Wednesday Fulham Stuff (10.02.10)

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/09/fulham-burnley-premier-league


Bobby Zamora makes a scoring return as Fulham easily beat Burnley


Sachin Nakrani at Craven Cottage

guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 9 February 2010 22.03 GMT

 
Fulham captain Danny Murphy jigs in delight after opening the scoring against Burnley. Photograph: Joe Giddens/Empics

It has taken some weeks but Fulham have at last rediscovered their swagger. The side have been in stuttering form ever since they thrashed Manchester United 3-0 at this ground just before Christmas and with injuries mounting, some wondered if they would be able to repeat such an eye-catching trick again any time soon.

Those fears can now be laid to rest. Roy Hodgson's men may have only beaten Burnley last night, but the job was done in wholly impressive style

Key to the victory was Bobby Zamora, once a figure of frustration for Fulham supporters but now undoubtedly their hero. On his return from illness, the striker terrorised Burnley and having created the second goal for his strike partner David Elm, got the third himself after half-time. The scoring was opened by Danny Murphy following a brief flurry from Burnley that suggested they could be about to secure their first away win of the season. Fulham, though, stamped on those dreams.

Their recent struggles in front of goal – Roy Hodgson's men have scored just once in their last five league games – meant the return of the top scorer Zamora was greatly welcomed in these parts. It took the striker some time, however, to get into the game due to a vibrant start from Burnley. Zamora did, though, eventually make his mark on eight minutes, cushioning Chris Baird's chip into the path of Damien Duff who dragged the resulting shot wide of the visitor's goal.

After further Burnley pressure Fulham came forward again and on 23 minutes took the lead. Nicky Shorey swept a pass towards David Elm at the edge of the area who, in turn, headed the ball into the path of Murphy. The Fulham captain was under pressure but showed enough composure to poke the ball past Brian Jensen in the Burnley goal.

The visitors suddenly found themselves being overwhelmed. Dickson Etuhu and Zamora both went close to doubling the their lead before Elm eventually did so, with a close-range shot on 31 minutes. It was the Swedish striker's first goal for the club since arriving last month.

Burnley's manager Brian Laws brought the winger Chris Eagles on in place of the central defender Leon Cort near the end of the first half in a bid to salvage something from this game. The admirable attacking intent proved negligible as Fulham simply picked up from where they left off before the interval. It took them less than five minutes of the second half to have a shot on goal and once again Zamora was involved, albeit rather fortunately.

The 29-year-old just happened to be in the right place as David Edgar's clearance ricocheted into his path but, having created space for himself, the striker's resulting low, curling shot was close enough and slow enough for Jensen to make the save.

That proved to be a warning shot as on 54 minutes Zamora found a way past the Dane with a free-kick from the edge of the area. Once again the effort was low and swerving, but this time strong enough for him to secure a 12th goal of the season.

Burnley were now struggling even more to assert themselves in the contest and the manner in which Andre Bikey hacked down Elm close to the far touchline summed up their frustration.

Zamora went off to a standing ovation on 72 minutes and was replaced by on-loan striker Stefano Okaka. And the Italian then almost got a fourth for Fulham on 79 minutes, but saw his shot charged down by Jensen.

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/7198576/Fulham-3-Burnley-0-match-report.html

Fulham 3 Burnley 0: match report


Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Fulham and Burnley at the Craven Cottage on Tuesday Feb 09 2010.
 
By Jonathan Liew at Craven Cottage


Published: 10:05PM GMT 09 Feb 2010


In the coming weeks, Brian Laws may want to keep an eye on the fortunes of Rothes. The amateur team from the north-east of Scotland have lost all 10 of their away fixtures in the Highland League, and are currently the only team in Britain with a worse record on their travels than Burnley’s.

After a 12th defeat in 13 away games, perhaps only a genuine humiliation will awaken them. On this evidence, it’s certainly coming.

Striker David Nugent epitomised Burnley’s poverty. Such was Fulham’s midfield monopoly that he hardly got a touch, and spent the game alternately haring after lost causes and shaking his head sadly. Not that the home side were in top gear. There was no need. They simply waited to be presented with the ball and passed it around at will.

Fulham have often struggled with the favourites’ tag. But with the visitors content to play the game inside their own half, they enjoyed all the early pressure and had time to pick the telling ball.

It was Nicky Shorey who provided it, floating a cross on to the head of David Elm. The Swede held off David Edgar and nodded the ball into the path of Danny Murphy, the midfield general making a rare sortie behind enemy lines. The captain made no mistake from six yards, although Elm may have been a touch offside.

It was a familiar but ever perplexing story for Burnley: a side so elegant and assured on their own patch looked like they were playing on ice. Two free-kicks, one fired straight at Mark Schwarzer by Danny Fox and one from Tyrone Mears that clipped the upright, were the limit of their potency.

With a dulling inevitability, they went two down. Bobby Zamora beat the offside trap and shot low from an angle. Brian Jensen blocked but should have held, and Elm was on hand to swipe home his first goal in English football.

In such promising circumstances, it was only a matter of time before Zamora ended his six-game league drought. He should have scored when a clearance hit him and fell at his feet 12 yards out, but made amends with a low left-footed free-kick from 20 yards.

Burnley were fortunate that it stayed at that, having created virtually nothing of their own. They now enjoy a break of almost a fortnight before playing Aston Villa, but this week could yet hold more ignominy: Rothes travel to second-bottom Fort William on Wednesday.

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Fulham 3 Burnley 0


Published: Today


FULHAM moved into ninth place in the Premier League with a comfortable win over Burnley at Craven Cottage.

