Sunday Fulham Stuff (12.09.10)

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http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/963983/ZAMORAS-CAREER-IN-JEOPARDY.html


ZAMORA'S CAREER IN JEOPARDY

Fulham star's horror ankle break

By Greg Gobere, 11/09/2010

BOBBY ZAMORA feared his career might be over after sustaining a horror break.

The Fulham striker was sure he would never play again as he surveyed the damage in the immediate aftermath of Karl Henry's challenge from behind.


Zamora's trailing right leg had buckled underneath him but referee Phil Dowd did not even judge the Wolves man's lunge to be a foul.


Fulham manager Mark Hughes revealed Zamora will be out for at least four months - and it could be worse.


He said: "Bobby got to a point where he was performing at a really high level, producing week in, week out.


"He has been banging on the door for England and now he's out for four months minimum. It's a shame. The surgeon now has to go in and find damage other than the break, which is four centimetres above his ankle. So it's likely that he will be out even longer. Bobby seemed in good spirits when I spoke to him but that was probably the gas he's been taking.


"I don't blame the player for the tackle. There is always a danger when you tackle from the side or from behind.


"But there was no intent. I was a bit disappointed that the referee didn't even view it as a foul, though.


"Wolves are very competitive. Mick sets his teams that way. I wouldn't criticise him for that because I've set teams out to be physical and competitive myself.


"Maybe some of the fouls were made to break up our momentum and in that sense they were cynical at times. That's why the crowd were upset."


Hughes also expressed his relief at seeing match-winner Mousa Dembele step up to the challenge in Zamora's absence.


He added: "Mousa was excellent again. He's an exciting player. He's one of those people that you expect to do something special when in possession.


"We're delighted with what he produced and there is more to come."

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http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/963896/McCARTHY-RAPS-DEVIL-TAG.html

McCARTHY RAPS 'DEVIL' TAG


By Greg Gobere, 11/09/2010

MICK McCARTHY claimed Wolves are now the "devil incarnate" after Fulham fans branded his side a disgrace for picking up seven bookings.

The home supporters were also seething as Karl Henry's challenge resulted in Bobby Zamora breaking his right leg.


McCarthy insisted: "Suddenly we are the devil incarnate in the Premier League. We're far from it. It's grossly unfair.


"I was sorry to hear about Bobby Zamora but even Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy said to me it was a fair tackle. It was a good tackle.


"But we had some silly bookings. I'm mad at Christophe Berra for his two yellow cards but I don't see us as an overly-physical side that deserves that kind of treatment.


"I'm disappointed with this loss but they controlled the game, the tempo and had more chances. I thought we maybe earned the point but you have to finish it off."

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http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/963887/MIGHTY-MOUSA-IS-SPARKYS-SAVIOUR.html

MIGHTY MOUSA IS SPARKY'S SAVIOUR


Fulham 2 Wolves 1

By Greg Gobere, 11/09/2010

HEROES have an uncanny tendency to be dab hands at timing.

With just 28 minutes gone on the clock, Mark Hughes was surveying a truly horrendous situation.


Sparky's Fulham - yet to pick up a win before kick-off - were already 1-0 down and star man Bobby Zamora had just been carried off on a stretcher, clinging desperately to an oxygen mask.


Luckily for Hughes, Mousa Dembele remembered to put on his Superman outfit under his kit and must have found a handy telephone box somewhere near the dugout.


The Belgian was incredible as he spearheaded a comeback that looked out of sight for Fulham fans.


A Zamora brace stole the show on Dembele's first start against Port Vale two-and-a-half weeks ago. But you did not need X-ray eyes to see how well the summer signing took his goal during the 6-0 Carling Cup thumping.


At just 23, the pressure of filling Zamora's shoes is much to bear for Dembele in a team that have relied so heavily on their talismanic forward in recent seasons.


And, with the prognosis looking bleak for Zamora - four months out according to Hughes - Craven Cottage's new saviour has a huge test ahead of him.


The challenge from Karl Henry was from behind but the Wolves captain clearly connected with the ball and was not over-zealous. But Zamora's trailing leg got caught and he was left screaming in agony.


The ex-West Ham star's hand was straight up in the air almost before he hit the ground. Oxygen and worried team-mates soon followed.


As England internationals continue to drop like flies you cannot help but feel for the Fulham man the most.


Michael Dawson, Jermain Defoe and Theo Walcott have all been blighted of late but Zamora's leg break is by far the worst injury.


Just after signing a £10million four-year deal, it could not have come at a worse time either.


They say a player reaches his peak at 29 and the statement could not have been any truer for last season's 19-goal man.


Despite his obvious flirtation with Arsenal during the transfer window, nervous keeper Mark Schwarzer's name had been greeted with cheers when it was announced on the PA system prior to kick-off.


But while the towering stopper was still daydreaming of life at the Emirates 10 minutes into the game, Jelle van Damme had already put the visitors ahead.


Kevin Doyle's cross provided the defender with a simple tap-in to get Mick McCarthy's Wolves out of the blocks - much to the disgust of most watching from the stands.


Even then Dembele was teasing Wolves with his guile. He was at the fulcrum of almost every attack and linked up with Clint Dempsey and Zamora so seamlessly it looked like he had been in the side for years.


Yet it was Wolves who were showing cuteness. Mick McCarthy's side were just physical enough to shatter the Fulham waves hitting their bow and reserved enough to keep referee Phil Dowd at bay... to begin with.


Fulham lost their way after Zamora's injury as Hughes raged on the touchline over Danny Murphy's row Z set-piece before the break.


McCarthy smelled blood at half-time and introduced a third striker in Steven Fletcher. It backfired.


