Sunday Fulham Stuff (06.03.11)

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/03/06/fulham-and-blackpool-battle-for-a-shock-europa-league-spot-102039-22968529/


Fulham and Blackpool battle for a shock Europa League spot

Mar 6 2011 EXCLUSIVE


by Dean Jones, The People


FULHAM and Blackpool are set to battle it out for an extra place in the Europa League.

England are on course to land one of the three extra qualifying berths handed out by UEFA for fair play.

And Fulham, finalists in last season's competition, are in pole position because the only team ahead of them are Chelsea, who will already qualify for a European slot.

Blackpool are next in the running and either club would still be allowed to take up the spot, even if they were relegated to the Championship.

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/03/06/blackburn-boss-steve-kean-says-fa-should-protect-mark-clattenburg-102039-22969469/


Blackburn boss Steve Kean says FA should protect Mark Clattenburg


Mar 6 2011 by Dean Jones, The People


STEVE KEAN believes the FA should consider taking Mark Clattenburg out of the firing line after he was at the centre of another controversial incident.

Fulham beat Blackburn with a last-minute Bobby Zamora penalty after the referee awarded a spot-kick against Grant Hanley.

Clattenburg explained his decision to the Rovers boss afterwards, but Kean said: "I think you could look at taking him out of the firing line.

"I don't know if that is an option, or if it would make it worse because there would then be more pressure when he comes back.

With the Wayne Rooney elbow incident in mind, Kean added: "I don't know if he is feeling the pressure after what happened last week at Wigan.

"He said the decision today was given because Grant had both hands on Aaron Hughes, but if that's the case you could give 10 penalties every week.

"If the referees spoke more about their decisions it would be good for the game

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/premier-league-match-reports/2011/03/06/fulham-3-2-blackburn-zamora-s-spot-on-clattenberg-on-the-spot-102039-22969212/


Fulham 3-2 Blackburn: Zamora's spot on, Clattenberg on the spot

Mar 6 2011 by Dean Jones, The People


BOBBY ZAMORA waited six months for a moment like this but still he could not keep ­referee Mark Clattenburg out of the headlines.

Zamora, sidelined since breaking his leg in September, made his league return with 20 minutes left and earned three points with a last-gasp penalty that will go a long way towards ­securing Fulham's place in the top flight.

He also saved Clattenburg from a roasting from Mark Hughes.

The Fulham boss would have gone berserk had his side not won after Clattenburg turned down two Andrew Johnson penalty appeals and opted not to send off Steven Nzonzi for ­pulling down two-goal hero Damien Duff when he was the last man.

But Clattenburg got an earful ­anyway as Blackburn players were furious at his decision to award the 89th-minute spot-kick against Grant Hanley for a foul on Aaron Hughes.

Gael Givet, who had been ­substituted, was red-carded for ­running at the official in an aggressive manner as soon as the full-time ­whistle blew.

Clattenburg, who let Wayne Rooney off the hook last week for his elbow at Wigan, just cannot escape controversy.

Safe

"I think you could look at taking him out of the firing line," said Rovers boss Steve Kean afterwards.

"But that might make it worse ­because there would then be more pressure when he comes back.

"He said the decision was given because Grant had both hands on Aaron, but if that's the case you could give 10 penalties every week."

Both sides began the afternoon four points above the drop zone but Fulham will surely be safe now.

The same cannot be said for Rovers, who have set themselves a target of 10 more points to guarantee a place in the Premier League next season.

New owners Venky's took a huge gamble when they sacked boss Sam Allardyce and replaced him with a man untested at this level.

It would be harsh to blame Kean for the predicament Rovers find ­themselves in but fans up at Ewood Park realise they are in for a really tough couple of months.

Fulham opened the scoring in the 37th minute through former Rovers star Duff. The midfielder began the day by declaring in the match-day programme that he was "not the player that Blackburn fans ­remember", but he proved he can still run ­defenders ragged because Rovers had no idea how to stop him.

Time and again they let him cut in from the right on to his favoured left foot, and they paid the price when his drive beat Paul Robinson ­after Martin Olsson allowed him space to shoot.

