Monday Fulham Stuff (16.05.11)

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Gunning for Seventh


Sunday 15th May 2011





Mark Hughes praised the performance of his Team following Sunday's 2-0 win over Birmingham City, before targeting a potential seventh place finish next weekend.

Should Fulham and Chelsea both achieve winning results against Arsenal and Everton respectively in their final matches, Hughes' team will pip Everton to seventh place.

"I was really pleased with the reaction that I got today," said Hughes of Sunday's victory over Birmingham. "We showed that we haven't switched off as the end of the season draws closer - we intend to reach the targets we have set ourselves.

"We were fully focused and I think you could see that from the way we approached the game and thankfully we were able to get another away win. That's two away wins in succession and we've made a marked improvement in what we can produce on the road.

"We had a number of chances but maybe we had too much time and space and didn't kill the game off early on. However, we created some great opportunities and everyone can see we're an accomplished team that like to get the ball down and play the right way. When we get our noses in front we're a difficult side to beat now.

"We knew if we started positively and put them under pressure then any apprehension would be to our advantage and I thought it was a little bit frenetic and we were able to capitalise on that nervousness possibly.

"In recent times we've got players back that gives us the opportunity to win games on the road and I thought our mentality was good today. We knew what we had to do and we got the job done.

"If we can win our last home game against Arsenal, and Chelsea beat Everton, then there's the possibility that we could finish seventh. That would cap a fantastic season for us after the initial problems we had with injuries. That would be a real achievement for us."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/May/HughesBCFCReaction.aspx#ixzz1MSDXoGV2

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Birmingham 0 - 2 Fulham


Fulham's victory over Birmingham City at St. Andrews was the perfect response from Mark Hughes' side following Monday night's heavy defeat to Liverpool at the Cottage.

Hughes' team recorded their second consecutive away win on Sunday afternoon, firing Fulham into 8th place in the Barclays Premier League, with the final match of the season to be played against Arsenal at the Cottage. Should results go Fulham's way next weekend, the Club could finish the season in seventh place.

For the home side the bitter taste of defeat was made worse by the news that Charles N'Zogbia had scored a last minute winner against West Ham, leaving Birmingham in an unenviable position, residing one place above the dreaded drop zone but level on points with Blackpool and Wigan below them.

Ahead of kick-off the main talking point for Fulham's travelling fans was the news that Mark Hughes had made four changes to his starting eleven from the team that suffered a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

In defence Philippe Senderos was selected in central defence, with Aaron Hughes switching to right back in place of the suspended Chris Baird. Senderos was making only his second appearance of the season following a successful recovery from a long term Achilles injury.

After picking up a calf injury against Liverpool on Monday night, Simon Davies failed to recover in time for Sunday's match so Jonathan Greening made a rare start at right midfield. Hughes opted for Bobby Zamora and former Birmingham City striker Andrew Johnson in attack.

Having achieved Premier League safety two weeks ago with victory over Sunderland, Hughes highlighted the potential to capitalise on any tension in Birmingham's play prior to Sunday's game, and with the home side's position all the more precarious following wins for Wolves and Blackpool on Saturday, it was set to be a nervous afternoon for the home fans.

Fulham were clearly looking to erase the memory of Monday's painful defeat in double-quick time at St. Andrews with Brede Hangeland scoring the first goal of the game, and his fifth of the season, after just five minutes of play.

Remarkably, on a blustery afternoon in the Midlands, it was Mark Schwarzer who almost opened the scoring seconds before Hangeland's goal with a long range goal kick that forced Ben Foster to concede a corner. Greening's delivery found Hangeland who scored to give Fulham the perfect start.

After 11 minutes of play Andrew Johnson almost gave his former side a mountain to climb when he latched onto a fine delivery from Jonathan Greening but failed to find the target with a glancing header.

Greening enjoyed a fine first half on his return to the First Team. The midfielder's deliveries from the right channel were a constant thorn in Birmingham side. On the half hour mark a Greening free-kick found an unmarked Zamora whose header hit the foot of the post with Ben Foster rooted to the spot. It was a let off for the home side and just a minute later Greening tested Foster once again with a strike from range that forced the keeper to concede a corner.

Jiranek almost pulled the home side level three minutes later in the most unorthodox of fashion by nearly chesting the ball into the net. However Fulham were by far the better team in the first half and the home side could count themselves fortunate to only be a goal behind at the break.

Birmingham's players arrived out early for the second half with both teams remaining unchanged as the Blues got the game underway. With West Ham winning away to Wigan, it was Birmingham who desperately needed to make an early impact but it was Mark Hughes' side that produced several chances within minutes of the restart.

After just two minutes of play Bobby Zamora almost scored twice in as many minutes. First the striker, left completely unmarked, was picked out by Murphy, but his header fell straight into Foster's arms. Sixty seconds later Zamora tried the spectacular, attempting to chip Foster but the keeper had the attempt covered.

Steve Sidwell went even closer for Fulham a minute later, striking the post, but there was no denying Brede Hangeland who scored his second of the game to put Fulham two-nil up after 49 minutes, again from a corner. On this occasion Hangeland hooked the ball home after Zamora's effort was cleared off the line.

After Fulham had doubled their lead both managers made changes. Bobby Zamora, who appeared to be struggling, was replaced by Eidur Gudjohnsen, whilst for Birmingham, Lee Bowyer made way for Hleb. A second change for the home side came just a few minutes later, with Beausejour replacing Parnaby.