Four minutes after the restart, Stephen Kelly's hopeful cross found Dembele, who drilled the equaliser from just inside the box.


Dowd denied Simon Davies a nailed-on penalty in the 56th minute when Wolves keeper Marcus Hahnemann wrapped himself around the midfielder in a one-on-one situation.


It only served to make the crowd add more four-letter obscenities to their flowery descriptions of the ref.


Wolves' cynical fouls reached a peak when their seventh yellow card turned out to be Christophe Berra's second for pushing Eddie Johnson.


Cottagers fans already raging at Dowd's lenient approach showed their disgust by chanting 'Disgrace to the Premiership' at the visitors.


But justice was served when man-of the-moment Dembele parted the wall from the resulting set-piece and gave Fulham one of the hardest fought wins they will earn all season.

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http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/premier-league-match-reports/2010/09/12/fulham-2-1-wolves-moussa-dembele-is-new-bobby-zamora-for-mark-hughes-102039-22554409/


Fulham 2-1 Wolves: Moussa Dembele is new Bobby Zamora for Mark Hughes


Sep 12 2010

by Dean Jones, The People


MARK HUGHES pulled off a sneaky bit of business over the summer that should ensure Fulham will not miss Bobby Zamora as much as everyone expects.

The England striker was taken to hospital with a broken leg that will leave him out of action for at least four months.

But manager Hughes had a master plan in place to deal with the disaster.

The Welshman has eyed a Belgian called Moussa Dembele for four years – and the powerhouse repaid Sparky's faith when his moment in the spotlight arrived.

Hughes moved his summer signing to the centre from the wing, and the Belgian cancelled out Jelle van Damme's opener by belting home a low drive from the edge of the box shortly after the break.

In the final minute, Dembele completed a superb display by drilling home a free- kick after Christophe Berra was sent off.

Fulham should be in mourning over the loss of star striker Zamora. Instead, they have plenty of reasons for optimism.

Hughes said: "It was a real disappointment to lose Bobby but Moussa is an exciting player. Whenever he's in possession you think something will happen. There aren't many players like that in the Premier League at the moment.

"I went to watch a game in Holland and he caught my eye, even though I was there to see someone else. When we had the chance to sign him I went for it...and we're delighted he's here because he'll do well."

The return of striker Andrew Johnson in four weeks' time will also ease the strain of Zamora's absence.

Before the start of the match, Mark Schwarzer took his place in the Fulham goal for the first time this season. He has been desperate to move to Arsenal but home fans gave him a hero's welcome.

However, the keeper's first task was to pick the ball out of his net. On 10 minutes Kevin Doyle found space on the right flank and dinked a ball to the far post where Van Damme arrived to fire home.

The talking point of the game arrived on 28 minutes and everyone inside Craven Cottage was left wincing.

Zamora screamed in agony after a challenge from Karl Henry. It was hard but the Wolves midfielder got the ball and the England striker was in great distress after his boot got caught beneath Henry's leg.

However, the loss of Fulham's top scorer last season proved to be the catalyst to step up the home side's game. Zoltan Gera came on and Dembele was shifted into Zamora's role. He did not disappoint.

Disgrace

The 23-year-old arrived in a £5million deal from AZ Alkmaar and has taken little time to adapt to the pace and physicality of England's top division.

His creativity is also ultra impressive and he showed quick thinking to put his new club on level terms after 49 minutes.

Stephen Kelly crossed into the area and Dembele rolled his studs over the ball with his right foot and sent a low left-footed drive past Marcus Hahnemann.

The home fans felt many challenges were over the top. When a sixth yellow card for Wolves was shown, they chanted "disgrace to the Premiership".

Berra finally overstepped the mark and got a second booking after shoulder-barging substitute Eddie Johnson. Justice prevailed as Dembele hammered the resulting free-kick into the net. Mick McCarthy's unbeaten start to the term is over but he defended Wolves' tactics.

The gaffer said: "It hurt to hear the fans singing that. We had some silly bookings but we are not an over-physical side."

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Fulham 2-1 Wolves: Sunday Mirror match report


Published 22:05 11/09/10


By Anthony Clavane



Mark Hughes didn't know whether to laugh or cry after watching his side grab their first league win of the season.

The Fulham boss had just watched a star being born after Moussa Dembele's brace announced his arrival as one of the Premier League's bright new things.

But the victory was soured by the sight of talismanic striker Bobby Zamora being stretchered off – with the England star now out for four months.

"Bobby broke his right leg just above the ankle," said Hughes. "It is a horriffic injury for him. But he is in good spirits."

Jelle Van Damme's strike put the visitors ahead but two goals from Dembele, a £5million signing from AZ Alkmaar, gave the home side a dramatic and deserved victory.

Mick McCarthy's side took an early lead against the run of play when Kevin Doyle showed some fine hold-up play and struck a cross in from deep.

John Pantsil should have cleared but the defender allowed the ball to bounce across his body just yards from his own goal. Van Damme could hardly believe his luck, striking home from five yards out.

Things got worse for Fulham when an innocuous challenge by Karl Henry saw Zamora go down on his ankle, which appeared to snap under the weight. The England star was carried off whilst on oxygen.

Unheralded Wolves, who were many pundits' tip for relegation this term, were given stick by the home crowd because of their rough-house tactics.

Christophe Berra was given his marching orders – following two yellow cards – near the end but McCarthy said: "We didn't deserve to get stick. We were competitive – although there were some silly yellow cards."

But despite having lots of possession in the first half, the home side only had themselves to blame for failing to trouble keeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Pantsil tried to make amends for his mistake by curling a shot just over Hahnemann's bar. But after the restart, they showed a lot more purpose going forward.