Fulham could have had a penalty soon after as Johnson was tripped by Chris Samba but Blackburn levelled in added time at the end of the first half.

A Hanley shot deflected off Brede Hangeland, leaving keeper Mark Schwarzer wrong-footed.

The second half was a lively affair and Duff was at the heart of it all. Just before the hour he started and finished the move that put Fulham 2-1 up, helped by the contributions of Johnson and Moussa Dembele.

Three minutes later he thought he was on course for a hat-trick. He raced Nzonzi for the ball just inside the Rovers half and went to ground as the Blackburn player appeared to catch him with an elbow.

Clattenburg let him off, much to Fulham's fury.

A brilliant goalline ­clearance from Chris Baird denied Blackburn striker Mame Biram Diouf a goal, but on 65 minutes the visitors levelled again.

Danny Murphy was beaten to the ball by Jason Roberts and, from his cross, David Hoilett took down the ball on his chest and fired past Schwarzer.

Clattenburg angered Fulham ­forward Johnson for a second time with two minutes left when an apparent trip by Hanley went unpunished.

But with time running out it was third time lucky for the Cottagers as Hanley manhandled Hughes in the area and the ref finally pointed to the spot.

Sub Zamora wrestled the ball from Clint Dempsey and hit the net to win the game.

Boss Hughes said: "I thought Bobby was excellent when he came on and showed real character and leadership to grab the ball and dispatch the penalty.

"We're delighted for him – and Duff was excellent too. Every time he got the ball he took people on and got it in the box. He was superb."

[GoldCoastWhite]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/03/06/blackburn-boss-steve-kean-says-fa-should-protect-mark-clattenburg-102039-22969469/


Blackburn boss Steve Kean says FA should protect Mark Clattenburg


Mar 6 2011 by Dean Jones, The People


STEVE KEAN believes the FA should consider taking Mark Clattenburg out of the firing line after he was at the centre of another controversial incident.

Fulham beat Blackburn with a last-minute Bobby Zamora penalty after the referee awarded a spot-kick against Grant Hanley.

Clattenburg explained his decision to the Rovers boss afterwards, but Kean said: "I think you could look at taking him out of the firing line.

"I don't know if that is an option, or if it would make it worse because there would then be more pressure when he comes back.

With the Wayne Rooney elbow incident in mind, Kean added: "I don't know if he is feeling the pressure after what happened last week at Wigan.

"He said the decision today was given because Grant had both hands on Aaron Hughes, but if that's the case you could give 10 penalties every week.

"If the referees spoke more about their decisions it would be good for the game

Fine by me ! Give 10 extra penalties a week and the message will eventually get through. We don't watch football to see rugby or wrestling...  :dead horse:

[Fletchino]

Europe
told you will be back!!!!!

[MJG]

Bring it on.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburnrovers/news/8892194.Kean_says_Blackburn_Rovers_will_have_to__respect__penalty_decision/?ref=rss

Kean says Blackburn Rovers will have to 'respect' penalty decision

STEVE Kean insists Blackburn Rovers will respect Mark Clattenburg's controversial penalty decision after seeing Fulham break his side's hearts in the dying seconds.

Bobby Zamora scored an 88th minute spot kick to seal a fortuitous 3-2 win for the Cottagers, leaving Rovers just two points away from the drop zone.

The decision to penalise Grant Hanley for holding Aaron Hughes in the penalty area incensed Rovers players and saw Gael Givet sent off after the game, after running on from the substitutes bench in an "agressive manner".

Kean said: "I asked referee Mark Clattenburg what was the reason for the penalty kick and he said Grant Hanley had both arms around Aaron Hughes.

"That was enough to give a penalty. I have looked at it in slow motion and technically he is right.

"My question was though if you give that penalty you probably have to give about 10 every single week because there is always contact when people are running away from people.

"That is Mark's interpretation and we will have to respect that.

"He told me Gael has run at him in an agressive manner. We will have to get as much information on that and deal with it accordingly.

