Friday Fulham Stuff (16/09/11)...

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Cottagers chasing Halliche

Fulham have applied to the Premier League for special dispensation to add Rafik Halliche to their squad, Press Association Sport understands.

The Algeria international was set to join recently-promoted Swansea but it was revealed on Thursday that their loan deal has been vetoed by FIFA.

Halliche and Lens defender Daniel Situ both agreed moves to south Wales but had international clearance rejected by football's world governing body after minor delays in processing the transfers.

With the deadline day transfers falling through, Fulham are now seeking to add Halliche to their Premier League squad.

The Cottagers only registered 23 out of the 25 players allowed and Press Association Sport understands they have contacted the Premier League to request the Algerian's addition.

However, Fulham's application will depend on whether Swansea successfully appeal FIFA's decision.

The Swans are awaiting written confirmation from the governing body before deciding whether to appeal the decision, which came despite the Premier League, the Football Association of Wales, the Football Association, the French Football Federation and the Professional Footballers' Association all fighting their corner.



http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/cottagers-chasing-halliche-18692/?

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Fulham 1 FC Twente 1: Schwarzer's own goal sees spoils shared at Craven Cottage

Andy Johnson did his chances of a new Fulham contract no harm as he continued his prolific European goalscoring form.
The forward hit his fourth goal of the season to put Martin Jol's side ahead against FC Twente at Craven Cottage before Mark Schwarzer's unfortunate own goal saw Fulham settle for a point.
Johnson has been locked in contract talks with the Cottagers for weeks and yesterday's goal could just quicken up the process of the former Everton man extending his stay in west London.

But despite his excellent Europa League goal tally, Johnson is still to open his account domestically and Jol admits he is at a loss to explain his the striker's contrast in fortunes.
Jol said: 'He took his goal very well tonight, even though it came from a mistake.
'Why is he scoring in Europe and not in the Premier League? I can't put a reason on that, I don't know why it's been like that.
'I felt we had a good first half but their goal came out of the blue. Because we conceded the goal we tried to force the issue and they had space to hit us on the break.
'It's not the first tIme where we've been the better team and not won the game this season. It was the same against Aston Villa and Blackburn. That is a worry for us.' On Johnson's contract situation, Jol added: 'His contract? I think we are very close to agreeing something.'
Jol handed Zdenek Grygera, a transfer deadline day signing from Juventus, his debut at right-back while Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff were rested with Sunday's clash against Manchester City in mind.


Off the mark: Andy Johnson gives Fulham the lead

MATCH FACTS
Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hangeland, Grygera, Briggs (Senderos 83), Kasami (Duff 74), Sidwell, Murphy, Dempsey, Johnson (Zamora 66), Dembele.
Subs not used: Etheridge, Kelly, Orlando Sa, Gecov.
Yellow cards: Grygera, Senderos, Murphy, Dempsey.
Scorer: Johnson 19.
FC Twente: Mihailov, Cornelisse, Douglas, Wisgerhof, Tiendalli, Rosales, Janssen (Landzaat 83), Brama, Fer, John (Bajrami 68), de Jong.
Subs not used: Boschker, Bengtsson, Berghuis, Leugers, Janko.
Yellow cards: Rosales, Brama.
Scorer: Schwarzer (og) 41.
Attendance: 14,110.
Referee: Antonio Damato (Italy).

Ola John - brother of former Fulham striker Collins - created the first chance, forcing Mark Schwarzer into a comfortable save with a shot from the edge of the box in the ninth minute.

Clint Dempsey forced Nikolay Mihalov into a trickier stop four minutes later with a crisp drive from 20 yards before Johnson pounced on a horrific Dwight Tiendalli blunder to draw first blood.

The FC Twente left-back inexplicable played a square ball right into the path of Johnson who cooly chipped Mihaylov to secure Fulham a 19th minute lead.

Co Adriaanse's side should have equalised in the 32nd minute - but Luuk de Jong's header from Roberto Rosales' cross was expertly saved low down to his right by Schwarzer. 
 
However, De Jong was luckier three minutes before the break when his firm header from another Rosales centre rebounded off the post onto Schwarzer's head and over the line to level.


Hot pursuit: Luuk de Jong chases Fulham's Brede Hangeland

Fulham came out of the second half traps flying as they looked to regain the initiative.

Dempsey sent an awkward diving header from Pajtim Kasami's cross wide before Johnson missed a guild-edged chance to double his tally for the night inside the opening.

And the home side kept searching for their second and Steve Sidwell should have at least hit the target with a free header after another Kasami cross.

Fulham continued to dominate proceedings without creating any clear cut chances, and Jol knew it.

The Dutchman threw on Zamora and Duff in closing stages, a clear sign of his intentions to get their Europa League group stage off to a winning start.

   
What's he doing here? Former Twente boss Steve McClaren (left) was on hand to view his former charges as Martin Jol looks chipper before kick-off

But his final throws of the dice failed to have the desired effect as Fulham failed to break down FC Twente's well-drilled back-four.

And the Eredivisie side enjoyed the better of the closing exchanges and came within inches of snatching a victory in the closing stages when Rosales angled drive flew just past Schwarzer's far post.

'I thought we were good, we created chances against a good team,' insisted Fulham forward Dempsey.

'We were confident on ball, we caused them problems and unlucky not to win. So long as we keep creating chances we will score.' FC Twente manager Adriaanse said: 'If you look at the course of the game they applied a lot of pressure on us in phases and the goal we conceded was a mistake caused by ourselves.


Wreaking havoc: Clint Dempsey and Johnson give the Twente defence something to think about

'That caused us problems mentally because we knew then we had to score ourselves. But we showed a good mentality to come back into the game.

'Towards the end Jol made strong substitutions and had his strongest team on the pitch. We expected a lot of pressure fro them then but we played our own game and we could have won the game in the end.'




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2037960/Fulham-1-FC-Twente-1-Mark-Schwarzers-goal-sees-spoils-shared-Craven-Cottage.html#ixzz1Y5nOoa3i

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Fulham begin Europa League group stage with a whimper against Twente

Europa League Group K: Fulham 1 FC Twente 1

Fulham began their Europa League Group K campaign in disappointing fashion after drawing 1-1 with Dutch side FC Twente.