First-half goals from Danny Murphy and David Elm put the home side in control and Bobby Zamora wrapped up all three points with a second-half free-kick.

Burnley, who have yet to win away this season, remain close to the relegation zone.

The home side had the first chance of the game in the seventh minute when Damien Duff's cross-shot only just missed the far post and the waiting Simon Davies.

Duff should have done much better when he got clear of the Burnley defence five minutes later but his cross from the touchline fell behind all the onrushing Fulham attackers.

The Clarets responded with Andre Bikey trying his luck from 30-yards. However, his weak effort was well-wide of the tarrget.

There was little to enthuse about in a dull opening period although Duff continued to threaten for the home side.

Captain Danny Murphy broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. A cross from Nicky Shorey was headed into his path by Elm and the Fulham midfielder applied a neat finish from six yards.

Burnley almost levelled from the re-start but Steven Fletcher's 20-yard angled drive flashed past Mark Schwarzer's right-hand post.

Etuhu was denied Fulham's second goal in the 28th minute when his 20-yard shot was brilliantly pushed to safety by Jensen.

The second goal arrived in the 31st minute when Bobby Zamora got the better of Leon Cort only to see his shot parried by Jensen.

However, Elm followed up to slip the loose ball beyond Jensen from six yards for his first goal for the club.

Burnley boss Brian Laws immediately replaced Cort with Chris Eagles.

Zamora should have made it three for Fulham five minutes after the restart but his eight-yard shot was brilliantly saved by Jensen.

Seconds later an attempted cross from Duff almost confused Jensen and the Burnley keeper was relieved to see the ball drop onto the top of the net.

But Burnley paid for some woeful defending in the 53rd minute when Zamora was fouled by Edgar on the edge of the Fulham penalty area.

The striker curled a low free-kick into the bottom corner of the net to make it 3-0 to the home side.

Fulham continued to dominate and Duff had a shot deflected just wide in the 65th minute.

Elm and Zamora were forming a clever partnership in attack and Burnley struggled to cope with their neat approach work.

In the 69th minute Murphy almost worked a shooting chance for himself after threading his way through the Burnley defence but Jensen smothered the danger.

The 23,005 fans packed into Craven Cottage enjoyed a thrilling win for Fulham and more misery for Burnley as their poor form on the road continues.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2846656/Fulham-3-Burnley-0.html#ixzz0f50mikrt

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Fulham 3 Burnley 0: Danny Murphy, David Elm and Bobby Zamora condemn Brian Laws to fifth loss in six as Clarets boss

 By Simon Cass

Last updated at 10:11 PM on 09th February 2010



Burnley head to Portugal for a training camp on Wednesday and manager Brian Laws must be hoping the jaunt finally cures his side's travel sickness after Fulham consigned them to yet another away defeat.

Goals from Danny Murphy, the impressive David Elm and Bobby Zamora moved Fulham to within eight points of the magic 42 and, even with their injury problems, hitting that survival target should not prove beyond them.

Burnley, by contrast, remain in serious relegation danger.

They stand just two points above the drop zone, thanks in no small part to their shocking away form.

Burnley had arrived at Craven Cottage confident of erasing a record of no away wins all season, having been buoyed by their first league victory in 13 attempts on Saturday against West Ham.

Beating Fulham on their own patch always looked tough, though, given that Roy Hodgson's men had lost just once at home in nine league games prior to Tuesday night's match.

Burnley hopes had been raised by Fulham's rocky recent form, which had brought just one win in eight matches, a fortunate 1-0 victory over Portsmouth last week.

But it took just 23 minutes for Fulham to take the lead when Elm's header across goal was steered in from close range by Murphy.

Dickson Etuhu nearly doubled Fulham's advantage with a 25-yard drive moments later, an effort which needed a fine stop from Brian Jensen, but the home side's second goal was not long in coming.
 
Jensen could only parry a shot from Zamora - with the striker looking suspiciously offside - straight into the path of Elm, who had a simple tap-in for his first Fulham goal on the half hour.

Tyrone Mears came closest to pulling one back for Burnley before the break, but was desperately unlucky to see his 25-yard free-kick shave the outside of Mark Schwarzer's right-hand post.

Zamora almost made it 3-0 five minutes after the restart and Burnley were once again indebted to Jensen, who kept out the striker's shot with a one-handed save.

But Zamora soon made amends, sending a low free-kick round a badly positioned wall and beyond Jensen's reach to complete a resounding win.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1249734/Fulham-3-Burnley-0-Danny-Murphy-David-Elm-Bobby-Zamora-condemn-Brian-Laws-fifth-loss-Clarets-boss.html#ixzz0f52Bx0nf

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Forget unearthing the next Chris Smalling, Fulham must spend big to compete, urges Roy Hodgson

By Sportsmail Reporter


Last updated at 5:03 PM on 09th February 2010

Roy Hodgson has revealed he wants Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed to fund a summer spending spree that will allow the Craven Cottage club to keep playing European football.

Hodgson believes his academy may have unearthed another two gems in Wayne Brown and Robert Milsom to go along with Chris Smalling, the defender who has agreed to join Manchester United in a £12million summer deal.

Both Brown, 21, and fellow midfielder Milsom, 23, have earned rave reviews during loan spells away from West London, but as the duo are still completing their football education and are not yet ready to become first-team regulars in the Premier League, the Fulham manager wants to reinforce his injury-hit and paper-thin squad.
 

The list of those currently on the sidelines includes Kagisho Dikgacoi, John Pantsil, Paul Konchesky, Clint Dempsey and Andy Johnson, while Bobby Zamora and Simon Davies are due to return in tonight's match with Burnley after spells out.