Fulham's disciplinary record took a further knock on Sunday following the spate of yellow card the Team received against Liverpool on Monday. In the second half on Sunday Murphy, Salcido, Johnson, Gudjohnsen and Dempsey were all booked. The impact on Fulham's position in the Fair Play League and subsequent chances of appearing in next season's Europa League will only be known at the end of the season.

Mark Hughes made his second change of the game after 72 minutes, with Dickson Etuhu coming on for Danny Murphy. Fulham rarely looked troubled during the latter stages of the game and were more than comfortable protecting their two-nil lead. There was a brief appearance for Zoltan Gera towards the end of the match as Hughes' side cruised to victory.

Fulham now go into next weekend's final match of the season against Arsenal at the Cottage knowing that a win could secure them a seventh place finish if Everton fail to gain a result against Chelsea at Goodison Park and Fulham retain their superior goal difference.


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/1011/Premiership/BirminghamAway.aspx#ixzz1MSEASNab

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Striking Matters

Sunday 15th May 2011




Mark Hughes is hoping Bobby Zamora will spearhead Fulham's attack against Arsenal at the Cottage in the final match of the 2010/11 season as the player continues his return to full fitness.

Zamora was replaced by Eidur Gudjohnsen in the second half at St. Andrews on Sunday and whilst Hughes highlighted the great impact the striker has made in recent months, Fulham's manager believes Zamora will not hit his peak performance until next season.

"He [Zamora] was struggling before the game against Birmingham and obviously didn't see the match out, but we knew he would have setbacks until next season, when he will be fully flying again.

"He showed in the time he was on the pitch on Sunday he gives us a presence and a focal point for our play – he was a real threat against Birmingham.

"We need to see how he is for next week but hopefully we can settle him down and he'll be okay to play against Arsenal."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/May/HughesOnZamora.aspx#ixzz1MSEdyxTL

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6934410,00.html


Hughes hopeful on seventh

Boss not giving up the chase after comfortable win at Birmingham


By Jamie Casey   



Last Updated: May 15, 2011 8:18pm



Fulham boss Mark Hughes has not given up hope of leapfrogging Everton into seventh place in the final Premier League standings.

Hughes watched his side comfortably defeat Birmingham 2-0 on Sunday, moving the Cottagers to within reach of the Toffees ahead of the final day of the season.

Three points separate the sides but Fulham, who travel to Arsenal next week, boast a greater goal difference than Everton, who host Chelsea on the same day.

Hughes was delighted with the victory at St Andrews and believes it shows a great desire from his squad to finish as strongly as possible.

"We've got Arsenal next week and, who knows, if results go our way we might even be seventh."

Mark Hughes

Quotes of the week

"It was about showing everybody that we're not on the beach, we've got targets that we intend to achieve," he told Sky Sports.

"We're improving our away form and that's important because I don't think it's happened many times in Fulham's recent history.

"We've got Arsenal next week and, who knows, if results go our way we might even be seventh and that would feel like winning our own league."

Domination
Hughes admits his strikers were not in clinical form against the Blues, but declared himself satisfied having dominated proceedings.

He said: "We created some chances today and I thought we started with a really positive attitude in the first period and we were quite comfortable all afternoon.

"I thought we were really accomplished in our defending and we created chances and on another day it could have been more comprehensive."

Centre-half Brede Hangeland netted either side of half-time, leading the type of response Hughes wanted from his side having been demolished 5-2 by Liverpool last time out.

"Brede has been excellent all season," said Hughes. "It was difficult on Monday night but we had a situation where we were 3-0 down and we had to chase the game.

"We needed a response and he, along with everyone else, showed real intent about getting the job done today."

[White Noise]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/15/birmingham-city-fulham-premier-league


Brede Hangeland scores twice and Fulham foil nervous Birmingham

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Birmingham City 0   
Fulham 2 Hangeland 5, Hangeland 49


Paul Doyle at St Andrew's guardian.co.uk, Sunday 15 May 2011 18.05



Brede Hangeland scores the first of his two goals for Fulham against Birmingham. Photograph: Paul Currie/Action Images


Birmingham City risk concluding the season in which they ended their long wait for a major trophy by being relegated from the Premier League after two goals from Brede Hangeland gave a Fulham a richly deserved victory and left the hosts' survival hopes hanging by a thread. The Carling Cup champions remain out of the relegation zone on goal difference but, depending on the outcome of Blackpool's visit to Old Trafford and Wigan's trip to Stoke, they may need to win at Tottenham Hotspur next week to stave off demotion.

This was supposed to be the match in which Alex McLeish's side all but guaranteed a fourth straight season in the top flight but, ominously, those high stakes seemed to inhibit rather than inspire them. Fulham set about exposing their nerves from the outset and, given a close-range miss by Clint Dempsey and a misjudgment by Ben Foster that almost allowed Mark Schwarzer to score from a mighty punt, the visitors could have had two goals even before Hangeland put them in front in the fifth minute by heading a Jonathan Greening corner into the net from five yards.

Rather than rebel, Birmingham remained a rabble. Andy Johnson, unmarked six yards from goal, headed wide in the ninth minute. In the 13th minute Birmingham finally mustered a shot, but David Bentley's token effort was easily saved by Schwarzer. Steve Sidwell posed a sterner test to Foster two minutes later but this time the keeper held the shot without ado. He, like his dithering defenders, was motionless on the half-hour mark, however, when Bobby Zamora was met a Greening free-kick unchallenged. His header bounced out off the post.