Boss Martin Jol rested a number of players ahead of their Premier League encounter with Manchester City this Sunday and it was a tough match for the hosts against a side who would have being playing Champions League football were they not eliminated by Benfica.

Andy Johnson had given the Whites a 19th minute lead, but Luuk de Jong- who like team mate Douglas was a strong candidate for man of the match- equalised five minutes before the break.

Fulham have made a poor start to the Premier League season and are yet to pick up a win, but started the stronger.

The ever dangerous Clint Dempsey forced a good save from Nikolay Mihaylov after 14 minutes when he bruised his way through to hit a decent left footed drive which was parried by the stopper.

After a scrappy 15 minutes where both sides struggled to keep the ball, Fulham took the lead after a piece of awful play from Dwight Tiendall.

Rule number one of the defending handbook is do not pass the ball across your own goal. It is what you are taught as a child. However amnesia seemingly took hold of the Twente left back as he played the ball blind straight into the path of Johnson, who was on hand to poke past a helpless Mihaylov.

The goal spurred on the hosts and Danny Murphy almost headed home a second, as he went close to catching out the Bulgarian stopper at his near post.

Twente however fought back and young striker de Jong should have done better with a free header from 12 yards out, as Schwarzer dealt with the weak header with some ease.

The visitors looked dangerous on the counter attack and five minutes before the break they were level. De Jong, who lead the line extremely well, leapt high to direct a header goalwards and although his header hit the post it deflected onto Schwarzer and into the net.

Both sides began the second period tentatively, but after 52 minutes Dempsey almost gave his side the lead with a glancing header at the far post from a Pajtim Kasami cross, which just bounced the wrong side of the box.

Fulham were in control and after 57 minutes Johnson should have doubled his tally, but when the ball bounced to him near the penalty spot and with just Mihaylov to beat, hit his shot straight at the Twente goalkeeper.

From the edge of the area Dempsey forced another good diving stop from the Bulgarian after 63 minutes, as the hosts managed to carve out chances, something they failed to do in their league match against Blackburn last Sunday.

However just like Gael Givet impressed for Rovers at the weekend, Douglas was imperious for Twente and were it not for the Brazilian, the hosts would have created many more opportunities.

Pace and strength personified, his excellent reading of the game was matched by his hardness in the tackle.

Bobby Zamora replaced the impressive Johnson with 25 minutes left but had little impact on the game as both teams had to settle for a point.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hangeland, Grygera, Briggs (Senderos 81), Dempsey, Murphy, Sidwell, Kasami (Duff 74), Johnson (Zamora 66), Dembele.

Subs: Etheridge, Kelly, Sa, Gecov..

FC Twente: Mihaylov, Cornelisse, Douglas, Wisgerhof, Tiendalli, Rosales, Janssen (Landzaat 84), Brama, de Jong, John (Bajrami 68).

Subs: Boschker, Bengtsson, Berghuis, Leugers, Janko.




http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_begin_europa_league_group_stage_with_a_whimper_against_twente_1_1024224?

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Freak bounce gives Twente point at Fulham

A freak deflection off Mark Schwarzer cost Fulham FC victory in their UEFA Europa League Group K opener against FC Twente.

The 2010 finalists seemed on course when Andrew Johnson gave them an early lead. However, a ricochet off Schwarzer following Luuk de Jong's header on 41 minutes ensured Twente a useful point, though Fulham's unbeaten European record at Craven Cottage remains.

Twente began with De Jong at centre forward and regular right-back Roberto Rosales pushed into wide attack in Marc Janko's absence as they continue to regroup after Bryan Ruiz's departure for Fulham. And the visitors began in a lively manner as they aimed to win in England for the first time.

It was Fulham, including debutant Zdeněk Grygera, who had the first good chance though, Clint Dempsey forcing Nikolay Mihaylov into a diving save. Mihaylov was beaten on 19 minutes when Johnson pounced on a back pass from Dwight Tiendalli, made space in the box and produced a lofted side-foot finish off the far post.

At the other end, Schwarzer had to get down well to deny De Jong and the goalkeeper also saved from Willem Janssen. It was still a surprise, though, when a Rosales cross was inadvertently flicked by Steve Sidwell to De Jong, whose header bounced in off the inside of a post and the luckless Schwarzer.

Dempsey nearly restored Fulham's lead on 53 minutes, turning Pajtim Kasami's cross wide and Mihaylov bravely blocked from Johnson at close range. It was not constant Fulham pressure but when they attacked they were dangerous, Dempsey again testing Mihaylov.

Gradually, though, Twente began to see more of the ball and not even Bobby Zamora's introduction could edge the game back in Fulham's favour. The home side even needed the impressive Matthew Briggs to block from Tim Cornelisse, before Rosales curled wide in added time.



http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2012/matches/round=2000272/match=2007296/postmatch/report/index.html?rss=1669256+Freak+bounce+gives+Twente+point+at+Fulham

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Fulham held by Twente
Former Europa League finalists fail to find a win at home

Fulham got their Europa League campaign up and running with a draw at Craven Cottage as they were held 1-1 by FC Twente.

Andy Johnson took full advantage of a defensive blunder as a latched on to a loose ball to finish from an acute angle with a tidy finish to check a bright Twente start.

Luuk de Jong then rose to head home an equaliser four minutes before the interval but it was deemed an own goal as it went in off the back of Mark Schwarzer's head.

The west Londoners impressed throughout and took the lead courtesy of Johnson, who finished with aplomb after latching onto Dwight Tiendalli's square ball.

Despite a performance that belied their poor Premier League showings, Schwarzer's own goal forced the teams to share the points at the end of the Group K encounter.

Much of the talk heading into the game was about Bryan Ruiz, who joined the Cottagers from Twente on transfer deadline day but was ineligible to face his former club.

The absence of the Costa Rica international was one of six changes following the weekend's 1-1 draw with Blackburn, with debutant Zdenek Grygera the most notable inclusion.