"We are gutted. We have come from behind twice. We are so disappointed not to have won the game let alone lost it."

[WhiteJC]

http://life.hereisthecity.com/2011/03/06/fulham-grab-late-win-as-bobby-zamora-sinks-blackburn-from-the-sp/?

Fulham Grab Late Win As Zamora Sinks Blackburn

So this is what Mark Hughes has been pining for. Fulham's fans had resigned themselves to a 15th draw in 29 league games after their side had twice let Damien Duff goals be cancelled out by Grant Hanley and then Junior Hoilett. But Bobby Zamora, on as a substitute for his first league appearance since September, sealed victory from the penalty spot in the 89th minute and consigned the visitors to a fifth consecutive away league defeat.

"It was great to see Bobby back," Hughes said. "He showed great character to grab the ball and dispatch the penalty."

If Zamora's return to centre stage was a welcome one, Mark Clattenburg's presence alongside him was less so. The referee followed up missing a Wayne Rooney elbow last Saturday by overlooking a similar incident when Stephen Nzonzi lashed out at Duff. Clattenburg then sent off Gaël Givet for aggressively questioning his decisive penalty decision after the final whistle – leaving the Blackburn manager, Steve Kean, to suggest an enforced break for the referee.

"They could take a look at that, because when you have to make enough big decisions it puts you under the spotlight. I don't know if that's an option or whether when he comes back that would intensify the pressure," he said.

"When the referees do start coming in [to press conferences] and answering questions, that'd be good for the game. Because Mark [Hughes] will give his opinion on the penalty and I will give my account of it, but the referees need to start clearing the grey areas up.

"I've asked Mark [Clattenburg] for his take on the penalty incident and he said that Grant Hanley had both hands around Aaron Hughes. He felt it was an aggressive bit of play and that's why he gave the penalty.

"It's [the referee's] interpretation of the initial incident and I have to respect that. We respect his decision. Referees have the hardest job in the world."

Hughes said: "I can see why Steve might have been a little bit aggrieved about some of the decisions, although I think it was a fair result. There was a clear penalty when Andy Johnson was brought down. There were a number of incidents when decisions might have gone our way ... but we are delighted with three points and it was a fair outcome."

Fulham took half an hour before they could muster their first clear sight on target, with Clint Dempsey feeding into Dickson Etuhu's feet, and the midfielder's snap shot was gathered at the second attempt by Paul Robinson.

But Robinson's yips carried through to the next attack, and this time it was fatal. Duff spotted a vacuum in the Blackburn left-back area, collected Etuhu's crisp pass and then cut on to his left foot before firing through and beyond Robinson at the goalkeeper's near post.

If Etuhu may have had the feeling that the ball was following him then it was confirmed shortly before the break, as he twice found possession on the edge of the Fulham area but gifted it straight back to Blackburn. Feet from both sides shuffled, bodies scuffled but the outcome was Hanley's first career goal, aided by a significant deflection off Brede Hangeland.

It was a tough blow for Fulham, who had taken their brief superiority for granted, but Duff remained a nuisance, buzzing in from the right wing shortly after the break and forcing Chris Samba to deflect on to his own crossbar.

His second goal was simple enough but perfectly executed, as he collected a short feed from Moussa Dembélé and hammered a crisp drive to Robinson's left for his third goal in two games.

"I thought he [Duff] was excellent. Every time he had the ball he took players on and made a real difference," Hughes said.

Hughes was less forthcoming on Fulham's defensive affliction, all too apparent when Blackburn equalised for a second time, with Hoilett volleying home after Jason Roberts had made a nuisance of himself in the six-yard box.

Zamora made an instant impact, however, and could have won a penalty with his first touch when he fired a free-kick against Mame Biram Diouf's elbow. More significantly, the striker gave his side a focal point, and in the end, a cutting edge.


