Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by ALAC |
Match Report
It's a beautiful clear and sunny day here at Craven Cottage where Fulham play host to Birmingham City. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in great condition.
Both Fulham and Birmingham City are lined up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Today's match is refereed by John Boisfer.
The pitch is in great condition.
Both Fulham and Birmingham City are lined up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Today's match is refereed by John Boisfer.
0.00
0-0Birmingham City kick off and get the match underway!
2.09
0-0Dion Mason makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Julian May. Julian May plays a quick one-two with Dion Mason and rushes in on goal... Julian May muscles his way past his marker and unleashes a shot at goal. The ball curls but the keeper is able to reach it. Great keeping!
4.19
0-1Ian Pearce deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Dominic Mcallister. Dominic Mcallister flicks the ball to his team mate, Leon George. Leon George knocks in a cross ball towards Gianni Avila. Gianni Avila connects with the ball, driving a powerful header at goal. It's in!! A beautiful goal for Gianni Avila!
8.43
Ivan Huckerby threads a neat ball through to Robin van Veen. Robin van Veen lofts in a cross ball towards Mehamha Belaiz. Mehamha Belaiz powers a header at goal. Alvaro Burgos punches it away to safety.
9.25
George Kahn knocks the ball forward to Isaiah Peckham. Isaiah Peckham passes the ball forward to Mark Pearce. Mark Pearce advances inside the box! Mark Pearce shows great control and tries a shot on goal. The ball dips but the keeper is more than a match for it. Nice save!
10.53
0-1Adam Laver catches Leon George on the ankles. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Leon George grimaces as he struggles to run off the knock.
14.37
0-1Chaabane Kermali flicks a high ball forward to Gianni Avila who takes it down. Gianni Avila surges forward with the ball. Gianni Avila knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by George Kahn.
16.17
Ivan Huckerby brings the ball forward. Ivan Huckerby whips in a cross ball towards Mehamha Belaiz. Mehamha Belaiz connects with the ball, driving a powerful header at goal. Alvaro Burgos didn't know what hit him as the ball comes off him at close range. The loose ball is scrambled clear by the defence.
18.13
0-1Chaabane Kermali barges into Julian May. Chaabane Kermali is warned by the referee! Julian May hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
22.58
0-127.45
Stan Bailey knocks the ball forward to Steffen Leonhardsen. Steffen Leonhardsen chips the ball to his team mate, Eoin Newby. Eoin Newby knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
28.34
Ivan Huckerby decides to run forward with the ball. Ivan Huckerby lofts in a cross ball towards Peter Prior. Peter Prior connects with a diving header. Magnificent save by Alvaro Burgos!
30.05
0-1Robin van Veen runs deep into the other half of the pitch. Robin van Veen shoots from 20 yards but it's a woeful effort!
33.29
Robin van Veen knocks the ball to his team mate, Mehamha Belaiz. Mehamha Belaiz knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
45.00
The referee whistles the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Fulham appear unchanged since the first half. Birmingham City also appear unchanged since the first half. The Fulham players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.
45.00
Fulham kick off!
47.38
Leon George flicks a high pass forward. Peter Prior collects the pass. Peter Prior knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
49.22
Leon George makes a simple pass to Mehamha Belaiz. Mehamha Belaiz knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Stan Bailey.
51.28
Chaabane Kermali makes a strong solo run forward. Chaabane Kermali makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Gianni Avila. Gianni Avila shoots from distance but it goes wide for a goal kick.
54.54
Showing composure, Ivan Huckerby laces a through ball forward to Peter Prior. Peter Prior knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
57.03
Seeing a gap ahead, Ivan Huckerby laces a weighted ball forward to Peter Prior. Peter Prior shoots from 20 yards but is denied by Alvaro Burgos. Excellent save.
60.44
0-1Birmingham City have made 2 substitutions with Nicholas Granville replacing Leon George and Ole Gunnar Solskjær replacing Peter Prior .
63.09
Chaabane Kermali flicks a high ball forward to Ivan Huckerby who takes it down. Ivan Huckerby controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Nicholas Granville. Nicholas Granville shoots from long range but Alvaro Burgos is on top of his game. Great keeping!
65.54
0-1Robin van Veen comes in with a late challenge on Steffen Leonhardsen. Robin van Veen is shown the yellow card! Steffen Leonhardsen runs off the knock.
66.33
Robin van Veen surges forward with the ball. Robin van Veen shoots from 25 yards. The ball curls but the keeper is able to reach it. Nice keeping!
67.50
Ivan Huckerby makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Robin van Veen. Robin van Veen knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
73.43
Dominic Mcallister clumsily knocks into Isaiah Peckham. Dominic Mcallister is shown the yellow card! Isaiah Peckham grimaces as he struggles to run off the knock.
77.32
Fulham have made a substitution with Steve Terry replacing Adam Laver .Birmingham City have made a substitution with Ruel Thompson replacing Dominic Mcallister .
78.34
Steve Terry hits a low pass to Julian May. Julian May controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal but it whistles just wide of the post!
79.28
Dion Mason deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Steve Terry. Steve Terry knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
87.52
Isaiah Peckham clumsily knocks into Ruel Thompson. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Ruel Thompson hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
89.09
Ole Gunnar Solskjær flicks a high pass forward. Gianni Avila controls it well on his chest. Gianni Avila shoots from 25 yards. Alvaro Burgos gathers the ball up comfortably. Fabulous stop!
90.00
Ivan Huckerby flicks a high pass forward. Ole Gunnar Solskjær holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Ole Gunnar Solskjær plays a scrappy one-two with Mehamha Belaiz and advances towards the goal... Some good footwork from Ole Gunnar Solskjær provides some space. He shoots at goal. What a cracker!! Alvaro Burgos had no chance!! Goal for Birmingham City!
90.00
Full-time is reached with the referee blowing his whistle!
Match Statistics
Goals
0
2
Shots on Target
2
9
Shots off Target
1
2
Offsides
1
0
Fouls
2
3
Yellow Cards
2
2
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
36.6%
63.4%
Play Area
30.5%
47.6%
22%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Alvaro Burgos of Fulham |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Alvaro Burgos (GK) | 9 | |
| 2. | Steffen Leonhardsen (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Carlton Barrett (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | George Kahn (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Stan Bailey (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Isaiah Peckham (MID) |  | 6 |
| 7. | Dion Mason (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Adam Laver (MID) | | 5 |
| 9. | Julian May (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Mark Pearce (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Eoin Newby (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Ledley Bridges (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Craig Lawrence (DEF) | 0 | |
| 14. | Steve Terry (MID) | 6 | |
| 1. | Stuart Gascoigne (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Ian Pearce (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Chaabane Kermali (DEF) | 7 | |
| 4. | Dominic Mcallister (DEF) | | 5 |
| 5. | Mario Marbus (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Leon George (MID) | 7 | |
| 7. | Ivan Huckerby (MID) | 8 | |
| 8. | Robin van Veen (MID) | | 6 |
| 9. | Peter Prior (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Mehamha Belaiz (ATT) | 7 | |
| 11. | Gianni Avila (ATT) |  | 8 |
| 12. | Ruel Thompson (DEF) | 6 | |
| 13. | Ole Gunnar Solskjær (ATT) | | 8 |
| 14. | Nicholas Granville (MID) | 6 | |