Birmingham steadied themselves a little after that and before the break a Kevin Phillips header that was deflected wide reminded Fulham that they were not alone on the pitch. Zamora would have been thinking otherwise two minutes into the second period, as he was all alone when he met a Murphy pass two minutes into the second period, but he headed straight at Foster.

Moments later Sidwell cracked a shot off the base of the post. In the 49thminute Fulham got the second goal that was the least they deserved. Again it came from a corner and again Birmingham's defending was shambolic. Zamora was allowed to head a Greening corner at goal from three yards, Stuart Parnaby headed off the line but Hangeland guided the ball into the net from six yards.

It now seemed certain that Birmingham would get no points form this game but their survival bid could come down to goal difference and they were in danger of taking a battering on that front too. Foster surged off his line to prevent Johnson from making it 3-0 in the 62nd minute. Mercifully for Birmingham, Fulham eased off after that, meaning even a defeat next week might not condemn Birmingham.

[White Noise]

Birmingham City v Fulham Match facts

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/match/2011/may/15/birminghamcityfc-v-fulham

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Fulham Hang Birmingham out to dry


By Paul Warburton


May 15 2011


Birmingham 0-2 Fulham




MARK Hughes should hire out his crystal ball – the Fulham boss would make a fortune.

Sparky reckoned on Friday whoever scored first would go on to win it.

Brede Hangeland obliged after four minutes, and made his boss doubly happy when he doubled his luck four minutes into the second half.

The giant Norwegian prescribed the perfect antidote to Monday's 5-2 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool.

In fact, Fulham came out of the traps like their shorts were on fire.

There was just 10 seconds on the clock before Danny Murphy had a go from distance demanding a back-pedalling Ben Foster to clutch the ball out of the air.

A minute later, Clint Dempsey somehow skied over from four yards when he latched on to an Andy Johnson cross.

The American's blushes had barely faded when the Whites were ahead through Hangeland.

The defender was allowed an unchecked run into the box to connect with Greening's corner and power a header beyond Foster.

Dempsey had another half chance to put Fulham in the comfort zone, before Johnson headed wide – with Greening wondering why he didn't have a second assist to his name.

The midfielder's radar was totally tuned to perfect deliveries when he provided another for Bobby Zamora – his 350th league appearance - to crash the base of the post with a header.

No sooner had Fulham wondered why they weren't 2-0 ahead, Martin Jiranek did the same at the other end to offer City fans their first – and as it turned out – only glimpse of goal after 33 minutes.

But just as the Whites hit fifth gear from the first whistle – they did the same when the second one blew.

Zamora had two chances to put his team further ahead before Sidwell thumped the post.

Most of the 27,000-plus crowd thought they were extras in a Groundhog Day remake when Hangeland made light of the misses to score again.

Greening's corner caused havoc with Jiranek almost scooping it into his own net before the Norwegian thumped home the clearance.

The only downer was the five yellow cards. One each to Johnson, Salcido, sub Eidur Gudjohnsen, Murphy and Dempsey.

How that affects a Fulham place in the Europa League through the Fair Play scheme will only be known after next Sunday's finale against Arsenal.


Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/05/15/fulham-hang-birmingham-out-to-dry-82029-28697859/#ixzz1MSf7Xf7V

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http://www.joysandsorrows.co.uk/2011/05/blues-v-fulham-brief-post-match-thoughts/



Blues v Fulham Brief Post Match Thoughts



May 15th, 2011 | By KevB8ll |



How Fulham didn't score 10 I don't know. As soon as I saw the team I knew we'd lose no pace, no creativity. Why McLeish didn't play Beausejour from the start I really don't know, he has played well in his recent performances and has pace.

We got what we deserved, nothing. The players clearly didn't care at all, not one of them wants us to stay up. It was a gutless pathetic performance.

Blues players and staff, you should hang your heads in shame after the recent performances, not just today's terrible performance.

We ARE going down – time for wholesale changes at the club I think. Time to build afresh.

Ho hum.

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http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/292867?cc=5739


Blues' fate going to wire


Birmingham are facing a last-day battle for Premier League survival after Brede Hangeland's brace helped Fulham triumph 2-0 at St. Andrew's.

The Carling Cup holders, lacking several key players through injury and suspension, produced their worst performance of the season to leave their top-flight status on a knife edge.

City are now level on points with Blackpool and Wigan, in 18th and 19th, and have to visit Tottenham next Sunday. Tangerines are away to Manchester United while Wigan travel to Stoke.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes would have expected a response from his side after the 5-2 home defeat by Liverpool on Monday.

But he could not have imagined his players having such a stroll to victory and only poor finishing prevented them from at least doubling the final victory margin.

The Blues defence was at sixes and sevens and could not cope with Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson and Clint Dempsey.

They were not allowed to settle in midfield and posed the minimum of threat up front without the pace and energy of the injured Cameron Jerome as an outlet.

To add to their woes Lee Bowyer, Stuart Parnaby and Martin Jiranek all had to be substituted through injury and then Alexander Hleb limped off to leave them playing with 10 men for the final 13 minutes.

Dempsey missed a great chance to put Fulham ahead after two minutes.

Former City striker Andy Johnson sent a low ball across the six-yard area and Dempsey spooned his shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Blues looked nervous and Ben Foster had to parry aside a massive clearance from Mark Schwarzer at full stretch.

