Starting Formations

Fulham
4-4-2

Zamora      Johnson

Davies     Etuhu     Murphy (C)     Dempsey

Konchesky     Hughes     Hughes     Baird

Schwarzer

Arsenal
4-2-3-1

Van Persie

Vela   Denilson Diaby   Nasri    Arshavin

Clichy     Gallas     Toure     Sagna

Almunia

Match Report

There was some good news for Fulham ahead of kick-off with Diomansy Kamara being named as one of Roy Hodgson's substitutes for Saturday's clash at the Emirates. After suffering a serious knee injury whilst on international duty in the summer of 2008 Kamara has made a remarkable recovery to return for the final third of the 08/09 Barclays Premier League season.

Following last weekend's league win over West Brom Roy Hodgson made one change to his starting eleven to face Arsenal. Chris Baird replaced the suspended John Pantsil at right back.

Arsenal kicked-off at the Emirates and it was a pulsating first half in which Fulham put on a first class performance.  Roy Hodgson's side created four genuine chances on goal in the opening ten minutes of play and attacked with intent. Arsenal's left flank was exposed on each occassion with Johnson (twice), Davies and Dempsey all going close.

Johnson looked particularly lively for Fulham, causing Gallas and Toure concern with some intelligent and incisive runs behind Arsenal's defence. His second effort on goal followed a turn on the edge of the area which left Gallas flat-footed and the striker clean through on goal.

The home side created  their first clear cut chance after 11 minutes of play. Van Persie's header from six yards out forced  Schwarzer to produce a superb fingertip save to tip the ball over the cross bar.

Fulham played with real confidence and whilst looking defensively secure the Whites looked the more likely side to take the lead. Bobby Zamora had two long range efforts before the half hour mark before turning provider for Johnson to go close at Almunia's near post before Murphy fired over the rebound from the edge of the area.

Arsenal for their part had two further opportunities before half-time but on each occassion Nasri and Van Persie were denied by outstanding last ditch defending. Five minutes before the break Chris Baird, whose first half performance was faultless, required treatement after taking a knock but returned moments later in an attempt to run off the knock. Fulham attacked in waves before the break and could count themselves unfortunate not to be ahead at half-time.

Despite his best efforts to run off his first half ankle injury Chris Baird did not return for the second period and was replaced by Fredrik Stoor at right back. The Swedish international was in the thick of the action straight away with Arsenal clearly targeting Fulham's right flank.

Van Persie, utilised on the left wing at the start of the second half, made several probing runs deep into Fulham's half but Hodgson's defence remained resolute and the Whites remained on level terms, partly due to two superb last ditch tackling from Brede Hangeland.

Fulham's organisation and discipline was paramount to keeping the tie level whilst a slice of luck came their way 15 minutes into the second half when Van Persie's header came back off Schwarzer's far post.

The deadlock saw Arsene Wenger made the first substitution of the game, replacing Vera with Bendtner. Fulham rode out Arsenal's storm of pressure and readdressed the balance of play, threatening with some fine counter attacking football. The best chance fell to Simon Davies who saw his strike from 18 yards blocked after Johnson and Zamora had linked up superbly, combining pace and movement to expose Arsenal's back-line.

Twenty minutes from time Sagna was replaced by Eboue. The switch signalled another phase of intense Arsenal pressure. Schwarzer was forced to produce his second outstanding save of the game, denying Diaby at near post with as reflex save. 

Eight minutes from time Arshavin was handed Arsenal's best opportunity of the game. Van Persie teed up Arshavin on the left hand side of the area for a clear shot on goal but fortunately the Russian international balsted his shot wide of Schwarzer's near post.

Two minutes from time Roy Hodgson replaced Clint Dempsey with Zoltan Gera. During the closing stages the Whites dominated possession with some slick one-touch passing in the home side's half. Hodgson's side thoroughly deserved a point from Saturday's tie and will count themselves unfotunate not to have gained an advantage early on after creating several fine chances on goal.

Roy Hodgson's side return to action on Wednesday when they take on Hull City at Craven Cottage and tickets are now on general sale|.

Roy's Reaction

"I'd be even happier if we'd stolen the victory today. Throughout the first half we controlled possession and I thought we could have made more of our chances.

"In general it was a good performance and it continues a good run of form. It shows we've come of age. We played our football when we got the ball. I thought the midfield four were very much on their game today, with and without the ball.

"I thought Chris Baird did exceptionally well for us today. He's had to have stitches in his foot which was unfortunate for him."

 

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