Dembele grabbed a deserved equaliser four minutes into the second period, firing home from the edge of the area after a Stephen Kelly cross had evaded Stephen Ward.

Referee Phil Dowd angered home fans by turning down three penalty appeals – the second, when Simon Davies was fouled by Hahnemann, was the most clear-cut.

Davies missed a good chance minutes later, flashing the ball just wide after good work from man-of-the-match Dembele.

At the other end, Doyle's back-post header was stopped by wantaway keeper Mark Schwarzer.

But, just as it looked like Fulham would have to settle for a fourth successive draw, Dembele struck an injury-time free-kick which crept under the wall – and into the corner of the Wolves goal.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-2-1-Wolves-Sunday-Mirror-match-report-Moussa-Dembele-grabs-a-brace-but-Bobby-Zamora-has-a-broken-leg-article577651.html#ixzz0zIDv3QiP
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Broken ankle for Zamora


Published 18:11 11/09/10


By Pa Sports


Fulham striker Bobby Zamora is facing at least a four-month lay-off after sustaining a broken ankle in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Wolves.

Zamora suffered the damage to his right leg during a hard challenge from Wolves skipper Karl Henry and received oxygen before being carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes revealed that he could be out for longer if surgery reveals further damage, and said: "If the injury is as we think it is, it's likely to be four months. If the surgeon goes in and finds other damage rather than just the break, which is four centimetres above his ankle, it will be even longer than that. The four months looks like a minimum."

Hughes remonstrated with referee Phil Dowd on the pitch after the half-time whistle had blown but later conceded Henry's tackle was not malicious.

"It's a shame but I don't really lay the blame on the player (Henry). It's one of those," said Hughes.

"There's always a danger if you get tackled from the side or from behind that players' legs can get trapped.

"I don't think there was any intent to hurt Bobby. You don't expect the circumstances of the injury to be the result of a challenge like that, but it can happen.

"At the time I was a little bit disappointed that the referee didn't view it as a foul, but there you go."



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Broken-ankle-for-Zamora-article577567.html#ixzz0zIERxqxg
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http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/199042/FULHAM-2-WOLVES-1-It-s-mighty-Moussa-to-the-rescue-

FULHAM 2, WOLVES 1: IT'S MIGHTY MOUSSA TO THE RESCUE 


Sunday September 12,2010


By Paul Brown   


WOLVES bared their teeth and Bobby Zamora was left reeling.

England striker Zamora was hoping to celebrate signing a new four-year deal on his return from a thigh injury.

But an ugly clash with Wolves enforcer Karl Henry left him writhing in agony and overshadowed the home side's first league win of the season.

Moussa Dembele turned the tables to bag his first two Premier League goals as Fulham devoured ten-man Wolves with a late fightback.

Henry caused controversy with a hatchet job on Newcastle's Joey Barton last time out.

And though there was nothing malicious about his 28th-minute tackle on Zamora, the Fulham frontman looks set for a long spell on the sidelines. Cottagers boss Mark Hughes was incensed, confronting referee Phil Dowd at half-time over his failure to book the player.

Jelle Van Damme gave Wolves the lead with his first goal for the club but Dembele equalised early in the second half, then hit the winner after Christophe Berra had been sent off.

Dowd booked seven Wolves players in all, and the visitors endured chants of: "You're a disgrace to the Premiership."

Because of an injury to David Stockdale, Mark Schwarzer was back in goal for the home side for the first time since demanding a transfer to Arsenal. His first job was to pick the ball out of his own net as Wolves grabbed a shock lead inside 10 minutes through Van Damme.

The Belgian ghosted in unmarked for a tap-in as John Pantsil failed to stop Kevin Doyle's cross. And disaster struck for Fulham when Zamora was stretchered off.
     

The Wolves midfielder did get the ball but Zamora twisted his ankle badly on the follow-through and doubled up in pain. The game turned ugly as the home side went looking for revenge.

Pantsil escaped with a booking for a stupid hack at Doyle when the striker was clean through.

Dembele equalised four minutes into the second half, turning home a Stephen Kelly cross.

Dowd then waved away appeals for a Fulham penalty when Marcus Hahnemann brought down Simon Davies in the box. And Schwarzer made a fine save at the other end from a diving Doyle header before Dembele won it with a free-kick which rocketed through the Wolves wall.

[White Noise]

http://hammyend.com/index.php/2010/09/dembele-double-delivers-dose-of-justice/


Dembele double delivers dose of justice

by Dan on September 11, 2010

Mark Hughes might just rue not bringing in a striker during the summer transfer window. A timely double from Moussa Dembele delivered a first three points for the new manager but any joy Fulham might have taken from coming from a goal down against an agricultural Wolves side will have been severely tempered by the news that Bobby Zamora will miss the next four months with a broken leg. The England striker was a surprise selection the day after signing a new four-year deal at Craven Cottage after suffering an ankle injury at Blackpool a fortnight ago, but his chances of making further inroads into Fabio Capello's post-World Cup side have been dealt a massive blow after Karl Henry's challenge from behind saw him collapse in agony.

The Cottage faithful were far from impressed by both the physicality of Wolves' performance and the ineptitude of referee Phil Dowd, who compounded his failure to award plenty of potential penalties by continually interrupting Fulham's attacks. For a while, it looked as if Wolves might continue their fine start to the season with a win, after full back Jelle van Damme fired home unattended at the far post. Brede Hangeland might have been fouled by Kevin Doyle in the build-up to the goal, but John Pantsil still should have cleared the danger rather than allowing the former Reading striker's cross to travel right across the six-yard box. Pantsil endured another awful afternoon and Fulham looked a lot more secure once Chris Baird replaced him at half-time.

