Sunday Fulham Stuff (06/04/14)...

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Fulham's Steve Sidwell: We have to avoid relegation for my son and the whole community

Steve Sidwell is desperate for Premier League survival to ensure a top-flight "legacy" at Fulham where his young son is a promising academy ­prospect.

Midfielder Sidwell has been one of the Cottagers' best performers in a torrid campaign which has already cost two managers their jobs.

The ex-Arsenal trainee and Chelsea ace is top scorer with six league goals and has also deputised as captain in Brede Hangeland's absence.

Despite being out of contract this summer, Sidwell continues to put his body on the line as illustrated by a fresh black eye from last Sunday's defeat to Everton.

And the 31-year-old has vowed to continue battling the odds with the basement club as it means so much to him and his family.

He lives locally, with his wife and three young sons - including eight-year-old Harry, who is a rising star in Fulham's youth set-up.

Sidwell told Mirror Sport: "Even though my own future at the club is undecided, you have to leave a legacy. You have to do it for the staff in all departments, the younger players and for the fans who pay money to keep coming.

"We want to leave it for them to watch Fulham in the Premier League, not the ­Championship.

"My son Harry is in the academy and is a better player at his age than I was. He plays right-back and is fearless. He is going to stay at Fulham and it is hard seeing the club at the foot of the table.

"It means on paper we are the worst team in this league. It is even harder for me because I am a London lad and have family all around. I will be around this area for the rest of my life.

"It is all an extra incentive for me personally to ensure it doesn't happen because ­otherwise I'd carry it around with me the rest of my life."

Sidwell returns to old club Aston Villa on Saturday. He played for them from 2008–2011, after leaving Chelsea in a £5million transfer, but was not a regular - making just 24 league starts and scoring three goals.

Sidwell, who left for Fulham in January 2011, revealed: "When I went to Villa I thought it would be a ­platform for me to kick on and play well in a good team.

"But when our second child, Rocco, was born he caught meningitis and was in hospital. The missus was down in London a lot and I was spending a bit of time to and fro. It was the first time for me I had issues outside of football. It was a shame.

"Towards the end of my time at Villa, my family was based in London. I jumped at the chance to come to Fulham to be nearer home but also at a club where I could express how I wanted to play.

"If you have a happy lifestyle off the pitch, it makes it easier to come into work."

But despite his now settled home life, Fulham have ­experienced upheaval this term after sacking both Martin Jol and Rene Meulensteen.

Now Felix Magath is in charge, but Sidwell continues to give his all as his latest wound attests.

He added: "There have been a lot of bruises and injections. But it doesn't compare to the feeling of potentially waking up with an 'R' for relegation next to your name.

"There are six games to go and by hook or by crook I want to win them. It doesn't matter how, we have to do whatever it takes."



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fulhams-steve-sidwell-avoid-relegation-3376335#ixzz2y29MZciF
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Felix Magath planning major changes at Craven Cottage even if Fulham beat the drop
FELIX MAGATH says he intends to rip up his team and start again in the summer - even if Fulham pull off a great escape.

The Cottagers will kick off at Aston Villa today five points shy of safety and with just six games remaining.

A number of established stars will soon be out of contract - and anyone waiting for a better offer runs the risk of being instantly binned by the German.

He said: "I don't want to work with players that are not happy to be in my club - I only want to work with players who say they like it here.

"If a player is not willing to stay I don't care about it, he can go.

"There are enough clubs in England where he can go. We can find enough players that will be proud to play for us.

"That is the way it has to be. If the players are feeling well and identify with the club then you will be more successful.

"I make no plans at the moment because nobody knows which league we will be in."

One man who definitely won't be in action at Villa Park is Darren Bent.

The England striker is on loan from Villa and cannot play against his parent club.

Not that Magath was picking him regularly anyway.

A few days ago Bent denied Magath's claim that he was not fit enough to come off the bench in last week's 3-1 home defeat by Everton.