THE FANS' PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT
CHRIS LLOYD, Observer reader It was fabulous that Zamora came back and scored like that – he looks so good. Duff was absolutely superb; he's been back to his best since Christmas and is still going. Zamora looked sharp, confident, he makes such a difference for us. The referee was absolutely terrible – Clattenburg had a shocking game. Blackburn looked a bit dirty at the back and he kept waving play on so they kept at it. Hangeland had a good game despite the first goal going off his head. Kakuta shone as well in a cameo – quick, good touches. Mark Hughes is doing a really good job – let's hope we can get into the top 10.

The fan's player ratings Schwarzer 6; Baird 6, Hughes 7, Hangeland 7, Salcido 6; Duff 9, Etuhu 6, Murphy 6 (Zamora 8 70), Dempsey 7; Dembélé 7 (Kakuta 7 78); A Johnson 6

MIKE DELAP, Blackburn.VitalFootball.co.uk Robbery I would say. Quite how the ref could see an offence in all of that, I'd be hard-pressed to say, but if you give that you should give another five or six during the game. It's especially hard to take when we've had a bad run of form but today we were playing all right – though on the whole pretty shaky defensively. Duff is their best player and not marking him tightly is asking for it. We fought better than last week against Aston Villa, though, and the spirit's looking better. The manager's put a lot of pressure on himself – it will be interesting to see how far the new owners will back him.

The fan's player ratings Robinson 6; Salgado 6 (Emerton n/a 90), Hanley 7, Samba 5, Givet 5 (Pedersen 5 76); Hoilett 7 (Rochina 5 82), Jones 4, Nzonzi 6, Olsson 7; Roberts 5, Diouf 6

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham-mad.co.uk/rprt/mtch/fulham_3_blackburn_2_654158/index.shtml?

Fulham 3 Blackburn 2

Bobby Zamora fired a 90th minute penalty to continue Blackburn's freefall down the Barclays Premier League as the Cottagers won 3-2 at Craven Cottage.

Zamora, who missed last weekend's draw with Manchester City because of an ankle injury, stepped off the bench to drill home the winner after Grant Hanley had held back Aaron Hughes.

It was the England striker's first Premier League appearance since recovering from a broken leg sustained in September.

Twice Damien Duff gave Fulham the lead with two sweetly-struck goals, lifting his tally for the season to five, but twice Blackburn struck back.

Hanley fired the first equaliser in first-half injury time with a shot that took a heavy deflection off the head of Brede Hangeland.

Then it was Junior Hoilett's turn to reel in Fulham, capitalising on confusion in the home defence, before a late flurry from the home side saw the lead change hands for a final time.

Blackburn manager Steve Kean made six changes to the team thrashed 4-1 by Aston Villa and will be pleased by a spirited display.

But Rovers have now lost four of their last five league games and are hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Fulham will argue that they should have been awarded a penalty shortly after Duff's opener when Christopher Samba hacked down Andy Johnson, but referee Mark Clattenburg was unmoved.

It was a poor decision by Clattenburg, who drew heavy criticism for failing to show Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney a red card against Wigan last weekend.

Jason Roberts drew an early save from Mark Schwarzer but the acute angle meant the Australian keeper was hardly troubled.

Blackburn conceded a free-kick just outside the area when Samba shoved Clint Dempsey in the back, but Chris Baird blasted the set piece into the wall with Duff then blazing high.

Johnson almost reached a lovely ball from Dempsey and then tucked a Duff cross just outside the post as Fulham continued to press.

The Cottagers were more incisive in attack and their reward came in the 37th minute through Duff.

Dickson Etuhu slid the ball to Duff who raced into the area, thought about rounding Martin Olsson before slotting the ball between the winger's legs.

Paul Robinson, his sight partially blocked by Olsson, dipped his hands to his right but the ball had already passed into the net.

Fulham were unlucky not to win a penalty moments later when Samba tripped Johnson without touching the ball, but Clattenburg was unconvinced.

The Cottagers' good work was undone in first-half injury time, however, when Etuhu lost the ball to Hanley on the edge of his area.

Hanley took the ball forward and pulled the trigger with his shot deflecting off Hangeland, inside Schwarzer and into the net.
Samba almost turned the ball into his own net as the second half got under way before Baird was forced to scramble a cross to safety.