Hughes' side were largely wasteful in front of goal, although Davies felt he could have two spot-kicks before the visitors took the lead. Zamora spooned a free-kick high into the Putney End a feat later matched by his skipper Danny Murphy and John Pantsil sent a speculative effort from the edge of the box just over the crossbar. Fulham's lack of a like-for-like replacement for the injured Zamora was illustrated by the propensity of Dembele, who started on the left of midfield, to drop into deeper midfield areas usually occupied by Clint Dempsey. The American had a quiet afternoon and Hughes had a quartet of creative midfielders on the field when Zoltan Gera was sent on as Zamora's replacement.

Some sterns words from Hughes during the interval added greater urgency to Fulham's play and the home side were level shortly after the break. Wolves failed to properly clear a Stephen Kelly cross and Dembele rifled home from 15 yards out, although he was aided by a deflection that took the ball out of reach of former Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. Fulham were largely in the ascendancy after that, although Mark Schwarzer did brilliantly to palm away a Doyle header, and spurned several opportunities to take the lead.

Gera showed incredible agility to turn a Hangeland header goalwards although his close-range overhead kick cleared the crossbar and Dembele drove a low shot into Hahnemann's arms. Just before the hour mark, Murphy's beautifully floated pass looked to have unlocked the visitors' defence. Simon Davies scampered onto it, with terrific poise much like he had to score the equaliser here against Hamburg last year, but Dowd waved away the penalty appeals after the Welshman appeared to have been caught by Hahnemann.

Hughes threw on Eddie Johnson for the final seven minutes in a desperate attempt to find a winner but it seemed as though the Whites were destined for a fourth league draw in a row. However, Johnson drew a foul from Christophe Berra in the first of four additional minutes, and – after the Scottish centre back had received his second yellow card – Davies and Gera cleverly teed up Dembele, who drilled his shot underneath the wall and into the bottom corner from 23 yards. Fulham seemed to have suddenly discovered a happy knack of finding late goals and this one was certainly well received.

The Hammersmith End had earlier labelled Wolves 'a disgrace to the Premiership' and, as a friend asserted after the final whistle, it finished '2-1 to football'. Given Fulham's clear lack of striking alternatives, though, you have to wonder just how long Mark Hughes will be left ruing Zamora's absence.

FULHAM (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Pantsil (Baird 45), Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland; Etuhu, Murphy, Davies, Dembele; Dempsey (E. Johnson 83); Zamora (Gera 30). Subs (not used): Etheridge, Halliche, Greening, Riise.

BOOKED: Pantsil, Murphy, Hangeland.

GOALS: Dembele (49, 90).

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Ward, van Damme (Fletcher 45), Craddock, Berra; Mancienne, Henry, Foley, Jarvis; Ebanks-Blake (Guediora 85); Doyle (Jones 61). Subs (not used): Hennessey, Elokobi, Stearman, M. Bent.

BOOKED: Mancienne, Ward, Jarvis, Berra, Henry, Jones.

SENT OFF: Berra (90).

GOAL: van Damme (10).

REFEREE: Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent).

ATTENDANCE: 25,280.

[White Noise]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/7996971/Bobby-Zamora-adds-to-Fabio-Capellos-injury-woes-after-breaking-ankle-for-Fulham.html

Bobby Zamora adds to Fabio Capello's injury woes after breaking ankle for Fulham

Just as things had started looking up for Fabio Capello, the injuries continue to pile up. Bobby Zamora, the Fulham striker, is the latest to succumb, breaking his ankle in Saturday's 2-1 win over Wolves, ruling him out for four months.

By Duncan White


Published: 8:43PM BST 11 Sep 2010


England face Montenegro at Wembley on Oct 12 and Zamora was the favourite to replace Jermain Defoe, who is ruled out for three months with an ankle injury of his own.

Zamora has not had much luck with England, being ruled out of the World Cup with an Achilles problem and having to pull out of the last squad with a thigh problem. The Absence of Zamora and Defoe means Carlton Cole, Peter Crouch or Darren Bent could start.

Theo Walcott is also out of the Montengro game with the ankle injury he sustained in Basel while James Milner is suspended, leaving Capello with limited options out wide.

Frank Lampard begins training again tomorrow after undergoing surgery on a groin hernia while John Terry, who missed the Bulgaria and Switzerland games because of a groin problem, damaged a rib on Saturday.

Both will be fit for Montenegro but it must be concern for Capello the frequency with which his players are picking up injuries.

[White Noise]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/7989322/Fulham-v-Wolverhampton-Wanderers-match-report.html


Fulham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1: match report


Read a full match report of the Premier League game between between Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Craven Cottage on Saturday Sept 11 2010.


FULHAM 2 - 1 WOLVES

Saturday, September 11 15:00
Premier League
Craven Cottage

Dembélé (49, 90+1) (HT 0-1)
ATT: 25,280 van Damme (10)


By Gerry Cox at Craven Cottage
Published: 9:05PM BST 11 Sep 2010


Alarm: Fulham players show their concern as striker Bobby Zamora lies injured during the match against Wolves Photo: ACTION IMAGES What a cruel game football can be. One minute you are making your debut for England, the next you are in a hospital bed facing four or more months out of action.

That is the situation for Bobby Zamora, who played his first game for England only a month ago. The Fulham striker was taken off on a stretcher in the 30th minute and straight to hospital after a tackle from Wolves midfielder Karl Henry that has left him with a broken ankle.

Mark Hughes, his manager, said Zamora faces at leat four months out of action and possibly more if any more damage is discovered when he undergoes surgery on Sunday.

"He has a break just above the ankle and if the injury is what we think it is, it could be four months, but if the surgeon goes in and finds other damage then it could be even longer than that.