And with so many on the treatment table, Hodgson admits new players are needed if the club wants to repeats their heroics of the previous year and a half in both the Premier League and European competition.

Hodgson said: 'Brown is now doing well on loan at Bristol Rovers and we like Milsom very much. We think they've got a chance to be players.

'But we are fully aware that if we are to do as well as we have done in the last year and a half then we will need some help in the summer.

'That will probably mean we will be seeking some quality additions as we've run the squad right down. We have between now and the summer to identify targets and persuade the chairman that all the support he has given in the past isn't yet finished and he has to keep going.

'A lot of the money that I have spent in my couple of years here has actually been recouped, in part by the sale of Smalling.

'That hasn't helped the chairman, because all the money he has put in in the past hasn't been.

'However, I'm still asking him to put money onto money.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1249692/Forget-unearthing-Chris-Smalling-Fulham-spend-big-compete-urges-Roy-Hodgson.html#ixzz0f539HwTN

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8503958.stm


Fulham   3 - 0   Burnley
 
Swedish striker David Elm scored and set one up for the Cottagers


By Kevin Darling 


Fulham extended Burnley's dismal away run in controversial circumstances at Craven Cottage.

Danny Murphy lashed home the opener after being teed up by David Elm, who looked clearly offside.

Elm then tapped home a second after Brian Jensen parried a shot from Bobby Zamora, who also looked offside when he received the ball.

Zamora rounded off the win with a 20-yard free-kick as the Cottagers coasted to victory.

It was a familiar story for Burnley's success-starved travelling support but the visitors will feel aggrieved at two key decisions that went against them in the first half.

For injury-hit Fulham it was a welcome - and ultimately comfortable - win but their two decisive first-half goals could both have been ruled out.

The Cottagers had scored only once in their last five league games but could be encouraged by the visitors' extraordinarily inept away form.

The Clarets arrived in west London with just a solitary point from their previous 12 away matches, while conceding at a rate of about three goals a game.

The clearest opening in the scrappy early exchanges fell to Damien Duff in farcical scenes that would prove ominous for the visitors.

The Irish midfielder found himself in acres of space down the right-hand side but looked almost surprised to be deemed onside - and duly wasted the chance to cross.

The Clarets looked to be matching their lacklustre opponents until another poor decision from the referee's assistant led to Brian Laws' side falling behind.

Nicky Shorey's lofted pass from the left found Elm, who looked a clear foot ahead of the last defender before he headed the ball into the path of the onrushing Murphy.

The Fulham captain deftly controlled with his chest before superbly firing a volley past Jensen from eight yards.

Steven Fletcher almost levelled instantly when his sizzling left-footed effort flew just past the post, before the Cottagers scored another disputed goal.

This time, Zamora was the man who appeared offside when he raced onto Chris Baird's pass down the line.

Zamora was allowed to cut inside and his shot was parried by Jensen straight to the feet of Elm, who calmly dispatched the ball past the helpless Clarets keeper.

Burnley boss Laws immediately introduced winger Chris Eagles for injured defender Leon Cort as the Clarets attempted to hit back.

The closest they came was from free-kicks, with a 25-yard Tyrone Mears effort grazing the crossbar and Danny Fox hitting a set-piece straight at Mark Schwarzer.

Zamora almost added a third goal after the break when the ball fell kindly to him the area but Jensen got down superbly to palm the striker's low effort around the post.

However, it didn't take for Fulham's top scorer to get on the scoresheet. After David Edgar felled Zamora on the edge of the area, the striker picked himself to place a low free-kick past Jensen.

If the keeper felt disappointed not to get a hand on the shot, he partially redeemed himself minutes later by saving well with his legs from substitute Stefano Okaka.

Burnley battled to find a way back into the game and Chris Eagles missed two good chances to add some tension to the closing stages - but Fulham's eighth home win of the season never looked in danger.

Burnley's away record will not look any healthier after another comprehensive defeat on the road, but Laws will be left wondering what might have been if the game's vital decisions had gone his way.


Live text and stats
 

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Premier League

Home Team Score Away Team Time
Fulham 3-0 Burnley R
(HT 2-0)
Murphy 23
Elm 31
Zamora 54
   

Hide team line-ups and match stats
Fulham
01 Schwarzer
05 Hangeland
06 Baird
07 Shorey
18 Hughes
13 Murphy
16 Duff (Riise 77)
20 Etuhu yellow card
29 Davies (Greening 62)
25 Zamora (Okaka Chuka 71)
35 Elm
Substitutes
19 Zuberbuhler, 02 Kelly, 26 Smalling, 17 Riise, 27 Greening, 09 Okaka Chuka, 10 Nevland Burnley
12 Jensen
05 Carlisle
14 Mears
15 Edgar
18 Cort (Eagles 32)
21 Bikey
34 Fox
07 McDonald
11 Elliott (Cork 56)
09 Fletcher
22 Nugent (Paterson 76)
Substitutes
31 Weaver, 04 Duff, 42 Cork, 33 Eagles, 10 Paterson, 20 Blake, 30 Thompson Ref: Foy
Att: 23,005
FULHAMBURNLEYPossession
Fulham 54% Burnley 46% Attempts on target
Fulham 12 Burnley 3 Attempts off target
Fulham 4 Burnley 7 Corners
Fulham 6 Burnley 2 Fouls
Fulham 9 Burnley 9

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http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0910/Premiership/BurnleyHome.aspx

Fulham 3 - 0 Burnley


Fulham produced a fine performance to deservedly take all three points on Tuesday evening against Burnley. It was certainly a game pleasing on the eye as both Fulham and Burnley started with the intention of keeping the ball on the floor.

