Starting Formations

Fulham
4-4-2

Zamora      A Johnson

Dempsey      Murphy      Etuhu      Gera

Konchesky      Hangeland      Hughes      Pantsil

Schwarzer

Portsmouth
4-1-3-2

Piquionne     Utaka

Kranjcar      Mullins      Diop

Mokoena

Belhadj       Distin      Wilson      Kaboul

James

Match Report

Fulham produced a professional away performance to take all three points at Fratton Park on Saturday. The only goal of the game came from Bobby Zamora, who diverted a first-half Clint Dempsey shot past David James.

Portsmouth saw a number of half-chances go begging but for the large part, Fulham maintained a strong grip on proceedings and controlled the flow of the game.

A minute’s applause was held in memory of the late Sir Bobby Robson prior to Saturday’s match as both sets of supporters paid their respects.

David James was called into action in the 8th minute when he twice had to deal with dangerous balls played into the Portsmouth penalty area. But the home side pushed their way back and produced a hairy moment when Niko Kranjcar was found in space and managed to get past Aaron Hughes before being crowded out by the Fulham defence.

The early stages saw the home side working the ball well to the flanks where Younes Kaboul often looked to get the ball into the box. – Paul Hart’s side were also looking equally dangerous on the counter-attack, where only the final pass was letting them down.

Bobby Zamora opened the scoring on 13 minutes when he deflected a Clint Dempsey shot past the grasp of David James. The shot from Dempsey looked to be heading straight towards James but the ball spun off the big front man and into the net.

The home crowd responded vociferously to the goal but before they were able to build up a head of steam Zamora was in the heat of the action again – heading a Danny Murphy free kick powerfully towards goal for James to palm over.

A swift break forward from Frederic Piquionne on 25 minutes saw the Pompey new boy try his luck from a narrow angle; fortunately Mark Schwarzer was able to gather the ball comfortably.

Whilst Portsmouth certainly attacked with great enthusiasm Fulham maintained their shape well and were often able to snuff out the danger – however as the first-half progressed Portsmouth started to fire closer to the mark. Brede Hangeland twice had to clear the danger on the half-hour mark as opportunities started to appear.

For their part, Fulham looked content keeping the home side at arm’s length whilst picking their opportunities to get forward.

Danny Murphy saw his name go into the book when Papa Bouba Diop fell to ground heavily following a well-timed tackle from the Fulham Captain. Murphy was not best pleased.

The Whites soon gained control of proceedings and were able to see out the rest of the first-half with little trouble.

A neat piece of build-up play from the home side saw Younis Kaboul fire wildly over from 10 yards after he had been set up with a good opportunity. The Whites appeared unperturbed and embarked on a lengthy spell of possession which saw them keep the ball for good few minutes before drawing a series of corners from the home side.

A mix-up between Pantsil and Gera down Fulham’s right flank gifted possession to Piquionne who sprinted to the by-line only to see his cross drift harmlessly across the penalty area.

As the momentum started to shift Portsmouth’s way, the home side started loading up their attacks down Fulham’s right flack in an attempt to get back into the game. Mark Schwarzer did well to keep his eye on the ball on 66 minutes when a diagonal ball was played into the box, Niko Kranjcar was advancing but the Fulham stopper maintained his nerve and scooped the ball up.

Despite their hard work, the home side struggled to find a way through Fulham’s organised rearguard as a collective sense of impatience grew inside Fratton Park.

With ten minutes remaining Bobby Zamora was replaced by Erik Nevland as Roy Hodgon elected to give Fulham’s front line a refresh.

Portsmouth finished the match with a final push which saw a number of half-chances come their way. Younis Kaboul twice powered headers just wide the target as Paul Hart’s side searched for the equaliser.

Seol Ki-Hyeon came on for Zoltan Gera late on but Fulham were able to withstand a series of dangerous Portsmouth attacks to take all three points.

fulhamfc.com Man of the Match

Danny Murphy

The Fulham Captain used the ball well and broke up a number Portsmouth attacks with some excellent tackling,

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