But from the resulting corner Brede Hangeland put the Cottagers in front.

The Birmingham defence was undone by Greening's corner and the unmarked Hangeland made no mistake from close range.

Fulham were threatening to score everytime they ventured forward and Andy Johnson glanced a header wide from Greening's cross.

Fulham came close to doubling their lead after half an hour when Zamora crashed a header against the post from a Greening free-kick.

City almost levelled after 34 minutes when Martin Jiranek's flick grazed the outside of a post from Parnaby's left-wing centre.

Phillips had his first chance after 41 minutes and his header was deflected wide from Larsson's first decent cross of the game.

Blues were back-pedalling from the start of the second period and Zamora missed two great chances.

He got on the end of an Aaron Hughes centre but directed his header straight at Foster from close range.

Then Zamora found himself with only Foster to beat but tried to chip him and did not test the former Manchester United player.

Fulham were in complete control and Sidwell crashed a low shot against the post with the home defence in disarray.

It came as no surprise when Hangeland made it 2-0 after 49 minutes.

Zamora's header was cleared off the line from Greening's corner but Hangeland pounced to tuck away the rebound.

Zamora picked up a knock and was replaced by Eidur Gudjohnsen, who was quick to test Foster with a low drive.

Andy Johnson, Carlos Salcido and Danny Murphy were booked in quick succession for dissent, time-wasting and fouling Bentley respectively.

Gudjohnsen became the fourth Fulham player to be yellow-carded for tripping Hleb, who then went off injured to leave his side a man short for the finale.

[White Noise]

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/05/15/birmingham-city-0-2-fulham/


Birmingham City 0-2 Fulham


Filed under: Match reports — rich @ 5:33 pm


That was painful. Fulham were excellent, but so bad were Birmingham that the victory seemed almost cruel.

Why should I care? I think it's that about a year ago Birmingham and Fulham seemed so similar: defensively very sound, occasionally prone to lack of invention, but good enough to win enough games to stay in the league. Now we've moved on and Birmingham look a shambles. Today they started with the polite combination of Kevin Phillips and Matt Derbyshire up front, two decent players in the right system, but the right system is one that'll give them chances. As it was the pair of them might as well have played conkers by the corner flag for 90 minutes for all the good they did.

And it probably isn't their fault. Birmingham have that solid axis of Ferguson and Bowyer in the middle of the pitch, a combination that does its job fairly well, and the flair of Larsen and Bentley on the wings. So far so good, right? Not a bit of it. Somehow the whole unit ceased to be. It was like playing against a team of hungover ex-pros.  In the past any attacking deficiencies have been papered over by a rugged 'thou shalt not pass' defence, but Fulham swept through that with ease. We scored two, and both from set pieces, but there could have been many more.

The first came after Mark Schwarzer sent a bomb of a goal kick over everyone. Ben Foster was on another planet as the ball sped towards him, his faculties returning in the nick of time for him to paw the ball wide for a corner. Smiles all around, but not for long, as Greening's cross dropped into the six yard box, where Brede Hangeland was simultaneously soaring and stooping to head home.

Fulham were passing the ball around with great comfort, a nifty mix of nice close passing and direct pumps for AJ and Zamora to work on. These two reminded us why Roy Hodgson had liked the idea of them in the first place, and Birmingham didn't know what to do about it. On the left Greening was a revelation, looking for all the world like a slightly trickier version of David Beckham with his twisting work against Stephen Carr (I have recently seen a photo of Stanley Matthews attacking Jimmy Langley, the duel being fought on the back of a combined 84 years of age, or similar; seeing Greening skinning the less than speedy Carr brought this to mind, for some reason).  Greening's passing and crossing was devilish, and it was nice for him to play so well on his return to the side.

On it went, men against upset but not combative boys for the most part.  In the second half Fulham scored early again.  Zamora missed two takeable chances, Sidwell hit the post, then another Greening corner saw chaos in the Birmingham area before Hangeland lolleyed a volley into the net from eight yards. Two for the big man.

Zamora went off and Gudjohnsen came on, and Birmingham finally got a bit of momentum, but not to the point where Fulham were troubled. Eighth place for Mark Hughes' side, who are flying.

[White Noise]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/7944340/Birmingham-City-0-Fulham-2-match-report.html


Birmingham City 0 Fulham 2: match report


Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Birmingham City and Fulham at St Andrews on Sunday May 15 2011.
      
PREVIEWLIVEREPORT

BIRMINGHAM CITY 0 - 2 FULHAM Sunday, May 15 16:00
Premier League
St Andrews (HT 0-1)
ATT: 27,759 Hangeland (5, 49)


Double strike: Brede Hangeland scored two goals for Fulham at St Andrews Photo: ACTION IMAGES By Sandy Macaskill, St Andrews 6:00PM BST 15 May 2011


Birmingham City began this match needing a victory to be virtually guaranteed of safety. After 92 minutes of utter wretchedness against a side supposedly dreaming of sandy beaches and soon-to-be-sipped Mai Tais, they ended it fully immersed in the relegation battle. Brede Hangeland supplied the goals, but Birmingham have themselves to blame.

The best thing that could be said about Alex McLeish's side was that they managed to keep 11 men on the pitch - that is until Alexander Hleb was carried away injured with over ten minutes to play and McLeish, who had used all three substitutes, was unable to summon a replacement.

The result of such miserable individual performances - the normally reliable Roger Johnson deserves special mention - is that Birmingham are only outside the relegation zone on the basis of a better goal difference than Blackpool. One goal to be precise.