The White soon seized control of proceedings and David Elm set up Danny Murphy for the opener. Elm turn from provider to scorer soon after when he prodded home a rebound from Bobby Zamora’s shot. The scoring was rounded off in the second-half when Zamora placed a low free-kick past Brian Jensen.   

Simon Davies and Dickson Etuhu made their returns to the Fulham starting eleven, somewhat relieving the Whites of the recent injury troubles. Whilst up front Bobby Zamora was also back on the team sheet, having recovered from short bout of illness.

Following a slow start to the encounter, the Whites were first to work a dangerous opportunity when Simon Davies, who was lurking at the back post, almost got his foot to a wide shot from Damien Duff.

The game sparked into life soon after that opportunity with both sides playing neat, one-touch football much to the appreciation of the Craven Cottage crowd. One such passage of play produced a fine opening for Duff down the Fulham right flank, unfortunately when the ball was cut back to the edge of the area, there were no Fulham players on hand to apply the finish.

Despite chances being at a premium during the first 20 minutes, there were no groans of frustration from the crowd who were witnessing a delightful show of passing football. Fulham upped the tempo on 21 minutes when Duff fed a short pass to David Elm, whose attempted curling effort into the bottom corner was held by Brian Jensen.

Fulham took the lead in the 22nd minute through Danny Murphy. The pressure had been building up from Roy Hodgson’s side and the breakthrough came from a well-worked opportunity. David Elm was the creator as he nodded Nicky Shorey’s diagonal pass into the path of Murphy, who had made a darting run into the area to finish well past Jensen.

Fulham continued to apply the pressure and a fine save from Jensen helped stave off a Fulham second. The Whites maintained their momentum and the second goal of the evening came soon enough when David Elm opened his account. Bobby Zamora made good ground down the right flank and his left-footed shot could only palmed out by Jensen but only to the feet of Elm who delicately lifted the ball over the grounded keeper and into the net.

There was a timely reminder of the danger that Burnley posed on 41 minutes when Tyrone Mears’ free kick clipped the outside of Mark Schwarzer’s post.

The Whites didn’t have to wait long for their first chance of the second-half to present itself. Bobby Zamora blocked a clearance and forced an impressive low save from Jensen, winning Fulham a corner in the process.

There was a glimmer of danger on 50 minutes when a surging run from Andre Bikey took him clear of his midfielder marked but an uncompromising clearance from Aaron Hughes stopped the big midfielder in his tracks.

Fulham won a free right on the edge of the area when Bobby Zamora was hauled to the ground on 52 min by David Edgar. Zamora stepped up to coolly side foot the free kick past the despairing grasp of Jensen to make it three-nil.

Simon Davies was replaced by Jonathan Greening on 61 minutes after making a good return from his spell on the sidelines.

With the game drifting away from them Burnley stuck to their task and kept Fulham honest – although the Whites were certainly in no mood to give Brian Laws’ side an easy way back into the game.

Fulham’s attack was refreshed on 70 minutes with the introduction of Stefano Okaka for Bobby Zamora. The Whites’ final change of the evening saw Bjorn Helge Riise come on for Duff on 77 minutes – by which time the game was clearly in the process of winding down.

Only another good stop from Jensen prevented Fulham from netting their fourth of the night when Stefano Okaka’s shot was tipped wide after the Italian Under-21 international was played in on goal by Riise. It proved to be the last moment of note in the match as Fulham closed out the game well in control.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0910/Premiership/BurnleyHome.aspx#ixzz0f55ANEhU

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http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/09022010/58/premier-league-revitalised-fulham-trounce-burnley.html?

Premier League - Revitalised Fulham trounce Burnley


Eurosport - Tue, 09 Feb 21:55:00 2010

             
Fulham cruised to a 3-0 Premier League win over Burnley at Craven Cottage to go ninth in the standings and leave their visitors hovering above the drop zone.

Goals from Danny Murphy, Bobby Zamora and David Elm - his first for Fulham - saw off Burnley, who were outclassed as their hosts took seven points from three games since snapping a worrying losing streak.

After a 3-0 win over Manchester United and goalless draw with Tottenham were followed by five straight defeats, it seemed like the rails had come off for Roy Hodgon's side, with injuries to John Panstil, Paul Konchesky, Clint Dempsey and Andy Johnson threatening to ruin their season.

But the loan signings of Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka have helped the Whites bounce back, with Swedish target man Elm adapting to the Premier League and left-back Shorey helping them regain their shape.

Elm was particularly impressive, with a goal and an assist in an all-round performance showcasing an impressive touch alongside his natural aerial ability.

Burnley, for all their neat passing and endeavour, lacked that cutting edge up front and were short of defensive organisation as they were cut apart at times.

A slow start by both sides reflected a lack of recent confidence compared to their early-season exploits, but with possession the name of their games they soon found passing grooves.

With ownership of the ball evenly-matched, Fulham's extra quality told as they created the better chances.

Brian Jensen saved well from Elm and Dickson Etuhu, Damien Duff somehow placed a cut-back to the edge of the box when clean through on the right and Simon Davies was just not quick enough for Duff's cross-shot, before scooping over later in the half.

Burnley were restricted to long-range efforts, Steven Fletcher firing wide twice, a 25-yard Danny Fox free-kick deflected harmlessly into Mark Schwarzer's arms and a Tyrone Mears effort from the same spot that fizzed just over.

The hosts took the lead on 23 minutes after a spell of pressure was rounded off by Murphy's low finish into the bottom right, fed by classic centre-forward play from Elm to control and lay-off Shorey's crossfield pass.