But it turns out there is a big Bent fan in the Magath household - his 16-year-old son Leonard.

Magath said: "He always tells me that Darren Bent has to play. Just Darren Bent. It's his favourite player."

Record signing Kostas Mitroglou is back from Italy following treatment on a knee injury.

But Magath admitted: "I have to see him train and then I can tell how fit he is."



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/372913/Felix-Magath-planning-major-changes-at-Craven-Cottage-even-if-Fulham-beat-the-drop

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Aston Villa 1-2 Fulham: Late Rodallega header lifts visitors off bottom of the table

Hugo Rodallega gave Fulham a lifeline in their fight against relegation from the Barclays Premier League with a late winner against Aston Villa.

The Cottagers began the day bottom of the table, but pulled off a 2-1 victory at Villa Park with goals from Kieran Richardson and half-time substitute Rodallega.

After a goalless first half, Richardson drilled a superb shot into the top corner in the 61st minute only for Grant Holt to head in his first goal for Villa nine minutes later.

Both teams could have won it, but it was Rodallega who headed in the crucial goal in the 86th minute to earn manager Felix Magath his first away victory.

Although Fulham remain five points from safety, the result will give them renewed hope that a great escape is possible.

Christian Benteke's Achilles tear in training this week was a huge blow for Villa and, with Gabriel Agbonlahor failing to recover from a sickness bug, left manager Paul Lambert short of options up front.


Defining moment: Fulham striker Hugo Rodallega (far right) heads home their winner at Aston Villa in 2-1 victory

Hero: Rodallega celebrates his matchwinning goal against Aston Villa on Saturday in the Premier League

Goal: Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale (second right) is unable to prevent Grant Holt's equaliser for Villa

No goal: Fulham thought they scored but Villa defender Matthew Lowton (top right) cleared it off the line

He handed Holt only a second start for the club, with the former Norwich striker supported by Andreas Weimann and Marc Albrighton.

Magath gave a second debut to Mahamadou Diarra following his return to the club, while he also recalled 19-year-old forward Cauley Woodrow.

Magath was forced to play down speculation this week that his job was in danger after only one win in his first six games.

His side had the first effort on goal, though, as Woodrow headed over Pajtim Kasami's cross with two minutes gone.

Woodrow was seeing plenty of the ball and he had a great chance to set up a decisive opening for Fulham when Nathan Baker gave the ball away.

But the teenager took too long to make up his mind and Kasami was offside when he finally picked his pass.

Villa pressed and probed without really threatening, but they came close in the 27th minute when Albrighton's cross was headed just off target by Weimann.

Leandro Bacuna then forced the first save of the match from David Stockdale when he cut in from the right.

Villa were their own worst enemy, though, and Brad Guzan had to produce a smart stop from Woodrow after Joe Bennett underplayed a pass to Baker.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2597622/Aston-Villa-1-2-Fulham-Late-Hugo-Rodallega-header-lifts-visitors-bottom-table.html#ixzz2y2AxD1NM
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Rodallega strikes late to give Fulham hope


Hugo Rodallega scored four minutes from the end of normal time
© PA Photos

Fulham's slim hopes of Premier League survival were boosted by Hugo Rodallega's late goal to earn them a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa.

Fulham had the first chance as 19-year-old striker Cauley Woodrow headed over the bar, before the youngster was denied by Brad Guzan's hand after he pounced on Joe Bennett's poor pass.

Following a quiet end to the first half, Leandro Bacuna almost had the home crowd on their feet at the start of the second but David Stockdale palmed his effort onto the post.

However, the visitors took a surprise lead when Kieran Richardson hammered a shot into the roof of the net to silence Villa Park on the hour mark.

The lead did not last long as Grant Holt was allowed space at the back post to head in an equaliser for Paul Lambert's side.

Lewis Holtby was denied by goal-line technology as Matthew Lowton somehow slid to keep the ball out, but Rodallega's late glancing header claimed all three points for Felix Magath's side.

