Fulham and Rovers play out a tight two-all draw at the Cottage
Starting Line Ups
First Half Action
3 mins
The visitors got the game off to a bad start when Benni McCarthy collided with Dejan Stefanovic as they both contested a high ball. As a result, the former Porto striker was unable to continue and was replaced by Jason Roberts.
7 mins
Following a lengthy delay due to the injury to McCarthy, Fulham created a fine scoring opportunity through good work from Simon Davies. The winger played a well-weighted ball into the path of Diomansy Kamara who was unable to get the ball out from under his feet in time to produce a finish to trouble the rapidly advancing Friedel.
11 mins
The loss of McCarthy temporarily threw Rovers out of step and Fulham were eager to take advantage. Simon Davies was certainly looking in fine form as he found Dempsey in space on the right on the Rovers’ defence.
20 mins
Despite maintaining a good level of extended possession, the visitors were unable to trouble the Whites’ back line, which was standing firm and dealing with Rovers’ attacks as a matter of course.
27 mins
A fine piece of skill by Clint Dempsey just before the half hour mark fed the ball delightfully into the path of Bouazza who made good progress down the wing before seeing his cross put being for a corner by Ryan Nelsen.
35 min
With no significant chances going either way, the encounter was more a war of attrition than anything else. Space in the midfield area was at a premium, however the visitors were enjoying the upper had in the middle third, largely due to David Bentley frequently dropping back to provide an additional outlet.
45 mins
Diomansy Kamara forced a fine save from Friedel when the Senegal striker whipped in a teasing cross which the big American keeper parried wide. That proved to be the last significant attack of the half for Fulham as Rovers looked to go into half time on the front foot. Fulham’s defence just about contained the visitors as they made one final push.
Second Half Action
49 mins – GOAL FULHAM – Murphy
The Whites got the second half off to a good start with Danny Murphy coolly converting a penalty kick. Clint Dempsey started the move off which ultimately led to the spot kick when he found space down the left wing and crossed the ball to Kamara in the area. The Fulham striker was unceremoniously brought down by Nelsen.
53 mins
Rovers did not take kindly to going a goal down and were soon putting the Fulham back line under pressure with a number of dangerous set pieces. Morten Gamst Pedersen saw a free header flash just over the angle of the bar as Rovers delivered another dangerous free kick.
57 mins – GOAL BLACKBURN – Emerton
Fulham’s lead was short-lived as Brett Emerton fired the visitors back on level terms. Stephen Warnock was able to find a spare yard on the left wing and his deep cross was met at the back post by the Australian winger.
62 mins – GOAL FULAM – Kamara
Fulham re-established their lead just after the hour mark following a fine passing move involving several Fulham players. The move culminated in Danny Murphy feeding the ball to Simon Davies. The Welsh international played a fine first touch cross into the box, leaving Kamara with the simple task of side footing home from only a matter of yards out.
65 mins
Although the Whites were back in front, Blackburn were still presenting a considerable threat as a result of their penetrating runs through the middle of the park which often saw them moving swiftly through Fulham midfield line.
66 mins – Hameur Bouazza OFF, Shefki Kuqi ON
Lawrie Sanchez introduced Shefki Kuqi to the action in place of Hameur Bouazza. The change saw Clint Dempsey move to the left wing.
74 mins
Antti Niemi was called up to make a fine close range save Samba amidst a crowded penalty area.
79 mins – GOAL BLACKBURN – Warnock
Fulham’s defence was unable to hold out as Rovers equalised for the second time. Jason Roberts tricked his way around two defenders before rolling a pass across the face of goal. The ball evaded everyone but Warnock, who was unmarked at the back post.
82 mins – Danny Murphy & Diomansy Kamara OFF, David Healy & Seol Ki-Hyeon ON
Lawrie Sanchez made his final substitution of the match. Simon Davies moved into a central midfield position allowing Clint Dempsey to occupy the right wing and Seol take up position on the left, whilst Healy was a straight replacement for Kamara. Unfortunately Fulham were unable to find the winning goal before the referee blew the final whistle.
fulhamfc.com Man of the Match
Simon Davies
The winger's distribution throughout the encounter was intelligent and accurate. He was active in closing down the opposition and set up Kamara for Fulham’s second.