came after 19 minutes when Mark Davies teed up a volley for Tamir Cohen but the Israeli sliced over.
Bolton tested Schwarzer for the first time midway through the first half when a curling Matt Taylor free-kick was met by the head of Sam Ricketts but the goalkeeper was not troubled.
Fulham found an opening soon after as Kagisho Dikgacoi got forward and shot from 25 yards but his low effort missed the target.
Yet such was the lack of incident it was almost half-time before either side threatened again.
A powerful run by Fabrice Muamba pushed Fulham back but his shot was deflected into the path of Mark Davies, and he in turn was unable to make the most of an unexpected opportunity.
Mark Davies almost made up for that two minutes before the break as Bolton created a gilt-edged opportunity out of keeping with what had gone before.
Lee Chung-yong's ball was nodded down by Kevin Davies and Mark Davies' first-time shot was deflected by Schwarzer onto the woodwork and clear.
It was a rare moment of quality and the second half began at a familiar pedestrian pace.
Limped off
Fulham were forced into a change after 55 minutes when Dikgacoi limped off. Dickson Etuhu was sent on in his place.
Taylor shot into the wall from a free-kick and Mark Davies was withdrawn soon after as Bolton attempted to add firepower by introducing Elmander.
Taylor had their next opportunity with a volley that was comfortably dealt with by Schwarzer while a Kevin Davies effort also failed to trouble the keeper.
At the other end Jussi Jaaskelainen could not claim a Jonathan Greening cross but no Fulham players were on hand to pounce.
The substitution that really threatened to change the game was made by Bolton as on-loan Manchester City youngster Weiss was sent on with 20 minutes remaining.
The Slovakian immediately got into the action and cut inside from the left but his shot was deflected over for a corner.
Fulham's on-loan player, Nicky Shorey, attempted to break the deadlock from a late free-kick but his curling effort was deflected narrowly over.
Remarkably the game burst into life in the final three minutes as Kevin Davies played Elmander through on goal but the striker contrived to shoot wide from six yards.
Bolton summoned up another late rally but Kevin Davies' firm header from Lee's corner was adjudged to have come after a push by the home skipper.
Bolton Wanderers
Team Statistics
Fulham
0 Goals
0
0 1st Half Goals
0
6 Shots on Target
0
6 Shots off Target
4
7 Blocked Shots
3
2 Corners
5
9 Fouls
14
1 Offsides
1
0 Yellow Cards
0
0 Red Cards
0
70.5 Passing Success
72.2
24 Tackles
19
83.3 Tackles Success
78.9
49.1 Possession
50.9
57.6 Territorial Advantage
42.4
http://www.skysports.com/football/user_ratings/0,19768,11065_3150887,00.html
Fulham Player ratings
Player Our Rating Your Rating Rate player
Mark Schwarzer
Man of the Match 8 7.3 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Brede Hangeland
Someway off his best 6 4.8 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Aaron Hughes
No problems 7 4.7 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Chris Baird
Did a job 7 4.8 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Nicky Shorey
Quietly went about his business 7 5.2 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Jonathan Greening
Got stuck in 7 4.2 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Kagiso Dikgacoi
Worked hard 7 4.2 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Danny Murphy
Kept things ticking over 6 4.1 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
David Elm
Little impression 5 4.0 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Erik Nevland
Poor 4 4.1 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Damien Duff
Didn't really threaten 6 4.6 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Chris Smalling
(Sub)
Showed his versatility 6 4.1 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Dickson Etuhu
(Sub)
Replaced Dikgacoi 6 4.0 Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Stefano Okaka
(Sub)
Fresh legs
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11672_5922215,00.html?
Coyle baffled by decision
Bolton boss felt Davies' goal should have stood
Last updated: 6th February 2010
Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle was left perplexed after Kevin Davies had a late goal disallowed against Fulham.
Davies headed home late on what appeared to be a deserved winner for Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.
However, referee Mark Clattenburg felt Davies pushed Brede Hangeland and gave Fulham a free-kick.
Coyle was surprised to see the effort ruled out and felt his side were deserving of the three-point haul.
Bizarre
"It was a very good goal. It's a great delivery. He's jumped cleanly and it's been ruled out bizarrely," Coyle told Sky Sports.
"We were well worth the three points today. There are a lot of positives.
"If the referee sees something that's not happened then that's the outcome.
"I had a very good view of it, but couldn't see anything wrong, so we have to accept it.
"It's resulted in us getting one point instead of three. We were deserving of the three points today
"They say the breaks even themselves out and if that's the case we've got a load to come, but that wasn't the case today.
"We really could have and should have put the game to bed."
Our Resilience
Saturday 6th February 2010
Fulham FC News
Following Saturday afternoon's draw against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium, Roy Hodgson highlighted the character shown by his Team to take a point back to SW6 on Saturday.
"We've got a point from a very difficult place today and I think it's right to put that down to resilience and determination," said Hodgson.
"The players really worked hard to keep our shape and do the right things even if the ball doesn't like us as much at the moment as it has in the past.
"It was a tough one for us - I thought Bolton did what they do well. There seemed to be an awful lot of projectiles flying towards the penalty area and we had to stand firm and rely very heavily of course on our outstanding goalkeeper to come and punch and catch the ball.
"I don't think we were able today to really get the ball down and played as I'd of really liked to have seen us do.
"Having said that the pitch didn't help in that respect and furthermore the opposition played the ball forward so early when it was cleared. They hit it forward into the area so often that I thought it was a war of attrition for large parts of the game.
"That's the way the game pans out here and if you want to get something from the game you have to accept that and make sure you don't succumb and luckily we were able to do that."
Fulham's injury situation didn't improve on Saturday when the outstanding Kagisho Dikgacoi was forced from the field of play with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Hodgson's squad is currently stretched to the limits and Fulham's Manager is looking forward to welcoming back some First Team regulars over the coming weeks.
"To lose Bobby Zamora was a blow and to lose Dikgacoi so early in the second half, when in the first half he'd been arguably one of our better players, it did seem to be contriving against us. It was good to see Dickson Etuhu back.
"I fear that our injury toll will worsen because I don't see Dikgacoi playing for a while. I can only hope that we get one of Davies, Gera or Zamora back because we are running very short of players.
"February is going to be a very difficult month. We've got to keep fighting, battling, working hard and doing all the things we do on the Training Ground. If you want to see the Fulham we are capable of being it's going to be March or April - when the likes of Konchesky, Davies, Gera and Zamora come back."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/RoysboltonReaction.aspx?#ixzz0en655st1 (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/RoysboltonReaction.aspx?#ixzz0en655st1)
Fulham v Burnley
Barclays Premier League
Tuesday 9 February
Kick-Off 20:00
Book your tickets now|
On Tuesday 9th February (Kick-Off 8pm) , the Whites take on Brian Laws' Burnley side and your support is absolutely vital.
Your magnificent support at Craven Cottage this season has played an integral part in the Team's impressive run home games and Roy Hodgson's side will be looking to build on a fantastic first half of the season with victory over Burnley.
Now under Brian Laws' guidance, Burnley will provide a stern test and your support can make all the difference in the Whites' quest to better last season's achievement of a highest ever finish and qualification for European competition.