"It's cruel because he'd got to a point where he was playing at a really high level, producing the goods week in and week out, which Bobby would admit he had not done over a long period before in his career. So to be taken out of the top level for four months is a real disappointment, not just for him but for us as well."

But at least Hughes has a ready-made replacement in Moussa Dembele, the young Belgian striker signed from AZ Alkmaar just over a fortnight ago. Dembele scored twice to seal Fulham's first win of the season, after three successive draws, and gave the sort of performance to suggest he can more than compensate for Zamora's absence.

Big, fast and with a powerful shot, Dembele equalised shortly after half time and then hit an 89th minute winner shortly after Wolves defender Christophe Berra was sent off for a second yellow card.

It was one of seven cautions for Mick McCarthy's men, who were accused of being too physical again and had home supporters chanting "Disgrace to the Premierrship" at them.

McCarthy admitted he was upset by the criticism. "It hurts and I think it's grossly unfair," said the Wolves manager after their first defeat of the season.

"I am really sad to hear about Zamora, but it was a fair tackle. We were in a tough old game the other week on television, and suddenly we have become the Premiership's devil incarnate - and we are far from it.

"We compete and we compete fairly. We had silly bookings, but I don't see us as an over-physical team that deserves that sort of treatment."

Indeed Wolves had taken the lead in the tenth minute when Jelle Van Damme - another Belgian - scored his first goal since being signed from Anderlecht this summer by ramming home Kevin Doyle's cross at the far post.

Fulham had more attacking intent but Zamora missed a good chance before departing on a stretcher, and it was only after half-time that Dembele gave them hope when he seized on a poor clearance to hit a low shot home from 15 yards.

Both sides could have scored more after that. Zoltan Gera went close with an overhead kick and Simon Davies, denied three penalty appeals, flicked a good chance just wide. Wolves also had chances, with Doyle's header brilliantly saved by Mark Schwarzer, back in Fulham's goal.

But it was Dembele who had the last word. Berra committed a needless foul, and saw red, and from the resulting free-kick, Gera teed up Dembele to shoot through the a hole in the defensive wall from 25 yards.

It was the cue for wild celebrations from Fulham supporters, although tinged with sadness for Zamora's plight

[White Noise]

We Earned It


Saturday 11th September 2010


Fulham FC News


 
Aaron Hughes was delighted with the manner in which Fulham defeated Wolves on Saturday as the Whites claimed a late win at the Cottage courtesy of Mousa Dembele's 90th minute free-kick.

"I thought we were well worth all three points," said Hughes after the game. "It was a hard earned three points because they fought very hard and made it very difficult for us.

"Even when we went a goal behind we just kept passing and kept doing the things we do, because up until their goal went in, we were playing very well.

"Eventually we broke them down, grabbed a couple of goals and claimed the win. We're over the moon, not just because we won the game, but how we went about it. We showed a lot of character and didn't lose our heads at one-nil down.

"At times the game was getting a little bit feisty but we kept our heads and it was a good win. If we can get the wins at home it takes the pressure off when you go away from home. You can go and try and get the win."

Fulham had to overcome the loss of Bobby Zamora during the first-half and Hughes praised his team-mates for their show of composure amid testing conditions.

"It was a big loss when we lost Bobby during the first-half. It's one of those unfortunate things that can happen and it's not a nice thing to see. I wasn't close but Bobby was clearly in quite a bit of pain.

"I thought we did well to keep out heads and we knew if we just got one goal we could push on and win the game. They made it a hard game for us. As much as it may not be attractive, it's very effective.

"When you're trying to get into your rhythm and there are little free-kicks and niggles it can be hard. But we kept going and showed the character we've shown in the last few games and I think we were well worth our win."

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/September/AaronHughesWolvesReaction.aspx#ixzz0zIHn3efL

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A Win For Bobby

Saturday 11th September 2010


Fulham FC News

 
The celebrations were somewhat muted following Saturday's 2-1 win over Wolves after star striker Bobby Zamora was carried from the field of play during the first-half following a serious injury.

Speaking after the game on Saturday evening, Dickson Etuhu dedicated the win to Zamora before heading off to see his friend and colleague in hospital.

"That win was for Bobby," said Etuhu. "It was hard because Bobby's one of our best players and he's going to be a big loss for us. We're going to go and see him now in the hospital but that win was definitely for him."

Fulham endured a tough battle against Wolves on Saturday and once again showed tremendous character to come from behind to claim all three points. Etuhu noted the tough conditions on Saturday but praised his team for another true team effort.

"It was a tough game in difficult conditions," explained Etuhu. "It was extremely humid out there and it was difficult to get about, but I thought we deserved the win.

"The Premier League is a very difficult league. You can be on top of a game and then one chance - goal. That was really Wolves' only chance of the game but we showed character.

"Mousa [Dembele] did well again and got two goals but we kept going. There's a tremendous sense of togetherness at this Club. We want to turn the draws into wins and today was a game that we definitely wanted to win and we delivered."
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/September/EtuhuWolvesReaction.aspx#ixzz0zIItESJm

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Hughes' Wolves Reaction

Saturday 11th September 2010


Fulham FC News

 
A late free-kick from Mousa Dembele clinched all three points for Fulham on Saturday afternoon at Craven Cottage. However, the win over Wolves came at a cost – with Bobby Zamora suffering a broken fibula in the first-half.

"If the injury is as we think it is, it's likely to be four months," Fulham Manager Mark Hughes said after the game.

"If the surgeon goes in tomorrow and finds other damage rather than just the break, which is four centimetres above his ankle, it will be even longer than that. The four months looks like a minimum.

"There's always a danger if you get tackled from the side or from behind that players' legs can get trapped.