Twente, who started the season in the Champions League qualifying stages, made one alteration to the side that lost 2-1 at Roda JC on Saturday, replacing top scorer Marc Janko with Roberto Rosales.

Tentative

After a tentative start, the visitors had the first shot on goal after eight minutes through Ola John, brother of former Fulham striker Collins John, but Schwarzer saved the tame effort easily.

Fulham looked the brighter of the two teams during the opening exchanges and, after seeing a couple of chances thwarted, Clint Dempsey went close.

The United States international jinked through the middle and unleashed a low drive that former Liverpool reserve goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov did well to parry, before the defence cleared.

Dempsey and Mousa Dembele were having a lively start to the game and the latter blazed over shortly after as the Cottagers upped the ante.

The pressure paid off after 19 minutes when Johnson intercepted a pass across the back by Tiendalli and flicked past Mihaylov.

Fulham continued to press the Twente backline after taking the lead, with Danny Murphy going close after collecting Brede Hangeland's superb looping ball from the halfway line.

Despite the home side's dominance, the 2009/10 Dutch champions still showed flashes of class and De Jong was unlucky to see a powerful header saved by Schwarzer.

Fulham were made to pay for their inept finishing in the 40th minute when Twente levelled.

Superbly
Minutes after Schwarzer superbly saved a long-range Willem Janssen effort, De Jong's header bounced off the post and rebounded into the net off the back of the goalkeeper's head.

The second period started relatively slowly before bursting into life when Dempsey headed Pajtim Kasami's cross just wide at the back post.

The effort spurred the home side on and, after a few good moves broke down, Johnson forced Mihaylov into a quick reaction save after a melee in the box.

Fulham fans felt Dempsey should have been awarded a penalty in the build-up and were further frustrated when the Texan then saw an effort saved after a fine run from Dembele.

The Whites were looking far more creative than they have done so far this season and continued to attack, with Steve Sidwell flashing a header over as the match entered the final 20 minutes.

With their former manager Steve McClaren watching on, Twente came into the game more as they searched for a first win against English opposition in 12 attempts.

However, wayward finishing and resolute defending from Fulham kept the Enschede-based side at bay as the match petered out, earning the sides a point apiece.

Fulham   Team Statistics   FC Twente
1          Goals                          1
1          1st Half Goals               1
4          Shots on Target            5
6          Shots off Target            5
3          Blocked Shots              3
5          Corners                      4
16          Fouls                         13
4          Offsides                      0
4          Yellow Cards                2
0          Red Cards                    0
81.1          Passing Success        80.1
23          Tackles                      26
87          Tackles Success        61.5
47.7          Possession               52.3
55          Territorial Advantage    45




http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_7179251,00.html?

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All square at the Cottage in Fulham FC's Dutch opener

FULHAM had to settle for a share of the spoils in their opening Europa League group stage game – but can take heart from a decent display in their first really awkward test in the competition so far.

Martin Jol may be no fan of Thursday night football, but his charges show no signs of any aversion and will feel they carved out enough openings to have claimed a win.

As it is, they are now undefeated in all 21 of their home matches in Europe since those first tentative Intertoto steps nine years ago.

The Fulham boss, up against a club he graced in his playing days, believes the disruption Europa League cause to his club's domestic needs could be damaging and longs for Wednesday night games. But his players seem invigorated by the adventure.

It helped their continuing confidence on this stage that FC Twente obligingly handed the Whites a head start at the Cottage.

A suicidal pass across the face of his own goal by left back Dwight Tiendalli – the sort of mistake drummed out of players at school – was pounced on by a grateful Andy Johnson in the 19th minute.

The striker shrugged off a challenge from Twente skipper Peter Wisgerhof and calmly dinked over keeper Nikolay Mihaylov to net off the far post.

It was his fourth of the season. All of them have been in home European games.

The visitors, third in the Eredivisie League, were no pushovers though, and carried a threat before their 41st minute equaliser – Luuk de Jong's header finding the net via a post and the back of a diving Mark Schwarzer, who has to get the unwanted goal credit.

De Jong had already forced Schwarzer to get down low to another header by then, while Willem Janssen had flashed a low shot from outside the area which also demanded full attention from the keeper.

Clint Dempsey epitomised Fulham's appetite for the competition. The American went close with a stooping header after the break before wriggling past two defenders to create an opening for Johnson that should have been put away – AJ's shot being blocked by an exposed Mihaylov.

As Fulham stepped up the pace, Dempsey had a drive saved and Steve Sidwell went close with a header as he raced onto a cross from the right by Pajtim Kasami.

But the attacks did fizzle out, even after Bobby Zamora had come on for Johnson and no-one could have many serious complaints about the final score.

Line-up: Schwarzer, Grygera, Baird, Hangeland, Briggs (Senderos 81); Kasami (Duff 74), Murphy, Sidwell, Dempsey; Johnson (Zamora 66), Dembele. Subs not used: Etheridge, Kelly, Sa, Gecov. Attendance: 14,110



http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/09/15/all-square-at-the-cottage-in-fulham-fc-s-dutch-opener-64767-29431676/?

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Fulham pegged back by FC Twente thanks to Mark Schwarzer's own goal


Fulham's Pajtim Kasami challenges FC Twente's Dwight Tiendalli.
Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images

Martin Jol hopes to be involved in European club football's secondary competition post-Christmas despite the fact it can cause players to wilt as spring arrives, and after a Group K opener in which his Fulham side spurned countless chances, he should not reassess.

If Clint Dempsey's radar had been working, an abacus would have been required to tally the sack of goals he might have claimed, and Jol's players would have collected a deserved win. Instead, they ended with a point due the American's profligacy and FC Twente equalising Andrew Johnson's opener with their only real chance: a Luuk de Jong header that hit a post and deflected into the net off Mark Schwarzer's head.