Season Ticket Holders and Members can now take advantage of our fantastic ticket offers below.
Season Ticket Holder - 'Fiver side'
Season Ticket Holders can purchase two additional tickets for just £5 in the Putney End for this game. This offer is not available online.
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The Club is pleased to offer Members a £5 discount on tickets bought in the Hammersmith End and Putney End, but hurry, we expect the best seats to sell fast. This £5 discount on match tickets can be booked online - buy today!|
My First Matchday Package
My First Matchday offers Junior supporters and an accompanying adult the opportunity to see what really goes on behind the scenes at Craven Cottage in the build-up to matchday. Pretend you're a radio commentator in the press box, run down the tunnel, pretend you're directing the players from the Manager's seat in the dugout, interview a guardian in front of the TV interview boards, see our trophy cabinet and even meet a Fulham FC legend! More info and prices|
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J Haynes B, BL, C, CL J, JL, H, HL £30 £20 £5
J Haynes A, K, AL, KL £25 £15 £5
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/FulhamvBurnley.aspx#ixzz0en75a8TK (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/FulhamvBurnley.aspx#ixzz0en75a8TK)
Bolton 0 - 0 Fulham
Fulham were without several First Team regulars for Saturday's fixture at the Reebok Stadium, including striker Bobby Zamora.
Roy Hodgson handed David Elm his first start for the Whites alongside Erik Nevland. Fulham's Scandinavian double act were up against former Fulham centre half Zat Knight.
For Bolton, Gary Cahill was the one noticeable absentee from Owen Coyle's starting eleven, with Andy O'Brien partnering Knight in central defence.
Goalscoring opportunities were few and far between during the first half as Fulham produced a calm, assured performance to keep the Reebok Stadium noticeably subdued.
In fact, the only noteworthy effort during the opening ten minutes of play came when Cohen met Taylor's cross from the left flank. However the midfielder's tame, looping header was collected by Schwarzer with ease.
David Elm almost made an early impact after 11 minutes of play, stretching to meet Greening's corner at the far post. The Swedish striker was beaten by the pace of the ball and failed to send his right-footed effort goalwards.
After 15 minutes of play Fulham began to dominate possession with some free-flowing passing moves. Dikgacoi was certainly offering plenty of bite in midfield, showing impressive energy levels alongside Danny Murphy.
The home side certainly offered no threat during the opening exchanges to the home crowd's obvious frustration. Bolton did however manage to create the first opening of the game after 17 minutes of play. The chance fell to Cohen on the edge of the area but his volleyed effort ballooned over the bar.
After 22 minutes of play Greening's over-exuberant challenge on Muamba offered Bolton a free-kick 30 yards from goal down Fulham's left flank. The resulting set piece, delivered by Taylor, found Ricketts in the area and Schwarzer need to be alert to make the save.
On the half hour mark Kagisho Dikgacoi tried his luck from distance after powering his way through midfield. The South African midfielder burst through the centre of the park before unleashing a powerful right footed drive which blazed just wide of Jaaskelainen's post.
As half time approached the tempo of the game increased and on 38 minutes Mark Davies stabbed the ball towards goal from eight yards. Once again Schwarzer was in fine form - smothering the ball in an instant.
At the other end Fulham probed with two successive corners before the Whites rode their luck in extreme when Schwarzer tipped Mark Davies' shot onto the post right before the break. The ball looked destined for goal before rolling across the six-yard box to safety. It was the final piece of action from what was otherwise an uneventful first half on Saturday.
Bolton got the second half underway and took the attacking initiative, penetrating Fulham's area with deep crosses from the flanks. However Bolton lacked a cutting edge and Schwarzer dealt with the home side's predictable approach with ease.
Ten minutes into the second half Fulham's desperate injury situation worsened when Dikgacoi, who had enjoyed a fine game, was forced from the field of play, with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Dickson Etuhu entered the fray as Roy Hodgson was forced to make his first change of the game.
Just minutes later Brede Hangeland took a heavy blow to the head but much to the relief of Fulham's travelling fans the Norwegian stopper recovered to return to the fray following treatment.
Owen Coyle made two substitutions in quick succession with half an hour remaining, introducing Elmander in attack and Basham in defence.
Brede Hangeland produced a superb sliding tackle to deny Elmander a clean shot on goal only minutes after the striker had been introduced. Kevin Davies played the striker clean through with a superb through ball but Hangeland read the move to intervene with an impressive last ditch challenge.
After 72 minutes of play Fulham had Schwarzer to thank for keeping the Whites on level terms. After Chung-Yong had skipped past Fulham's defence on the six-yard line he appeared to have rounded Schwarzer before the Aussie stretched out to tip the ball away from the midfielder.
Roy Hodgson reacted to Bolton's bout of pressure by making a double substitution. Stefano Okaka replaced David Elm whilst Chris Smalling was introduced for Erik Nevland. Both players certainly offered Fulham a hefty presence in attack.
Smalling and Okaka certainly made their presence felt in the later stages of the game. Immediately after his introduction, Okaka earned Fulham a free-kick 30 yards from goal. The resulting set piece, taken by Shorey, deflected just over the cross bar. It was the closest Fulham were to come to a goal in the second half.
There was controversy in the dying minutes when Kevin Davies powered a close range header past Schwarzer, only for Mark Clattenburg to rule the goal out for an apparent obstruction in the area.
It would have been a cruel end to what was a resolute, determined performance by Roy Hodgson's side. After four minutes added time the draw was confirmed by Referee Clattenburg's whistle and Fulham returned to SW6 with a point.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0910/Premiership/BoltonAway.aspx#ixzz0en7mKabu (http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0910/Premiership/BoltonAway.aspx#ixzz0en7mKabu)
Elm Starts
Saturday 6th February 2010
Fulham FC News
Fulham's attack will be a Scandinavian double act this afternoon after Roy Hodgson named David Elm and Erik Nevland as his front pairing to face Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.
Swedish striker Elm has been waiting patiently for his opportunity to impress after joining the Whites in the summer of 2009 and is hoping to extend his stay beyond the current season, as he explained ahead of this afternoon's game.
"I'm here until the end of the season and then we'll have to see," said Elm. "I love it here and want to stay at Fulham. There's a big difference between Swedish football and English football and it took me a few months to adjust to the tempo and the pace of it. Now I'm starting to get hold of it.
"It's a more physical game here and a different type of strength from the players. The pace of the game is much faster so it takes time to adjust. There are some very good players so it's tough here but I knew that when I signed.
"It wasn't a difficult decision to make coming to Fulham and I feel like I'm developing all the time around such good players. I'm just working as hard as possible and hopefully I'll take my chance."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/ElmStarting.aspx#ixzz0en86FiUA (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/ElmStarting.aspx#ixzz0en86FiUA)
http://www.boltonwanderers-mad.co.uk/rprt/mtch/bolton_wanderers_0_fulham_0_492667/index.shtml
Bolton Wanderers 0 Fulham 0
by Footymad
Match report of this afternoon's home draw in the clash against Fulham
Struggling Bolton were controversially denied three points against Fulham when Kevin Davies' winner was disallowed in the last minute to ensure the match ended 0-0.