"I don't think there was any intent to hurt Bobby. You don't expect the circumstances of the injury to be the result of a challenge like that, but it can happen.

"Wolves were competitive as you'd expect. Mick McCarthy sets his teams up to compete for every ball. The Premier League is competitive and I've had similar criticism in the past. Sometimes it's warranted and sometimes it isn't.

"Maybe today some of the fouls were made to break up our momentum and maybe at times were a little bit cynical. I'd never criticise any team for trying to be competitive against us - that's part and parcel of the Premier League."

Dembele's brace helped the Whites secure the win and Hughes was pleased with the Belgian international's contribution.

"Mousa was excellent again and is an exciting player. When he's in possession you expect something positive to happen," said Hughes

"There aren't that many players in the Premier League who have that ability. At times it felt like things were going against us - losing Bobby and we had two stonewall penalties turned down.

"When those things conspire against you, you believe that you won't get what you deserve but we were rewarded in the end."
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Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/September/HughesWolvesReaction.aspx#ixzz0zIJU0rd4

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Fulham 2 - 1 Wolves

Mark Schwarzer returned to the starting line-up as the Whites secured their first win of the Barclays Premier League season. In Damien Duff's absence, Mousa Dembele started on the left of midfield with Clint Dempsey leading the attack alongside Bobby Zamora.

Fulham started brightly and looked lively in attack with Dembele, Dempsey, Davies and Zamora all looking to get on the ball. The Whites had the first of many penalty appeals turned down on seven minutes when a driving run from Dickson Etuhu pulled Wolves' defence out of shape, allowing Simon Davies to get through only for the Fulham midfielder to be clipped by a defender and brought to ground.

The visitors took the lead somewhat against the run of play on nine minutes when a cross from Kevin Doyle found Jelle Van Damme free at the back post - the Wolves player calmly side-footed past Schwarzer to give his side the lead.

There were certainly signs that Wolves' opening goal had not affected the run of play. Fulham continued to press forward and some fine link up play between Zamora and Dembele looked to have the better of the Wolves defence..

But there were worrying moments on 27 minutes when Bobby Zamora was tackled by Karl Henry. The Fulham player remained down and required oxygen before being stretchered from the pitch, having sustained what looked like a serious injury - Zoltan Gera came on in his place. The change saw Dembele move up front with Gera playing out wide.

As the half-time break approached, Wolves had successfully been able to turn the game into a scrappy affair, with little space being given. Sylvain Ebanks-Blake incurred the wrath of the Cottage faithful just before the whistle when he led into a challenge with Brede Hangeland with his right hand, catching the Fulham defender in the face.

The second-half started with a change for Fulham, Chris Baird replaced John Pantsil at right-back after the Ghanaian picked up a yellow card late in the first-half.

Despite the fiery nature of the first-half, Fulham resumed the game in a composed and measured fashion. The rewards were reaped immediately as the Whites passed their way through their opponents and netted the equaliser on 49 minutes. Mousa Dembele drilled a low left-footed shot past Hahnemann after a cross from the left fell kindly for him.

An inventive overhead kick from Zoltan Gera just after the equaliser almost handed Fulham the lead, unfortunately the ball sailed just over.

There was another penalty appeal for the Whites on 56 minutes when Simon Davies was played clean through. His first touch allowed Marcus Hahnemann to close the space and thankfully wrestle the ball out of Davies' possession.

Mark Schwarzer produced a good save just before the hour mark to deny a header from Kevin Doyle. But the action soon switched to the other end where a smart pass from Dembele was just clipped past the far post by Davies. Fulham were on the hunt for the winner.

As the half progressed Fulham were looking ever more in control, certainly in terms of possession, the Whites were keeping Mick McCarthy's side penned back for longer periods than in the first-half. Wolves' attacks, whilst more fleeting, still carried enough threat to keep the Fulham defence on their toes.

Christophe Berra entered the book on 76 minutes, becoming the fourth Wolves player to be cautioned. He was immediately followed into the referee's records by team-mate Karl Henry.

Clint Dempsey was replaced by Eddie Johnson on 82 minutes as Mark Hughes looked to push on for a winning goal.

Berra was dismissed following his second yellow card of the afternoon after he blocked the run of Eddie Johnson. From the resulting free kick Mousa Dembele drilled a powerful effort past Hahnemann, sending the Craven Cottage crowd wild. 

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/1011/Premiership/WolvesHome.aspx#ixzz0zIK8SVgT

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6371346,00.html


McCarthy - We're not dirty


Wolves chief disappointed by goals they conceded


By Hayley Paterson   

Last updated: 11th September 2010

   
Mick McCarthy has said his side are not a "dirty team" despite being reduced to 10 men in the defeat against Fulham.

The Wolves boss hit back at critics after the game at Craven Cottage and refused to entertain suggestions that his side were overly physical following a string of robust challenges being highlighted in the media in the recent draw against Newcastle United.

However, despite Christophe Berra's second bookable offence for pulling down Fulham's Eddie Johnson and a well-timed tackle from Karl Henry which led to Bobby Zamora breaking his ankle, McCarthy instead focused his post-match interview on his disappointment at the way Wolves conceded two goals from Moussa Dembele.

"We started well and we've let ourselves down, not with the bookings because I think Michael Mancienne for a little tug on the shirt is a joke, some of them little trips and nudges, but conceding the goals the way we did is what's disappointing me," McCarthy told Sky Sports.

"And the other thing is the kind of media-driven bit that we're some kind of dirty team, which we're not. I think it affects officials. I've no doubt it does."

Overly physical
He went on "I think after the Newcastle game a lot was made of it on TV and through the media, which it happens, and somehow we've been labelled this overly physical side which I don't think we are in any shape or form.

