Scrappy it may have been but there’s a case for saying that Fulham did last night what Arsenal managed on Saturday and ground out a crucial win. At times Roy Hodgson’s side were put on the back foot by a useful FC Basel side but their mixture of youth and experience showed plenty of resolve to remain in the contest and Danny Murphy’s sweetly struck shot from just outside the penalty area preserved Fulham’s unbeaten home record in European competition and put them on top of Group E after two games.
With an eye on a crucial league game at West Ham on Sunday, Hodgson opted for some of the side that had done so well in Sofia but this was a much stronger eleven than the one that took the field in Bulgaria. Paul Konchesky was a surprise starter at left back with Stephen Kelly replacing John Pantsil on the other side of the defence and Chris Baird and young Chris Smalling resuming their blossoming partnership at the heart of the back four. In the absence of Dickson Etuhu, Jonathan Greening joined Danny Murphy oin central midfield while it was a bit of a surprise to see Bjorn-Helge Riise line up on the right side of midfield instead of Zoltan Gera, so impressive as a substitute at the weekend. Yet, UEFA refused to allow Fulham to register Pascal Zuberbuhler as a replacement for the injured David Stockdale, and so Hodgson couldn’t name a substitute goalkeeper. I spent much of the evening hoping Schwarzer didn’t get injured or sent off and winced when a risky backpass from Greening had him scrambling to clear and losing his footing.
Fulham started sluggishly and were fortunate that the experienced pair of Basel strikers, Marco Streller and Alex Frei, lacked their usual composure in front of goal. Indeed, the visitors could have been two goals to the good before Hodgson’s side really started playing. First Frei contrived to drag a shot wide when he was completely unmarked at the near post after Behrang Safari had been allowed to carry the ball down the left wing. Then, with Fulham waiting for an offside flag that never came, Benjamin Huggel latched onto Streller’s clever flick but spooned his shot over from six yards with only Mark Schwarzer to beat.
Fulham only had a run and shot from Andy Johnson to point to in terms of attacking threat in the first half, although the striker was denied a penalty right on the stroke of half-time when he might have been hauled back after a defensive mistake offered the hint of an opportunity. The home side were very much second best in the first half. Basel’s short, crisp passing creating chances and not allowing Fulham to be comfortable on the ball. It was noticeable that Streller dropped back to hassle Murphy when Fulham had possession – and Basel’s discipline certainly stifled Hodgson’s side.
They were markedly improved in the second half, playing at a higher tempo and pressing the ball with far greater urgency. A snapshot from Clint Dempsey that whistled narrowly wide suggested better to come and the crucial goal arrived twelve minutes into the second half. Kelly, who looks a more than useful right back on this evidence, carried the ball forward and rolled a pass down the line for the ever-busy Johnson, who shook off the attentions of two defenders, before finding his skipper on the edge of the box. Murphy struck his shot well but questions could well be asked about Franco Costanzo’s goalkeeping as the ball trickled past him rather easily.
The goal galvanised Fulham and Johnson almost punished a mad piece of defending that saw David Abraham head the ball past Costanzo as the goalkeeper came to claim it. The former Everton striker might have sealed the contest late on when sent through on goal by Zamora but a poor touch forced him wide of goal and invited a last-ditch saving challenge. Nerves increased as the clock ticked on and the home side were made to endure a frantic final ten minutes.
Streller should have scored from close range when a low cross from Valentin Stocker found him completely unmarked, but the striker shot high into the Putney End. The sighs of relief were just as audible when Antonio Da Silva’s curling free-kick swerved just the wrong side of Schwarzer’s post and Fulham were indebted to their goalkeeper for a fine save from his compatriot, the substitute Scott Chipperfield, in added time.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Kelly, Konchesky, Smalling, Baird; Greening, Murphy, Riise, Dempsey; Zamora, A. Johnson. Subs (not used): Anderson, Pantsil, Hughes, Gera, Saunders, Nevland, Kamara.
BOOKED: Greening, Baird.
GOAL: Murphy (57).
FC BASEL (4-4-2): Costanzo; Shin, Safari, Abraham (Da Silva 69), Atan; Gelabert (Chipperfield 86), Huggel, Carlitos (Almerares 82), Stocker; Streller, Frei. Subs (not used): Colomba, Ferati, Shaqiri, Cabral.