Jol rued those missed chances, though he refused to blame Dempsey, who he praised before kick-off as among Europe's more prolific finishers from the wide left position. "In the first half we should have been two or three up. When you put them under that sort of pressure you should be winning," the manager said. "If you don't put the goals away you get frustrated and put pressure on yourself. The only thing now is that we have to put the chances away."

On Dempsey he stuck to his assessment, adding: "I was not surprised [he missed so many chances], Clint is one of the most productive players in England from that flank and I told him it's not just him [who missed]."

Jol had also offered a pre-game verdict on Johnson, stating was that he is the club's only natural poacher, characterising Bobby Zamora as a scorer of impressive individual goals.

Johnson's opener illustrated his manager's point, and the Dutchman was quick to reiterate it to the gang of players who ran to the bench to celebrate by pointing a finger and mouthing: "I told you so."

Dwight Tiendalli, though, will want no telling that he was to blame for the mistake that led to the goal. From a left-back position his pass curved across the pitch and failed to reach his captain, Peter Wisgerhof, who was outmuscled by the 30-year-old Johnson, who dinked a finish beyond the flailing Nikolay Mihaylov.

Until Twente's equaliser all of the action was at the opposing end, with Dempsey involved in the majority. A first effort forced a corner from which a clever move ensued, Danny Murphy wrong-footing the visiting defence by sliding the delivery along the floor to Dempsey. With the time available Mihaylov should have been worked, but the attempt was too easily snuffed out.

Dempsey's next chances arrived immediately. The first came from a Moussa Dembélé pass through the inside-right channel, where the forward again tried to create an opening, but was shepherded to safety. Next came the best attempt – a 15-yard effort that finally worried Mihaylov, causing the goalkeeper to make a low save. Fulham continued to dominate, but four minutes before the interval Twente levelled.

Roberto Rosales, a Venezuelan midfielder, bent in a cross, De Jong headed powerfully against Schwarzer's left post before the ball ricocheted off the Australian's head and in.

"The boy didn't know very much about the header, it just hit him and hit the post and the back of my head," the goalkeeper said. "These things happen – it is frustrating as it happened when we were dominating and without them creating anything major."

Zamora, Damien Duff and Philippe Senderos had been left on the bench by Jol in the now customary nod to the Premier League's greater priority. By the end all had been introduced, but they had no effect on the result.

They will have other chances. As Johnson said: "We're disappointed we didn't win, but it's a long old slog."




http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/sep/15/fulham-fc-twente-europa-league?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+%28Football%29

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Fulham 1-1 FC Twente


Johnson capitalised on an awful piece of Twente defending

Fulham opened their Europa League group campaign with an entertaining draw against Dutch side FC Twente.

Andrew Johnson profited from an awful pass across goal by Dwight Tiendalli to put Fulham ahead with a precise finish.

Twente drew level when a header from Luuk de Jong hit the post and went in off the unfortunate Mark Schwarzer.

The Fulham keeper also made good saves from De Jong and Willem Janssen, while Nikolay Mihaylov denied Clint Dempsey and Johnson.

The result ensured that the Cottagers, finalists in this competition in 2010, extended their proud unbeaten home record in Europe to 21 games, but the draw means that Martin Jol's side have now failed to win any of their last five games.

Fulham certainly deserved at least a point, although their Dutch opponents did have periods in the game when they dominated possession and looked threatening.

Twente, coached by the experienced Co Adriaanse, settled quickly and Ola John, younger brother of former Cottager Collins, should perhaps have given them an early lead with a 20-yard strike but his weak effort was easily saved.

It took Fulham time to gain a foothold in the contest but they made inroads with their purposeful running at goal and Dempsey forced a smart low save with a crisp effort from the edge of the area.

The London side benefited from some atrocious defending for their opener, with Tiendalli attempting to pass the ball across the face of his team's 18-yard line but failing to account for the alert Johnson.

The Fulham striker, one of six changes from the team that drew with Blackburn, intercepted the pass, brushed off Peter Wisgerhof and lifted the ball beyond the advancing Mihaylov from a tight angle for his fourth goal of the season.

There was a confidence and ambition about Fulham's play as they tried to extend their lead and Danny Murphy lost the troubled left-back Tiendalli but headed Brede Hangeland's cross wide.

However, Twente regrouped before the break and drew two fine saves from Schwarzer - first from a De Jong header and then a low strike from Janssen - before the Dutch side equalised.

Steve Sidwell appeared to get a touch to a teasing cross from Roberto Rosales but it was not enough to prevent De Jong from heading against the post before the ball struck the unlucky Schwarzer and rolled over the line.

Jol's team regrouped at the break and dominated after the restart, with Dempsey heading wide and Johnson drawing a world-class save from Mihaylov with a strike from 12 yards.

The ball had run invitingly to Johnson after Dempsey had gone down under a challenge from Tim Cornelisse but referee Antonio Damato waved away Fulham's penalty appeals.

Dempsey had a shot on the turn saved and Sidwell headed wide, while Jol introduced Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff as his team searched for a winner.

Twente started to threaten once again in the closing stages but Fulham, who play Danish side Odense in their next Europa League fixture, held firm.

Fulham boss Martin Jol: "I felt you can't do more than we did in the first half.

"Everything went well. We pressed them at the right times and scored from that period as well.

"We played good football and the second half was probably different because we tried to force the issue.

"Then they had some space to hit us on the break and they did that a couple of times. That is the only thing. If you don't score goals easily enough then you still have to try to."

Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hangeland, Grygera, Briggs (Senderos 81), Kasami (Duff 73), Sidwell, Murphy, Dempsey, Johnson (Zamora 66), Dembele. Subs Not Used: Etheridge, Kelly, Orlando Sa, Gecov.

Booked: Grygera,Murphy,Senderos,Dempsey.

Goals: Johnson 19.

FC Twente: Mihailov, Cornelisse, Douglas, Wisgerhof, Tiendalli, Rosales, Janssen (Landzaat 83), Brama, Fer, John (Bajrami 67), de Jong. Subs Not Used: Boschker, Bengtsson, Berghuis, Leugers, Janko.

Booked: Brama, Rosales.

Goals: Schwarzer 41 og.

