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.::Chri$' $pace™January 16 Fulham - NewcastleHello...... Fulham have pulled clear of the drop zone after substitute Steed Malbranque bagged a late winner against Newcastle at Craven Cottage. The Frenchman was on hand to slot home on 75 minutes after Collins John's initial left-footed drive was only parried by Shay Given. Newcastle started the better of the sides and Charles N'Zogbia and Alan Shearer were desperately close to connecting to Lee Clark's dangerous left wing cross. However, it was the home side who had the first shot on target with Heidar Helguson forcing Given into a close-range save with his legs following Tomasz Radzinski's header. Radzinski continued to be involved in the majority of Fulham's best moves and only a fine save from Given kept out the Canadian striker's long-range stinging volley. Shortly after, the former Everton man was down in a heap after former Chelsea man Celestine Babayaro appeared to catch the pacey striker with a high boot. Luis Boa Morte was looking lively down the left and his cross was superbly guided goalwards by American striker Brian McBride only for Given to gratefully clutch the ball to his chest. The remainder of the half saw few chances of note leaving managers Chris Coleman and Graeme Souness to consider their options to break the deadlock after the interval. Souness suffered more agony during half time with the news that Stephen Carr would not return for the second period with Robbie Elliott taking his place at right back. Newcastle made a positive start to the second half, but the first opening fell to the home side with only a last-ditch block from Lee Bowyer denying Radzinski. Surprisingly Radzinski then made way for Fulham with Coleman opting to bring on French playmaker Malbranque for the Canadian hit-man. The creative midfielder made an immediate impact and only a smart save down to his left by Given frustrated the substitute from close range. Newcastle were close to going in front when Jean-Alain Boumsong saw his goal-bound header cleared off the line from Nolberto Solano's corner. The miss proved costly as just moments later the home side broke clear, with Boa Morte and McBride combining to give John a scoring opportunity. The Dutch striker lashed a left-footed shot goalwards that Given could only parry into Malbranque's path and he converted the close-range effort. Fulham should have doubled their advantage shortly after, but somehow Helguson could only find the crossbar after Liam Rosenior's cross eluded everyone in the middle. Newcastle were close to snatching a point when Bowyer lashed a shot goalwards, although Antti Niemi was on hand to force the shot wide. The Magpies threw everyone forward in the closing stages in an attempt to net an equaliser but it was not their day, nor was it Souness'.
Chri$ Portsmouth - FulhamHello......A difficult year on the South Coast ended with a tangible sense of optimism as Pompey's prodigal son Harry Redknapp led his side to a 1-0 win over Fulham. Central to Redknapp's renewed mission statement is the need to restore Fratton Park to a fortress in the bid to escape relegation, and Gary O'Neil's first half strike had the Pompey faithful roaring as his strike proved crucial against The Cottagers. After a year tainted by poor performances and farcical management soap operas, the manner of the victory against Chris Coleman's under-strength outfit will send a clear sign that Redknapp's charges are more than capable of pulling away from the relegation zone in the New Year. Bouncing back superbly from a 4-0 mauling against Arsenal, Portsmouth took full advantage of an early injury blow to Fulham's Heidar Helguson as Tresor Lomana Lua Lua and O'Neil led an attacking onslaught. However Fulham should have taken the lead after just seven minutes when Tomasz Radzinski somehow contrived to fire over from underneath the crossbar after panic in the Pompey ranks from an Ahmad Elrich corner. Redknapp's desire to make Fratton Park a fortress once more after returning from his exodus at Southampton was assisted by the Pompey faithful, who were in full voice as they cajoled their side on. O'Neil went desperately close as he burst forward from midfield, skipped past Zat Knight and fired his shot wide of the right-hand post, and Lua Lua saw an effort blocked as the South Coast effort looked to end a difficult year on a positive note. However it was Chris Coleman's visitors who began to look the most likely through the strike partnership of Helguson and Brian McBride, and both hit-men went close with headers as they made their aerial presence count. The in-form Icelandic international was desperately unlucky not to see another effort beat Sander Westerveld as he capitalised on a defensive error to take down a long ball, but his bright start was curtailed on 28 minutes when he had to be removed due to injury - with Collins John coming on. Fulham's flow was disrupted and Pompey began to probe as Lua Lua saw his goal-bound free kick parried away by Cottagers keeper Tony Warner. The Congolese striker then nearly took advantage of determined work from Matthew Taylor as he blazed a shot over, whilst French star Laurent Robert was less productive from