The Wanderers captain - making his 500th career appearance - looked to have won it for the hosts when he planted a firm header past Mark Schwarzer.
But referee Mark Clattenburg mysteriously spotted a foul as Chung-Yong Lee's free-kick came over and chalked off the late 'winner'.
It was one of the few moments of interest in a woeful 90 minutes of football which leaves Owen Coyle's men one place above the relegation zone.
Injury-hit Fulham, without Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson, Clint Dempsey, Zoltan Gera and John Paintsil, had ended a run of six Premier League games without a win by beating Portsmouth in midweek, but they looked to have come to the Reebok Stadium for a point from the start.
The game's first opportunity came after just three minutes when Paul Robinson picked out Tamir Cohen but the midfielder's header lacked the power to trouble Mark Schwarzer in the Cottagers goal.
Without his first-choice strike duo, Roy Hodgson handed a first start to David Elm and the Swede went close when he turned over Jonathan Greening's corner on 11 minutes.
The best chance of the first half fell to Mark Davies when his namesake Kevin headed back across the six-yard box but the midfielder's attempt cannoned up off Schwarzer's leg and onto the underside of the crossbar.
The second half proved even more disappointing than the first as both sides struggled to carve out clear-cut opportunities.
The closest Fulham came was when Nicky Shorey's deflected free-kick flew just over, much to the relief of a wrong-footed Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Substitute Johan Elmander wasted a superb opportunity to win it with a minute left when Kevin Davies sent him clear but the Swede failed to hit the target.
Kevin Davies then thought he had saved the day for Bolton but Clattenburg's whistle came to Fulham's rescue.
http://fulhampatsfan.blogspot.com/2010/02/fulham-fortunate-to-get-point-in-0-0.html?
Fulham fortunate to get a point in 0 - 0 match at Bolton
Roy Hogdson is probably very happy to leave Bolton with a point. Fulham and Bolton ended the game 0 - 0 at Reebok Stadium. Fulham were given a blow before the game as Bobby Zamora was out in today's match. On the broadcast they mentioned that Zamora was out with a sickness. I am sure there will be more news on Zamora later this week.
In the first half there were not many chances by either team. However, Bolton had a good chance for a goal. Mark Davies took a shot that was deflected off the goal by Mark Schwarzer. The first half ended 0 - 0.
In the second half, Bolton seemed to control the ball better than Fulham. Late in the game in the Johan Elmander of Bolton had a good shot that missed. In the last minute before stoppage time off of a corner kick, Kevin Davies of Bolton headed the ball into the net by Mark Schwarzer. The goal was not allowed as Davies was pushing off. Honestly, Fulham were very fortunate for the foul as Schwarzer was clearly beat. The game ended 0 - 0.
On the positive for Fulham, Nicky Shorey really seemed to push the ball up and was solid on defense. It was great to see Dickson Ethuhu come back in as a substitute. He will be a big help in the midfield The final moves were Stefano Okaka and Chris Smalling as substitutes late in the game. Chris Smalling actually came on as a striker. Okaka I thought had a very nice run late in the game.
Again, it is good to get a point and come back home for the next match against Burnley. It should be interesting to see who will be the strikers starting in this upcoming match.
Posted by Fulham-Pats Fan at 12:21 PM
Match Report from Bolton official website -
http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,1004~48254,00.html?
Bolton 0 Fulham 0
Published: Today
OWEN COYLE was left fuming after Kevin Davies was denied a last-gasp winner.
The burley forward - playing his 500th match - headed home in the dying seconds but it was ruled out for a dubious push on Brede Hangeland.
Johan Elmander and Tamir Cohen also wasted good chances as Bolton remained just outside the relegation zone.
Coyle raged: "I think it is fair to say we certainly didn't get what we deserved from the game today.
"I can't be evasive - we have scored a very good goal in the game. Everyone in the stadium knew it was a goal, bar one man.
"That is hard to take, that leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
"It was clearly a terrific goal. Kevin has jumped among a group of players and planted a great header in the corner.
"The referee Mark Clattenburg has deemed Kevin has pushed the defender with two hands.
"I knew at the time there was no contact and I've seen the re-run - certainly not any two hands that I've seen."
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was pleased to take a point as his team struggle to get their campaign back on track.
Hodgson said: "It was a barrage of projectiles at some stages.
"You need people to stand up and you need the shape of your team to be right, especially now as we aren't playing as well as we did earlier in the season.
"That is understandable because we have seven players missing at the moment and some of those are our most talented players.
"Bolton put us to the test today and I am delighted we rode our luck a bit.
"They had by far the better goal chances in the game but we have got a very good goalkeeper and a resilient, hard-working and determined team."
The opening exchanges did not make for gripping entertainment and suggested the game could be a laboured affair.
Fulham had the first attempt on goal from a corner but David Elm stabbed over at the back post.
Kevin Davies tried his luck from long distance for Bolton but Aaron Hughes blocked.
Bolton's first serious chance came after 19 minutes when Mark Davies teed up a volley for Tamir Cohen but the Israeli sliced over.
A Matt Taylor free-kick was met by the head of Sam Ricketts but keeper Mark Schwarzer was not troubled.
Fulham found an opening soon after as Kagisho Dikgacoi got forward and shot from 25 yards but his low effort missed the target.
The game was lacking incident and it was almost half-time before either side threatened again.
A powerful run by Fabrice Muamba pushed Fulham back but his shot was deflected into the path of Mark Davies.
The midfielder was unable to make the most of an unexpected opportunity though.
He almost made up for that two minutes before the break as Bolton created their best chance of the game.
Lee Chung-yong's ball was nodded down by Kevin Davies and Mark Davies' first-time shot was deflected by Schwarzer onto the woodwork and clear.
Fulham were forced into a change 10 minutes into the second half when Dikgacoi limped off. Dickson Etuhu was sent on in his place.
Taylor shot into the wall from a free-kick and Mark Davies was withdrawn soon after as Bolton attempted to add firepower by introducing Johan Elmander.
Taylor had their next opportunity with a comfortable volley that was comfortably dealt with by Schwarzer.
A Kevin Davies effort also failed to trouble the keeper before Johan Elmander should have won it in the dying minutes.
The Swede had a clear chance at goal and although he beat Schwarzer, he crashed the ball against the post.
And Kevin Davies was denied the winner in added time when he had the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled out for a foul on Hangeland.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Robinson, Andrew O'Brien (Basham 63), Knight, Ricketts, Lee, Mark Davies (Elmander 57), Muamba, Cohen, Taylor (Weiss 71), Kevin Davies. Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Samuel, Gardner, Wilshere.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Shorey, Duff, Dikgacoi (Etuhu 55), Murphy, Greening, Elm (Okaka 76), Nevland (Smalling 76). Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Riise, Stoor.
Att: 22,289
Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2842489/Bolton-0-Fulham-0.html?OTC-RSS&ATTR=Football#ixzz0enC1qX04 (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2842489/Bolton-0-Fulham-0.html?OTC-RSS&ATTR=Football#ixzz0enC1qX04)
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/721060/BOLTON-v-FULHAM-CLATTS-A-STROKE-OF-FORTUNE-FOR-ROY.html
CLATT'S A STROKE OF FORTUNE FOR ROY
Bolton 0 Fulham 0
By Greg Gobere, 06/02/2010
ROY HODGSON looked to the heavens and paid homage to the football gods for the divine intervention of Mark Clattenburg.