Cardiff City's chances of avoiding the drop took a major blow as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at home to relegation rivals Crystal Palace.

Kagisho Dikgacoi wasted a glorious chance to put Palace ahead as he blasted over from inside the box, before Cardiff's Fraizer Campbell saw his deflected header tipped over by Julian Speroni.

However, the travelling Palace fans were soon jubilant as Jason Puncheon expertly found the bottom corner to claim his first away goal of the season.

Cardiff's woe continued after the interval as one of their old boys came back to haunt them. Marouane Chamakh was forgotten at the back post but his header was pushed out by David Marshall only for former Bluebirds' midfielder Joe Ledley to stab home and double the lead.

Puncheon sealed the points and inflicted further misery on Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a superb 25-yard strike in the dying minutes.

West Brom's difficult week ended in joy as they rallied to a 1-0 victory against Norwich in the relegation six-pointer at Carrow Road.

West Brom started well as both Graham Dorrans and Morgan Amalfitano put their efforts wide after good, before Johan Elmander shot high over the crossbar for the home side.

Amalfitano, who scored a wonder goal in the 3-3 draw with Cardiff last week, was at it again when he took full advantage of Martin Olsson's untimely slip and hammered into the far corner to put Pepe Mel's side ahead.

Norwich almost levelled shortly before the break but Ben Foster tipped away Elmander's header to keep the Canaries at bay.

The home side started well in the second as they hit the crossbar twice in ten minutes; first Gary Hooper was unlucky not to convert before Foster tipped Robert Snodgrass' free-kick onto the woodwork.

However, West Brom held on to move five points clear of the bottom three and level on points with Chris Hughton's side.

Hull's fears were eased as George Boyd scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at home to Swansea.

Following a quiet start at the KC stadium, Swans' goalkeeper Michel Vorm was in fine fettle to push Shane Long's early volley wide of the post and keep the scores level.

Wayne Routledge should have put Garry Monk's side ahead when he latched onto Wilfried Bony's through ball but the winger's lob was easy pickings for Steve Harper.

It was a chance missed as Hull soon took the lead through Boyd; the attacker out-jumped Angel Rangel to head in Liam Rosenior's cross for his first goal of 2014.

Neither side could find the breakthrough and Hull stayed firm to earn all three points.



Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/297387.html#wMxYouzcEyyCwQfe.99

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Aston Villa 1 Fulham 2 match report: Hugo Rodallega breathes life into Fulham's survival campaign



Kieran Richardson gave Fulham the lead before a Grant Holt equaliser set-up substitute Rodallega to net the winner

Hugo Rodallega gave Fulham a lifeline in their fight against relegation from the Barclays Premier League with a late winner against Aston Villa.

The Cottagers began the day bottom of the table, but pulled off a 2-1 victory at Villa Park with goals from Kieran Richardson and half-time substitute Rodallega.

After a goalless first half, Richardson drilled a superb shot into the top corner in the 61st minute only for Grant Holt to head in his first goal for Villa nine minutes later.

Both teams could have won it, but it was Rodallega who headed in the crucial goal in the 86th minute to earn manager Felix Magath his first away victory.

Although Fulham remain five points from safety, the result will give them renewed hope that a great escape is possible.

Christian Benteke's Achilles tear in training this week was a huge blow for Villa and, with Gabriel Agbonlahor failing to recover from a sickness bug, left manager Paul Lambert short of options up front.

He handed Holt only a second start for the club, with the former Norwich striker supported by Andreas Weimann and Marc Albrighton.

Magath gave a second debut to Mahamadou Diarra following his return to the club, while he also recalled 19-year-old forward Cauley Woodrow.

Magath was forced to play down speculation this week that his job was in danger after only one win in his first six games.

His side had the first effort on goal, though, as Woodrow headed over Pajtim Kasami's cross with two minutes gone.