a wayward free kick. After 43 minutes the breakthrough that Fratton Park had been waiting for arrived, when Dario Silva found space on the right and clipped in a cross that Zat Knight failed to clear. There was a suspicion of handball as O'Neil controlled the loose ball, but there was no doubt about the finish as the impressive young midfielder sent Redknapp into raptures and Pompey into half time in the ascendancy. Fulham continued to struggle after the break and were sent another warning when Silva stole the ball off the feet of Lua Lua and smacked a shot wide, leaving the Uruguayan apologising to his strike partner. After a penalty appeal was waved away, Pompey should have doubled their advantage when Robert's whipped cross bisected the Fulham defence - and former Luton man Taylor was inches away from connecting as he slid into the six-yard box. Fulham were threatening intermittently, but wasted a good chance on the break when skipper Luis Boa Morte's pass proved too heavy for young striker John. Pompey, desperate to claw themselves out of the relegation zone, were in need of a second goal for security and peace of mind, and again could have claimed it as O'Neil's clever pass saw Lua Lua beat the offside trap - although the former Newcastle star saw his low effort saved by Warner. Taylor offered a speculative effort as Redknapp's side continued to dominate in front of a vociferous Fratton Park, and the livewire Lua Lua curled yet another chance just wide of the far post. However Fulham almost grabbed an unlikely leveller as Knight got on the end of a free kick and saw the ball fall kindly for the home side, before Liam Rosenior fluffed a long range effort when he spotted Sander Westerveld out of position. Redknapp's men continued to fight, and their play revolved around Lua Lua and O'Neil as the pair again combined before the striker rued a lack of poise as he blasted over. The Fulham defence were being run ragged by the irrepressible Lua Lua as he appealed unsuccessfully for another penalty, but as the minutes wiled away Coleman's side looked more anxious and Legwinski fired a shot off-target. However it was Pompey's day on New Year's Eve, and O'Neil nearly capped his fine performance with another goal as he flicked the ball wide, before curling an effort into the hands of Warner. The Fulham shot stopper was visibly frustrated with the course of the game and grabbed hold of substitute Azar Karadas to earn both players a yellow card, but a minor unsavoury incident could not dim the enthusiasm of the home support as they saw their side move to within two points of 17th place. Lua Lua was unable to convert yet another opening as he stumbled through on goal, and Pompey had to survive a nervy few closing minutes before claiming their much needed, and much deserved win.
Chri$ Fulham - Leyton OrientHello.....Fulham became the first Premiership side to fall in this year's FA Cup when they were shocked 2-1 by a spirited Leyton Orient. The League Two side overcame a nervy start to seal a thoroughly deserved victory in a tight encounter at Craven Cottage. Orient, going well in their division, came out fighting for everything, but were fortunate to take an early lead after being outplayed in the first 20 minutes. Luis Boa Morte curled a free kick just over the crossbar, Tomasz Radzinski saw a well-taken goal disallowed for offside, and it seemed only a matter of time before the Premiership side opened the scoring. Against the run of play it was Craig Easton who put Leyton Orient ahead, reacting first to a loose ball on the edge of the box and firing a fierce shot into the top corner with the aid of a deflection (17). Martin Ling's side were buoyed by their advantage, and started to close off Fulham's opportunities much more effectively. For the remainder of the first half The Cottagers were barely allowed a sniff on goal, some crunching tackles all over the pitch forcing them to try their luck down the wings, and numerous hopeful crosses came to nothing. On the stroke of half time The O's incredibly doubled their lead, switching the ball from right to left and finding Joe Keith in the area. Under pressure from Zat Knight, Keith shot for goal, and found his target courtesy of a looping deflection off the defender which left Tony Warner stranded between the posts. The home side began the second half much more positively and soon pulled a goal back through Collins John. Radzinski picked up possession in midfield, and played a perfectly weighted pass to John, who showed his class with a cool finish (50). Fulham then proceeded to throw everything they had at Leyton Orient, although their unheralded London rivals bravely tried to weather the onslaught. A penalty was awarded when Gabriel Zakuani brought down Boa Morte, but John wasted the spot-kick, shooting tamely and giving Glyn Garner a comfortable save. The O's defended admirably, and held the ball up well in midfield to relieve the pressure. By contrast Fulham, despite their urgency, looked bereft of ideas and short on quality. They created few opportunities and were restricted to long shots and hopeful penalty shouts. In the end it was no surprise that Orient saw out the final few minutes confidently to secure a famous victory.
