Match Report


FulhamFulham     SunderlandSunderland
Adam WilsherAdam Wilsher Derek Robson Derek Robson
Dami‘n MarianaD. Mariana61
G
1
G
65Brutil RijkaardB. Rijkaard
Nick de KoningN. de Koning72
D
2
D
59Nicholas MercerN. Mercer
Mervin StewartM. Stewart61
D
captain3captain
D
72Rob SeedorfR. Seedorf
Arno ZieglerA. Ziegler57
D
4
D
62Matt KeaneM. Keane
Thierry CrooksT. Crooks56
D
5
M
71James DeanJ. Dean
Yann SopalskiY. Sopalski64
M
6
M
49Steven FletcherS. Fletcher
Brian KirklandB. Kirkland60
M
7
M
49Les McManamanL. McManaman
Neil ThomsonN. Thomson57
M
8
M
57Norman RobsonN. Robson
Danny DavisD. Davis67
A
9
A
72Marc FormonM. Formon
Ferdi van den BergF. van den Berg61
A
10
A
59Adam HallA. Hall
Phil KeeganP. Keegan59
A
11
A
56Richard DaviesR. Davies
 
Azziz FacciuttoA. Facciutto59
G
12
M
66Trevor KeaneT. Keane
Regi VosR. Vos55
D
13
A
50Tommy BeckhamT. Beckham
Gavin KerrG. Kerr56
M
14
A
51Darl VandenbroeckD. Vandenbroeck

Elements
today's match is sponsored by Elements
Match Report
The air is damp with a fine drizzle here at Craven Cottage where Fulham play host to Sunderland. A crowd of 19,004 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Fulham are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Sunderland appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Terry Boyd.


0.00
Sunderland get the match underway!
2.33
Matt Keane advances with the ball. Seeing a gap ahead, Matt Keane plays the ball forward to Marc Formon. Marc Formon knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Mervin Stewart.
3.05
Richard Davies flicks a high pass forward. Marc Formon holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Marc Formon shoots from long range. The ball comes in low, but Dami‘n Mariana smothers it!
6.28
Matt Keane threads a neat ball through to Norman Robson. Norman Robson chips the ball to his team mate, Richard Davies. Richard Davies knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Nick de Koning.
12.16
Neil Thomson hits a low pass to Danny Davis. Danny Davis knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Brutil Rijkaard who gathers it comfortably.
15.49
Sunderland appear to have rearranged themselves into a 3-4-3 formation.
16.36
Neil Thomson makes a probing pass to Danny Davis. Danny Davis lofts in a cross ball towards Yann Sopalski. Yann Sopalski rises majestically and gets a header on goal but Brutil Rijkaard reads it well. Good keeping!
20.22
Brian Kirkland flicks a high pass forward. Danny Davis collects the pass. Danny Davis finds some space and shoots from distance but he gets too far under it and it goes high into the crowd!
22.08
Mervin Stewart flicks a high pass forward to Brian Kirkland who brings the ball under control. Brian Kirkland knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
26.25
Les McManaman flicks the ball to his team mate, Adam Hall. Adam Hall whips in a cross ball towards James Dean. James Dean heads the ball goalwards. The keeper is more than a match for it. Excellent keeping!
27.06
Rob Seedorf controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Les McManaman. Les McManaman threads a neat ball through to Adam Hall. Adam Hall shoots from distance but he skews it badly. The ball flies well over the bar!
30.54
Neil Thomson flicks a high ball forward to Danny Davis who takes it down. Danny Davis knocks in a cross ball towards Phil Keegan. Phil Keegan is perfectly placed and heads the ball at goal. The ball takes a deflection leaving Brutil Rijkaard with no chance!! Goal for Fulham!
36.39
With vision, Matt Keane plays the ball forward to Les McManaman. Les McManaman threads a neat ball through to Marc Formon. Marc Formon whips in a cross ball towards Norman Robson. Norman Robson makes a convincing header but Dami‘n Mariana is on top of it.
42.41
With vision, Brian Kirkland laces a weighted ball forward to Phil Keegan. Phil Keegan whips in a cross ball towards Neil Thomson. Neil Thomson outjumps his marker and heads the ball goalward. The ball edges inside the post - goal!!
45.00
Nicholas Mercer hacks Ferdi van den Berg from behind! Nicholas Mercer is shown the yellow card! Ferdi van den Berg runs off the knock.
45.00
The first half ends with the referee blowing his whistle!