Woodrow was seeing plenty of the ball and he had a great chance to set up a decisive opening for Fulham when Nathan Baker gave the ball away.

But the teenager took too long to make up his mind and Kasami was offside when he finally picked his pass.

Villa pressed and probed without really threatening, but they came close in the 27th minute when Albrighton's cross was headed just off target by Weimann.

Leandro Bacuna then forced the first save of the match from David Stockdale when he cut in from the right.

Villa were their own worst enemy, though, and Brad Guzan had to produce a smart stop from Woodrow after Joe Bennett underplayed a pass to Baker.

The hosts were fortunate that the Fulham player's touch took him wide, narrowing the angle in Guzan's favour.

Woodrow was certainly heavily involved in the game and Guzan had to be alert again when his shot was deflected, while Lewis Holtby and Steve Sidwell also tried their luck as the visitors ended the half strongly.

Magath was clearly not happy with what he had seen, though, and he made a double substitution for the second half, with Rodallega replacing Woodrow and Ashkan Dejagah coming on for Kasami.

Rodallega almost made an immediate impact, with his low cross just evading Sidwell as he slid in 12 yards out.

Moments later Villa were inches away from taking the lead as Holt chested the ball into the path of Bacuna, who slammed a shot against the near post via the fingers of Stockdale.

But it was the visitors who made the breakthrough, and in style, as the lively Dejagah cut in from the right and teed up Richardson for a thunderous strike.

However, Fulham's lead lasted only nine minutes, with Holt's header from Albrighton's corner finding its way through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner.

Albrighton then tested Stockdale with a curling shot, and from the keeper's parry Fulham broke away.

A clever dummy from Dejagah looked to have set up Holtby for a certain goal as he took the ball around Guzan but, from four yards out, his shot was somehow cleared off the line by Matthew Lowton.

It was an astonishing piece of defending and, not surprisingly, left Holtby with head in hands.

The game was remarkably open, and twice Villa came close to taking the lead, as first substitute Aleksandar Tonev saw his shot tipped over the bar by Stockdale before Weimann headed just over.

But the final twist came at the other end with less then five minutes of normal time remaining as Holtby's cross was flicked into the bottom corner by Rodallega for the winner.

PA


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/aston-villa-1-fulham-2-match-report-hugo-rodallega-breathes-life-into-fulhams-survival-campaign-9240726.html

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Fulham's Hugo Rodallega heads late winner at Aston Villa to revive hopes


Fulham's goalscorer Kieran Richardson, right, against Aston Villa's Marc Albrighton in the Premier League at Villa Park.
Photograph: Steven Paston/Action Images

The last time a Premier League team survived from the position Fulham found themselves in on Saturday was when Roy Hodgson inspired their great escape with four victories from their final six games six years ago. Now Hugo Rodallega has lit the fuse for hopes of an unlikely reprise as the substitute scored four minutes from time to take Fulham within five points of 17th-placed Norwich City, whom they host next weekend.

Rodallega scored Wigan Athletic's last-day survival goal at Stoke City three years ago and it was his introduction at half-time on Saturday that encouraged Fulham to take charge against an insipid Aston Villa team who should be safe from relegation but after three successive defeats might be advised to beware, now they have lost Christian Benteke through injury.

After Grant Holt had equalised Kieran Richardson's opening goal in a second half as thrilling as the first half was dull, Rodallega rose to head on Lewis Holtby's diagonal cross beyond Brad Guzan. It was only the second win in Fulham's last 14 games all told, both during Felix Magath's seven-game reign.

Fulham are the only team with more home defeats than Villa in the Premier League this season. Now they need to find their form at home if they are to retain their status in this season of three managers.

Magath can never be accused of not giving anyone a chance. The three changes he made for his starting lineup for this game took to 25 the total he has made in his first seven matches in charge; though few have enhanced Fulham's chances of staying up.

