Match Report


FulhamFulham     Blackburn RoversBlackburn Rovers
Adam WilsherAdam Wilsher Dimitri Bocharov Dimitri Bocharov
Dami‘n MarianaD. Mariana61
G
1
G
66Darius PalmerD. Palmer
Nick de KoningN. de Koning72
D
2
D
60Marcello Di BiagioM. Di Biagio
Mervin StewartM. Stewart61
D
captain3
D
80Kevin CarrickK. Carrick
Arno ZieglerA. Ziegler57
D
4captain
D
70Diogo FernandesD. Fernandes
Thierry CrooksT. Crooks56
D
5
D
64Simon McgovernS. Mcgovern
Yann SopalskiY. Sopalski64
M
6
M
61Jonathan GeorgeJ. George
Brian KirklandB. Kirkland60
M
7
M
73Florian BierhoffF. Bierhoff
Neil ThomsonN. Thomson57
M
8
M
57Daniele FormonD. Formon
Danny DavisD. Davis67
A
9
A
63Marvin MonkM. Monk
Ferdi van den BergF. van den Berg61
A
10
A
66Ben FinneyB. Finney
Phil KeeganP. Keegan59
A
11
A
68Tim HapgoodT. Hapgood
 
Azziz FacciuttoA. Facciutto59
G
12
M
58Phil RufusP. Rufus
Regi VosR. Vos55
D
13
A
47Leon KeeganL. Keegan
Gavin KerrG. Kerr56
M
14
D
57Jamie WalkerJ. Walker

Elements
today's match is sponsored by Elements
Match Report
A few clouds cover the sky here at Craven Cottage where Fulham play host to Blackburn Rovers. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Both Fulham and Blackburn Rovers are lined up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Today's match is refereed by Harry Thompson.


0.00
Fulham kick off!
8.56
Diogo Fernandes changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Diogo Fernandes shoots from 25 yards. The ball swerves in the air but the keeper is more than a match for it. Nice save!
10.25
Yann Sopalski makes an attacking run forward. Yann Sopalski knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Diogo Fernandes.
16.08
Brian Kirkland chips the ball to his team mate, Phil Keegan. Phil Keegan knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Kevin Carrick.
18.09
Neil Thomson flicks a high pass forward. Phil Keegan holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Phil Keegan controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. Darius Palmer gets down and covers it.
20.17
With great vision, Neil Thomson plays the ball forward to Danny Davis. Danny Davis lofts in a cross ball towards Phil Keegan. Phil Keegan gets a glancing touch on the cross ball. The ball clips the underside of the bar and bounces just over the line. The fans cheer wildly!
24.41
Brian Kirkland makes an attacking run forward. Brian Kirkland knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
26.10
Mervin Stewart threads the ball through to Ferdi van den Berg. Ferdi van den Berg knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Diogo Fernandes.
27.47
Arno Ziegler flicks a high pass forward. Yann Sopalski controls it well on his chest. Yann Sopalski threads the ball through to Ferdi van den Berg. Ferdi van den Berg knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
33.44
Jonathan George knocks the ball forward to Daniele Formon. Daniele Formon knocks in a cross ball towards Jonathan George. Jonathan George is unmarked! He powers a header at goal. Jonathan George scores for Blackburn Rovers!!
45.00
Danny Davis catches Diogo Fernandes on the ankles. Danny Davis is given a warning by the referee! Diogo Fernandes runs off the knock.
45.00
The referee blows for the end of the first half

Both teams emerge for the second half. Fulham appear unchanged since the first half. Blackburn Rovers also appear unchanged since the first half. The Blackburn Rovers players look more motivated than they were before.