Then he looked down at the Premiership table at realised he should probably be more worried about the teams below him rather than those above from now on.
Fulham were let off lightly yesterday when an enlightened referee saw a push that no one else caught wind of.
Kevin Davies was denied a goal right at the end of his 500th league appearance and Owen Coyle was so livid at the decision, he marched the width of the pitch to confront Clattenburg at the final whistle.
But the Bolton manager could still afford to flash that familiar beaming smile at the press conference afterwards.
His side dropped down one place to 17th in the table but Coyle knows they are doing okay.
Defeats to Arsenal twice and Liverpool a week ago has put a negative spin on their standing but in every game so far the former Burnley boss has seen enough to be confident of pulling away from the chasing pack.
But for the visitors it is a totally different story. Fulham offered nothing. Not a spark. Not even a glimmer of fight as their midweek win over doomed Portsmouth was put in perspective.
And Hodgson's priority will be nursing virus-hit Bobby Zamora back to health.
Then I'd imagine he will get him a copy of Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'Pumping Iron' dvd, lock him in the Motspur Park gym and keep him there until he piles on some serious muscle.
Why? How else will the Cottagers top striker shoulder the ridiculous goal-scoring burden on him for the remainder of the season?
Andy Johnson's knee injury puts him out for at least six months and Diomansy Kamara has teamed up with Tottenham reject Robbie Keane at Celtic.
Roy Hodgson himself has pretty much written off Stafano Okaka's chances of making impact.
Phrases like "it's going to take lots of work," "he's not the man to look to in place of AJ" and "he doesn't speak a word of English" sound more like a weatherman's prediction for a drought ahead.
Add to that the cheerful fact that Fulham's injury list of seven first-teamers yesterday became eight when Kagisho Dikacoi hobbled off and you see the depth of problems the Londoners have to deal with.
They are still competing in the FA Cup and Europa League so visions of European qualification this time round are fast being replaced with more realistic hopes of a decent Cup run and mid-table obscurity.
But both teams were clearly reading from the same script to begin with.
It would not have come as much of a surprise if Mark Clattenburg had blown his whistle said, 'that's it lads', and walked off the pitch in protest after what he painstakingly bore witness to in the first half.
You couldn't work out whether you were watching a training exercise or a friendly kickabout with the lack of quality on show. Misplaced passes and a severe lack of desire was the charge and both sides were guilty as sin.
Sections of the crowd were even laughing at the volleyball match they had paid to watch until Tamir Cohen's close volley produced a glimpse of worthwhile action.
Erik Nevland tried his best to imitate the neat flick-ons and physical influence that Zamora musters with ease on a bad day, but it was all to no avail for the forward.
Dikacoi rightly felt he had to step in so he ambled into space and had a pop from range. His effort was tame but he was the first Fulham player to force Jussi Jaaskelainen to move. The Finnish keeper was at serious risk of developing a case of deep vein thrombosis from the lack of action before then.
After that, Fulham were as spent as a certain defender down the Fulham Road must be from all of his extra-curricular exertions.
It only took Owen Coyle ten minutes into the restart realise that he was in no danger of extending Bolton's lowly defensive record of just one clean sheet in 24 games so he sacrificed midfielder Davies for a striker.
But I mean striker only in the strict sense of the word. Johan Elmander has only scored seven league goals in a season and a half and when he had THE best chance of the game late on, he bottled it.
Davies slipped the forward in on the right and the not-so-hot shot dragged painfully wide of the far post. If only the Bolton players' roles had been reversed in the build-up.
Coyle cottoned on with 20 minutes to go and gave young Vladimir Weiss his chance to shine where Roberto Mancini at Manchester City could not.
His impact was instant. He gave Chris Baird the fright of his life when he tore down the left wing seconds after coming on. He then cut inside and created a scramble of Fulham players putting their bodies on the line to deflect his 18-yard shot.
Coyle's side deserved more but unfortunately the fixture list has never been the most merciful. Man City are next and few will expect them to lie down so easily.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/721715/JUST-TYPICAL-TERRY-THOUGHT-HED-ESCAPE.html
JUST TYPICAL - JT THOUGHT HE'D ESCAPE REPRIMAND
Skipper didn't see sacking coming
TERRY: Denied affair to pal Zamora
By Neil Ashton, 06/02/2010
HE lay on the masseur's table, not cocky but confident this was just another episode he could breeze through.
Despite the writing appearing on the wall in six-foot red letters, John Terry still thought he could brazen this one out.
Get a massage, jump in a car, drive the 31 miles from Cobham to Wembley, deny everything and walk away with a reprimand.
Even those without an intimate knowledge of Fabio Capello's mind-set could barely believe Terry could be so deluded.
But denial is the state in which the erstwhile England captain currently resides.
Yes, he thought it was going to be more than a slap on the wrist from Capello. He fully expected a lacerating dressing down. After all, he'd be warned the Italian was running out of patience.
Before Christmas, when News of the World reporters exposed his willingess to breach the privacy of the Chelsea training ground for £10,000, Franco Baldini had delivered what amounted to a final warning.
Yet still Terry thought he was untouchable.
His mood may not have been exactly ebullient on Friday morning but there was enough of a spring in his step to suggest he had no inkling of what lay ahead of him.
And that, perhaps, says everything you need to know about the former England skipper.
Terry would have felt the omens were good when a member of the Chelsea staff drove his black Range Rover out of the training ground, turning left with the waiting media pack in hot pursuit.
Minutes later and shortly after midday, chauffeured by one of Roman Abramovich's security men, a black Mercedes turned right and swept towards London in splendid isolation.
It was just about the only victory of the day.
When Terry returned to Cobham after the 12 most brutal minutes of his life, those who saw him described him as 'shell-shocked' and 'glassy-eyed'. It was clear he'd been crying.
The realisation had dawned somewhere during those 30 miles that his reputation had been shredded, taken apart by Capello, the first man in a long time to truly hold a mirror up to Terry's shattered life.
Even those who thought they were closest to him have been shocked by his stance.
Bobby Zamora has been a friend since the days when they played for Senrab as kids in East London.
The Fulham striker asked Terry outright a little over three weeks ago, when the football world was already buzzing with rumours of the liaison with Vanessa Perroncel.
Was the England captain sleeping with Wayne Bridge's ex? Again, denial.
Since then Zamora has left Terry alone with his thoughts, unable to comprehend his pal's capacity to duck, dive and deceive.
It has become a way of life for Terry these past two weeks, denying everything despite the prospect of losing the England captaincy.
From his Chelsea team-mates, there has been a degree of understanding. Amazingly, the foreign contingent in the dressing room have been laid back, barely able to conceal their disdain at the whole situation.
Others have been supportive, pinning up their own 'Team Terry' posters around Cobham in response to Manchester City's backing of Bridge.
What isn't open to doubt is the tension in the air at Cobham.