It could be said Fulham have a favourable run-in, with Norwich City, Hull City and Crystal Palace still to play at home, but this would require them to be in control of their own form which, under this third manager of a depressing season, cannot be argued with any degree of confidence.

Villa, lacking Benteke, out with a ruptured achilles for six months, and Gabriel Agbonlahor in attack and Fabian Delph, their best player this season, from midfield, looked vulnerable, even there for the taking, but Fulham had not won away since Boxing Day and lined up so cagily it appeared they would be content to go home with a single point.

Paul Lambert was obliged to name four full-backs in his starting XI, which suggested that, already eight points clear of the drop zone at kick-off, he would not be averse to a draw either. However, the Villa defence were prone to giving the ball away. Nathan Baker passed to Cauley Woodrow, the callow Fulham striker, who sent Pajtim Kasami in down the left only for Brad Guzan to parry and Steve Sidwell to be given offside before he could convert the rebound.

Late in the half the hapless Joe Bennett passed back for Sascha Riether, who beat Baker, when the Villa centre-back dived in, and scurried down the inside-right channel only, with no options on offer, to shoot to where Guzan was able to save adroitly.

Marc Albrighton buzzed and weaved enthusiastically for Villa and it was from his cross that Grant Holt headed just wide.

It was as if these two teams had been so fearful of losing they forgot about the possibilities of winning. But Magath made two more changes at half-time that suggested he sensed an unlikely victory and, immediately, Rodallega stretched the play more with his desire to get in behind.

With Ashkan Dejagah attacking from wide right, the game opened up frantically, play switching from end to end as nonsensically as it had been caged in the middle third in the opening period. Leandro Bacuna, picking up Holt's knockdown from Ron Vlaar's long pass, ran in from wide right to force a good save from David Stockdale who then held high Andreas Weimann's powerful shot from Holt's pull-back.

But Fulham were by now infused with greater belief, so it was barely a surprise when they took the lead just after the hour mark, when Dejagah squared the ball from the right for Kieran Richardson to unleash a fierce, left-footed shot into the far top corner.

Richardson was an integral part of West Bromwich Albion's great escape round these parts in 2005 but Fulham need something almost more remarkable, more akin to that achieved by Roy Hodgson's side six years ago.

Although Holt equalised with his first Villa goal, finding freedom in the penalty area to head in Albrighton's corner with 20 minutes remaining, Fulham kept going for it.

Holtby dribbled round Guzan only for Matt Lowton to clear off the line but then, with four minutes remaining, came the moment that keeps their hopes alive.


http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/05/aston-villa-fulham-premier-league-match-report?

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Fulham boss Felix Magath: 'It was a great victory'

Fulham manager Felix Magath has declared that he is proud of his players following the team's 2-1 win away to Aston Villa.

Goals from Hugo Rodallega and Kieran Richardson boosted the Cottagers' chances of avoiding the drop this season, and the German was quick to single the latter out for praise.

"It was a great victory for us. I feel very proud of my team. We fought back and we won a big game," Magath told reporters.

"Richardson's goal was goal of the month. He's a very important player for us, but after their equaliser we came back to fight and that was very important for us.

"With this victory, we are very confident to go on for the rest of the season."

The result leaves Fulham in 18th place in the table, five points off Norwich City above them.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/magath-it-was-a-great-victory_148265.html

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Fulham fight on

Hugo Rodallega gave Fulham a lifeline in their fight against relegation from the Barclays Premier League with a late winner against Aston Villa.

The Cottagers began the day bottom of the table, but pulled off a 2-1 victory at Villa Park with goals from Kieran Richardson and half-time substitute Rodallega.

After a goalless first half, Richardson drilled a superb shot into the top corner in the 61st minute only for Grant Holt to head in his first goal for Villa nine minutes later.

Both teams could have won it, but it was Rodallega who headed in the crucial goal in the 86th minute to earn manager Felix Magath his first away victory.

Although Fulham remain five points from safety, the result will give them renewed hope that a great escape is possible.

