Starting Formations

Fulham
4-4-2

Nevland      A Johnson

Seol      Murphy      Etuhu      Gera

Konchesky      Hughes      Hangeland      Kelly

Stockdale

Bournemouth
4-4-2

Pitman     Goulding

Igoe      Robinson     Molesley     Feeney

Cummings      Pearce      Garry      Thirwell

Jalal

Match Report

Fulham and Bournemouth played out a goalless draw at Dean Court on Tuesday evening as the Whites continued their pre-season preparations.

The Whites certainly had the better of the goal scoring opportunities with Erik Nevland and Seol Ki-Hyeon both going close but ultimately, neither side was able to break the deadlock.

Fulham’s first sight of goal came within the first minute after Erik Nevland played the ball to his strike partner, Andrew Johnson, who drilled the ball wide from the edge of the penalty area.

The Whites started the game in patient mood, maintaining possession well in their own half before working the ball into space in midfield and advancing deep into the Bournemouth half. The Cherries failed to deal with one such push on five minutes when a clearance fell to Zoltan Gera whose fiercely struck shot was parried around the post by Shwan Jalal.

David Stockdale was called into action on 13 minutes when Brett Pitman’s low free kick skidded through a crowd of bodies in the area only to be stopped by Stockdale. The young goalkeeper did well to get quickly down to his left.

A lull in the action followed as both sides looked to unsuccessfully pass their way out of a congested midfield area.

A sublime piece of play between Erik Nevland and Danny Murphy presented Fulham with a fine chance soon after. The Fulham Captain received the ball some 30 yards out, with no pass seemingly on, Murphy rolled the ball through for Nevland, who had embarked on a late run into the area. With the Bournemouth defence caught square, Nevland’s first touch was a little heavy – allowing Jalal to smother.

Fulham continued to push forward as their attacking momentum picked up. A fine piece of interplay between Johnson and Nevland in the area resulted in Nevland seeing his shot blocked on the line by Warren Cummings.

Nevland was certainly looking hungry for a goal and on 35 minutes a routine clearance from Paul Konchesky turned into a dangerous attack when Nevland ghosted in behind the defence. Unfortunately, he was unable to control the ball on a greasy surface.

Fulham closed out the first half passing the ball around crisply. To the home side’s credit, they maintained their shape well as the Whites upped the pressure.

Pascal Zuberbuhler replaced David Stockdale in goal at half time whilst Diomansy Kamara and Eddie Johnson took the place of Andrew Johnson and Erik Nevland in attack.

A rare defensive lapse from Fulham allowed Pitman a chance to try his luck with an audacious lob from 20 yards out on 55 minutes; however Zuberbuhler judged the flight of the ball well and allowed the effort to drift over the bar.

Roy Hodgson made a double substitution on the hour mark, replacing Zoltan Gera and Dickson Etuhu with Fredrik Stoor and Andranik.

The introduction of Johnson and Kamara shifted the focus of Fulham’s attacks as the Whites looked to use the pace of the two front men with balls in behind the Cherries’ back line.

A further brace of changes from the Whites saw Brede Hangeland and Paul Konchesky make way for Chris Smalling and John Pantsil. Smalling paired up with Aaron Hughes in the heart of Fulham’s defence whilst Pantsil took Konchesky’s position at left back.

A fine piece of work from Seol Ki-Hyeon midway through the second half almost handed the Whites the opening goal of the encounter. Not for the first time in the match, Seol showed good determination to charge down a clearance. The ball fell kindly and the winger advanced into the area where his shot was blocked and spun wide for a corner kick.

Matthew Saunders replaced Danny Murphy late on as Roy Hodgson made his final substitution of the evening. The final whistle blew shortly after.