Att: 14,110

Ref: Antonio Damato (Italy).



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14940989.stm?

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Schwarzer blunder costs Cottagers point


Fulham 1 FC Twente 1

Mark Schwarzer's own goal condemned Fulham to a frustrating draw with FC Twente in a Europa League tie which they dominated for the most part.

The Australia international was unfortunate to deflect home a Luuk de Jong header that rebounded off the post, against the goalkeeper, and in.

While Fulham's unbeaten European record at Craven Cottage remains intact, manager Martin Jol will have been frustrated to draw with the club he once played for.

The west Londoners impressed throughout and took the lead courtesy of Andrew Johnson, who finished with aplomb after latching onto Dwight Tiendalli's square ball.

Despite a performance that belied their poor Barclays Premier League showings, Schwarzer's own goal forced the teams to share the points at the end of the Group K encounter.

Much of the talk heading into the game was about Bryan Ruiz, who joined the Cottagers from Twente on transfer deadline day but was ineligible to face his former club.

The absence of the Costa Rica international was one of six changes following the weekend's 1-1 draw with Blackburn, with debutant Zdenek Grygera the most notable inclusion.

Twente, who started the season in the Champions League qualifying stages, made one alteration to the side that lost 2-1 at Roda JC on Saturday, replacing top scorer Marc Janko with Roberto Rosales.

After a tentative start, the visitors had the first shot on goal after eight minutes through Ola John, brother of former Fulham striker Collins John, but Schwarzer saved the tame effort easily.

Fulham looked the brighter of the two teams during the opening exchanges and, after seeing a couple of chances thwarted, Clint Dempsey went close.

The United States international jinked through the middle and unleashed a low drive that former Liverpool reserve goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov did well to parry, before the defence cleared.

Dempsey and Mousa Dembele were having a lively start to the game and the latter blazed over shortly after as the Cottagers upped the ante.

The pressure paid off after 19 minutes when Johnson intercepted a pass across the back by Tiendalli and flicked past Mihaylov.

Fulham continued to press the Twente backline after taking the lead, with Danny Murphy going close after collecting Brede Hangeland's superb looping ball from the halfway line.

Despite the home side's dominance, the 2009/10 Dutch champions still showed flashes of class and De Jong was unlucky to see a powerful header saved by Schwarzer.

Fulham were made to pay for their inept finishing in the 40th minute when Twente levelled.

Minutes after Schwarzer superbly saved a long-range Willem Janssen effort, De Jong's header bounced off the post and rebounded into the net off the back of the goalkeeper's head.

The second period started relatively slowly before bursting into life when Dempsey headed Pajtim Kasami's cross just wide at the back post.

The effort spurred the home side on and, after a few good moves broke down, Johnson forced Mihaylov into a quick reaction save after a melee in the box.

Fulham fans felt Dempsey should have been awarded a penalty in the build-up and were further frustrated when the Texan then saw an effort saved after a fine run from Dembele.

The Whites were looking far more creative than they have done so far this season and continued to attack, with Steve Sidwell flashing a header over as the match entered the final 20 minutes.

With their former manager Steve McClaren watching on, Twente came into the game more as they searched for a first win against English opposition in 12 attempts.

However, wayward finishing and resolute defending from Fulham kept the Enschede-based side at bay as the match petered out, earning the sides a point apiece.



http://www.eecho.ie/news/sport/schwarzer-blunder-costs-cottagers-point-520746.html?

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Fulham 1 FC Twente 1: match report
Read a full match report of the Uefa Europa League Group E game between Fulham v FC Twente at Craven Cottage on Thursday September 15 2011.


Scrap for it: Twente's Tim Cornelisse (left) battles with Andrew Johnson (floor) during the
Europa League Group K clash Photo: AP

Martin Jol had previous experience of being thwarted by FC Twente and Fulham season still awaits lift-off after this humdrum draw.

It was Twente who pipped Jol's Ajax to the Dutch title in 2010 and, with then Twente manager Steve McClaren watching from the stands, they came from behind to claim a point in the opening game of the group stage of the Europa League.

With rampant Manchester City the visitors to Craven Cottage on Sunday and a trip to Chelsea in the Carling Cup to follow, things are unlikely to improve much for Jol and his team very soon.

What was once a source of adventure and wonder for the club and its fans has become an unwelcome, potentially lengthy distraction from what may turn into a long and hard season.

The buccaneering run all the way to the final of Europe's second tier competition two seasons ago seems a lifetime away.

In mid September, Jol already faces the dilemma of whether to save his first team for the Premier League or put out a strong side in the hope of wins which would build momentum and belief. On Thursday night he made six changes from the draw against Blackburn and, sure enough, Fulham were neither one thing nor the other.

Incredibly, this was their ninth game in a competition that makes the Rugby World Cup seem rushed. The club's supporters are already tiring of a journey which began on June 30, judging by the empty seats at Craven Cottage, but Andrew Johnson, at least, seems to enjoy it.

A terribly misjudged pass by Twente left-back Dwight Tiendalli let Johnson in and, after seeing off a poor challenge by visiting captain Peter Wisgerhof, the former England striker finished neatly to claim his fourth Europa League goal.

After the goal there were small signs of a Fulham side low on confidence finding their feet, with some better passing and composure, but Mark Schwarzer also had to make a couple of smart, if straightforward, saves before Twente's fortuitous equaliser. Steve Sidwell inadvertently flicked on a cross and the ball hit target man Luuk de Jong on the head, struck the post, then ricocheted off Schwarzer's head and over the line.

In the stands, McClaren shook his head in disbelief.

The frustration continued in the second half, with Clint Dempsey, the hero of the run to the final, heading just wide and Johnson wasting a great chance to restore the lead by allowing Nikolay Mihaylov to save with his legs. Mihaylov then beat out a Dempsey shot and Sidwell headed some distance over the bar when well placed.

There was little else to excite the home crowd, beyond some questionable decisions by the Italian officials and the lingering sense that a game which had never been less than full-blooded might actually turn a bit nasty. Fulham fans are starting to have the same uneasy feeling about the season as a whole.