Christian Benteke's Achilles tear in training this week was a huge blow for Villa and, with Gabriel Agbonlahor failing to recover from a sickness bug, left manager Paul Lambert short of options up front.

He handed Holt only a second start for the club, with the former Norwich striker supported by Andreas Weimann and Marc Albrighton.

Magath gave a second debut to Mahamadou Diarra following his return to the club, while he also recalled 19-year-old forward Cauley Woodrow.

Magath was forced to play down speculation this week that his job was in danger after only one win in his first six games.

His side had the first effort on goal, though, as Woodrow headed over Pajtim Kasami's cross with two minutes gone.

Woodrow was seeing plenty of the ball and he had a great chance to set up a decisive opening for Fulham when Nathan Baker gave the ball away.

But the teenager took too long to make up his mind and Kasami was offside when he finally picked his pass.

Villa pressed and probed without really threatening, but they came close in the 27th minute when Albrighton's cross was headed just off target by Weimann.

Leandro Bacuna then forced the first save of the match from David Stockdale when he cut in from the right.

Villa were their own worst enemy, though, and Brad Guzan had to produce a smart stop from Woodrow after Joe Bennett underplayed a pass to Baker.

The hosts were fortunate that the Fulham player's touch took him wide, narrowing the angle in Guzan's favour.

Woodrow was certainly heavily involved in the game and Guzan had to be alert again when his shot was deflected, while Lewis Holtby and Steve Sidwell also tried their luck as the visitors ended the half strongly.

Magath was clearly not happy with what he had seen, though, and he made a double substitution for the second half, with Rodallega replacing Woodrow and Ashkan Dejagah coming on for Kasami.

Rodallega almost made an immediate impact, with his low cross just evading Sidwell as he slid in 12 yards out.

Moments later Villa were inches away from taking the lead as Holt chested the ball into the path of Bacuna, who slammed a shot against the near post via the fingers of Stockdale.

But it was the visitors who made the breakthrough, and in style, as the lively Dejagah cut in from the right and teed up Richardson for a thunderous strike.

However, Fulham's lead lasted only nine minutes, with Holt's header from Albrighton's corner finding its way through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner.

Albrighton then tested Stockdale with a curling shot, and from the keeper's parry Fulham broke away.

A clever dummy from Dejagah looked to have set up Holtby for a certain goal as he took the ball around Guzan but, from four yards out, his shot was somehow cleared off the line by Matthew Lowton.

It was an astonishing piece of defending and, not surprisingly, left Holtby with head in hands.

The game was remarkably open, and twice Villa came close to taking the lead, as first substitute Aleksandar Tonev saw his shot tipped over the bar by Stockdale before Weimann headed just over.

But the final twist came at the other end with less then five minutes of normal time remaining as Holtby's cross was flicked into the bottom corner by Rodallega for the winner.


http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-fight-on-30158520.html

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Rodallega revives Fulham's survival bid
by DAN on APRIL 5, 2014

The last time a Premier League side survived from a position as perilous as Fulham was when Roy Hodgson masterminded a miraculous escape in 2008. The odds on Felix Magath repeating the feat shortened somewhat after substitute Hugo Rodallega headed a late winner at Villa Park to lift the Cottagers off the bottom and set up a crunch meeting with 17th-placed Norwich City at Craven Cottage next weekend.

Rodallega, who hadn't scored a Premier League goal in thirteen months, glanced a Lewis Holtby cross into the far corner four minutes from time and wheeled away to celebrate in front of 3,00 delirious travelling fans, who dare to dream of a second stupendous survival act. It will still take some doing, but the fixture list has at least been kind. Home wins against Norwich, Hull and Crystal Palace could propel Fulham to safety and Magath believes that this victory will deliver crucial confidence ahead of the run-in. If his side can replicate this performance full of enterprise and desire, they might just do it.