It was either that the players had an attack of nervousness at the realisation that relegation is too close for comfort, or it was the product of a bunch of players who had fully expected Fulham to roll over, and who had therefore assumed safety would be easily achieved.

Judging by the self-absorbed way in which Ben Foster announced he was taking a break from England duty last week rather than wait until survival was actually sewn up, you would guess at it being the latter.

Had the goalkeeper been focusing on his upcoming match instead of making pointless press releases, the 28 year-old might not have supplied the sort of clanger which suggests he has done Fabio Capello a favour.

It was a bizarre episode, beginning with a relatively obscure kick from Mark Schwarzer, who booted the ball long from out of his hand towards the distant Birmingham area. For some reason Foster was far from his goal, and when Martin Jiranek ducked out of a header, the ball bounced high and over him. To be fair, it was a blunder of Jiranek's creation and Foster partially redeemed himself by desperately clawing the ball out for a corner, but his positioning suggested he was day-dreaming.

Before an utterly perplexed Schwarzer could shake the notion that only a centimetre of latex foam had come between him and his first goal in 17 years as a professional, Jonathan Greening had swung in a useful corner and Hangeland had bounded into the six yard box as though he had springs embedded in his boots instead of studs, and headed the ball down into floor before it bounced into the roof of the net.

One thing that you can usually rely on with Birmingham is bloody-minded defending, but Greening almost provided a second on the half hour mark when Lee Bowyer conceded a free-kick. Bobby Zamora, the closest thing to him his shadow, was given free rein to head against the far post. Birmingham had still not had a look at the Fulham goal.

Quarter of an our in the company of McLeish ought to have had an effect but the back four continued to short circuit. Steve Sidwell drove against the post straight after the resumption and Zamora had a header cleared off the line a minute later by Barry Ferguson. The ball only went as far as Hangeland. The defender raised his left leg high enough to bring a tear to a ballerina's eye and side-footed into the far corner.

Birmingham now go into the final day with their future up in the air.

Blackpool play Manchester United, but it will likely be a weakened one. Birmingham will need to take three points against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Just down the road from Wembley, the scene of their Carling Cup victory, Birmingham will fight for their future.

[White Noise]

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2011/5/15/2172149/birmingham-city-0-2-fulham


Birmingham City 0 - 2 Fulham


by Kristian Balkin on May 15, 2011 6:35 PM BST



You wait ages for a bus, and then two come along at once. The same can, thankfully, be said of Fulham's ever improving away form as the travelling fans at St Andrews left by far the happier, with a 2-0 victory to take home to London.

A well drilled and uncharacteristically dominant away display from the whites, however, was somewhat undermined by a string of yellow cards; 5 in total.

While doubts still linger, then, about the potential for European football at the Cottage next season, there was no doubt in who started the stronger in the Midlands. Four minutes had yet to be reached on the referee's stopwatch when Brede Hangeland got on the end of a wonderful Jonathan Greening cross with a fine header.

And, if Greening's inclusion was a surprise to the Fulham fans, his performance was even more so. The midfielder achieved a rare place in the starting eleven and rewarded Mark Hughes' faith in him with an exhibition of the highest calibre; his display more than likely going a long way to guaranteeing another year by the banks of the Thames.

A string of more-than-decent chances followed the opening goal for Fulham, Clint Dempsey spurring most of them. Were it not for the lacklustre finishing, the away side could have easily found themselves entering the half time break with a lead that even the strongest of sides would have had trouble clawing back.

Birmingham offered so little potency and defended so wearily that Mark Schwarzer may as well have been rendered obsolete while Fulham's front line could have easily been replaced with that of the youth teams and, given the amount of opportunities handed to Zamora and co on a plate, gone on to score many more.



However, such fortunes weren't forthcoming in the first half and Mark Hughes' men would have been more-than-wary of the intent that Birmingham would surely show in the second half as relegation began to play on the home sides' minds.

Any inspirational team talk that McLeish may have given, though, clearly didn't effect the players as Birmingham began the second half in much the same form of the first.

No wonder then that, parallel to the opening half of the game, Fulham got an early goal. Again, before 4 minutes had been played, Brede Hangeland doubled both his own, and Fulham's tally. Some awkward Birmingham defending gave the Norwegian the perfect opportunity to further concern Blue's boss Alex McLeish. A header on the line from Bobby Zamora was poorly cleared and Hangeland fired the ball back towards the goal on the volley, this time with no one to stop it.

Strangely, not long afterwards, Hughes' men took it upon themselves to derail their hopes of European football next season via the Fair Play League thanks to a flurry of yellows. A card for striker Andy Johnson, who was having a splendid match, came first, followed by cautions for Salcido, Murphy, Gudjohnsen and Dempsey.

Despite the distressing indiscipline, the away side saw out the game with unbelievable ease causing some rapturous 'oles' from the travelling faithful as Fulham's finest passing game came to the fore.

Gladly, the unnecessary cards that were picked up today at St. Andrews may well be unimportant, with the news that Spurs won 2-0 away at Liverpool, thus making the potential for European football next year that little bit greater.

Quite the Sunday then.

[White Noise]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_6934062,00.html


Bad case of the Blues

Le Tiss stunned by toothless Blues


Last Updated: May 15, 2011 7:20pm


"I'll be surprised to hear how Alex McLeish can come out and try and defend that performance because it was an absolute shambles."