Match details
Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Grygera, Baird, Hangeland, Briggs; Kasami, Sidwell, Murphy, Dempsey; Dembele, Johnson.Subs: Etheridge, Kelly, Sa, Senderos, Gecov, Duff, Zamora.

FC Twente (4-1-4-1): Mihaylov; Cornelisse, Douglas, Wisgerhof, Tiendalli; Brama; Rosales, Janssen, Fer, John; De Jong.Subs: Boschker, Bengtsson, Landzaat, Bajrami, Berghuis, Leugers, Janko.
Referee: A Damato (Italy).



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8764776/Fulham-1-FC-Twente-1-match-report.html?

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Fulham 1-1 FC Twente: Andrew Johnson's clinical first half strike canceled out by Luuk de Jong header

Fulham started off its Europa League campaign with a hard-earned 1-1 draw at home against Dutch visitors FC Twente.

Despite starting the brighter of the two and taking the lead through Andrew Johnson pouncing on some lackadaisical defending, Twente found its back level after Luuk de Jong converted with his head just before the interval.

The hosts continued in the second half in the same dominant manner that characterised the first, though were unable to to find a breakthrough after effectively laying siege to the visitor's goal.

Perhaps considering the visit of Manchester City to Craven Cottage at the weekend, Martin Jol decided to rest a number of key figures, most notably Philippe Senderos, Damien Duff and Bobby Zamora. Drafted in were Pajtim Kamasi, Moussa Dembele and debutant Zdenek Grygera.


The passage of the duo into Europa League Group K could not have been more contrasting, with the hosts undertaking the grueling process of eight qualifying matches and Twente taking the step down after failing to make the grade in the Champions League.

More robust in the challenge and intent in attack, Fulham began to assert its dominance on the game and it came as little surprise when Johnson opened the scoring. The former Everton striker pounced on Dwight Tiendalli's woeful pass across his own defense, nipping in and lofting the ball over Mihaylov and in off the post.

Danny Murphy then went close when his header from a long, hopeful Brede Hangeland ball into the box flew into the near post side-netting, while up the other end de Jong's headed effort was on target, but Schwarzer was equal to it.

At the second time of asking though, de Jong came up with the goods as Rosales crossed in from the right, allowing the striker to take advantage of a nick off of Steve Sidwell to plant a firm header against the upright, which rather fortuitously bounced off the back of Schwarzer and into the net.

Fulham continued to stay on the front foot and had a penalty call denied when Dempsey turned and stumbled in the box under some close attention from the opposition defence.

Moments later, Dempsey was at it again, forcing Mihaylov to palm away a rasping drive from the edge of the area as Fulham began to gather more momentum for the final third of the game, bringing on Bobby Zamora to replace Johnson.

Aside from Roberto Rosales' effort that fizzed just past the post, from there on the game petered out with little incident allowing Fulham to extend its undefeated stretch at home in Europe to 21 games. However, the most pertinent talking point will be another game in which Jol's team dominated without managing to seal victory.



http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=goal-fulhamfctwenteandrewjohnson

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Jol rues missed chances
Europa League frustration for 2010 finalists in opening game


Jol: Wanted to see his side get off to a winning start in the Europa League

Fulham boss Martin Jol struggled to hide his frustration as they were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Twente in their Europa League Group K game.

Andy Johnson showed he had shaken off all his injury concerns as he latched onto a defensive blunder to finish with aplomb from an acute angle after 19 minutes.

Yet, despite controlling the possession, they failed to make the most of it and add the second goal.

Twente then found a way through in the 41st minute when Luuk de Jong's header came off the post and onto the back of Mark Schwarzer's head to bring them level.

Pressure

"In the first half we should have been two or three up. Of course they're a good team but when you put them under that sort of pressure you should be winning," Jol said.

"We still wanted to play with four forward players but if you don't put the goals away you get frustrated and put pressure on yourself. The only thing now is that we have to put the chances away."

Johnson, who scored his fourth goal of the term, also struggled to contain his disappointment but believes the point has set them up for the rest of the group.

Disappointed

"We started well and played well enough to come away with the points so I think we're disappointed, but it's a long slog and to get a point early on (in the group) is pleasing," he said.

Johnson is battling back from injury problems and has an extra incentive to lead 2010 finalists Fulhamon another lengthy Europa League campaign.

He added: "I missed out on being in the final and I played in the early games last season, so I'm delighted to be fit now and scoring goals, and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead."




http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11959_7179626,00.html?

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Jol frustrated after Fulham draw

Boss Martin Jol spoke of his frustration after Fulham could only draw with FC Twente despite dominating much of the game.

Andrew Johnson put the Whites ahead in their opening Europa League group match, but Luuk de Jong's equaliser secured a point for the Dutch visitors.

The well-taken goal by Johnson, who according to Jol is "close" to signing the new contract he has been discussing, put Fulham in the driving seat.

But after Twente's fortuitous leveller, the home team's wastefulness meant a third draw in four matches at Craven Cottage

Jol admitted: "It was the same story. Again we were the better team, but when you don't score after that kind of pressure it's always disappointing.

"To draw at home again is disappointing – especially when you see the quality of the players we have up front.

"I feel, especially at home, that we need to take the game to the opposition and score goals, which is what we tried to do.

"We played good football in the first half, but in the second we tried to force the issue and that left space at the back for them to counter attack."



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/jol-frustrated-after-fulham-draw/?

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FC Twente play Fulham to 1-1 draw

Enschede team FC Twente played London club Fulham to a 1-1 draw in an away game on Thursday evening. The two goals were both made before half time.

A blunder by Dwight Tiendalli allowed Andrew Johnson to put Fulham in the lead after just 19 minutes. Tiendalli, back in the starting line-up this season, made a rookie mistake by counter-attacking through his own centre, Andrew Johnson took advantage of the mistake, won a duel against Peter Wisgerhof and passed goalie Nikolai Michailov. Luuk de Jong scored the equaliser from a cross by Roberto Rosales when he headed the ball into the goal just before half time.