The visitors aimed to take advantage of Aston Villa's frailty and settled far quicker than their hosts. Teenage striker Cauley Woodrow looked lively up front, heading over the bar in Fulham's first attack, and then nearly capitalised on a shocking mistake for Joe Bennett, beating Nathan Barker to a criminally short pass, and bursting down the inside-right channel only for Brad Guzan to push away his powerful, angled shot. Villa, without the injured Christian Benteke and the sick Gabby Agbonlahor, offered little – with David Stockdale called into action only to save from Leandro Bacuna.

Magath shuffled his pack at half-time, introducing Rodallega and Ashkan Dejagah for Woodrow and the ineffectual Pajtim Kasami. The Iranian winger immediately enlivened proceedings with his willingness to run at the full-back, although Fulham were nearly caught on the break five minutes into the second period, as Bacuna burst into the box and nearly scored – Stockdale turned his fierce drive onto the near post. The Fulham goalkeeper also claimed a drive from Andi Weimann after Grant Holt had cut the ball back nicely for the Austrian, but Fulham attacked with such vigour and belief it was little surprise when they took the lead.

Dejagah drove purposefully at the Villa defence again and this time, with little pressure on the ball, squared it for Kieran Richardson to curl a magnificent finish into the top corner from the edge of the box. The porous nature of Fulham's defence – comfortably the worst in the top flight – suggested they would be unable to hold onto such a slender advantage and so it proved. Villa were level within seven minutes, through a goal of remarkable simplicity. Holt headed in Marc Albrighton's corner from twelve yards after Brede Hangeland badly mistimed his jump.

It seemed a familiar story for the bottom club, especially once Matt Lowton had superbly cleared off the line after Lewis Holtby glided around Brad Guzan and stabbed an effort towards goal. The Villa defender scrambled the ball clear, with the goal-line technology showing that only a fraction of the ball hadn't crossed the line. At the other end, the visitors were indebted to a splendid save from David Stockdale, who turned aside a swerving effort from susbtitute Alexander Tonev that appeared destined for the top corner.

Fulham kept pushing forward and got their reward with four minutes to play. The magnificent Mahamadou Diarra, making his first Premier League appearance for nearly two and a half years, won the ball back after Villa had half cleared a Holtby free-kick and found the German midfielder wide on the right. Holtby's whipped cross was deftly flicked home by a delighted Rodallega – and Magath's side managed to withstand four minutes of injury time to hold on to those three precious points.

ASTON VILLA (4-4-1-1): Guzan; Lowton, Bennett (Tonev 66), Vlaar, Baker; Westwood, Bacuna, Albrighton (Bowery 90), Bertrand; Weimann; Holt. Subs (not used): Steer, Clark, Luna, Sylla, Robinson.

BOOKED: Bennett, Westwood, Albrighton.

GOAL: Holt (70).

FULHAM (4-5-1): Stockdale; Heitinga (Riise 83), Richardson, Hangeland, Amorebieta; Diarra, Riether, Sidwell, Holtby, Kasami (Dejagah 45); Woodrow (Rodallega 45). Subs (not used): Stekelenburg, Kvist, Kacaniklic, Roberts.

BOOKED: Sidwell, Holtby.

REFEREE: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

ATTENDANCE: 33,532


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2014/04/rodallega-revives-fulhams-survival-bid/?

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Magath admires Fulham's fighting spirit

Felix Magath was delighted to see his Fulham side show some fighting spirit after they Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Magath celebrated his first away win since taking charge of the Cottagers as goals from Kieran Richardson and Hugo Rodallega earned them a 2-1 triumph at Villa Park.

Fulham remain five points adrift of safety with five games remaining after West Brom and Crystal Palace also won, but Magath believes the victory will give them impetus for their survival push.

He said: "It was very important we won here after losing our last home game. I think today was our last chance for us to stay in the league. Therefore, it was a very difficult game and very spectacular.

"We were one goal in front, there was an equaliser, and that was the situation last week that put us down. Today we came back and we fought.