Matt Le Tissier

Quotes of the week

Matt Le Tissier couldn't believe the lack of fight from Birmingham City as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Fulham.

Birmingham will go into their final game of the season at Tottenham with only goal difference separating them from a place in the bottom three after two Brede Hangeland goals secured all three points for the away side.

Le Tissier watched the game in the Soccer Special studio and reckons from the moment Fulham went ahead in the fifth minute, Alex McLeish's side gave up on the game.

"From the first five or 10 minutes it almost felt like they believed they couldn't win the game," he said.

"There was just nothing there, they couldn't get up ahead of steam at all and when Brede Hangeland got the second goal it could have been five or six by that point.

"I've never seen Fulham create so many chances away from home. They must have had at least 20 attempts on goal. Fulham don't do that away from home.

"Birmingham are a team that are meant to be fighting for their lives. That wasn't a team that was fighting for their lives.

"I'll be surprised to hear how Alex McLeish can come out and try and defend that performance because it was an absolute shambles."

Settle
Birmingham finished the game with 10 men after substitute Alex Hleb was taken off injured and instead of pressing for an equaliser they decided to settle for a 2-0 defeat.

That's because another goal conceded would have seen them slip below Blackpool into the relegation zone, as the Tangerines have scored far more goals than them this season.

And Le Tissier felt a lack of potency in the Blues strike force of Kevin Phillips and Matt Derbyshire was one of the reasons why they struggled.

He said: "Kevin Phillips is always better when he's got a physical presence around him and Derbyshire isn't that presence unfortunately.

"Phillips wasn't able to get in the game at all and didn't get a sniff of goal in the entire game.

"When Birmingham went down to 10 men they had to just dig in and leave it at 2-0 because another goal would have done some serious damage to them when you see how tight it is with the goal difference.

"They just stuck all their men back behind the ball and defended for the last 15 minutes."

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http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/05/15/2487647/fulham-manager-mark-hughes-today-was-about-showing-we-havent


Fulham manager Mark Hughes: Today was about showing we haven't switched off for the end of the season


Three points for the Cottagers is the perfect answer to critics who suggested their season was over, with another win next week giving them the chance of a seventh place finish


By Ian Murphy at St Andrew's


15 May 2011 19:15:00


Fulham manager Mark Hughes praised his side after they recorded a superb 2-0 win at St Andrew's against a Birmingham City side struggling to survive in the Premier League.

After collapsing to a 5-2 defeat at home to Liverpool last Monday, critics had suggested that Fulham's players were already on the beaches - with nothing left for the Londoners to play for in their final three games.

But goals at the start of each half from the impressive Brede Hangeland blew away Birmingham and gave Hughes' men all three points - something which clearly delighted manager Mark Hughes.

Speaking to reporters after the game, the Welshman said: "I was pleased to get the reaction I got. I didn't doubt the players. Today it was about showing we haven't switched off for the end of the season.

"We've got targets that we've set ourselves and we intend to reach them. We were fully focused and I think you could see that from the way we approached the game and thankfully we were able to get another away win which have been hard to come by.

"I think that's our third and back-to-back away wins as well, so we have made a marked improvement in terms of what we can produce on the road."

With Birmingham clearly nervous, Fulham's first goal after just four minutes could have opened the flood-gates, with only poor finishing from both Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora preventing the away side from running away with the game.

Whilst Hughes admitted he was disappointed that his side didn't take all their chances, the manager could not help but compliment his team on the way they played their football.

"We had a number of chances," he added. "Maybe we felt there was too much time and space and we didn't make the best of it and kill the game off early.

"I think everybody saw we are an accomplished team and we like to get the ball down and play the right way. And when we get our noses in front we are hard to beat."

After losing 5-2 to Liverpool just six days ago, Fulham were clearly playing to show their fans that they haven't given up on their season - despite Premier League safety being confirmed a few weeks ago.

And with their opponents struggling to avoid the drop, Hughes confirmed that his side planned to use the nervous atmosphere at St Andrew's to pile the pressure on Birmingham.

"As a club and players, you don't want to be in the situation that Birmingham have found themselves today.

"We knew that be to our advantage and if we started positively and put them under pressure then there is apprehension in the crowd and that was to our advantage.

"I think you could see that, it was a little bit frenetic at times and we were able to capitalise on that."

The Cottagers host Arsenal next weekend, knowing that three more points could see them finish the season in seventh place - their highest ever Premier League finish. And Hughes believes that would be a fitting end to what started out as a difficult season.

"We feel obviously if we can win our last home game against Arsenal, and Chelsea beat Everton, then we may be seventh," he added.

"That would cap a fantastic season for us given the initial problem we had with injuries at the start of the season. And that would be a real achievement for us."

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13406935.stm


Birmingham's Kevin Phillips preparing for £90m game



Page last updated at 18:49 GMT, Sunday, 15 May 2011 19:49 UK


Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips has called next Sunday's trip to Tottenham "a £90m game" as the Blues try to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

City need to a least match Wigan and Blackpool's results to stay up after losing 2-0 at home to Fulham.

Wigan travel to Stoke while Blackpool visit Manchester United.

And Phillips said: "They talk about the Championship play-off final being worth £90m, there's three Premier League games next week worth as much as that."

West Ham were the first top-flight side to be relegated this season after losing 3-2 at Wigan and they will be joined in the Championship next season by any two of five teams.