Elm doubled the hosts' lead eight minutes later with his first goal in a Fulham shirt, a tap-in from close range after Jensen could only parry Zamora's low drive.

There was a hint of offside about that goal, with Zamora marginal when he initially raced through down the right, although Fulham had a penalty appeal waved away when Duff's cross appeared to hit a Burnley defender on the arm.

The second half followed a similar pattern as Fulham, in control now, toyed with their opponents with some mesmerising passing.

Zamora missed one sitter, allowing Jensen to save from eight yards after a sweeping move down the right saw him played clean through.

But he made up for it with a 54th-minute free-kick placed low into the bottom left, exploiting a poorly-positioned wall and Jensen's lack of awareness of the gap.

Burnley battled gamely enough in an attempt to salvage some face, with Chris Eagles shooting just over and several deliveries from wide testing Schwarzer.

Fulham had another penalty appeal turned away by referee Chris Foy, the ball bouncing up against Edgar's arm after Duff fired a low shot in following a corner.

Substitute Okaka impressed on his introduction and the Italian should have hit a fourth to open his account at the Cottage, but a combination of hesitance to finish and a slide challenge from Clarke Carlisle were enough to allow Jensen to save.

Despite the match being effectively over from Zamora's strike, both sides pushed for more goals, with Okaka and Eagles both going close from the edge of the box.

The result means Fulham climb one point above Everton to ninth, although the Toffees have two games in hand, while the Clarets slip one place to 16th after Wigan drew with Stoke.

Reda Maher / Eurosport

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http://fulhampatsfan.blogspot.com/2010/02/fulham-beat-burnley-3-0-at-craven.html?

Fulham beat Burnley 3-0 at Craven Cottage



This ended up being a very good week for Fulham. They were able to take 7 points from their last 3 matches. The latest match tonight was a 3 - 0 victory against Burnley. Fulham now have 34 points and currently sit 9th in the table.

In the first half, Fulham's first goal was scored by Danny Murphy in the 23rd minute. The goal was set up from a pass from David Elm. The second goal was set up by a shot on net by Bobby Zamora which ricocheted off of Brian Jensen. David Elm took the deflection and scored the second goal of the game in the 31st minute.

In the second half, Bobby Zamora is pulled down in a very dangerous area outside of the box.
Bobby Zamora then scores the free kick on a low drive that got past Jensen in the 54th minute. Other action in the second half involved a couple of good opportunities for Stefano Okaka to try to score his first Premier League goal. In the 77th minute Okaka was one on one with Jensen and his shot was blocked. In stoppage time Bjorn Helge Riise sent a great cross to Okaka. Unfortunately for Okaka his shot went wide of the net.

Overall for Fulham this was an important win to get some momentum going into the FA cup Match against Notts County and then their Europa League Match against Shakhtar Donetsk. The match tonight saw Fulham have 52% of possession while scoring three goals. I am sure Roy Hogdson will be happy with this result.

Posted by Fulham-Pats Fan at 5:06 PM 

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http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-boss-hodgson-delighted-goal-scorer-elm-632711?


Fulham boss Hodgson delighted for goal scorer Elm


10.02.10 | tribalfootball.com

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was delighted to see David Elm grab his first Premiership goal in their victory over Burnley.

First-half goals from Danny Murphy and Elm put the home side in control and Bobby Zamora wrapped-up all three points with a second-half free-kick.

"It was really good to see David score," added Hodgson. "He's been a bit of a revelation. At the time he came in we had a lot of strikers, but he has moved up the pecking order and deserves to be where he is."

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http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2010/02/10/fulham-cruise-to-burnley-win-64767-25801545/?

Fulham cruise to Burnley win


Feb 10 2010 By Jacob Murtagh


Fulham 3-0 Burnley

BOBBY Zamora returned to fire Fulham to a comfortable victory against Burnley last night.

The former West Ham frontman missed Saturday's draw at Bolton through sickness, but made the Clarets feel even worse at Craven Cottage to heap more misery on Brian Laws' men.

Zamora wrapped up the points 10 minutes after the break with a well-taken free-kick to add to Danny Murphy and David Elm's first-half efforts.

Fulham flew out of the blocks, with Damien Duff, Elm and Murphy going close early on.

And they finally made the breakthrough midway through the first-half.

Nicky Shorey's left-wing cross was headed down by Elm, and Murphy steered his effort beyond Brian Jensen and inside the near post.

Burnley barely threatened Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal, and Roy Hodgson's side almost added to their lead through Dickson Etuhu, but Jensen was equal to his curling effort.

However, they did double their advantage on the half-hour mark when Elm scored from close range after Jensen could only parry Zamora's effort.

The Whites took their foot off the gas after the interval, but they put the game out of sight through Zamora's 12th goal of the campaign.

The 29-year-old was brought down on the edge of the Burnley box, and dusted himself down to curl the free-kick around the wall and into the bottom left-hand corner.

Things could've got even worse for the visitors late on, but Jensen denied Fulham sub Stefano Okaka.

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http://hammyend.com/?p=5326


Thoughts from the Burnley game


by NickW on February 10, 2010

Fulham were superb tonight, all the way through the team. The BBC match report seems rather skewed to me, suggesting that Burnley were at least as good as we were tonight, and only lost because of some poor refereeing. Sat from where I was in the Putney End tonight, I must say that the first two goals didn’t seem blatantly offside to me or those sat around me, although obviously I must be wrong about that. In fact, I could have sworn that there were a couple of handballs in the Burnley penalty area that were missed by the referee too, so I suppose it’s swings and roundabouts.