"Even the great chance for Lewis Holtby didn't stop us. For us to win in the last five minutes is a signal to everybody that we are back in the league. Everyone at the game could see we want to stay in this league.

"We have to win our games now. It doesn't matter which team we play. We need to win three of the last games at least to stay in the league. We will fight every game. Today we have won and this win will give us confidence."


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/magath-admires-fulhams-fighting-spirit-14040586294#dQra4VIiruTIQ2h8.99

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Fulham fight on

Hugo Rodallega gave Fulham a lifeline in their fight against relegation from the Barclays Premier League with a late winner against Aston Villa.

The Cottagers began the day bottom of the table, but pulled off a 2-1 victory at Villa Park with goals from Kieran Richardson and half-time substitute Rodallega.

After a goalless first half, Richardson drilled a superb shot into the top corner in the 61st minute only for Grant Holt to head in his first goal for Villa nine minutes later.

Both teams could have won it, but it was Rodallega who headed in the crucial goal in the 86th minute to earn manager Felix Magath his first away victory.

Although Fulham remain five points from safety, the result will give them renewed hope that a great escape is possible.

Christian Benteke's Achilles tear in training this week was a huge blow for Villa and, with Gabriel Agbonlahor failing to recover from a sickness bug, left manager Paul Lambert short of options up front.

He handed Holt only a second start for the club, with the former Norwich striker supported by Andreas Weimann and Marc Albrighton.

Magath gave a second debut to Mahamadou Diarra following his return to the club, while he also recalled 19-year-old forward Cauley Woodrow.

Magath was forced to play down speculation this week that his job was in danger after only one win in his first six games.

His side had the first effort on goal, though, as Woodrow headed over Pajtim Kasami's cross with two minutes gone.

Woodrow was seeing plenty of the ball and he had a great chance to set up a decisive opening for Fulham when Nathan Baker gave the ball away.

But the teenager took too long to make up his mind and Kasami was offside when he finally picked his pass.

Villa pressed and probed without really threatening, but they came close in the 27th minute when Albrighton's cross was headed just off target by Weimann.

Leandro Bacuna then forced the first save of the match from David Stockdale when he cut in from the right.

Villa were their own worst enemy, though, and Brad Guzan had to produce a smart stop from Woodrow after Joe Bennett underplayed a pass to Baker.

The hosts were fortunate that the Fulham player's touch took him wide, narrowing the angle in Guzan's favour.

Woodrow was certainly heavily involved in the game and Guzan had to be alert again when his shot was deflected, while Lewis Holtby and Steve Sidwell also tried their luck as the visitors ended the half strongly.

Magath was clearly not happy with what he had seen, though, and he made a double substitution for the second half, with Rodallega replacing Woodrow and Ashkan Dejagah coming on for Kasami.

Rodallega almost made an immediate impact, with his low cross just evading Sidwell as he slid in 12 yards out.

Moments later Villa were inches away from taking the lead as Holt chested the ball into the path of Bacuna, who slammed a shot against the near post via the fingers of Stockdale.

But it was the visitors who made the breakthrough, and in style, as the lively Dejagah cut in from the right and teed up Richardson for a thunderous strike.

However, Fulham's lead lasted only nine minutes, with Holt's header from Albrighton's corner finding its way through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner.

Albrighton then tested Stockdale with a curling shot, and from the keeper's parry Fulham broke away.

A clever dummy from Dejagah looked to have set up Holtby for a certain goal as he took the ball around Guzan but, from four yards out, his shot was somehow cleared off the line by Matthew Lowton.

It was an astonishing piece of defending and, not surprisingly, left Holtby with head in hands.

The game was remarkably open, and twice Villa came close to taking the lead, as first substitute Aleksandar Tonev saw his shot tipped over the bar by Stockdale before Weimann headed just over.

But the final twist came at the other end with less then five minutes of normal time remaining as Holtby's cross was flicked into the bottom corner by Rodallega for the winner.


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