Aaron Hughes led Roy Hodgson's side out at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night for Fulham's UEFA Europa League clash with AS Roma.

The Whites made a great start to game and their positive attacking play was rewarded after 17 minutes when Diomansy Kamara earned the Whites the lead from the penalty spot.

The superb Zoltan Gera started the move that led to the penalty. The Hungarian played a perfectly weighted pass from the half way line into Clint Dempsey's path down the right channel. The American squared the ball to the advancing Kamara who skipped past Andreolli before being tripped 14 yards from goal.

It was a clear-cut penalty and the Referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Kamara duly obliged and send Doni the wrong way with a low right-footed drive into the corner of the net.

The home crowd were left stunned as Kamara performed his trademark celebration in front of more than 1,500 travelling Fulham supporters.

Fulham restricted Ranieri's side to one clear-cut chance during the first-half and Mexes should have done better when the opportunity came after 24 minutes of play.

Cicinho delivered an inch perfect cross from the right flank and Mexes rose above Fulham's defence to head wide just from six yards out.

The home side enjoyed a strong spell of possession as the half hour mark approached but Hodgson's side rarely looked troubled. It was another calm, assured and impressive performance from Fulham on Thursday night.

Roma's pressure soon subsided and Kamara's pace was causing Roma problems when attacking from deep. The striker set Dempsey free down the left hand side of the area following a great sprint in possession after 31 minutes. Unfortunately the American could not find a finish and was dispossessed when he cut back inside.

Kamara almost doubled Fulham's lead five minutes later when he was left unmarked at the far post to latch onto a deep cross from the left by Konchesky.

The striker headed just wide of Doni's goal but before half-time Fulham continued to carve Roma's defence open.

Five minutes before the break Roma were appealing for a penalty after Okaka Chuka's shot inside the area cannoned off a Fulham defender but the Referee instantly signalled for a corner and ignored the home side's appeal.

Fulham continued to catch Roma on the counter before half time and looked by far the stronger side. Atthe break the home side could count themselves fortunate that the deficit was only a solitary goal. It was a superb professional first-half performance from Hodgson's side.

Fulham's Manager made one change to his side for the second-half, with Erik Nevland replacing Kamara in attack.

Nevland's evening was to be short-lived. After just four minutes of play the Norwegian striker was sent off following a tackle from behind on De Rossi. Any contact appeared minimal but the Referee's decision was final and Fulham were once again forced to play with ten men after another contentious decision.

The home side were buoyant following Nevland's red card and the Whites were forced to retreat and defend in numbers. Roma substitute Taddei came close when he fired in a blistering right footed shot from 30 yards, which skimmed over Schwarzer's bar after 50 minutes.

The home crowd though Taddei had pulled the game level three minutes later when the midfielder headed towards goal at the far post. Fortunately Taddei had headed the ball into the outside of the net and Fulham's lead remained intact.

The Whites were certainly in for a testing second period but Hodgson's men responded with character and resilience. Dempsey, forced to play as the lone striker, showed tremendous heart, chasing and harrying Roma's defence at every opportunity.

Despite the numerical disadvantage Fulham continued to stretch Roma's defence on the counter attack. Bjorn Helge Riise and Dempsey teamed up several times before the hour mark with some strong runs down the left flank.

After 67 minutes Greening conceded a free-kick 25 yards from goal and John Arne Risse stepped up. The Norwegian fired his effort over the bar but a deflection earned Roma a corner.

From the resulting set piece John Arne Riise fired a left footed drive past Schwarzer from the edge of the area. The ball appeared to take a deflection through a congested area and the game was level.

Following Roma's equaliser Roy Hodgson introduced Bobby Zamora to the fray with 20 minutes of the game remaining. Bjorn Helge Riise made way for the striker with Dempsey moving to left midfield.

De Rossi was booked on 71 minutes after remonstrating with the Referee. De Rossi had fired a 30-yard drive over the bar and Roma's captain appealed for a corner but his demonstration earned him a yellow card as the Referee awarded a goal kick.

The home side doubled their lead five minutes later through Okaka Chuka. The striker met a cross from the right flank just six yards from goal and his powerful downward header left Schwarzer with no chance.

Roy Hodgson made his third and final substitution after Roma had taken the lead. Chris Baird replaced Dickson Etuhu in central midfield for the final 12 minutes of the game.

Bobby Zamora's strength and presence earned the Whites a free kick after 83 minutes deep in Roma territory down the left flank. Konchesky's set piece reached the centre of the area but Fulham could not find a finishing touch.

Fulham marched upfield in the final minutes but to no avail. The entire complexion of the game had been changed by Nevland's red card and the Whites could find no way back.

In the closing minutes Konchesky was sent off for a challenge on Taddei and Fulham were down to nine men.

It was a desperately frustrating end to the night, which had started so brightly for Fulham. Roy Hodgson's side had dominated the contest until Fulham were reduced to ten men just after half time. Defeat was a bitter pill for Fulham and their strong army of travelling supporters to swallow after such a fantastic performance by Hodgson's men in Rome.

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