Coach Co Adriaanse's decision to use Rosales as a striker on the right wing, until recently the position of Bryan Ruiz who was sold to Fulham, paid off. It was Rosales's first time in the starting line-up. He made a late start this season as a result of obligations in his native Venezuela.




http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/fc-twente-play-fulham-1-1-draw?

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Jol defends Schwarzer own goal

Fulham manager Martin Jol expressed his concern that his side was not turning draws into wins at Craven Cottage after the Europa League opener against FC Twente.

Australia international Mark Schwarzer's own goal condemned the Cottagers to a frustrating 1-1 draw against the Dutch club in a tie which it dominated for the most part.

The west London side took the lead courtesy of a neat Andrew Johnson flick but the visitor's equaliser left Fulham reflecting on their third home draw in four matches.

While Fulham's unbeaten European record at Craven Cottage remained intact, Jol was frustrated that his side could only eke out a point.

"I felt you can't do more than we did in the first half," he said.

"Everything went well. We pressed them at the right times and scored from that [period] as well.

"We played good football and the second half was probably different because we tried to force the issue.

"Then they had some space to hit us on the break and they did that a couple of times.

"That is the only thing. If you don't score goals easily enough then you still have to try to.

"Keeping our shape is a lesson we have learned for next time but the worry of course is four matches and three draws.

"I have to say all those games we have been the better team.

"It is the same story. Against Aston Villa we were the better team, against Blackburn the same and now.

"Of course I cannot blame anyone because they did well but we have had to put a lot of energy in.

"With a game against Manchester City coming up [on Monday AEST], that is the only disappointing thing."

Fulham's performance belied its poor Premier League showings, but Schwarzer's own goal forced the teams to share the points.

The goalkeeper was unfortunate to deflect home a Luuk de Jong header that rebounded off the post, against the goalkeeper, and in just before the break in the Group K encounter.

"It was not poor defending," said Jol of the equaliser. "Steve Sidwell tried to do his hardest, getting back.

"The only thing is they had one striker, picked the ball up and turned.

"Then everybody was in shape and Steve tried to head the ball but Brede [Hangeland] was behind him so there was no problem.

"But because of that flick he scored. I think it was a bit lucky.

"We tried not to concede and I feel, especially at home, you have to take the game to the opposition and try to score goals.

"That is the only thing. I think that in Europe in a one off game you have to try and take three points.

"I think Schwarzer did well. I don't think you can blame him for the goal but he will be disappointed with the result."

Twente coach Co Adriaanse, who has previously faced Jol as both a manager and a player, was proud of his team's performance in London and felt they could even have grabbed a winner.

"If you look at the course of the game, Fulham played well," he said.

"They had phases in the first half and also in the second when they applied a lot of pressure.

"The goal we conceded was due to our mistake, which of course was a mental blow for us.

"In the second half, Martin Jol made quite a few substitutions which resulted in a line-up quite similar to the one from last Sunday (Monday AEST) - basically his strongest side.

"At the end of the game we expected more pressure and tried their chances from corners.

"But we continued to play our football and created chances ourselves.

"At the end, you could say we could have won this game but I am happy with the way we played football, created chances."



http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1073023/Jol-defends-Schwarzer-own-goal?

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Jol's Twente Reaction

Speaking after Fulham's opening game of the UEFA Europa League group stage, Martin Jol gave his assessment of the encounter at Craven Cottage.

"I felt you can't do more than we did in the first-half," the Fulham Manager explained.

"Everything went well. We pressed them at the right times and scored from that period as well.

"We played good football and the second-half was probably different because we tried to force the issue.

"Then they had some space to hit us on the break and they did that a couple of times. That is the only thing. If you don't score goals easily enough then you still have to try to.

"Of course they're a good team but when you put them under that sort of pressure you should be winning.

"We still wanted to play with four forward players but if you don't put the goals away you get frustrated and put pressure on yourself. The only thing now is that we have to put the chances away."




Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/September/JolTwenteReaction.aspx?#ixzz1Y5u1ldtc

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Schwarzer's unlucky break prevents Jol from getting one over old foe
Fulham 1 FC Twente 1


Martin Jol had already knocked Juande Ramos out of the Europa League but he could not get the better of another old rival, Co Adriaanse, here when the group stages began last night.

Andy Johnson had given Fulham the lead in the first half but an own goal from Mark Schwarzer ensured a point for the team coached by Adriaanse, who has previously clashed with Jol as a player and manager in the Netherlands.

Personal rivalries aside, Jol is concerned with his side's lack of goals during a winless streak of five games. "You still got the feeling they will score but we didn't score, that is a worry," said the Dutchman. "It's the same story, we had it against Aston Villa and Blackburn. I cannot blame anyone because they did well but we had to put in a lot of energy and that is the disappointing thing with Manchester City coming up."


Jol had Bobby Zamora on the bench with Sunday's home game against City in mind, and the plan looked to be working after 19 minutes when Johnson opened the scoring after seizing on Dwight Tiendalli's mis-judgement.

The full-back played the ball across the line of his own defence, with Johnson seizing possession and breezing past Peter Wisgerhof before lifting his finish in off the post.

With former Twente manager Steve McClaren watching in the stands, the Dutch side forced their way back into the game and Schwarzer was forced to save from Luuk de Jong's header and Willem Janssen's drive. They were level, four minutes before the break, when Roberto Rosales' cross was flicked on by Steve Sidwell and De Jong's header came off the post and went in via Schwarzer's back.

"The boy didn't know very much about the header," said Schwarzer. "Had it not been flicked, it would have been cleared."

Jol felt it was a missed opportunity for his side to start the group stages with a win. "I felt you cannot do more than we did in the first half, we pressed them at the right time and scored a goal from it," he said.

Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Grygera, Hangeland, Baird, Briggs (Senderos, 81); Kasami (Duff, 74), Sidwell, Murphy, Dempsey; Dembele, Johnson (Zamora, 66). Substitutes not used Etheridge (gk), Kelly, Sa, Gecov.