Schwarzer was solid if rarely tested, collecting every cross that came his way with consummate ease. Even Mears’ free-kick that clipped the post appeared to be covered by the Australian. Hughes was as good as ever – it hardly seems worth commenting on his performances any more. What a snip he was at £1m – thank you Martin O’Neill (and Lawrie Sanchez)! Hangeland was more dominant than he has been in recent months, even if his positioning isn’t as good as it perhaps was last season.

Shorey continues to look absolute quality at left-back. At this rate, Konchesky is not going to get back into the side, unless he plays in front or behind Shorey on the flank. Baird too seems a lot more composed and adept in the RB slot than he did under Sanchez. Not sure whether that has anything to do with a) Roy’s coaching and defensive set-up; b) confidence and an improved skill set from playing in midfield; or c) having better players alongside him. Either way, he was excellent tonight. Baird and Shorey too offer the attacking threat from full back that is so crucial to our play, providing valuable width whilst our wingers cut inside and feed off front men’s work.

I was saying last week how it was time to give up the Baird-Murphy partnership, and play a more physical enforcer to add some presence next to Murphy. Etuhu and Dikgacoi really do seem to provide Murphy with a lot more space and time on the ball, and crucially we seem to be much more adept at regaining possession with one of them in the side. Etuhu was superb tonight, breaking up play well, and allowing Murphy to influence play and spray passes all over the park, safe in the knowledge that Etuhu was offering protection behind him.

Duff was dangerous every time he got the ball, and seemed to get behind the Burnley defence time after time (maybe due to some poor work from the officials. And how good was it to see Simon Davies back playing again? He has played on the left hand side and fair bit under Hodgson, so that doesn’t worry me too much. Considering it was his first game back in a while, I thought he played well, despite being slightly rusty at times. Riise demonstrated the bundles of energy that we have come to expect from him; Greening came on with the sole intention of preventing the dangerous Eagles from inspiring any Burnley attacks, and did so pretty effectively.

Zamora showed yet again just how crucial a player he is to our attacking play, bullying the Burnley defence, linking up beautifully with Duff, Murphy and Elm, putting pay to the concept that two target men can’t play well together. Zamora scored an excellent free-kick – another string to his bow – and could have had a couple more, were it not for the keeping of Jensen. Fortunately, one fell nicely at the feet of the impressive Elm who tucked it away nicely. He looks a decent player to me, leading the line well, with some nice flicks and link-play.

Despite having no real pace up front, these two played well together – either getting the better of the defence and running at goal; or passing it out wide and getting into decent positions in the box. They’re our best bet up front at the moment. Okaka caused Burnley some problems, but that first goal still eludes him. I think he’s better off at the moment coming on from the bench whilst he learns the nature of our game, and using his strength and pace to attack tiring defences.

For the first time in weeks, we looked a good, balanced side out there. We really cannot afford any more injuries though. Not because (as some might suggest) we will get sucked into a relegation battle – we have 34 points with 12 games remaining. But there is a very real danger that our season can peter out into nothingness.

All in all, an excellent three points. Lucky? Maybe. But nobody could suggest that it wasn’t deserved.

[White Noise]

From the Other Side


Tuesday 9th February 2010


Fulham FC News
 
Speaking after Tuesday evening's encounter at Craven Cottage, visiting Manager Brian Laws was disappointed in the nature of his side's defeat:

"Luck has not been on our side tonight," he explained. "We did not particularly play well but I thought their first two goals were offside.

"The TV replays show the referee and linesman got it wrong. They are important decisions for us. We need any help we can get.

"Our performance was not up to the standard we set on Saturday against West Ham.

"We shot ourselves in the foot with the first goal because we could have cleared our lines, but the second phase of play was offside.

"But if the referee and linesman get it right, it is no goal. One or two heads dropped but we cannot carry anybody.

"The two goals coming in quick succession, knocked the stuffing out of us.

"We know our away form is not great but we will just have to pick ourselves up.

"We have got to keep working with the players, continue trying to change their mindset and that's what we will do. We will get there.

"There are plenty of games left and nobody is panicking. We know what's at stake and we certainly know what we have to do to stay in the Premier League. We have every confidence in ourselves that we will achieve that."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/LawsReaction.aspx?#ixzz0f73bwuZH

[White Noise]

Burnley Photo Special


Tuesday 9th February 2010


http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/BurnleyPhotoSpecial.aspx

[White Noise]

All Right on the Night

Tuesday 9th February 2010


Fulham FC News

Speaking after Fulham's convincing three-nil win over Burnley at Craven Cottage, Whites Manager Roy Hodgson gave his post-match reaction:

"It's been a very good week and it was nice to crown it in a positive way," he said.

"I thought we worked well from the first to the last minute and we were good value for our victory.

"With this game coming after a few where we were forced to ride our luck from time to time, it was nice to win in a very convincing manner.

"Getting Simon [Davies] and Bobby [Zamora] back was really important and both of them did very well to last as long as they did.

"It was nice to be able to substitute them fairly early on as well and not push them to the limit.

"I thought the victory lay in the hard work and the quality of our defending.

"We gave them very little time and space to play and we used the ball wisely.

"We got everything right tonight - the defending and attacking - and on a night like that, we would have been a tough nut to crack for any team."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/BurnleyReaction.aspx#ixzz0f74CSlKN

[White Noise]

Season Tickets 2010/11

As we are sure you'll agree, the 09/10 Barclays Premier League season so far has been one to remember. Highlights include memorable victories against both Manchester United, and Liverpool, reaching the Round of 32 in the UEFA Europa League, and our great run in the FA Cup finds us successfully through to the 5th round. The second half of the season promises to be just as exciting, with some great football to be witnessed at Craven Cottage.

