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Fulham
v West Bromwich Albion
Loftus Road, Shepherd's
Bush. 19th February 2003, 7.45pm. |
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Three goals in the
space of five minutes in the second half saw Albion crash to their
heaviest defeat since August. Fulham certainly weren't three goals
better than the Baggies - take that five minute spell out of the
game and it was a fairly even contest - but a little bit of quality
from the Cottagers and some fairly abject defending from Albion
made the difference.
The team news was unsurprising with Roberts and Johnson out. Wallwork
and McInnes lined up alongside Koumas in midfield with Dichio and
Hughes given the nod up front in an otherwise unchanged line up.
Fulham had much of the possession in the first half without really
threatening the Albion goal. Indeed, it was Albion who had the better
chances with Koumas looking much better than of late, and Hughes
looking lively up front as he always has done this season.
It was the Ginger Ninja that had the first opportunity of the game
after five minutes. A flick from Dichio put him clean through on
goal, but his volley was weak and straight at Taylor in the Fulham
goal.
Fulham continued to dominate possession, mainly as a result of Albion's
inability to retain the ball, but still without much result. The
visitors had another good opportunity on the break when Hughes was
denied at the back post from a Gregan cross by a Finnan header.
After a mesmerising run from Koumas from the halfway line ended
up with the Merseysider shooting just wide from inside the box,
Fulham started to get some chances, courtesy of some comical defending
by Albion. Poor passes, missed kicks and weak headers gave Fulham
a series of good chances as half time approached, but Fulham were
equally inept in their finishing with Hoult making one save and
Gilchrist one goal-line clearance.
Just before half time, Hughes wasted another golden opportunity
when, on the break once again, Koumas threaded a wonderful ball
right into the Ninja's path, but he couldn't beat Taylor from fifteen
yards. A more confident Hughes would have taken the ball around
the 'keeper, but confidence is the one thing he is lacking.
Megson sent the players out five minutes early before the second
half for another warm up. It did some good as Albion started the
second half brightly. Passing seemed better and movement was improved.
Seven minutes into the second forty-five, Hughes was through once
more with defender Ouaddou to beat. The Baggies striker went down
under challenge from the Moroccan but, for the second time this
year, Uriah Rennie waved away the penalty claims by Hughes.
A poor clearance by Gregan gave Malbranque Fulham's best chance,
but his powerful shot was straight at Hoult. The otherwise excellent
Gregan redeemed himself minutes later deflecting a goal-bound Malbranque
shot wide.
The five minute disaster started on 72 minutes, but Megson's decision
to replace Hughes a minute earlier was equally baffling. A dangerous
cross from Malbranque evaded all the Albion defenders before dropping
for SAHA to head past Hoult from close range.
Koumas had a fine run minutes later resulting in a shot that was
only parried by Taylor. Without poacher Hughes on the field, no
one followed in the shot and the chance was gone.
A quick break from Fulham saw Gregan adjudged to have brought down
Saha, receiving a yellow card in the process. The free kick was
laid off to WOME, who hit an unstoppable shot into the top right
corner. It was a fine goal - I remember Clement used to be able
to score them like that.
Albion refused to lie down and went on the attack again. Five minutes
later the game was over. Another quick break released Malbranque
down the left and as his cross towards the back post approached
Saha, the Frenchman was pushed by Clement. MALBRANQUE converted
the resultant penalty.
To give a little credit, the Baggies never gave up and had a few
opportunities before full time, with Fulham continuing to hit them
on the break. Megson made another bizarre substitution when he brought
Jordao on for Dichio.
Frustrating once again, as Albion more than matched Fulham for most
of this game. Hughes was guilty of missing chances when Albion were
struggling, the defending was abysmal at times but the telling difference
was that little bit of quality that spending sixty million on a
squad inevitably brings.
RESULT - FULHAM 3 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
0
Marks
Hoult - 6 - Solid on crosses and shots, but kicking was even worse
than usual.
A Chambers - 7 - Good solid performance.
Clement - 7 - Did OK, dropped the odd clanger, but looking more
confident going forward.
Gregan - 7 - Another good performance from the new skipper.
Moore - 6 - Not his best game, but fairly solid.
Gilchrist - 6 - Lost Saha for the first goal, otherwise did well.
Koumas - 8 - MOM. Worked hard, passed well and a few mazy runs.
Wallwork - 4 - Back to his usual ineffective self; very poor distribution.
McInnes - 5 - Better than he has been, but distribution lets him
down time and again.
Hughes - 7 - Take out the two misses and it was a good performance
- desperately needs a goal.
Dichio - 6 - Did OK.
Dobie - 5 - Did nothing.
Jordao - 4 - Don't know why he came on, proceeded to give the ball
away time and again.
Udeze - 7 - Only got a couple of minutes, but did well and even
came close with a shot on goal.
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Fulham
(4-4-2):
Taylor; Finnan, Melville, Goma (Ouaddou 45), Wome; Marlet, Inamoto,
Djetou, Malbranque (Stolcers 90); Saha, Sava. Subs not used: Herrera
(GK), Goldbaek, Leacock. |
West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan, Moore, Gilchrist; A Chambers, McInnes, Wallwork,
Koumas, Clement (Udeze 90); Hughes (Dobie 71), Dichio (Jordao 80).
Subs not used: Murphy (GK), Sigurdsson.
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Scoring: Saha (72)
1-0, Wome (74) 2-0, Malbranque (77, pen) 3-0.
Bookings: Fulham - Djetou (encroaching 56). West Bromwich Albion
- Chambers (foul 44), Gregan (foul 74).
Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield)
Attendance: 15,799 |
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