Chri$ January 03 Fulham - SunderlandHello......... Collins John scored a goal in each half as Fulham battled back from a goal down to beat ten-man Sunderland.The striker's double made it five wins in six home games for The Cottagers, although made hard work of getting past a team with just six points to its name.Liam Lawrence had given the visitors an early lead at Craven Cottage with a left-foot volley that gave the Black Cats renewed hope they could produce the greatest of all escapes from their perilous position.But Sunderland's early optimism soon disappeared as John equalised just before the break and then put the hosts with his second header shortly after Steven Caldwell had been given his marching orders for a professional foul.The only disappointment for Fulham manager Chris Coleman will be injuries to Steed Malbranque, who lasted just six minutes after coming on as a sub, and Papa Boupa Diop.Fulham's festive period had not been full of joy before the arrival of The Black Cats with a total of one point yielded from their three games, with defensive errors the main reason behind their problems.But Coleman could blame no member of his back four for Sunderland's opener as Lawrence's stunning strike from just outside the area broke the deadlock.The former Mansfield man's goal gave the away fans that had made the long trip down from the north east something to cheer about and few could begrudge them a slender lead at the break, Tommy Miller's desperate diving clearance to stop John levelling matters typifying the visitors' determination to cling onto their lead.However, the Dutchman was not to be denied just two minutes before the break as his looping header at the far post beat Kelvin Davis after Tomasz Radzinski's cross was cleverly flicked on by Brian McBride at the edge of the area. As if losing the lead right before the interval hadn't been a big enough blow, Mick McCarthy's side found themselves reduced to 10 men shortly after the re-start when Caldwell was sent off.Referee Dermot Gallagher was left with little option but to show the defender a straight red after he had clipped Heidur Helguson when the striker was running through on goal.It didn't take long for the extra man to tell in Fulham's favour as John completed his brace when nodding home Helguson's excellent cross with the outside of his right boot.Not even the prospect of another league defeat seemed to dampen Sunderland's spirits though, and they fought until the final whistle in an attempt to find an equaliser.Substitute Daryl Murphy would have made an immediate impact after coming on from the bench had his flick on dipped below the bar instead of just over it.Lawrence came close to a second stunner of the afternoon, but his long-range right foot drive was deflected just wide of the post as the Wearsiders again found out that you need to do more than just work hard to pick up points in The Premiership
Chri$ December 30 Fulham - Aston VillaHello......... Fulham and Aston Villa played out a superb 3-3 draw at Craven Cottage. Two goals from Brian McBride and a Heidar Helguson penalty looked to have sent Fulham home happy, however a Liam Ridgewell double and a Luke Moore strike always kept Villa in contention. The game saw Fulham take the lead three times, only for Villa to hit back on each occasion to eventually share the spoils. Kick-off had to be delayed by ten minutes after referee Richard Beeby was injured during the warm-up, and he was replaced by fourth official Andy D'Urso. It took Villa even longer to get into the game, Fulham dominating the early exchanges without really testing Thomas Sorensen.Despite the early pressure, it was the visitors that produced the first chance of the match, Luke Moore blazing over after good work down the right by Milan Baros. Fulham, however took the lead minutes later through McBride, the American heading home Tomasz Radzinski's cross. Luis Boa Morte played in Radzinski down the right and his early cross found its way to McBride who headed home from 10 yards.Villa could have equalised soon after the goal, creating two great opportunities to level. First, James Milner latched onto Steven Davis' low ball, however, from eight yards out, he could not get a clear sight of goal to get his shot away. Wilfred Bouma almost levelled things up with a long range drive which, had it not been for the back of Dean Leacock could have burst the net, instead it looped inches wide of the opposite post. Villa were back in the game on 29 minutes as Moore slotted home coolly after being played in by Baros. The Czech international striker played a superb through-ball for Moore to get on the end of and, after controlling the ball with his first touch, the youngster lifted the ball over the on-rushing Mark Crossley. Fulham however made an instant response to conceding, and regained the lead from the penalty spot after Mark Delaney was adjudged to have brought down Radzinski in the area. Running onto the ball, Radzinski was challenged by Delaney, and despite looking to get part of