Starting Formations

Fulham
4-4-2

Dempsey    Johnson

Davies    Etuhu    Murphy    Gera

Konchesky    Hughes    Hangeland    Pantsil

Schwarzer

Blackburn Rovers
4-5-1

Roberts

Pedersen   Tugay   Warnock   Andrews   Diouf

Givet    Samba     Nelson    Ooijer

Robinson

Match Report

Blackburn Rovers came from behind to take all three points at Craven Cottage on Wednesday evening. Fulham took the lead through Clint Dempsey but two second half goals from El-Hadji Diouf and Jason Roberts ensured a vital win for the visitors.

Roy Hodgson made one change to the side that played Manchester United in the FA Cup Quarter Final, with Zoltan Gera replacing Bobby Zamora in the starting line-up. The change meant a place up front for Clint Dempsey. Following the sad passing away of Eddie Lowe a moment’s silence was held prior to Kick Off.

 

The Fulham faithful didn’t have long to wait for the opening goal of the match as Fulham took the lead through Clint Dempsey with their very first attack. The American international showed good strength to shrug off the attentions of Ryan Nelson and was able to poke the ball past Paul Robinson in the second minute.

 

The Whites were denied a second goal soon after when fine counter-attacking play from Johnson, Dempsey and Davies crafted a great opportunity for Johnson. The striker was able to get his shot away but the lunging block of Stephen Warnock saved Rovers.

 

Fulham’s attack was certainly on form in the early stages and a wonderfully creative pass from Dempsey found Davies in acres of space in the penalty area on 11 minutes. Even though the ball fell on Davies’ wrong foot, the winger was able to test Robinson with a strong volley.

 

Fulham were lucky to hold on to their lead in the 17th minute when Stephen Warnock struck the foot of the post with a curling shot. Jason Roberts was able to get the wrong side of Brede Hangeland out wide and threaded a pass to Warnock. Although Aaron Hughes was in the way, Warnock dummied well to create some space before clattering the woodwork.

 

The game continued at a frantic pace and although a fierce battle for possession was being fought in the centre of the park, both sides were also finding space to play their way through the opposition. That did not last long however.

 

As the first half progressed defences took the upper hand as the game descended into something of a war of attrition with the ball spending more time in the air than on the ground. The passage of play seemed to suit Brede Hangeland down to the ground as he won header after header in the heart of Fulham’s defence.

 

The first half ended with El-Hadji Diouf receiving a booking after the whistle for dissent.

The Whites started the second period looking to avoid the aerial battle that consumed the first half. Hoping to stretch their opponents, Fulham were using the full width of the pitch whilst Rovers steadfastly maintained their direct approach.

 

A series of Fulham corners early in the second half had Rovers on the back foot. It was enough to convince Sam Allardyce to introduce Benni McCarthy to the action on 55 minutes as Rovers switched to a 4-4-2 formation.

 

In the play immediately following the substitution, Mark Schwarzer produced a wonderful save to deny Warnock’s swerving volley from the angle of the area.

 

A lively forward run and cross from Paul Konchesky on 60 minutes created a good opportunity for Fulham. The left back exchanged passes with Dempsey before delivering a low cross into the box just beyond the advancing Johnson and Gera.

 

Blackburn eventually took the upper hand, putting the Fulham back line under pressure from a series of high balls. El-Hadji Diouf scored the equaliser on 70 minutes amid heavy suggestions of offside. The goal scorer was certainly beyond the final Fulham defender when Rovers played the initial ball into the box, however the winger had moved back onside for the second phase of play and was on hand to touch home Christopher Samba’s header.

 

Blackburn continued to press and Schwarzer again denied Warnock with a world class save on 70 minutes.

 

Aaron Hughes’ participation ended on 77 minutes when he was replaced by Toni Kallio after picking up a knock. Diomansy Kamara came on for Gera minutes later, joining Andy Johnson in attack.

Jason Roberts put Rovers in front with just five minutes remaining when he managed to turn past Kallio deep in to Fulham's area and fire past Schwarzer. There was nothing Fulham could do to get back on level terms before the final whistle.

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