"I think the worst two tackles in the game were after they (Fulham) went 2-1 up on two of my players and maybe that's making sure that they don't concede anything."

Fulham's summer signing Dembele cancelled out an early Jelle van Damme opener before the Belgian striker struck again in the dying minutes to give the home side the points.

McCarthy added: "Losing a game any way is not something I enjoy but 91 minutes or something, it was very disappointing."

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http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3286079,00.html

Dembele double bites Wolves


But star striker Zamora hospitalised after breaking ankle


By Hayley Paterson 


Last updated: 11th September 2010   

Man of the match: Moussa Dembele gets the nod for me, as on top of his two very well-taken goals, the Belgian was tricky, pacy and caused Wolves several problems.

Moment of the match: Bobby Zamora's terrible injury. Up until then the 29-year-old looked lively and eager to score but now is likely to be sidelined for a minimum of four months following a broken ankle.

Attempt of the match: John Pantsil had a great chance to atone for an earlier mistake but drilled his effort over the bar.

Talking point: How will Mark Hughes' men cope without their star striker?

Goal of the game: Moussa Dembele's free-kick at the death, the forward stepped up confidently to rifle home..

Moussa Dembele's free-kick at the death snatched a much-needed win for Fulham as they beat 10-man Wolves 2-1.

Mark Hughes' men were yet to register a win in their three opening games of the Premier League campaign and things were looking slightly bleak when a John Pantsil error led to a Jelle Van Damme tap-in at the far post for the opener.

However the lively encounter was overshadowed when Bobby Zamora fell awkwardly under a well-timed Karl Henry tackle and was taken to hospital with a broken right ankle.

Simon Davies was in the thick of the action and had a succession of penalty appeals turned down before Dembele struck his first past Marcus Hahnemann.

The Belgian was on hand to send Fulham away with all three points when his free-kick was not dealt with and found its way in the back of the net in stoppage time.

Referee Phil Dowd was unfortunately heavily involved throughout the game with barely seven minutes on the clock when Fulham's Davies broke free and went down under a Jody Craddock lunge in the box, however nothing was given.

The Cottagers were then made to rue the dismissed penalty appeal when Pantsil failed to clear a Kevin Doyle cross and Van Damme nicked in at the back-post to prod the ball past Mark Schwarzer in the 10th minute.

Just before the half hour mark Zamora was released in the middle of the park but then fell awkwardly under Henry's challenge. The England striker signalled straight to the bench and winced in pain as he was taken away on a stretcher and given oxygen with reports later confirming the 29-year-old had broken his ankle and could face four months on the sidelines.

Fulham brought on Zoltan Gera in place of the injured Zamora as both sides piled on the pressure but also wasted a host of set-pieces to break the deadlock.

Atone
Pantsil was eager to atone for his earlier mistake but saw his effort sail just over the bar in the 34th minute.

Danny Murphy dispatched a free-kick high into the stands and although Wolves were on the defensive, they were coping admirably.

The home fans were incensed by their robust tackling and at the same time criticised Dowd for failing to issue any punishment.

One incident which incensed the home fans saw Sylvan Ebanks-Blake clatter into Brede Hangeland in the air which sent the centre-back crashing to the floor and needing treatment.

Boos greeted the performance of Dowd at half-time as Fulham felt several challenges were going unpunished and Davies had a clear-cut penalty denied.

However that seemed to spur on the home side as they burst out of the traps in the second-half and summer signing Dembele made an immediate impact in the 49th minute.


Unleash
Gera failed to control Stephen Kelly's cross which eventually found the Belgian who shifted the ball between his feet on the edge of the box and unleashed his effort into the bottom left corner.

Keeper Marcus Hahnemann brought down Davies and Fulham could rightly feel aggrieved not to win a penalty as the American got nowhere near the ball.

Wolves were shown a succession of yellow cards as Dowd finally lost patience and then gave Christophe Berra his marching orders after a second bookable offence when he brought down substitute Eddie Johnson in the dying minutes of the game.

That challenge seemed to be the nail in the coffin for a hard-working Wolves side as Dembele shaped to shoot from the free-kick and drilled the ball into the bottom corner to give Hughes his first managerial win at Craven Cottage.


Fulham
Team Statistics
Wolverhampton Wanderers

2 Goals
1

0 1st Half Goals
1

3 Shots on Target
2

8 Shots off Target
3

6 Blocked Shots
3

6 Corners
6

9 Fouls
19

6 Offsides
2

3 Yellow Cards
5

0 Red Cards
1

81.3 Passing Success
70.8

14 Tackles
16

71.4 Tackles Success
75

62.7 Possession
37.3

52.9 Territorial Advantage
47.1

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Player Ratings

http://www.skysports.com/football/user_ratings/0,19768,11065_3286079,00.html

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Dembele video interview

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8991093.stm

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8977069.stm


Fulham   2 - 1   Wolverhampton


By James Standley 


Moussa Dembele scored twice in the second half to give Fulham victory over Wolves but the match was overshadowed by Bobby Zamora's broken leg.

The Fulham striker was injured in a tackle by Karl Henry after 28 minutes and faces four months on the sidelines.

Wolves took an early lead though Jelle van Damme but Dembele levelled with a low shot just after half-time.

Christophe Berra was sent off in the 91st minute and Dembele rifled home a low free-kick to clinch victory.

Dembele's strike gave Fulham their first Premier League win of the season, after three draws, and ended Wolves' unbeaten run.


Click to play
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Hughes confirms Zamora broken leg
But the injury to Zamora, who had only just recovered from a thigh injury and was playing his first game since signing a new four-year deal with the Cottagers, will leave them with mixed emotions.

