UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS, FIRST LEGS: Fulham 2 Wolfsburg 1FULHAM'S EURO dream is alive and will continue kicking next Thursday in the return at Wolfsburg's Volkswagen Arena, following a second-half display that had the west London faithful singing "Bobby for England" in response to an offering from the forward which must be causing Fabio Capello to seriously consider his credentials.
Roy Hodgson’s side followed their famous win over Juventus with a spirited victory thanks to goals from Zamora and Damien Duff. However, Alexander Madlung’s late header for Wolfsburg dampened the home side’s mood.
Fulham’s only material return from a dominant opening period was a Zoltan Gera shot on 21 minutes – fumbled before being gathered by Diego Benaglio.
Clint Dempsey’s shot forced goalkeeper Benaglio into action and Fulham finished the half the stronger side. Etuhu had headed over from a Damien Duff corner, while Dempsey speared wide from outside the area.
After the interval Edin Dzeko missed a good chance of putting the visitors ahead.
Fulham’s breakthrough arrived after 59 minutes from striker, Bobby Zamora, his 18th of a stand-out season. Collecting a diagonal from the excellent Dempsey, he worked the ball onto his favoured left foot, then bent a finish into the net.
Craven Cottage was rocking but the best was to come. Dempsey found Paul Konchesksy who steered a cross to Zamora. This time he calmly laid the ball off to the in-rushing Irish winger whose shot with his weaker right was the perfect end to a slickly impressive Fulham move.
GuardianService
FULHAM: Schwarzer, Davies, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Duff, Murphy (Baird 87), Etuhu, Dempsey, Gera, Zamora. Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Riise, Smalling, Greening, Elm. Booked: Zamora.
WOLFSBURG: Benaglio, Pekarik (Martins 74), Madlung, Barzagli, Schafer, Riether, Josue, Gentner (Dejagah 84), Misimovic, Dzeko, Grafite. Subs not used: Lenz, Simunek, Hasebe, Johnson, Rever. Booked: Madlung.
Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia).
