Saturday April 20, 2013 Day 34 Finished Craven Cottage

  1. Premier League - Arsenal beat Fulham in game of two reds

    Premier League - Arsenal beat Fulham in game of two reds

    Arsenal benefitted from an early red card shown to former player Steve Sidwell when edging past Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Fulham
    • Arsenal
    • - Remember, you can watch highlights of this match and all the weekend's Premier League games live on site from Monday (00:01).
    • 90+5' FULL TIME! Fulham 0-1 Arsenal. Mertesacker's goal gives the visitors a crucial win in game of two red cards.
    • 90+4' Arsenal break quickly and Ramsey steams forward, only to drag his shot wide of the post!
    • 90+4' A late, late corner for Fulham but Senderos heads off target. Surely the last chance.
    • 90+3' Arsenal shore things up at the back as Cazorla is replaced by Vermaelen.
    • 90+2' Superb intervention from Monreal as he prevents Berbatov from getting a shot away from close range!
    • 90+1' We will have three added minutes.
    • 90' RED CARD! Giroud goes for going over the ball when challenging Manolev. Looked a bit harsh as he slipped when trying to control the ball.
    • 89' Late nerves for Arsenal as Ruiz threatens to take possession in the box, only for Sagna to stick out a leg and Mertesacker to clear.
    • 88' Berbatov races onto a ball over the top that is headed up into the air by Mertesacker but Massey rightly catches the striker offside as Szczesny comes to claim the ball.
    • 87' A late change for Fulham as Kerim Frei comes on for the impressive Emanuelson.
    • 86' Not long for Arsenal to see out now for a valuable win. Can they do it?
    • 85' A change for Fulham as Kacaniklic comes off for Mladen Petric.
    • 84' Stat from Opta: "Since the beginning of February, Arsenal have conceded only six goals in nine Premier League games, keeping four clean sheets during this run."
    • 83' CHANCE FOR ARSENAL! Ramsey switches the ball quickly for Cazorla to the right side of the box and he has a firm drive deflected behind for a corner. Schwarzer spills the delivery but there's no one lurking to take advantage.
    • 81' Fulham are beginning to apply more pressure now as they pop a few crosses into the box.
    • 79' Berbatov strikes the wall with his effort and Arsenal clear through Monreal.
    • 79' Mertesacker quickly gives away another free-kick though and Berba and Ruiz line it up...
    • 78' GOAL DISALLOWED! Manolev taps the ball home after Szczesny spills the free-kick from Ruiz but Sian Massey spots he has crept offside and the flag goes up.
    • 77' Ramsey goes into the book for a messy challenge on Ruiz and Fulham have a free-kick 25 yards from goal.
    • 76' Cazorla and Giroud try to unpick the home defence with a quick interchange of passes but the latter can't hold onto the former's return. Now Monreal is guilty of a poor cross from the left.
    • 75' Stat from Infostrada: "Arsenal have both the best 2nd half scoring record (40 goals) and best 2nd half defensive record (14 goals conceded)."
    • 73' Those changes should give Arsenal far more impetus. Podolski is a real livewire in the box and Wilshere can be pretty spiky in midfield.
    • 71' Here we go. Walcott and Rosicky are replaced by Podolski and Wilshere. Arsenal needed that.
    • 71' More pressure from Fulham as they put Arsenal under the kosh with some high balls into the box. Koscielny has to clear.
    • 70' CHANCE FOR FULHAM! Manolev gets into space on the right and his attempted cross for Berbatov floats in towards goal and forces Szczesny to tip over his bar for a corner.
    • 69' Arsenal are crying out for a change here: Wilshere, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain...
    • 68' CHANCE FOR ARSENAL! Rosicky finds Cazorla in space and Walcott sets off on a fine run, but the Spaniard's ball through has far too much on it and Schwarzer claps it to his chest. A terrible pass, that.