FC Twente (4-1-4-1): Mihaylov; Cornelisse, Douglas, Wisgerhof, Tiendalli; Brama; Rosales, Janssen Fer (Landzaat, 83), John (Bajrami, 68); De Jong. Substitutes not used Boschker (gk), Bengtsson, Berghuis, Leugers, Janko.

Referee A Damato (Italy).



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/schwarzers-unlucky-break-prevents-jol-from-getting-one-over-old-foe-2355564.html?

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FULHAM 1 TWENTE 1: COTTAGERS BID HIT BY BIZARRE OWN-GOAL


Fulham's Andy Johnson scores past
Twente goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov

MARK SCHWARZER was the unlucky villain for Fulham last night, but knew little about it.

Fulham were held at home by Twente in their Europa League Group K opener after a bizarre own-goal, as Luuk de Jong's header hit the post and went in off the back of Schwarzer's head.

Fulham had gone in front after 19 minutes, with Andy Johnson in the right place – as Twente defender Dwight Tiendalli passed the ball across the area – to beat Peter Wisgerhof before clipping the ball over Nikolay Mihaylov for his fourth goal in this competition this season.

Twente rallied and showed glimpses of why they have started the Dutch league season so well with four wins out of five.

De Jong forced Schwarzer into a good save with a header before his equaliser. And with Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff on Fulham's bench - rested ahead of Sunday's game with Manchester City – the onus was on Clint Dempsey, Moussa Dembele and Johnson to find the cutting edge manager Martin Jol has been looking for after just two points in the Premier League this season.

Dempsey went close to restoring the lead with a powerful header that went just wide and Johnson was denied by a fine save from Mihaylov, who made another close-range stop to deny Dempsey.

That prompted Jol to send on Zamora and Duff but they could not breach Twente's defence, as Fulham extended their unbeaten home run in Europe to 21 matches.

Fulham have applied to the Premier League for dispensation to add Algerian defender Rafik Halliche back to their squad after he failed to get clearance from FIFA to join Swansea on loan.



http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/271593/Fulham-1-Twente-1-Cottagers-bid-hit-by-bizarre-own-goal?

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Fulham 1 - 1 FC Twente

The face that Martin Jol pulled upon the sounding of the final whistle just about said it all. Fulham yet again lacked potency in front of goal on an evening in West London that could have quite plausibly kick started a much needed revival in form.

The Cottagers were sublimely creative throughout the ninety minutes, unsurprisingly so given the inclusion of Dembele, Dempsey and Pajtim Kasami in the starting line up. While the latter did not last the full game, he finally offered the vociferous home fans a glimpse of what he really had to offer - which was a mix of splendidly timed flair and a certain guile that all but the best need to survive in the English game. The Swiss international didn't set the game alive but he has at least whetted the appetite a little.

Meanwhile, captain Danny Murphy continued to spread doubt into the minds of all those that have stood by him over the previous months, lacking composure on the ball and, ultimately, failing to deliver where we most expect him to - with his passing game. It finally seems as though one of the most mastered craftsmen of this generation is losing a touch which has been so integral to the clubs he has blessed. Maybe there's room for revival yet, but at 34, you have to wonder.



Martin Jol handed a debut at right back to Zdenek Grygera, whilst deploying Moussa Dembele alongside eventual saviour Andrew Johnson to form a front partnership which proved troublesome if not quite fruitful.

Twente started the better but created little, seemingly happy to keep ahold of the ball. Whilst Twente looked indecisive, however, Fulham looked about as sharp as they have done all season; Johnson making his predictable yet entirely deadly runs down the wing. Nothing came of them but it was a signal of intent which the Craven Cottage faithful duly adorned to.

It wasn't long before Johnson's boudnless work ethic was rewarded either, as he picked up on a poorly timed back pass by Twente defender Dwight Tiendalli before finishing daintily over oncoming goalkeeper Mihaylov.

Jol's men didn't rest on their laurels though and continued to look bright, Briggs in particular was prevalent on the left wing, displaying bursts of speed that were executed beautifully.

Yet, for all the attacking attitude, it only took one lapse in defence to allow the Dutch visitors an unwelcome equaliser. Despite a fine display throughout the evening, lady luck was not shining on Mark Schwarzer as a de Jong header rebounded off of the post and into the back of the Australian's head. Undoubtedly, the cross should have been dealt with more professionally and the former Middlesbrough man let his defence know as much.

In the second half, Fulham arguably looked even more impending as Kasami and Dempsey combined, only for the American to fire his diving header wide. Jol clearly wanted to get the better of his Twente counterpart, Co Adriaanse, a man with whom he has had his fair share of spats with.

The pressure from Fulham wasn't telling and it was the now tiresome problem of hitting the target that began to prove our undoing. Chances continued to flow, none more so than a gifted opportunity for Andrew Johnson, who only had the time and composure to fire his shot directly at the goalkeeper.

Johnson was eventually substituted and his departure spelled the end of the game for Fulham. Without his tireless runs, Jol's team weren't just lacking a clinical edge but were lacking imagination to. This allowed Twente back into the game but, thankfully, nothing came of their final flourish.

A fine performance of intensity it was not, but the mirage of boos at the end were far from justified. A point is a point, after all.



http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2011/9/16/2428035/fulham-1-1-fc-twente?

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Fulham boss rues missed chances

MARTIN Jol failed to hide his frustration as Fulham were held at home by FC Twente.

Andy Johnson's first-half opener wasn't enough to earn maximum points in the Europa League Group K clash as Luuk de Jong's header was diverted into his own net by the unfortunate Mark Schwarzer.

But boss Jol felt his side had done enough to win the game.

He said: "It was the same story. Again we were the better team, but when you don't score after that kind of pressure it's always disappointing.

"To draw at home again is disappointing – especially when you see the quality of the players we have up front.

"I feel, especially at home, that we need to take the game to the opposition and score goals, which is what we tried to do.

"We played good football in the first half, but in the second we tried to force the issue and that left space at the back for them to counter attack."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/09/16/fulham-boss-rues-missed-chances-82029-29432753/?#ixzz1Y5vUwbk9