You can play your part next Season by seeing the live action from your guaranteed seat, whilst enjoying some of the great benefits we offer exclusively to our Season Ticket holders.

We are delighted to announce that our 2010/11 season tickets will be on sale shortly, and you will be able to take advantage of the best prices for top class football in London and secure your seat to witness more history in the making at one of the most iconic and traditional sporting arenas in the country.

Register your interest today! Fill in the form below and you’ll be the first to hear about our Season Ticket packages for the 2010/11 season.

Looking to renew? No need to fill in the form, the Club will be contacting you shortly about our best ever Season Ticket packages for 2010/11.

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Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/SeasonTickets201011.aspx#ixzz0f74TFaKs

[White Noise]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/hard-work-and-quality-defence-key-%E2%80%93-fulham%E2%80%99s-hodgson-632261?

Hard work and quality defence the key – Fulham’s Hodgson


10.02.10 | Andrew Slevison

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson identified hard work and quality defending as the main reasons for his side’s 3-0 victory over Burnley on Tuesday night.

The Cottagers moved up to ninth with the win after Danny Murphy, David Elm and Bobby Zamora netted at Craven Cottage – the performance delighting Hodgson.

“I thought the victory lay in the hard work and the quality of our defending," said Hodgson.

"We gave them very little time and space to play and we used the ball wisely.

"We got everything right tonight - the defending and attacking - and on a night like that, we would have been a tough nut to crack for any team."

[White Noise]

http://www.epltalk.com/15721/15721?

Showwww Hodgson the Moneeeeeyyyy

by Robert Anke

on February 10, 2010 · 0 comments


Fulham manager Roy Hodgson put an early bug in Mohamed Al Fayed’s ear for coinage toward the’10-’11 season.  After reading about it and watching his current patchwork team, decimated by injuries, put together two wins and a draw while keeping three clean sheets in a row- in addition to morphing/improving steadily over the course of the last two and a half seasons- I’m thinking, “Does any manager in the Prem have more of a right to some cold cash money than Hodgson?”

Show. Him. The money.

Before Hodgson, the Whites were as porous in defense as a stop sign made from a cheese grater with birdshot through it.  And their midfield was literally nonexistent since, apparently, Lawrie Sanchez’ philosophy was to render them invisible by playing longball like a schoolyard kickball fanatic.  In contrast, Hodgson’s Fulham have been a slowly maturing labor of love that started from the back and have aged into a team that can play stalwart, attractive football in the first two-thirds of the field on a more and more consistent basis the longer his tenure continues.  It’s been slow, and it’s been ugly at times, but increasingly it’s been rock solid, and has gained a well-connected midfield that plays like a midfield should.  Heck, I give him praise for just using the midfield after the Sanchez era.  With all the good and bad put into a messy whole, The Cottagers are visibly, and undoubtedly evolving toward a guided vision.  Leaving aside his past globetrotting successes- and the fact that he’s a players’ coach, generally loved by teams and their fans upon exit (I said generally, Blackburn fans)- you could take Fulham’s snowballing run over the past two and a half seasons, put it in a vacuum, and there’d still be no wondering why he garners respect from the respected.

Now for his hard-earned money.  Now for his push to round out and polish his vision to a high shine with a final third worthy of what he’s banked.  If Zamora’s form continues he’s at least got a brick wall to build around that most teams need as a back-to-the-goal necessity (see Arsenal).  You could argue that he’s got Andy Johnson coming back next season, and I’d have to say, “meh.”  But if Hodgson elects to keep him, I’d also have to give in and say he’s also earned the time to will the same mojo into AJ that he did in Baird, Dempsey, Zamora, and Hughes who have all blossomed under his tutelage and faith in them.  If he gets the money he’s asking for, and spends it on the front line as well as he did on the back two thirds, there could well be a thing of beauty to behold.  At the very least, he’ll have created another addition to the pack of teams jackhammering away at the widening cracks in third and fourth place.  And what a great addition to Premier League football a rising Fulham would be.  Ahhh, to not only see, for years to come, an increasingly consistent, solvent, strong Tottenham, Everton, Aston Villa, Man City (anomaly, I know), and Fulham knocking, but to bask in the glory of financial insolvency as it helps to level the playing field from the top down at the same time.  The Premiership’s looking up.

…and Roy Hodgson’s Fulham are too.

So it’s time to show him the money Al Fayed.

Show.  Him.  The money.

[White Noise]

http://www.fulhamusa.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=932


Fulham Stroll with Fine Win against Burnley
 
   
 Fulham produced a fine performance to deservedly take all three points on Tuesday evening against Burnley. It was certainly a game pleasing on the eye as both Fulham and Burnley started with the intention of keeping the ball on the floor.

The White soon seized control of proceedings and David Elm set up Danny Murphy for the opener. Elm turn from provider to scorer soon after when he prodded home a rebound from Bobby Zamora’s shot. The scoring was rounded off in the second-half when Zamora placed a low free-kick past Brian Jensen.

Simon Davies and Dickson Etuhu made their returns to the Fulham starting eleven, somewhat relieving the Whites of the recent injury troubles. Whilst up front Bobby Zamora was also back on the team sheet, having recovered from short bout of illness.

Following a slow start to the encounter, the Whites were first to work a dangerous opportunity when Simon Davies, who was lurking at the back post, almost got his foot to a wide shot from Damien Duff.   
The game sparked into life soon after that opportunity with both sides playing neat, one-touch football much to the appreciation of the Craven Cottage crowd. One such passage of play produced a fine opening for Duff down the Fulham right flank, unfortunately when the ball was cut back to the edge of the area, there were no Fulham players on hand to apply the finish.