    • 66' When you consider Fulham's season is basically over and that Arsenal have a huge battle to get fourth place, the difference in the performance of the two sides is rather surprising.
    • 65' But of a lull in proceedings. This has still been a disappointing performance from Arsenal.
    • 63' Stat from Infostrada: "Since the beginning of February, Arsenal have conceded only six goals in nine Premier League games, keeping four clean sheets during this run."
    • 61' Arteta pushes his luck. Already on a booking, the midfielder appears to bring Kacaniklic to ground, though the official felt he got a touch on the ball as play continues.
    • 60' Arsenal work the ball to Rosicky to the left of the box with some intricate passing but Fulham head the ball away when it comes in from wide.
    • 58' Koscielny controls with his chest in the box and only just manages to get the ball clear before a swarm of white shirts converge on him.
    • 57' Corner to Arsenal but Cazorla's delivery is poor and Fulham clear.
    • 56' Senderos does just enough to keep the ball away from Mertesacker after Rosicky comes onto his left foot and lofts in a decent cross for the German defender.
    • 55' Ramsey loses possession in midfield - not his finest game today - before Sagna surges down the right to win a corner.
    • 54' Stat from Infostrada: "Arsenal have a 100 per cent winning record of nine wins when leading at half-time this season."
    • 53' Looked like a bit of a dive from Emanuelson but Fulham have the free-kick and Ruiz puts the ball high over the bar from 25 yards out.
    • 52' Emanuelson again causes problems as he jinks inside Arteta and is tripped by the Spaniard, who earns a booking.
    • 50' Walcott sets off a fraction early for a crossfield pass from Ramsey and is flagged offside as Richardson intervenes in any case.
    • 49' Monreal attempts a cross from the left but his first attempt is blocked and instead he moves the ball central.
    • 48' Walcott takes the free-kick but floats a high one into the box for Schwarzer.
    • 47' Hangeland bangs into the back of Giroud to give Arsenal a free-kick early in the second half.
    • 46' KICK OFF!
    • - Got time to waste at half-time? Why not come and say hello on Twitter. Match predictions and views on the red card both welcome. And/or random abuse. Follow Tom Adams (@tomEurosport) on Twitter
    • 45+3' HALF TIME. Arsenal lead thanks to Per Mertesacker's header. Fulham don't deserve to be losing, despite the 12th minute dismissal of Steve Sidwell for a naughty tackle on Arteta.
    • 45+2' Walcott with the cross from the right but he puts the ball just in front of Giroud, and the striker can't flick it home with the toe of his boot.
    • 45+1' We will have two added minutes.
    • 45' It's hard to make the case that Arsenal deserve that. They have been second best for long spells but will be pleased at netting from a set-piece.
    • 44' GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Arsenal! Per Mertesacker with a close range header! A free-kick is stood up to the back post and Koscielny just does enough to send it back across goal, where Mertesacker is arriving to nod in from close range.
    • 42' Berbatov is furious after he makes a good run but Emanuelson tries to play the ball quick and fires it into the position Berba has just vacated. Not on the same wavelength. Few are.
    • 41' The subsequent corner is delivered but Giroud heads away at the back post.
    • 40' CHANCE FOR FULHAM! Nice work from Emanuelson as he harries Monreal in his own third and finally wins the ball off the left-back. His shot is a good one and forces Szczesny into a sprawling save at the near post.
    • 38' Emanuelson almost succeeds in threading a pass through for Richardson on the left and the defender would have been in behind with a fine opening for a cross.
    • 36' That's been Arsenal's brightest moment in an otherwise rather unimpressive first half from the side chasing Champions League qualification.
    • 35' ARSENAL HIT THE POST! Cazorla gives Giroud a shot pass and the striker turns neatly before driving a low effort back across goal and against the outside of the post.