Both teams emerge for the second half. Fulham appear unchanged since the first half. Sunderland also appear unchanged since the first half.

45.00
Fulham kick off the second half!
47.42
Yann Sopalski sees space and advances. Yann Sopalski whips in a cross ball towards Ferdi van den Berg. Ferdi van den Berg gets a glancing touch on the cross ball. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
51.48
Steven Fletcher threads a neat ball through to Marc Formon. Marc Formon knocks in a cross ball towards Adam Hall. Adam Hall gets a glancing touch on the cross ball but is denied by Dami‘n Mariana. Excellent save.
53.15
Brian Kirkland sees Danny Davis in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Danny Davis lofts in a cross ball towards Yann Sopalski. Yann Sopalski beats his man to it with a header. The ball takes a deflection leaving Brutil Rijkaard with no chance!! Goal for Fulham!
57.29
Seeing a gap ahead, Nicholas Mercer plays the ball forward to James Dean. James Dean sees Les McManaman in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Les McManaman plays a one-two with Marc Formon and rushes in on goal... Les McManaman shoots from just inside the box. The ball comes in low, but Dami‘n Mariana smothers it!
60.24
Matt Keane brings the ball forward. Matt Keane deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Steven Fletcher. Steven Fletcher sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. It curls slightly but Dami‘n Mariana manages to gather it.
61.50
Matt Keane makes a beautiful solo run. Matt Keane makes a probing pass to Steven Fletcher. Steven Fletcher knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
69.15
Neil Thomson kicks a strong pass forward to Ferdi van den Berg. Ferdi van den Berg whips in a cross ball towards Phil Keegan. Phil Keegan makes a deft header. The ball rattles the crossbar bouncing back into play. It's dealt with comprehensively by the defence.
73.45
Thierry Crooks flicks the ball to his team mate, Neil Thomson. Neil Thomson changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Neil Thomson knocks in a cross ball towards Phil Keegan. Phil Keegan heads the ball goalwards. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
81.37
Mervin Stewart flicks a high ball forward to Yann Sopalski who takes it down. Yann Sopalski deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Phil Keegan. Phil Keegan knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Rob Seedorf.
84.45
Les McManaman advances with the ball. Les McManaman plays a one-two with Richard Davies and advances towards the goal... Les McManaman tries a spectacular strike but Nick de Koning is between the ball and the goal. Well blocked!
85.07
Danny Davis flicks a high ball forward to Phil Keegan who takes it down. Phil Keegan knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
87.31
Neil Thomson flicks a high ball forward to Phil Keegan who takes it down. Phil Keegan knocks in a cross ball towards Ferdi van den Berg. Ferdi van den Berg fearlessly jumps in, powering the ball goalwards with his head but is denied by Brutil Rijkaard. Excellent save.
89.44
Arno Ziegler flicks a high pass forward to Yann Sopalski who brings the ball under control. Yann Sopalski sees space and advances. Yann Sopalski lofts in a cross ball towards Phil Keegan. Phil Keegan directs the ball goalwards with his head but it misses the target by a large margin!
90.00
The referee blows the final whistle

Match Statistics
 

Fulham

Sunderland
Goals
4
0
Shots on Target
6
7
Shots off Target
4
1
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
0
1
Yellow Cards
0
1
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
51.9%
48.1%
Play Area
28.6%
42.9%
28.6%

Scorers
Phil Keegan 31
Neil Thomson 42
Ferdi van den Berg 47
Yann Sopalski 53

Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Yann Sopalski of Fulham

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

1.Brutil Rijkaard (GK)
6
2.Nicholas Mercer (DEF)yellow card
5
3.Rob Seedorf (DEF)
6
4.Matt Keane (DEF)
7
5.James Dean (MID)
6
6.Steven Fletcher (MID)
6
7.Les McManaman (MID)
7
8.Norman Robson (MID)
6
9.Marc Formon (ATT)
6
10.Adam Hall (ATT)
6
11.Richard Davies (ATT)
6
 
12.Trevor Keane (MID)
0
13.Tommy Beckham (ATT)
0
14.Darl Vandenbroeck (ATT)
0