Terry has been quiet, a remote figure apart from in actual training, keeping his thoughts to himself, refusing to open up, scared that any sign of contrition be misconstrued as weakness.
That, in itself, was part of the problem. Had he apologised personally to Capello at the start of the week and stepped down, he would have been spared Friday's humiliation and won back some respect from the Italian.
As it was, the silence simply hardened the manager's attitude and approach until there was only once course of action left open to Capello.
Had Terry shown he was accountable for his actions, for the disharmony caused in the dressing room then he would have stood a chance. Slim, but a chance all the same.
Instead, as one England source revealed, Terry gave us "a version of events", hinting heavily that he did not admit to the affair.
He misjudged the manager's mood spectacularly, failing to recognise the damage he has done to the England team as they prepare for the World Cup finals.
Two hundred miles away in Alderley Edge, his England team-mate Wayne Bridge was at home watching Sky News when the Football Association verbalised Terry's dismissal.
He was unchecked, still unable to comprehend the actions of a man he regularly described as his best friend when they were together at Chelsea.
Capello was kept full informed of events last week and yet he also asked his right hand man Franco Baldini more probing questions about his captain's activities.
They were aware of all the rumours that have circulated this week, from betting to birds and the bit on the side hawking her story.
Capello is staggered by the intensity of the scrutiny the skipper has been under since he took News of the World investigators on an unofficial tour of the club's training ground.
That was for £10,000 and yet the captaincy has come at an even bigger cost.
It hurt him to return to an empty house on Friday afternoon, absorbing the impact of losing the captaincy of his country.
What a night it must have been, a lonely existence without his wife and two children, who are thousands of miles away in Dubai.
It will take time for the enormity of becoming the first player to be fired from the role of England captain for off-field activities to sink in, something he had coveted since he made his debut for the senior team against Serbia & Montenegro in June 2003.
He still has the shirt, framed on the wall of his specially created trophy room at his magnificently-appointed £2.5million home in Oxshott, Surrey.
Since then he has captained his country 28 times, trading shirts with some of football's well-known faces along the way.
Many of them have been lovingly framed by his pal Phil, a memorabilia fanatic who trades from a shop in Eastbourne.
With Terry's reputation, passers-by might just see the captain's armband up for sale.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/721443/ANGEL-WILL-STAY-IF-SWANSEA-GO-UP.html
ANGEL WILL STAY IF SWANSEA GO UP
Spaniard admits Fulham disappointment
RANGEL: Swansea City star has ambition
By Mario Risoli, 06/02/2010
ANGEL RANGEL will decide his Liberty Stadium future in the summer and has hinted he will sign a new contract if the Swans clinch promotion.
The Spanish defender, 27, will be a free agent in the summer and talks over a new deal appear to have hit the rocks.
Rangel, a target for Fulham during last months' transfer window, insists his contract situation will not affect his performances in the final run-in.
And the former Terrassa player expects to hold crunch talks with the play-off chasing Swans at the end of the season.
Rangel admitted he was disappointed that a loan move to Fulham failed to come off, but he insisted: "I won't let it affect my performances.
"Every player wants to play at the highest level and in this country that's the Premier League.
"Jason Scotland and Jordi Gomez had to leave Swansea to play in the Premier League. But I want to get there with this club.
"I'm not thinking about my future. I'm just focusing on this season.
"I'm a Swansea player and I'm 100 per cent committed to the club.
"The contract situation isn't on my mind. I'll look at my future at the end of the season.
"I'll sort things out in the summer. You never know what is going to happen.
"My dream is to get to the Premier League with Swansea, that's my dream.
"Swansea gave me the chance to play in British football and to become a professional footballer.
"It's the club I play for and a club I love. That's why winning promotion to the Premier League with them would mean so much.
Rangel triggered a one-year extension after making his 23rd appearance of the season against Preston yesterday.
But fans fear the bargain £30,000 signing will leave the Liberty Stadium if Paulo Sousa's men fail to go up.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson tried to lure Rangel to Craven Cottage on deadline day with a loan deal but Swans chairman Huw Jenkins blocked the move.
Rangel added, "I'm disappointed because Fulham are a good Premier League club.
"But I won't let it affect my performances. I've think I've been consistent this season.
"The gaffer likes to rotate his players but I'm showing him I want to be his right-back for the season.
"I'm really enjoying this season. The club is having its best moment for 26 years and I'm a part of that.
"Swansea has given me everything - and I have given them everything as well.
"If we can get into the play-offs then we will have a great chance of going up.
"When Roberto Martinez signed me three years ago he said we would have a chance to reach the Premier League. Now we are very close.
"The team has changed a lot since Paulo Sousa took over.
"We don't score as many goals as before but we're a very hard team to beat and we keep a lot of clean sheets."
Arsenal's Chris Smalling bid irks Manchester United while Patrice Evra bemoans Gunners' plaudits
By Rob Draper, Mail on Sunday Chief Football Writer
Last updated at 10:35 PM on 06th February 2010
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Manchester United may have got the better of Arsenal last Sunday but the Gunners appear to have got under the champions' skin.
Patrice Evra, who boasted that the fixture was 'men against boys' after last season's Champions League semi-final win, said: 'When we won the Premier League for the third time in a row last season, in France they just said, "Manchester United are champions again".
'Then Arsenal win a Carling Cup tie and you hear it's the most beautiful football in the world. That winds you up. What have they won in four years? Nothing.'
Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue is tackled by Manchester United's Patrice Evra
In the boardroom on Sunday, United chief executive David Gill seemed grumpier than normal.
It is thought he was irked that Arsenal's bid for Fulham defender Chris Smalling drove up the price United paid by about £2million, to £12m.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1249117/Arsenals-Chris-Smalling-bid-irks-Manchester-United-Patrice-Evra-bemoans-Gunners-plaudits.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0ene8JIcw (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1249117/Arsenals-Chris-Smalling-bid-irks-Manchester-United-Patrice-Evra-bemoans-Gunners-plaudits.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0ene8JIcw)
http://hammyend.com/?p=5284Kevin Moore has dementiaby Dan on February 7, 2010
Awful news afflicting one of Ian Branfoot's old Fulham side who later became the club's Safety Officer.
A HOST of ex-Saints stars are coming to the aid of one of their own, Kevin Moore, after he was struck down with a rare form of dementia.
The 51-year-old, who scored Saints' last Wembley goal, was diagnosed with Pick's Disease about two years ago.
The Daily Echo has thrown its weight behind the campaign to support Kevin.
The illness, similar to Alzheimer's, is a form of frontotemporal dementia and generally affects people aged under 65, particularly men.
It has become progressively worse since the diagnosis.
Moore, who also played for Grimsby, Oldham and Fulham, made 185 appearances for Saints, from 1987 to 1994, scoring 13 goals.
He scored the second in Saints' 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the 1992 Zenith Data Systems final.
He lives in Otterbourne with his wife Mandy, but requires care seven days a week at the White House, in Curdridge.
To help finance his visits to the centre, as well as support the family, a group of friends, fans and former colleagues have arranged a charity fundraiser.
They will hold a golf day at Meon Valley in April, followed by a dinner, complete with an auction and raffle.
Richard Becheley is one of the chief organisers of the event, along with friend of the Moores, Ian Ritchie.