    • 34' Berbatov caught offside once again from a Ruiz pass, though it looked a close one.
    • 33' Stat from Infostrada: "Only Everton’s Steven Pienaar has been given as many red cards as Steve Sidwell this season (both two)."
    • 32' Rosicky pings a pass right for Walcott and the winger smacks the ball against Richardson, against his own face and back out for a goal-kick. It's been that sort of game for Arsenal.
    • 31' Berbatov almost latches onto a flick-on from Ruiz but is flagged offside as Szczesny races off his line to smother the ball.
    • 29' Now Walcott gets into space on the left wing but his cross is too close to schwarzer and Giroud can't get on the end of it. A bit better from Arsenal, but not much.
    • 28' CHANCE FOR ARSENAL! Rosicky and Cazorla combine well but Giroud can't get a clean shot away under pressure. Schwarzer's clearance is poor but Ramsey can't find a team-mate quickly enough to take advantage.
    • 27' A half chance for Arsenal. The ball is worked wide to Ramsey by Arteta and his low cross almost meets the toe of Walcott, who just fails to make contact when stretching in the box.
    • 26' More pressure from Fulham here as Arsenal eventually clear thanks to Koscielny's intervention. The home side are well on top at present.
    • 25' A promising enough Arsenal move breaks down when Ramsey tries a rather ambitious lofted pass over the top of the defence. No one is getting on the end of that.
    • 24' Counter-intuitively, Fulham have had the better of things since the red card. They have attacked with more purpose in the final third.
    • 23' Here come Fulham again as Kacaniklic shots from the left of the box and sees his effort cannon off Mertesacker and go behind for a corner. Nothing from the set-piece though.
    • 22' Stat from Infostrada: "Steven Sidwell is red carded for the 2nd time this season and in successive PL apps. This is the joint 2nd fastest PL red card of the season with Maynor Figueroa (also 12 mins). Only Laurent Koscielny has been red carded quicker (10 mins) against Man City this season."
    • 21' Fulham go short from the corner but when the ball is played into the box, Szczesny punches away confidently.
    • 20' CHANCE FOR FULHAM! Ruiz charges through midfield and plays in Berbatov to the right. His touch takes him wide and a lashed effort is straight at Szczesny, who palms the ball away for a corner.
    • 19' Rosicky slips a pass through for Giroud and the big striker takes a touch before curling in a shot that appears to catch the arm of Hangeland just inside the box. The defender's arms were tucked into his body though, and he was turning away from the ball, so no penalty.
    • 17' Emanuelson pops a pass down the wing for Manolev, but the right-back's cross goes straight into the arms of Szczesny.
    • 16' Walcott lines up the free-kick and his curling effort is saved by Mark Schwarzer, making his 500th Premier League appearance.
    • 15' Now Fulham give away another free-kick as Enoh fells Walcott. And then it's the turn of Emanuelson as he trips Ramsey. Fulham all over the place at the moment.
    • 14' Sidwell had only just returned from a ban and now he's facing another spell on the sidelines. The midfielder went in hard and a bit high on Arteta after the ball rolled away from the Spaniard in midfield. He caught him above the ankle.
    • 13' RED CARD! Steve Sidwell dismissed!
    • 12' Giroud tries to hook a pass in for Walcott as the forward darts into the box from the right but he can't manoeuvre the ball into the path of his team-mate.
    • 11' Stat from Opta: "Fulham have only kept one clean sheet in their last 12 home games in the Premier League."
    • 10' Walcott delivers a dangerous cross to the back post but Laurent Koscielny strays offside as he tries to make contact with his head.
    • 9' Eyong Enoh fouls Cazorla 25 yards from goal when clattering into the back of the Spanish playmaker and Arsenal have a free-kick in a good area. Walcott to whip in the cross...