A series of hair-raising moments in the Blackburn area saw Fulham subdued by some desperate defending, the pick of which resulted in Dempsey being denied from close range.

A second Fulham goal seemed inevitable and it arrived in the 59th minute when Duff struck once again.

Moussa Dembele and Johnson exchanged passes before the ball was slipped to Duff who powered his shot between the legs of Samba from the edge of the area.

But once more their lead was shortlived as poor defending in the 66th minute that saw the ball bounce around the left post allowed an unmarked Hoilett to power home.

Blackburn were now on top and it was Fulham who were having to scramble to clear their lines.

Jermaine Jones was gifted time to shoot by the home defence but his effort still sailed wide.

But the last 10 minutes belonged to Fulham with a poor first touch from Duff squandering good work from Zamora.

Robinson made a fine save from Johnson before the Cottagers' pressure told with a minute to go.

Hanley held back Hughes at a corner and Clattenburg pointed to the spot where Zamora rifled home the winner.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/Fulham-boss-Mark-Hughes-very-happy-with-win.aspx

FULHAM BOSS MARK HUGHES VERY HAPPY WITH WIN

Fulham boss Mark Hughes paid tribute to opponents and former employers Blackburn for bringing the best out of his players on Saturday.

Rovers twice came from behind to cancel out two Damien Duff strikes, before Bobby Zamora's late penalty secured a 3-2 home win for the Cottagers.

With Rovers deploying a route one tactic, Fulham never altered their style and their determination eventually got the better of a resilient Rovers display.

Hughes was thankful for that, and he aired his satisfaction with the result as his team stuck to their game-plan throughout.

"It was a difficult game today, Blackburn are a very strong side, I love their physicality and they kept us on our toes," Hughes said.

"For long periods we weren't able to play as we wanted to and that's the pressure that Blackburn put us under, but we stuck to it and were determined to get the ball down and play our stuff."

Duff opened the scoring against his old club before a deflected strike from Grant Hanley pulled Rovers level on the stroke of half-time.

Duff restored their advantage before the hour-mark, but Junior Hoilett levelled for Rovers once more before a debatable penalty decision paved the way for Fulham's victory.

"We created a number of chances in the first half, converted one of them, and restricted Blackburn to very few," said Hughes.

"[The] second half went back and forth, to and fro, and we really tried to keep momentum and I think we did that.

"I think we were brave, we wanted to play our stuff, and kept on creating chances and got our noses in front again.

"Thankfully, in the end, we got the benefit of a penalty decision and we're pleased about that.

"But overall, the way we played and with the amount of chances we created in comparison to the opposition, I think we deserved to win."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/fulham-sneak-win-with-late-penalty-2567762.html?

Fulham sneak win with late penalty
Fulham 3 Blackburn 2

Blackburn boss Steve Kean refused to condemn referee Mark Clattenburg following yesterday's Premier League defeat to Fulham.

A series of controversial decisions at Craven Cottage thrust Clattenburg back under the spotlight, with his decision to award a match-winning penalty the most contentious.

Bobby Zamora rifled home the 90th-minute spot-kick after Clattenburg decided that Grant Hanley had held back Aaron Hughes at a corner. Fulham manager Mark Hughes felt the official could have awarded his side a penalty moments earlier and also in the first half, when Christopher Samba hacked down Andy Johnson.

Clattenburg's latest performance comes just a week after he was heavily criticised for failing to show Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney a red card against Wigan.

"I've asked Mark for his take on the penalty incident and he said that Grant Hanley had both hands around Aaron Hughes," said Kean. "He felt it was an aggressive bit of play and that's why he gave the penalty. It's his interpretation of the initial incident and I have to respect that. Referees have the hardest job in the world."

Blackburn full-back Gael Givet was also shown a red card after the final whistle following a fractious finish to the match. Twice Damien Duff had given Fulham the lead with a pair of sweetly-struck goals, lifting his tally for the season to five, but twice Blackburn struck back -- through Hanley and then Junior Hoillet -- before Zamora clinched victory from the penalty spot.

- Duncan Bech