Following last week’s disappointing exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Everton at Goodison Park, Fulham manager Martin Jol made three changes to his starting eleven to face West Bromwich Albion at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

Philippe Senderos returned to central defence in place of Aaron Hughes, whilst Steve Sidwell came in for Chris Baird in central midfield. There was also a welcome return for Simon Davies in midfield as striker Andrew Johnson was ruled out through injury.

Deadline day signing Pavel Pogrebnyak was unavailable for Wednesday night’s match so Clint Dempsey led the line following Bobby Zamora’s switch to Queens Park Rangers. Jol also made room on his bench for Academy graduate striker Marcello Trotta, following the youngster’s scintillating loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers.

Former Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was handed a warm reception from the home crowd prior to kick-off on what was a bitterly cold night on the banks of the Thames. Fulham made a bright start to proceedings, with Steve Sidwell going close inside two minutes with a blistering 25-yard drive that seared just wide.

Following two hat-tricks in two games at Craven Cottage, Clint Dempsey almost made is seven in three home games moments later, after jinking through Hodgson’s defence with some quick-footed trickery inside the area but was denied at the last.

West Brom made their first foray up field after seven minutes when Morrison tried his luck from distance but Stockdale collected the ball with ease. Three minutes later Clint Dempsey fired the ball past Ben Foster from close range but the linesman’s flag was raised.

There was no shortage of openings and less than two minutes after Dempsey’s effort Odemwingie beat the offside trap to cut behind Kelly through on goal. Fortunately the striker blazed his effort over the bar.

Fulham were certainly the team with the greater attacking intent in the opening period but after 24 minutes Stockdale was required to make a diving save to deny Mulumbu the opening goal of the game.

The midfielder’s darting shot across goal from 12 yards was edged just wide by Fulham’s goalkeeper.
Seconds before the half hour mark, Odwemwingie fed Fortune a square pass on the 18 yard line that offered the striker a clear shot on goal. Again, the Baggies lacked accuracy in front of goal and Fortune’s strike flew high over Stockdale’s crossbar.

Fulham looked to up the ante before the break with Murphy and Sidwell leading the charge from midfield. Unfortunately an accurate delivery or cutting edge in the final third was lacking but Clint Dempsey did force Foster into a diving save with a shot from 18 yards two minutes before the break.

Fulham continued to press before half-time but despite their effort and commitment to break the deadlock the score remained level.

Both teams remained unchanged for the second half and it was Baggies midfielder Morrison who fired in the first shot of the second period, forcing Stockdale into a save at his near post with a strike from 18 yards.

After 50 minutes play Danny Murphy received the first booking of the game for a high tackle in the middle of the pitch. There was no dangerous intent from Murphy as Morrison had dipped his head into a 50/50 challenge.

The game grew scrappy as the hour mark approached with neither teams guilty of giving away possession all too easily. After 57 minutes Fortune was handed another fine opportunity on goal, this time from close range, but the striker’s lack of control saw the chance go begging.

A minute later Ruiz earned himself a sight of goal after bursting through West Brom’s back line but his shot from 12 yards flew straight into Foster’s arms. It was end to end action at the Cottage as a crucial opener seemed inevitable from the evidence of chances created.

After 61 minutes Damien Duff went within a whisker of firing Fulham in front. The Republic of Ireland winger burst down the left flank before cutting inside and sending a shot just inches wide of Foster’s far post.

The pace of the game dipped after the hour mark as West Brom’s two banks of four dropped deeper. Fulham were forced to take the initiative whilst remaining aware of the Baggies on the counter attack.

Fulham’s desire to push forward was richly rewarded after 69 minutes when Clint Dempsey opened the scoring with a right footed shot across goal from 12 yards that nestled into the far corner of Foster’s net.

Dempsey’s strike partner Ruiz set the American up with a perfectly weighted through ball and Dempsey’s rich vein of form continued with his 16th goal of the season to hand Jol’s team a valuable lead.

Ruiz and Dempsey's understanding in attack grew as the minutes passed, with the Costa Rican turning provider for his strike partner once again after 73 miuntes but Dempsey was forced off the ball before a finishing touch could be applied.

Roy Hodgson made the first change of the game, replacing Simon Cox with Somen Tchoyi in midfield and the change had a telling impact. With eight minutes remaining Tchoyi was played through down the right channel and fired a shot across goal that beat Stockdale to draw West Bromwich level with just eight minutes remaining.

During the final stages of the match Fulham were camped in West Brom's half and it required some desperate defending by Hodgson's men to keep the score level. With three minutes remaining Clint Dempsey headed over from six yards out before Hodgson made a second change, replacing Morrison with Steven Reid.

Despite their best efforts Fulham could not find a winner and had to settle for a point and 13th place on Wednesday night. Martin Jol's team are back in action on Saturday when they travel North to challenge Manchester City (KO 17.30).

 

 

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