Birmingham, Blackpool and Stoke are all level on 39 points, with the Blues having a marginally better goal difference, while Wolves and Blackburn, who meet at Molineux on the final day of the season, are on 40 points.

"We know what we've got to do," continued Phillips. "I have been in this situation a couple of times before and we need the experienced players to come to the front and everyone to perform at White Hart Lane.

"I feel sorry for the supporters. I can only apologise."

Birmingham have been in freefall since winning the League Cup at the end of February, winning just two of their 11 league games since then.

Continue reading the main story
"Everything we had talked about we executed and it could have been more comprehensive
Fulham manager Mark Hughes
But boss Alex McLeish said the equation was straightforward enough even if the task may not be.

"We are in a dogfight," he conceded. "It's come down to one game. It's quite simple.

"The stakes are enormous and we know the consequences of going out of the Premier League.

"But it is what it is and we will come back in on Tuesday and work out how we go to White Hart Lane and beat Spurs."

Midfielder Craig Gardner and defender Liam Ridgewell will be available for McLeish after being suspended for the Fulham defeat.

"It has hurt us badly losing those two," admitted the Scot. "Suspensions and injuries have hurt us and we are down to the bare bones."

Meanwhile, Mark Hughes was encouraged by his side's third away win of the season, and second in succession after beating Sunderland 3-0 a couple of weeks ago.

"I'm very pleased," he said. "It was important we showed intent about what we want to achieve from our season.

"We had a difficult night against Liverpool on Monday but I got what I wanted from the team; we started positively and quietened the crowd and that was to our benefit.

"We took the game to Birmingham and created a number of chances.

"Everything we had talked about we executed and it could have been more comprehensive - perhaps that is my only criticism, that we didn't take all our chances.

"Not many teams come here and get positive results but we made it quite comfortable.

"We've improved our attitude on the road, we try to take the game to the opposition and we are improving.

"We are always solid at home, so if we can build on our away performances next season we can establish ourselves in the top 10."

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13364707.stm



Birmingham   0 - 2   Fulham



Hangeland rises to score the first of his two goals against Birmingham


Birmingham remain deep in relegation trouble after losing their final Premier League home game of the season 2-0 to Fulham.

The Blues started nervously with keeper Ben Foster almost beaten by a long kick from opposite number Mark Schwarzer.

Foster clawed the ball away but from the resulting corner Brede Hangeland powered in a downward header.

And the defender volleyed in a second after the break as Fulham recorded just their third away win of the season.

The result leaves Birmingham, who have won only two of their last 11 league games since their League Cup triumph in February, level on points with Blackpool and Wigan but out of the relegation zone on goal difference, by just one goal.


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Stakes massive for final game - McLeish
The Blues go to Tottenham on the last day of the season knowing a win will be enough to keep them up if Blackpool fail to win at Premier League champions Manchester United or Wigan do likewise at Stoke.

Boss Alex McLeish would have hoped to guarantee survival in their final home game of the season against a Fulham side that had won just twice on their travels this season before Sunday.

But Birmingham looked nervous in the opening exchanges and their boisterous support was almost immediately quietened when Schwarzer's booming kick downfield bounced over Foster and was heading goalwards before the Blues keeper, who this week made himself unavailable for England duty, managed to scramble the ball away for a corner.

The home fans' relief was short-lived, though, as Jonathan Greening's centre from the resultant set-piece picked out Hangeland who powered into the six-yard box and headed into the net.

The visitors looked more likely to add to their lead with Greening, who was a constant menace in the first half, switching wings and delivering a succession of teasing crosses.

He first picked out Andrew Johnson but the striker guided his header inches wide, while Bobby Zamora's glancing header from a Greening free-kick grazed the post.

The Blues fans' cheers were turning to jeers of frustration as their side struggled to retain possession - their only brief moment of hope came when Martin Jiranek improvised well to chest Stuart Parnaby's cross goalwards, but his effort clipped the wrong side of the post.

Renewed cheers greeted Birmingham after the interval but once again the crowd was silenced by a quite astonishing Fulham onslaught.


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Away form pleases Hughes
It was almost like watching the Match of the Day highlights as first Zamora headed straight at Foster from close range and then moments later chipped an attempted lob straight at the keeper.

The striker, by that stage limping after appearing to sustain an injury, was replaced soon afterwards.

Within a minute of Zamora's miss Steve Sidwell's first-time shot from 16 yards rattled the post.

The goal that Fulham's pressure deserved duly followed, just four minutes into the half, Hangeland volleying in after the home defence failed to clear another Greening corner.

Foster kept the score down and Birmingham out of the relegation zone with a string of saves, denying Sidwell, Clint Dempsey and Johnson.

Had Birmingham conceded another goal, they would have dropped into the bottom three on goals scored - the Blues have notched just 36 this season, compared to Blackpool's 53 - adding extra importance to Foster's efforts which could prove crucial in seven days' time.

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6934374,00.html


McLeish envies Fulham attack


Boss refuses to criticise players after Cottagers' domination


By Jamie Casey.   


Last Updated: May 15, 2011 8:10pm


Birmingham boss Alex McLeish admits he is envious of Fulham's attacking wealth after seeing his side comprehensively beaten by the Cottagers.

Fulham dominated in a 2-0 win at St Andrews on Sunday and perhaps should have won by a greater margin having created a series of chances.

It took a brace from centre-half Brede Hangeland to separate the sides, with the Cottagers wasting a number of chances, but McLeish was impressed with their talent.