They are also receiving help from Lisa Catlin and Saints legend Matt Le Tissier.
Becheley told the Daily Echo why he wanted to help.
"Kevin Moore was the hero of my brother, Simon," he said.
"I still remember the Zenith Data Systems Cup final at Wembley when he scored.
"I remember seeing pictures of him and the likes of Glenn Cockerill stood by children's beds at the hospital and I thought someone has got to do something for him now.
"I was caddying for Matt on his golf day last year and he mentioned it then.
"I was shocked to hear what had happened, so I wanted to help."
Becheley has received sponsorship and prize donations from many local businesses "The support has been unbelievable,"
he said. "The interest in the day has been huge."
Le Tissier has been busy lining up former Saints stars to captain the golf teams on the day.
Already, the likes of Claus Lundekvam, Francis Benali, Jimmy Case, Iain Dowie and many more have been confirmed.
Le Tissier said it was a cause very close to all of their hearts.
"We are all doing it to support Kevin and Mandy Moore, who are going through some very tough times at the moment," he said.
"It's not nice to see one of your old mates suffering, so we are doing what we can to help.
"He's always been a very solid, dependable and trustworthy guy.
"My abiding memory was him scoring in the Zenith Data Systems final, when he rose like a salmon.
"It was amazing how high he managed to get.
"It was the only time I've seen a guy head the ball downwards and into the top corner."
All the golf teams have already been sold, but a limited number of tickets remain for the dinner.
Caddy positions for the ex- Saints and team captains are being auctioned off.
Bids should be emailed to Richard Becheley at
[email protected] If not enough are received, the caddy positions will be auctioned on eBay.
Due to the high demand for the golf day, Becheley and co are planning more events in aid of Moore.
Anyone interested in tickets, or providing sponsorship or raffle prizes, can contact Richard Becheley on 07876 778891.
Letters, cards and donations can be sent to The Kevin Moore Benefit Fund, 1 St Simon Close, Locks Heath, Southampton SO31 6DH.
Even as a very young supporter in those days, it was more obvious that Kevin never gave less than 100%. It's time for the fans to rally round him now. Get well soon, mate.
http://hammyend.com/?p=5270
Roy's battlers foil Bolton
by Dan on February 6, 2010
It was a late decision to make a mad dash up to Bolton. I had a ticket but was struggling to find a way up there, with train prices getting astronomical on the eve of the match, and my first choice of chaffeur had let me down. Fortunately (or foolishly on her part), my friend Laura stepped into the breach. She fancied a day out and was keen to do a bit of shopping. Spending a hour or so in a shopping centre seemed like the smallest of sacrifices considering that Laura would be doing the driving and had never been to football before. By the end, she was singing Jonathan Greening's name with gusto.
This wasn't a particularly pretty point and hopes of repeating last season's awesome win at the Reebok were feint. Fulham's injury crisis deepened even before kick off. Bobby Zamora was ruled out so Roy Hodgson went with a new Nordic front two in Erik Nevland and David Elm. Nevland's not really renowned for storming performances from the start and he had a largely frustrating afternoon, but Elm looks to be far better than some give him credit for. He's got a terrific first touch and a smart footballing brain. This could be another handy Hodgson pick up.
I'm sure a few people will moan that we weren't particularly adventurous away from home again. But, season after season, Fulham have come to places like Bolton trying to play nice easy-on-the eye football and been bullied out of it. This was a day for scrapping – and it was nice to see the boys battle for everything. Jonathan Greening was gritty again and Kagisho Dikgacoi looked impressive before he was forced off with another injury. At least, the returning Dickson Etuhu could take his place. There's no denying Bolton had the better of the contest and Owen Coyle demonstrated a desire to win the game with three bold substitutions which might have been rewarded late on had Mark Clattenburg not spotted a push as Kevin Davies headed in from a free-kick.
The first half was a desperately dreary affair notable only for a few half chances. Elm had the first, stretching in an attempt to steer a corner home at the back post, but couldn't kept his effort down. Kevin Davies, easily Bolton's best performer on his 500th league appearance, offered an early warning with a low shot that was bravely blocked by Aaron Hughes, then the home skipper's namesake Mark found Tamir Cohen, who horribly miscued in front of goal.
Davies couldn't react quickly enough to a deflected cross-cum-shot from Fabrice Muamba but was terribly unfortunate not to send Wanderers in with a half-time lead. His shot from Kevin's flick on was heading for the corner until Schwarzer produced a quite stunning save. In response, all Fulham offered in the way of a goal threat was a long-ranger from Dikgacoi that drifted wide.
The second period was meandering along pleasantly enough until Coyle summoned his second substitute from the bench. Johann Elmander had already been brought on to add to Bolton's attacking threat and it was something of surprise that Coyle turned to Vladimir Weiss instead of his fellow loanee Jack Wilshire. The Slovakian preceded to showcase his precocious talents and threaten to end Fulham's stubborn resistance.
A burst down the wing brought a corner almost immediately and the Manchester City midfielder looked ominously dangerous every time he had the ball. Chris Baird had enjoyed a tidy return to right back, the position that plagued him under Lawrie Sanchez, but Fulham looked more than a little ruffled by the end. Nevland exited gingerly and whilst Stefano Okaka looked lively all the action was taking place at the other end.
Bolton produced a storming finale in which Muamba drove wide and then, in a frenzied last five minutes, the Fulham goal led a charmed life. Kevin Davies looked to have made the winner with a lovely ball that set Elmander free only for the Swede to somehow roll his finish wide. Schwarzer, who had earlier made a fine point blank save to deny Lee, was finally beaten by Davies from the Korean's set play only for Clattenburg to intervene.
This display was in many ways was the hallmark of Hodgson's Fulham. Utterly hopeless away from home when he took over, we are now capable of grinding out points. It isn't attractive, but it's mighty effective – and puts us on course to be comfortable enough to treat the Cup and Europe with the relish they deserve.
BOLTON WANDERERS (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Robinson, O'Brien (Basham 63), Knight; Muamba, Cohen, Lee, M. Davies (Elmander 57), Taylor (Weiss 71); K. Davies. Subs (not used): Al-Habsi, Samuel, Gardner, Wilshere.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Baird, Shorey, Hughes, Hangeland; Dikgacoi (Etuhu 55), Murphy, Duff, Greening; Elm (Okaka 75), Nevland (Smalling 75). Subs (not used): Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Stoor, Riise.
REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
ATTENDANCE: 22,289
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/bolton/article7017681.ece
Kevin Davies denied winner for struggling Bolton
Bolton 0 Fulham 0
Paul Rowan at Reebok stadium
WHOEVER said that 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon would take our minds off some of the current travails affecting English football off the field clearly didn't have this fixture in mind.
This was as unedifying a spectacle as anything we have seen in the last week, though the details were hardly salacious. The game was scrappy and dull, except right at the end when Kevin Davies headed in from a Bolton set-piece, but referee Mark Clattenburg spotted an infringement that eluded the rest of us and awarded a Fulham free kick.
Burnley manager Owen Coyle said: "Everybody in the stadium knew it was a good goal barring one man. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth."