Fulham midfielder Simon Davies saw three penalty appeals turned down by referee Phil Dowd while the loss of Zamora - who has broken his right leg just above the ankle - did not help Fulham's cause as they lost their way in the first half.

There must have been stern words from manager Mark Hughes at the break because, after a pretty but ineffectual performance in the opening period, the hosts were far more incisive after the break.

Despite having mustered only seven shots on goal all season it was the visitors who were riding high in seventh going into the game but the longer the match went on the more they found themselves on the back foot.


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McCarthy says mistakes cost Wolves
Fulham enjoyed the upper hand in the opening stages and mustered two penalty shouts inside the first 10 minutes.

Both featured Davies, with the second, when he appeared to be clipped by Jody Craddock, the more convincing, but Dowd was unmoved.

Davies had no doubts and he would have been even less impressed when, within two minutes, the visitors took the lead.

When Kevin Doyle held off Brede Hangeland on the right there looked to be little real danger, but the Irishman clipped an enticing cross to the back post and Van Damme side-footed the ball back across a scrambling Mark Schwarzer to claim his first goal for the club.

Just before the 30-minute mark Zamora, 29, was scythed down by Wolves captain Henry.


Zamora was in considerable pain before being stretchered off
The striker's right leg was trapped between Henry's legs and he was immediately in obvious pain, receiving oxygen before being taken off on a stretcher with his right leg immobilised.

Henry somehow avoided further punishment but after the match Fulham manager Hughes had no complaints over the severity of the challenge, although he said he did think at the time that the referee should have blown for a foul.

Zoltan Gera replaced the stricken Zamora and although John Pantsil rifled a shot over the bar, Fulham offered little threat for the rest of the half.

Both sides made changes at the break, Fulham bring on Chris Baird for Pantsil and Wolves introducing Steven Fletcher for goalscorer Van Damme, and the hosts were level within four minutes of the restart.

The ball fell at the feet of Dembele 12 yards out and his low first-time shot gave Marcus Hahnemann little chance.

Gera then volleyed over on the turn and Dembele forced Hahnemann into a low save before Davies appeared to be brought down by the American as he tried to take the ball round him.

606: DEBATE
Awful tackle by Karl Henry on Zamora, shame the big fella can't get rid of injuries

Lethal Heskey
It was his third penalty shout of the game and once again referee Dowd - by now no favourite of the home fans - waved his appeal away, ruling the keeper had taken the ball before bringing Davies to ground.

At the other end Doyle saw a header clawed off the line by Schwarzer and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake rifled into the side-netting in a richly entertaining second half.

The last quarter of the match saw Fulham pressing for a winner with Wolves, who also picked up several yellow cards, offering the odd threat from set pieces and on the break, but neither side could force a breakthrough.

It looked as though both teams would maintain their unbeaten starts to their Premier League campaigns but when Berra was sent off for a second yellow card in injury time, Dembele saw the chance to give Fulham victory.

As the Wolves wall jumped he drilled the ball low and hard and it scudded into the corner with the unsighted Hahnemann no more than a helpless observer.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/sep/11/fulham-wolverhampton-wanderers-premier-league

Injury to Bobby Zamora casts shadow over Fulham's fightback   

(3)Tweet this (11)Observer report

Fulham 2 Dembele 49, Dembele 90
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Van Damme 10

Conrad Leach at Craven Cottage guardian.co.uk, Saturday 11 September 2010 17.27 BST Article history
Wolves' Kevin Doyle, left, and Fulham's Brede Hangeland battle for the ball at Craven Cottage. Photograph: Matthew Impey/PA

Mark Hughes maintained his unbeaten start as Fulham's manager, but this first victory of the season came at some cost. The joy of seeing Moussa Dembélé score his first and second league goals for the club, with the winner in the last minute, was eradicated because of the broken fibula suffered by striker Bobby Zamora an hour earlier.

After 28 minutes, and with the hosts behind to Jelle Van Damme's well taken strike, Karl Henry, an early-season villain for some of his antics in his midfield-enforcer role, executed a tackle on Zamora from behind but around the side. He got a touch on the ball but Zamora's right foot got trapped between Henry's legs and his right ankle appeared to give way. The England international was taken off on a stretcher and was being given oxygen as he was transported to hospital. Zamora, who made his England debut last month and scored 19 goals last season, signed a new four-year contract last week worth £10m, but this was no way to mark it.

Hughes said: "It looks like he will be out for four months. He will be operated on tomorrow. It's a break just above his ankle, but we will know more when the doctor has had a look. It's a shame. The surgeon will have a look at the damage and if it's a break, four centimetres above the ankle, that [four months out] is a minimum.

"It was one of those tackles – I don't really blame the player. It can happen, although I was a bit disappointed it wasn't given as a foul."

Wolves had looked secure with their lead while Fulham were in shock, but in Dembélé they may already have Zamora's replacement. Three minutes after the interval, a cross by Stephen Kelly fell to the Belgium international and the 23-year-old, signed from AZ Alkmaar, poked his shot home from 18 yards. Hughes said: "I've been watching him for some time and he will only get better."

With the momentum all the hosts' way, Fulham had a good penalty appeal turned down after a foul on Simon Davies and Wolves resorted to some darker arts to try to sneak away with a point.

As the visitors reached six yellow cards, Christophe Berra received his second caution of the game – and, therefore, a red card – with a minute remaining. From the resultant free-kick, Dembélé had a shot on goal from 25 yards that took a deflection and beat Marcus Hahnemann at his near post.

"We had some silly bookings and I'm mad at Christophe for getting sent off," said Mick McCarthy. "But I don't see us as some overly physical team."