Despite chances being at a premium during the first 20 minutes, there were no groans of frustration from the crowd who were witnessing a delightful show of passing football. Fulham upped the tempo on 21 minutes when Duff fed a short pass to David Elm, whose attempted curling effort into the bottom corner was held by Brian Jensen.

Fulham took the lead in the 22nd minute through Danny Murphy. The pressure had been building up from Roy Hodgson’s side and the breakthrough came from a well-worked opportunity. David Elm was the creator as he nodded Nicky Shorey’s diagonal pass into the path of Murphy, who had made a darting run into the area to finish well past Jensen.

Fulham continued to apply the pressure and a fine save from Jensen helped stave off a Fulham second. The Whites maintained their momentum and the second goal of the evening came soon enough when David Elm opened his account. Bobby Zamora made good ground down the right flank and his left-footed shot could only palmed out by Jensen but only to the feet of Elm who delicately lifted the ball over the grounded keeper and into the net.

There was a timely reminder of the danger that Burnley posed on 41 minutes when Tyrone Mears’ free kick clipped the outside of Mark Schwarzer’s post.

The Whites didn’t have to wait long for their first chance of the second-half to present itself. Bobby Zamora blocked a clearance and forced an impressive low save from Jensen, winning Fulham a corner in the process.

There was a glimmer of danger on 50 minutes when a surging run from Andre Bikey took him clear of his midfielder marked but an uncompromising clearance from Aaron Hughes stopped the big midfielder in his tracks.

Fulham won a free right on the edge of the area when Bobby Zamora was hauled to the ground on 52 min by David Edgar. Zamora stepped up to coolly side foot the free kick past the despairing grasp of Jensen to make it three-nil.

Simon Davies was replaced by Jonathan Greening on 61 minutes after making a good return from his spell on the sidelines.

With the game drifting away from them Burnley stuck to their task and kept Fulham honest – although the Whites were certainly in no mood to give Brian Laws’ side an easy way back into the game.

Fulham’s attack was refreshed on 70 minutes with the introduction of Stefano Okaka for Bobby Zamora. The Whites’ final change of the evening saw Bjorn Helge Riise come on for Duff on 77 minutes – by which time the game was clearly in the process of winding down.

Only another good stop from Jensen prevented Fulham from netting their fourth of the night when Stefano Okaka’s shot was tipped wide after the Italian Under-21 international was played in on goal by Riise. It proved to be the last moment of note in the match as Fulham closed out the game well in control.
 
   Posted by: AmericanMike on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 - 03:32 PM 
 

[White Noise]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/portsmouth/article7021202.ece

Fulham confirm rude health with comfortable victory


Fulham 3 Burnley 0


Gary Jacob
 
Recommend?
Burnley fly to Portugal for a team-bonding trip on Wednesday, but they suffered another bout of travel sickness the night before. Once again, they were floored by an ailing defensive performance and could return to the bottom three on Wednesday night after Fulham eased to a straightforward victory.

Bobby Zamora made the critical minority of home fans eat their words with an assured display, made considerably easier by being given space by wayward opposing centre backs. The forward created one and scored another from a free kick, which he celebrated with a finger pressed to his lips. David Elm’s poached first goal was especially welcomed by Roy Hodgson, who will be without Andrew Johnson and Clint Dempsey, both injured, for most of the rest of the season.

Zamora was laid low by a virus for four days last week, but his season’s tally of 12 goals is his highest in a top-flight campaign. He scored Fulham’s third when his free kick crept into the corner of the net after Brian Jensen placed a defensive wall poorly, then stepped behind it, allowing Zamora space to find the net.

“It was an excellent performance and Zamora was going strong at the end when we took him off,” Hodgson, the Fulham manager, said.

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The tone was set by Zamora’s nod-down that allowed Damien Duff to shoot just wide. Soon after, the striker exchanged passes on the edge of the area with Elm, then Dickson Etuhu, both of whom shot straight at Jensen.

Elm was more productive soon after, caressing Nicky Shorey’s deep cross back for the onrushing Danny Murphy to chest down the ball and volley home.

David Edgar had a horrible time at left back and he was caught for Fulham’s second goal. Chris Baird slid a pass inside the channel for Zamora, who replays showed was offside, to cut inside and shoot low. Jensen should have held on and Elm pounced on the loose ball for his first goal for the club.

Stefano Okaka, a substitute, burst clear to be denied by Jensen’s parry. Brian Laws’s attempts to tighten up defensively backfired as Burnley failed to muster a meaningful chance. Daniel Fox struck a free kick straight at Mark Schwarzer and Tyrone Mears had a similar strike that shaved a post.

Burnley have conceded nearly three goals a match in 13 trips and their solitary away point came against Manchester City in November.

“The performance was not up to standard and it was not helped by the refereeing decision [when Zamora was offside for Elm’s goal],” Laws said. “The two goals before the break knocked the stuffing out of us.”

Fulham (4-4-2): M Schwarzer — C Baird, A Hughes, B Hangeland, N Shorey — D Duff (sub: B H Riise, 77min), D Murphy, D Etuhu, S Davies (sub: J Greening, 62) — R Zamora (sub, S Okaka, 71), D Elm. Substitutes not used: P Zuberbühler, S Kelly, E Nevland, C Smalling. Booked: Etuhu.
Burnley (4-4-2): B Jensen — T Mears, C Carlisle, L Cort (sub: C Eagles, 32), D Edgar — W Elliott (sub: J Cork, 56), K McDonald, A Bikey, D Fox — D Nugent (sub: M Paterson, 76), S Fletcher. Substitutes not used: N Weaver, M Duff, R Blake, S Thompson.
Referee: S Bennett.