the ball, the referee's assistant instructed D'Urso to point to the spot. Helguson made no mistake from the spot, scoring in a similarly cheeky fashion to the one that beat Petr Cech just two days earlier. The final stages of the half saw few clear-cut opportunities created, with Gavin McCann going closest. James Milner's deep free-kick went through everybody, striking McCann on the knee, however the diversion came back off the top of the post and to safety. The second half began in a similar vein to the end of the first, before two goals in the space of a minute once again livened up the game. Ridgewell's toe-poke got the sides level again, however parity only lasted 35 seconds before McBride headed home his second of the game. Villa equalised on the hour after Milner's low, near-post cross was poked through Crossley's legs by Ridgewell to level the scores at 2-2. From Fulham's next attack, the home side were once again ahead thanks to a superb header from McBride. Boa Morte's deep cross was perfectly weighted for the American to power home into the top corner of the goal, leaving Sorensen with no chance. The American almost claimed his hat-trick seconds later, however his looping effort landed on the top of the net. Villa threw everything at the Fulham defence from then on, however some resilient defending from The Cottagers' back-line prevented a third equaliser. However, with Fulham looking to hold on, they were inviting pressure and eventually crumbled, and Ridgewell claimed his second of the evening. Milner was once again the provider, this time from the left, his low ball across the face of the goal was missed by three Fulham defenders and the central defender made no mistake from close range. From then on, both teams shored up their defences, with the game turning scrappy in the latter stages. McBride almost stole it in stoppage time for Fulham, however his left-foot volley went inches wide of the post.
Chri$ December 28 Chelsea - FulhamHello......Chelsea marched on at the summit of The Premiership following a thrilling, but uncomfortable, 3-2 success over Fulham at Stamford Bridge. The points looked a formality when Frank Lampard's deflected goal put the home side two-up after William Gallas broke the deadlock early on. However, Chris Coleman's side fought back and the impressive Brian McBride pulled one back before Heidar Helguson's second half penalty squared up the contest. There was still time for a winner and Hernan Crespo produced a top-drawer finish after 75 minutes to give The Blues the points from Joe Cole's pin-point cross. The league leaders began positively and it took just three minutes for Jose Mourinho's side to seize an early advantage at Stamford Bridge. Lampard's right-sided corner was flicked on by Robert Huth for Gallas who arrived right on time to guide the German defender's header past Mark Crossley from close range. Helguson was close to levelling matters shortly after, but keeper Petr Cech was quick off his line after McBride out-jumped John Terry outside the area. Chris Coleman's side continued to probe at their more illustrious counterparts, although it was the home side who extended their advantage. Lampard, an ever-willing shooter, tried his luck from outside the box and his fierce drive clipped Sylvain Legwinski and flew past Crossley's outstretched hand. However, just five minutes later it was game on again when a rare Cech mistake gifted McBride the chance to pull one back for the visitors. Luis Boa Morte's free-kick was too hot to handle for the Czech Republic ace and he allowed the ball to spill through his hands to the grateful McBride. Buoyed on by getting back into the match, the chances continued to come for Fulham with McBride trying a volley before Tomasz Radzinski fired wide from the edge of the box. Eidur Gudjohnsen replaced the disappointing Shaun Wright-Phillips at half time and the Iceland international had a shot superbly saved by Crossley moments after the restart. Crespo thought Chelsea had a penalty when Zat Knight appeared to handle the ball near the by-line, although official Graham Poll waved away the protests. Just moments after McBride fluffed a chance to level matters, the visitors were awarded the perfect opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot. McBride was bundled over in the area by Cole before Helguson coolly rolled the ball past Cech who dived the wrong way. The game was suddenly very open and Lampard thought he had restored Chelsea's lead when he tapped home from close range, but the effort was ruled out for offside. The chances continued to flow for the home side and Crossley had to be on his toes to claw out Crespo's goalbound header from just a few yards out. Just seconds after Collins John almost fired Fulham ahead, the game was settled when Crespo superbly guided home past substitute keeper Tony Warner following good work by Cole. Fulham pressed for what would have been a deserved leveller, but Chelsea held out to claim their 16th league win of the season from 18 games.