"They're a good side, they've got six or seven forward players who we're very envious of," he told Sky Sports.

"It was always, on paper, a very hard game for us and I was a little bit concerned about it because I know the quality of that team."

Relegation scrap
The defeat means Birmingham travel to Tottenham next Sunday level on points with Wigan and Blackpool in an increasingly tight relegation battle.

McLeish only needs to better the results of their rivals and he insists his side will line up at Spurs with three points in mind.

He said: "We know the consequences of going out of it (the Premier League) but it is what it is and we've still got one game to go. We'll go to White Hart Lane to win."

The Scot refused to criticise his players, who were well off the pace against the Cottagers, and he insists he will rally his troops in preparation for their trip to North London.

"They'll not be able to shake it off as quickly as you'd think because they care, these players do care," he said.

"Come midweek, we'll be working on how we can beat Spurs."

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Fulham away form pleases Mark Hughes

BBC Video interview -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13403886.stm

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Stakes high for Birmingham's final game - Alex McLeish

BBC Video interview -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13403884.stm

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http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/birmingham-slide-into-deep-trouble-with-worrying-ease-2284688.html



Birmingham slide into deep trouble with worrying ease

Birmingham City 0 Fulham 2

By Phil Shaw at St Andrew's


Monday, 16 May 2011


Suddenly the euphoric winter's afternoon when Birmingham stunned Arsenal to lift the Carling Cup looks like a mirage or a millstone. This supine defeat by Fulham, who scored at the start of either half through defender Brede Hangeland, leaves Alex McLeish's side in danger of emulating Norwich in 1985 and becoming the second club ever to win a major trophy and be relegated.

Birmingham will step out at Tottenham on the final day with only two victories in 11 Premier League matches spread over the 77 days since Obafemi Martins' goal sparked a rhapsody in blue at Wembley. Even allowing for the fact that Martins was one of several players unavailable yesterday due to injury or suspension, Fulham won with embarrassing ease.

The permutations for Birmingham's survival run the full gamut. They could win and still go down, depending on how Wigan and Blackpool fare; they could lose and stay up, based on how many their main rivals were to lose by; and they could draw and either escape the cut or plummet into the Championship two years after escaping it.

Their manager, Alex McLeish, admitted the Carling Cup triumph had had an effect physically and mentally on his players but responded tersely to suggestions that a depleted team had not shown their customary tenacity and spirit. The Scot also struck an upbeat note about the visit to Spurs.

"It's a tough task to go there and win, but we've done it before," he said, doubtless recalling a 3-2 success at White Hart Lane in his first game with Birmingham.

McLeish added: "We've been in the situation before where it has looked impossible and it has happened for us. They've shown the character time and again, but today we were out-muscled and Fulham were terrific on the day."

Mark Hughes was delighted by Fulham's reaction to a 5-2 drubbing by Liverpool a week ago. "That's back-to-back away wins for us," the former Manchester City manager said. "It was about showing we haven't switched off. There are targets we've set ourselves and we intend to reach them. We're aiming for seventh place, which would be a real achievement."

Sod's law dictated that Ben Foster, having announced he was taking a "break" from England duty, would either produce a characteristically defiant display or a rare error. Unfortunately for Birmingham, it was the latter, the goalkeeper almost allowing a kick from the hands of his opposite number, Mark Schwarzer, to sneak past him. Foster clawed the ball behind, only for Hangeland to head in from Jonathan Greening's corner.

Fulham, relaxed and confident, sensed what Hughes termed the "apprehension" in Birmingham and could have been two up by the half-hour. From a free-kick by Greening, Bobby Zamora glanced the ball against the far post. The reprieve seemed to stir McLeish's side, and a low cross by the overlapping Stuart Parnaby was met by the chest of Martin Jiranek only for the ball to flash across the goal on its way behind.

Birmingham briefly took the game to Fulham. The old hands in central midfield, Barry Ferguson and Lee Bowyer, increased their efforts to wrest ascendancy from Danny Murphy and Steve Sidwell. David Bentley, restored to the team after failing to make the bench against Wolves in the previous home fixture, demonstrated a desire to atone for not staying for the match on that occasion with some clever wing play and crosses.

Another half, another early corner and another "soft goal", as McLeish saw it, for Hangeland. Greening's kick struck Jiranek and looped into the air for Zamora to leap for what looked a certain goal. Ferguson cleared off the line, although only to Hangeland, whose benefit match continued with his seventh goal of the season, an eight-yard volley.

Foster achieved redemption of a sort with a diving save from Eidur Gudjohnsen, while Sidwell fired against a post, at least sparing the hosts further damage to their already problematic goal difference. The sight of substitute Aleksandr Hleb being carried off after a foul by Gudjohnsen, leaving Birmingham with 10 men for the last 12 minutes, merely compounded the sense that a fraught final week waits ahead of them.

Substitutes: Birmingham Hleb (Bowyer, 50), Beausejour (Parnaby, 56), Davies (Jiranek, 67). Fulham Gudjohnsen (Zamora, 50), Etuhu (Murphy 71), Gera (Dempsey, 89).

Booked: Birmingham None. Fulham Salcido, Murphy, Johnson, Gudjohnsen.

Man of the match: Hangeland. Match rating: 6/10. Possession: Birmingham 60% Fulham 40%. Attempts on target: Birmingham 2 Fulham 9. Referee: P Walton (Northants).

Attendance: 27,759.