REFEREE: Michael Weiner (Germany)
ATTENDANCE: 16,100
A lucky win but except for Greening and BZ , the team looked ok. We now have a squad of players who are able to step up. Just wish we used subs when clearly BZ and Clint were out of it for the last twenty or so minutes. Still this is a hard group and we are leading it so few real complaints.
Thought Smalling and Baird did well at the back again. Bobby cops a lot of flak, but he won a lot of ball in the air for AJ and others last night. Still not convinced that Greening should have been playing quite as deep as he appeared to last night, but you can’t grumble with the position after two games.
Dan , I admire your defence of BZ but he is so devoid of confidence it is clearly affecting him and also the team. Time has come to give him a berth on the bench.
A pass back when you are in the six yard box is crazy. He was not even holding up play well yesterday. Facing the goal he visibly stutters in his play. Back to goal last night his tough was less assured that normal and the result was poor passes to his team mates.
Yes he tries, i would not say he is lazy. Just imagine him comin off the bench to put away the winner on Sunday, that would really boost his confidence. If he is on the bench and not needed to win, so what 11 players will have their confidence boosted.
Greening, jury out, Dempsey still very tired IMO. From both some lazy passes, putting their teamates under pressure when the simple side footed pass rather than a flick would have been better.
Great to have confidence in cover in defence. Only really LB an issue. Kelly in the end had a good game at RB (He really is not a LB) Smalling and Baird quality.
Although he didn’t score AJ was quite impressive for me. Made the gioal and ran his socks off. the difference between AJ not scoring and BZ not scoring AJ often looks like he will.
All in all a positive for me. I loved it
COYSW
Alan C – An interesting summary. Who would you bring in to replace Zamora then? Would Kamara and Johnson work?
I thought AJ was really lively last night. Occupied the defenders and, but for a poor touch, probably would have scored in the second half.
I really must get this keyboard replaced!!!!!!!!
I think Dio is probably seen as the replacement for BZ by Roy. I would if anything like to see a more assured finsher up front for a game or two. So my vote would be to start with Erik Nevland and Andy Johnson. This means the midfield have to be far more supportive both in attack and defence.
I don’t expect this to happen. Then again I never thought I see Fulham playing in top flight, then Europe and now Europe on the strength of where we finshed. I can’t wait to see us play Roma.
Admittedly, I was only watching on television but Basel had a lot of the people and it was noticeable that when we played at a higher tempo with some intelligent passing we scored almost immediately.
On the Zamora debate, I’d stick with him for Sunday – because he’s got to up for playing West Ham. If I was going to replace him with anyone, it would be with Kamara rather than Nevland, who is far better coming off the bench for me. But Bobby’s got to start scoring soon to keep his place.
I see what you mean Chloe abiout BZ being up to face West Ham but if you were facing Fulham what woudl you be thinging. Its the team you have supported and loved since boyhood. Woudl you be up for scoring?
Sadly having watched him last night I think it has already gone a game too far. I want him to succeed for Fulham but I want Fulham to succeed a whole lot more.
Interesting debate about BZ. I like him as a payer but I agree that he needs to start scoring soon. Although his hold up play is excellent dispite reports about last night. However, I don’t really think that Kamara is good enough to start. I say BZ gets his chance for a few more matches and if he doesn’t improve then we look into the transfer market in January.
If only we had enough to buy Craig Bellamy!
Don’t think Bellamy would be going anywhere Lydia. He’s been on fire on City so far this season.
Tell you something else about last night by the way – I liked the desire from Riise towards the end when he sprinted more than 60 yards to put in a tackle after losing the ball by the corner flag. He sort of flitted in and out of the game but that moment alone made me warm to him.
I really have been impressed with him so far and would love to see him start or at least get a good part of Sundays match!
Think Roy will probably go with Dempsey and Gera as it happens.
Torres for me anyday.
The big positive over the last couple of weeks is that we can all see what Roy has been aiming for in increasing the squad. There are the obvious first choices in each position. But when they are injured or out of form there are very capable ready made replacements. Possibly with the exception of left back and the target front man that Roy like to use but sadly BZ is not quite delivering at the moment. Kallio could when fit can be a understudy for Konch, we have a number of forward but the system / style needs to change to accomodate them.
We won
We Now Top The Group
Thats all that matters.
Jason – Very simplistic view which works. Although potentially curtails debate or gets those that pontificate like me going!
I have however seen Fulham lose many many times over many many years and I have been happy then too. The last time I recall this strange but true feeling was just last week against Arsenal
There could be an interesting debate on the last line of your post. As it is not all that matters but it does help.