Chri$ December 17 Fulham - BlackburnHello.........Fulham made it four wins in a row at Craven Cottage with a 2-1 success over Blackburn Rovers. First half goals from returning duo Papa Bouba Diop and Luis Boa Morte were enough to give Fulham all three points although they were made to sweat for the victory after a late own goal from Zat Knight. Fulham started brightly and Diop saw a shot deflected just wide on ten minutes after Lucas Neill had carelessly given the ball away. The home side came close to breaking the deadlock on 21 minutes when Boa Morte picked out Collins John inside the box with a fine cross, but the Dutchman's header was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Brad Friedel. Robbie Savage had Blackburn's first serious shot at goal on 25 minutes when he fired a free kick from the edge of the box over the top. John was forced off on 35 minutes with Heidar Helguson replacing him in attack. Brett Emerton went close to scoring on 39 minutes when Paul Dickov played him in down the right, but his shot was kept out by Mark Crossley. Blackburn really should have opened the scoring seconds later when David Bentley stood up a fine cross for the unmarked Emerton six yards out, but the Australian with the goal at his mercy somehow headed his effort wide of the target. Friedel had a lucky escape on 41 minutes when he dropped a long ball from Dean Leacock under pressure from Helguson, but he recovered to block Brian McBride's shot after the ball dropped to the American striker. Morten Gamst Pedersen wasted a good opening a minute before half time when he flashed a shot over the top after Knight's headed clearance fell invitingly to him on the edge of the box. Fulham made the breakthrough right on the stroke of half time when Diop bundled Boa Morte's in-swinging free kick past Friedel. The home side suffered a blow four minutes after the break when the influential Diop limped off with an injury and he had to be replaced by Sylvain Legwinski. Fulham doubled their lead on 52 minutes through Boa Morte after a fine flowing move. McBride sent Helguson scampering down the right and he cut the ball back for Boa Morte who kept his composure before sweeping his right-footed shot past Friedel. Blackburn were inches away from pulling a goal back on 57 minutes when Gamst Pedersen saw his free kick from the edge of the box thump off the crossbar. The visitors were infuriated on the hour mark when Dickov ran clear on goal only to be pulled up with a late offside flag and Bentley was booked for his protests. Things threatened to turn ugly when Dickov and Knight were both booked in quick succession and Neill was lucky to escape a caution after clattering into Boa Morte. Blackburn's frustrations were getting the better of them and Tugay and Neill were both booked in the last five minutes as tempers boiled over. Two Rovers substitutes David Thompson and Shefki Kuqi combined to create a chance on 86 minutes, but Thompson's volley was deflected wide by Knight. Rovers were handed a lifeline in the final minute when Knight headed Dickov's cross into his own net and in the dying seconds Dickov saw a dangerous cross just fly wide of the post. Dickov was then denied an equaliser when Crossley kept out his shot as Blackburn threw everything into attack, but Fulham held on to take all three points and climb further away from trouble at the wrong end of the table.
Chri$
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