    • 8' After that early scare it is Arsenal who look the more comfortable this afternoon. Fulham are struggling to get a hold of the ball at the moment.
    • 7' Monreal and Rosicky exchange passes with purpose on the Arsenal left but the Czech plays a loose ball to the Spaniard, who can't keep control.
    • 6' Nice approach play from Arsenal as Mikel Arteta spins to leave his man for dead and the ball is spread wide to Aaron Ramsey. Olivier Giroud is unable to dig out a shot though and Cazorla is denied too as Fulham work the ball clear.
    • 5' Cazorla delivers the ball but Fulham head clear. No danger of an Arsenal man getting on the end of that one.
    • 4' Walcott takes possession of the ball on the right touchline and draws a rather unnecessary foul from Kieran Richardson. Free-kick in a good position...
    • 3' Theo Walcott has the ball in the back of the net for Arsenal but the England international is a mile offside when stabbing home from Rosicky's pass.
    • 2' CHANCE FOR FULHAM! Awful marking from Arsenal as the home side attack down the right wing and Urby Emanuelson finds himself in so much space in the box. The Dutchman tries to pick out Dimitar Berbatov but the cross is cleared.
    • 1' Rosicky is playing in the hole behind Giroud for Arsenal, with Cazorla stationed out on the left wing.
    • 1' KICK OFF! A clear blue sky, Arsenal in red and Fulham in white.
    • 15:00 Craven Cottage is an absolute picture today. It's a lovely little ground and in the blazing sunshine it looks like the perfect stage for a game of football. The sprinklers are on, and last-minute beers being sunk by the Thames. Here come the players...
    • 14:55 Are you following our official Twitter account? If not then address that right now. Follow Eurosport (@EurosportCom_EN) on Twitter
    • 14:50 Time for some stats from Opta: "Fulham are unbeaten in their last four Premier League meetings with Arsenal, drawing three and winning one. The Gunners have won just one of their last four trips to Craven Cottage in the Premier League (D1 L2), losing their last trip there in January 2012 (1-2). The Gunners have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League games, winning eight (W8 D2 L1)."
    • 14:45 Wenger spoke about Olivier Giroud this week: “He has good physical potential. He wants to play every single game, he has a good basic stamina and he can absorb the games. He can absorb the body to body [challenges] because he's a strong guy. I think you will see more from him next season, and there's a lot more to come from him."
    • 14:40 Fulham's league situation is rather less exciting as they are in 10, nicely ensconced in midtable as per usual. With 40 points, they won't be troubling the relegation battle or the upper echelons of the table.
    • 14:35 Arsenal start the day two points ahead of Tottenham in third, though they have played one game more than their rivals, who face Manchester City tomorrow.
    • 14:30 Arsenal, meanwhile, drew 0-0 at home to Everton in midweek and Arsene Wenger makes two changes as Nacho Monreal swaps in for Kieran Gibbs, who picked up a knock against Everton, and Tomas Rosicky replaces Jack Wilshere, who has been struggling for form since returning from injury.
    • 14:25 Fulham lost 3-0 at home to Chelsea on Wednesday night and Martin Jol makes four chances: Stanislav Manolev, Kieran Richardson, Steve Sidwell and Alexander Kacaniklic replacing Sascha Riether, John Arne Riise, Giorgos Karagounis and Mladen Petric.
    • 14:20 FULHAM: Schwarzer, Manolev, Senderos, Hangeland, Richardson, Enoh, Sidwell, Ruiz, Emanuelson, Kacaniklic, Berbatov - Subs - Etheridge, Riise, Hughes, Karagounis, Frei, Rodallega, Petric /// ARSENAL: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud - Subs - Mannone, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski
    • 14:15 Hello and welcome to live text commentary of the Premier League clash between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage. Kick off in this one just 45 minutes away.