45.00
Blackburn Rovers kick off the second half!
47.46
Florian Bierhoff threads the ball through to Ben Finney. Ben Finney shoots from long range but it curls horrendously wide!
48.10
Nick de Koning threads a neat ball through to Mervin Stewart. Mervin Stewart threads the ball through to Ferdi van den Berg. Ferdi van den Berg shoots from long range. The ball curls but the keeper is able to reach it. Good keeping!
49.38
Diogo Fernandes threads a neat ball through to Jonathan George. Jonathan George surges forward with the ball. Jonathan George knocks in a cross ball towards Tim Hapgood. Tim Hapgood finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head. The ball edges just beyond the reach of the keeper, thudding into the back of the net. Goal!!
53.06
Florian Bierhoff flicks a high pass forward. Jonathan George collects the pass. Jonathan George knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Thierry Crooks.
54.52
Neil Thomson sees Ferdi van den Berg in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Ferdi van den Berg knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Diogo Fernandes.
59.24
Arno Ziegler flicks the ball to his team mate, Danny Davis. Danny Davis shoots from distance but it's well over the bar!
65.55
Yann Sopalski chips the ball to his team mate, Brian Kirkland. Brian Kirkland whips in a cross ball towards Phil Keegan. Phil Keegan connects with a diving header. Darius Palmer gathers the ball up comfortably. Good save!
66.35
Mervin Stewart flicks a high pass forward. Yann Sopalski controls it well on his chest. Yann Sopalski flicks a high pass forward. Ferdi van den Berg controls it well on his chest. Ferdi van den Berg knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Marcello Di Biagio.
67.45
Thierry Crooks threads a neat ball through to Neil Thomson. Neil Thomson knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Kevin Carrick.
72.25
Fulham are keeping most of the possession.
73.41
Jonathan George flicks a high pass forward. Tim Hapgood collects the pass. Tim Hapgood plays a one-two with Jonathan George and rushes in on goal... Tim Hapgood cuts inside onto his preferred right foot and rushes a shot at goal but it is deflected wide by Arno Ziegler.
74.05
Florian Bierhoff takes the corner, driving a low ball to the near post. Ferdi van den Berg gets to the ball and kicks it upfield to safety.
75.01
Jonathan George sees Ben Finney in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Ben Finney knocks in a cross ball towards Tim Hapgood. Tim Hapgood heads the ball goalwards but it is miles over!
79.37
Brian Kirkland flicks a high pass forward. Ferdi van den Berg holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Ferdi van den Berg controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. Darius Palmer is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!! That brings them back into the game!
84.09
Neil Thomson clumsily knocks into Jonathan George. The referee calls over Neil Thomson and shows him a yellow card! Jonathan George hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
87.41
Florian Bierhoff hacks Arno Ziegler from behind! The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Arno Ziegler runs off the knock.
90.00
Jonathan George plays the ball forward to Tim Hapgood. Tim Hapgood shoots from outside the area but it is tipped over by Dami‘n Mariana.
90.00
Florian Bierhoff takes the corner kick, swinging the ball out wide. Some good footwork from Daniele Formon provides some space. He shoots at goal but he skews it badly. The ball flies well over the bar!
90.00
Full-time is reached with the referee blowing his whistle!

Match Statistics
 

Fulham

Blackburn Rovers
Goals
2
2
Shots on Target
5
5
Shots off Target
1
3
Offsides
1
0
Fouls
2
1
Yellow Cards
1
1
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
60.8%
39.2%
Play Area
21.6%
51.4%
27%

Scorers
Phil Keegan 20
Ferdi van den Berg 79
Jonathan George 33
Tim Hapgood 49

Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Jonathan George of Blackburn Rovers

Match Ratings
1.Dami‘n Mariana (GK)
6
2.Nick de Koning (DEF)
6
3.Mervin Stewart (DEF)
6
4.Arno Ziegler (DEF)
7
5.Thierry Crooks (DEF)
6
6.Yann Sopalski (MID)
7
7.Brian Kirkland (MID)
8
8.Neil Thomson (MID)yellow card
6
9.Danny Davis (ATT)
6
10.Ferdi van den Berg (ATT)goal scored
8
11.Phil Keegan (ATT)goal scored
8
 
12.Azziz Facciutto (GK)
0
13.Regi Vos (DEF)
0
14.Gavin Kerr (MID)
0

1.Darius Palmer (GK)
7
2.Marcello Di Biagio (DEF)
6
3.Kevin Carrick (DEF)
6
4.Diogo Fernandes (DEF)
7
5.Simon Mcgovern (DEF)
6
6.Jonathan George (MID)goal scored
9
7.Florian Bierhoff (MID)yellow card
6
8.Daniele Formon (MID)
6
9.Marvin Monk (ATT)
6
10.Ben Finney (ATT)
6
11.Tim Hapgood (ATT)goal scored
8
 
12.Phil Rufus (MID)
0
13.Leon Keegan (ATT)
0
14.Jamie Walker (DEF)
0