Some of us, however, had our senses well and truly numbed at that stage. There were excuses galore as to why both teams were below par and the two managers weren't slow to come up with them. Bolton's influential centre-half Gary Cahill — their top scorer in all competitions this season — was a late withdrawal and full-back Gretar Steinsson also pulled out just before kick-off. Fulham had their own absentee woes, Bobby Zamora falling victim to a virus, allowing the tall Swede David Elm his first start for the club.
Coyle has said changes will come slowly under his management and he is proving true to his promise, still preferring only one player up front in the burly shape of Kevin Davies and even employing a holding player behind a four-man midfield.
Mark Davies looks like one player who might flourish under Coyle and he must have thought he had scored two minutes before the interval, when Tamir Cohen's long ball forward was flicked on by Kevin Davies to his namesake, whose well-timed run and strong, low shot produced an excellent save from Mark Schwarzer.
Whatever attacking intent there was in the second half came from Bolton, particularly when Vladimir Weiss and Johan Elmander were employed to shake things up as the game entered the final quarter. Chung-Yong Lee was guilty of slightly over-running the ball — just like against Liverpool the previous week — even if Schwarzer produced a great save at his feet.
Then, on 90 minutes from a Lee set-piece, Davies beat Brede Hangeland in the air and headed powerfully past Schwarzer, but Clattenburg decided to intervene.
"I'm delighted we rode our luck a little bit," Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said. "They had by far the better goalscoring opportunities but we have an excellent keeper and a hard-working team and sometimes that can get you a point out of these types of games."
Star man: Brede Hangeland (Fulham) Referee: M Clattenburg Attendance: 22,289
Bolton: Jaaskelainen 6, Robinson 6, A O'Brien 6 (Basham 65min), Knight 5, Ricketts 5, Lee 6, M Davies 6 (Elmander 58min, 6), Muamba 6, Cohen 5, Taylor 6 (Weiss 71min), K Davies 6 Fulham: Schwarzer 7, Baird 6, Hughes 6, Hangeland 7, Shorey 6, Duff 5, Dikgacoi 5 (Etuhu 55min, 6), Murphy 6, Greening 5, Elm 5 (Okaka Chuka 76min), Nevland 5 (Smalling 76min)
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/coyle-feels-sore-about-points-that-got-away-1891623.html
Coyle feels sore about points that got away
Bolton Wanderers 0 Fulham 0
By Ian Whittell at the Reebok Stadium
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Owen Coyle was correct in his assessment that any point is a good one, given Bolton's current predicament, but thanks to the woeful finishing of his forward Johan Elmander and the refereeing of Mark Clattenburg, this was undoubtedly a case of two points dropped for his struggling team.
Elmander, a £10 million signing by the former manager Gary Megson and subsequently one of the main reasons behind his ultimate demise at the Reebok, was played clean through, unopposed, by Kevin Davies three minutes from time but managed merely to steer a shot beyond the far post.
Two minutes later, Davies himself rose impressively to meet a free-kick from Lee Chung-Yong, heading powerfully into the goal, only for the effort to be ruled out by Clattenburg for a push on Brede Hangeland.
"Everybody in the stadium knew it was a good goal; the Fulham players knew it was a good goal, but there was one man who felt it wasn't," said Coyle. "That leaves a bad taste in the mouth because it was clearly a terrific goal: a great ball in, the player's jumped well and he's won a clean header.
"I asked the referee his view and he said he saw Kevin Davies clearly pushing with two hands. I'd better leave it there or I'll get into a bit of bother.
"I knew at the time there was no contact. I've since seen the rerun and there is no contact that I've seen. The cross comes into the six- yard line and Kevin jumped up and planted a great header into the corner."
After just one victory in his first five games in charge at Bolton, Coyle's frustration was understandable, although consolation came in the form of a dominant second-half display and the fact that, having failed to keep a clean sheet all season, his side have now done so twice in the last three games,
Indeed, save for a late free-kick by Nicky Shorey which was deflected over the bar, it was hard to recall a Fulham effort of note.
"Bolton put us to the test today, they had by far the better of the goal chances but we've been resilient," said Fulham's manager, Roy Hodgson, while confirming his belief that Clattenburg had made the right decision over the Davies effort. "We've had an awful lot of bad luck recently, decisions and deflections, so if that was lucky, we have worked up to that."
In contrast to the visitors, Bolton also created two good first-half chances for Mark Davies, both saved by Mark Schwarzer, the latter one being turned on to the bar. After the interval, it was not until the 70th-minute introduction of the on-loan winger Vladimir Weiss that Bolton's fortunes improved significantly, with Schwarzer being required to make one impressive stop in particular at the feet of Lee.
Attendance: 22,289
Referee: M Clattenburg
Man of the match: Knight
Match rating: 3/10
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-s-move-for-James-Beattie-was-scuppered-by-Stoke-striker-s-staggering-wage-demands-article314551.html
Fulham move for Beattie was scuppered by wage demands
Published 23:00 06/02/10
By John Percy
James Beattie's staggering wage demands wrecked a £2million move to Fulham and left him stuck at Stoke.
Beattie stunned Fulham by asking for £60,000-a-week and Cottagers' boss Roy Hodgson pulled the plug on transfer deadline day.
Now the 31-year-old faces an uncomfortable three months after falling out with boss Tony Pulis.
The pair clashed in the dressing room at Arsenal in December and Beattie has started only one Premier League game since.
It is a similar situation for £5.5m misfit Dave Kitson, whose hopes of a loan move came to nothing in the January transfer window.
Pulis said: "James and Dave are still here. They've got to get their heads down and work hard.
"They need to get back in the team and score some goals."
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Bolton-0-0-Fulham-Coyle-left-fuming-after-Davies-denied-winner-for-Wanderers-The-Sunday-Mirror-match-report-article314977.html
Bolton 0-0 Fulham: The Sunday Mirror match report
Published 22:22 06/02/10
By Lindsay Sutton
Kevin Davies looked set to celebrate his 500th League appearance with a winning strike, until controversial referee Mark Clattenburg ruled it out.
The 33-year-old seasoned campaigner beat in-form keeper Mark Schwarzer when he headed home from a Lee Chung-Yong free-kick with just minutes left.
But referee Clattenburg reckoned he had seen a push and to the fury of Wanderers' boss Owen Coyle, he disallowed the 'winner' and let Fulham off the hook.
Coyle blasted: "We scored a perfectly good goal, and you could see that even the Fulham players felt that. Just one man felt it wasn't. It leaves a bad taste.
"I've been to see the ref and he says he saw Kevin Davies pushing with both hands. I've seen the re-run. I didn't see a two-handed push. It was a great header and a clean goal in my opinion."
Fulham's manager Roy Hodgson admitted his side "rode their luck" but was adamant that there was a push, even though he added: "It's hard to make a clear judgment."
He went on: "I congratulate the referee on the strength of his decision.
"It was a correct decision but if we had some luck, then we have not had a lot of that this season."
But Hodgson did admit; "We needed to stand up with all those projectiles flying in. We rode our luck at times but we have a great keeper and showed our resilience to get a point.
"We have seven players out, and no Bobby Zamora, who went down ill, but he'll be back for Tuesday's Burnley match."
Whatever the rights and wrongs of Clattenburg's decision, Bolton had only themselves to blame for not wrapping it up early with the bagful of opportunities that came their way.
And keeper Schwarzer earned a big pat on the back from Hodgson for his decisive saves, blocks and the fact that he threw himself fearlessly into the way of Bolton's marauders.
The Trotters' mis-firing record signing Johan Elmander must be squirming at the way he missed out after being put through by Kevin Davies.
The big Swede had only the stranded Schwarzer to beat but with the keeper narrowing his options, Elmander managed to put the ball wide.
Mid-way through the second-half, it was Chung-Yong's turn to hang his head in shame. Israel star Tamir Cohen played a quick-thinking pass beyond the Fulham defence and Schwarzer looked to have no chance as the South Korean approached goal.
But the Fulham stopper dived at Chung-Yong's feet and retrieved the ball.
In the first half, Bolton midfielder Mark Davies had two gilt-edged chances but missed his way too.
Kevin Davies then set up his namesake with a flick-on header, only for Schwarzer to get a leg in front of Davies's well-struck effort, the ball spinning against the woodwork and away.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_method=full%26objectID=22024480%26siteID=93463-name_page.html
Johnson fears 10 months out
Andrew Johnson fears he could be out of action for up to 10 months following knee surgery in the USA.
Fulham have confirmed the striker, 28, will miss the rest of the season after renowned specialist Dr Richard Steadman operated on him in Colorado on Thursday.
The club hope to have Johnson available in time for the start of the 2010-11 campaign, but People Sport understands it could be as late as December before Johnson is able to play again.
The former Everton star has been plagued by injuries again this term and has managed just 13 matches.
He has also suffered from groin and collarbone problems.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_method=full%26objectID=22024506%26siteID=93463-name_page.html
ROY SHORES UP
HOTLINE
Alan Nixon; Dave Kidd; Steve Bates; Tom Hopkinson; Alan Oliver; Mel Henderson; Steve Goodman
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed Nicky Shorey could join the club permanently.
The 28-year-old left-back moved to west London on loan from Reading on transfer deadline day.
Fulham have an option to sign him in the summer, 24 months after Hodgson first tried to sign the England international. He said: "A price has been put on Nicky's head if, at the end of the loan period, he wants to stay and we certainly want to keep him.
"He's a player we considered many times.
"When he was at Reading we were interested, but the price and wages he could command took him out of our reach and he went to Aston Villa."
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_method=full%26objectID=22024520%26siteID=93463-name_page.html
Adam Johnson was almost nicked by Manchester United - a month before he joined rivals City in a £7million deal.
People Sport can reveal that the England Under-21 winger was given a secret tour of the champions training ground and met with club officials, including boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
United were clearly keen to sign the 22-year-old - tipped by Fabio Capello to be an England star of the future - but their interest suddenly tailed off in mid January and City boss Roberto Mancini swooped to land the Sunderland-born player on deadline day.
It's thought United went cold on Johnson partly because they had to pay £7million for Fulham defender Chris Smallings to ward off interest from Arsenal, who were ready to cut a deal with Roy Hodgson.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_method=full%26objectID=22024368%26siteID=93463-name_page.html
El of a miss stuns Coyle
Ian Whittle
Bolton 0
Fulham 0
Johan Elmander's woeful miss - and a controversially disallowed goal - continued the misery for new Bolton boss Owen Coyle.
The latest Reebok chief has now won just one of his first five league matches in charge at Wanderers as his team keep hovering in and around the relegation picture.
But yesterday even his opposite number Roy Hodgson would have admitted that Coyle deserved win No.2 and would have got it but for his misfiring striker and referee Mark Clattenburg.
Elmander, a £10million forward signed by former boss Gary Megson, was played clean through by Kevin Davies in the 87th minute - only to roll his shot wide.
And a minute later Davies rose to meet Chung-Yong Lee's right-side free-kick, heading home the ball only to see referee Clattenburg rule it out for a push.
Coyle said: "Everybody in the stadium knew it was a good goal. Fulham players knew it was a good goal but there was one man who felt it wasn't.
"That leaves a bad taste in the mouth because it was clearly a terrific goal - a great ball in, the player's jumped well and won a clean header.
"I asked the referee his view and he said he saw Kevin Davies clearly pushing with two hands. I'd better leave it there or I'll get into a bit of bother.
"I knew at the time there was no contact. I've since seen the re-run and there is no contact that I've seen. The cross comes into the six-yard line and Kevin jumped up and planted a great header into the corner."
In response, Hodgson said: "I don't think you'd expect me to say anything other than it was a good decision. I've spoken with Brede (Hangeland) and he says he was about to head the ball when he felt a push and fell over.
"Bolton put us to the test today. They had by far the better of the goal chances but we've been resilient.
"We've had an awful lot of bad luck recently with decisions and deflections.
"So if that was lucky, then we've worked up to that."
Bolton sub Vladmir Weiss, on loan from Manchester City, livened up his team's attacking play when he came on for the final 20 minutes but until then it was a drab afternoon for the neutrals.
It took 40 minutes for either team to create a chance.
That arrived when Fabrice Muamba's shot was deflected into the path of Mark Davies, who couldn't quite get a clean contact on the ball and steered it straight to Mark Schwarzer.
Three minutes later the same player struck the bar when Lee's ball found the head of target man Kevin Davies, who took advantage of Hangeland's slip and nodded down for his namesake.
Mark Davies then lashed in a wicked drive, forcing Schwarzer into a superb reflex block that turned the ball on to the bar.
The second half was even worse, if anything, until Weiss came on and livened up matters.
In the 70th minute. A flowing Bolton move ended with Tamir Cohen slipping through a pass to Lee, who tried to round Mark Schwarzer but let the keeper get a hand on the ball. Weiss himself then cut in from the left to unleash a fierce shot that deflected just over.
At the other end, Nicky Shorey's free-kick took a similar deflection over the bar and substitute Stefano Okaka directed a tame header at Jussi Jaaskelainen as the stalemate continued.
The late drama left Coyle feeling hard done by but the Bolton boss still believes his side are on the right track, especially after another clean sheet.
Coyle said: "If we continue to play like that we'll get results. Any point is a good one in the Premier League.
"But the galling thing is we should have had all three."
Shiner Knight
Maybe it's playing against your old club but the big stopper was imperious at the back.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen 5 - Robinson 5, *KNIGHT 9, O'Brien 5, (Basham, 64mins, 5) Ricketts 5 - Muamba 8 - Chung-Yong 5, M Davies 6, (Elmander, 57mins, 4) Cohen 5, Taylor 5 (Weiss, 66mins, 6) - K Davies 6.
Fulham: *SCHWARZER 7 - Baird 5, Hangeland 5, Hughes 5, Shorey 5 - Greening 5, Murphy 5, Dikgacoi 5 (Etuhu, 55mins,6) Duff 5 - Elm 5 (Okaka, 76mins) Nevland 4. (Smalling, 76mins).
Referee: M Clattenburg, 5.
Shocker Elmander
He missed the best chance of the game, and it was the sort of opportunity a £10million striker should bury.
Bump