  • Summary

    • 90+4' Arsenal break quickly and Ramsey steams forward, only to drag his shot wide of the post!
    • 90' RED CARD! Giroud goes for going over the ball when challenging Manolev. Looked a bit harsh as he slipped when trying to control the ball.
    • 83' CHANCE FOR ARSENAL! Ramsey switches the ball quickly for Cazorla to the right side of the box and he has a firm drive deflected behind for a corner. Schwarzer spills the delivery but there's no one lurking to take advantage.
    • 70' CHANCE FOR FULHAM! Manolev gets into space on the right and his attempted cross for Berbatov floats in towards goal and forces Szczesny to tip over his bar for a corner.
    • 68' CHANCE FOR ARSENAL! Rosicky finds Cazorla in space and Walcott sets off on a fine run, but the Spaniard's ball through has far too much on it and Schwarzer claps it to his chest. A terrible pass, that.
    • 44' GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Arsenal! Per Mertesacker with a close range header! A free-kick is stood up to the back post and Koscielny just does enough to send it back across goal, where Mertesacker is arriving to nod in from close range.
    • 40' CHANCE FOR FULHAM! Nice work from Emanuelson as he harries Monreal in his own third and finally wins the ball off the left-back. His shot is a good one and forces Szczesny into a sprawling save at the near post.
    • 35' ARSENAL HIT THE POST! Cazorla gives Giroud a shot pass and the striker turns neatly before driving a low effort back across goal and against the outside of the post.
    • 28' CHANCE FOR ARSENAL! Rosicky and Cazorla combine well but Giroud can't get a clean shot away under pressure. Schwarzer's clearance is poor but Ramsey can't find a team-mate quickly enough to take advantage.
    • 20' CHANCE FOR FULHAM! Ruiz charges through midfield and plays in Berbatov to the right. His touch takes him wide and a lashed effort is straight at Szczesny, who palms the ball away for a corner.
    • 19' Rosicky slips a pass through for Giroud and the big striker takes a touch before curling in a shot that appears to catch the arm of Hangeland just inside the box. The defender's arms were tucked into his body though, and he was turning away from the ball, so no penalty.
    • 16' Walcott lines up the free-kick and his curling effort is saved by Mark Schwarzer, making his 500th Premier League appearance.
    • 13' RED CARD! Steve Sidwell dismissed!
    • 2' CHANCE FOR FULHAM! Awful marking from Arsenal as the home side attack down the right wing and Urby Emanuelson finds himself in so much space in the box. The Dutchman tries to pick out Dimitar Berbatov but the cross is cleared.
    • 14:20 FULHAM: Schwarzer, Manolev, Senderos, Hangeland, Richardson, Enoh, Sidwell, Ruiz, Emanuelson, Kacaniklic, Berbatov - Subs - Etheridge, Riise, Hughes, Karagounis, Frei, Rodallega, Petric /// ARSENAL: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud - Subs - Mannone, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.9 6
      Defenders
      6.4 6
      5.4 5
      6.2 6
      5.1 6
      Midfielders
      6.2 6
      Red Card 4.8 4
      Substitution Out85′ 4.9 6
      5.8 6
      Substitution Out87′ 5.9 8
      Strikers
      6.9 7
      Subs
      Substitution In85′ 5.6 -
      Substitution In87′ 6 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.8 6
      Defenders
      6.1 6
      Goal 7.2 8
      6.2 7
      6 5
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 5.8 6
      Yellow Card 5.7 5
      Substitution Out71′ 5.7 6
      Substitution Out72′ 6.2 5
      Substitution Out90′ 6.7 6
      Strikers
      Red Card 5.8 5
      Subs
      Substitution In72′ 6.9 6
      Substitution In71′ 5.4 6
      Substitution In90′ 5.8 -

Comment 71 - 91 of 91

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  1. Arsenal = Podolski + Mertesacker !!!

    From Ali, on Sun 21 Apr 12:56

  2. Only actions by reverees will. Stop Arsenal to remain­ CL direct eligibility. Tackle did not deserve a red­ cfd. Either way the losers are ref who refuse to call­ the game according to the rule.

    From Jack C, on Sat 20 Apr 19:05

  3. Arsenal#$%$ loser!

    From Matti, on Sat 20 Apr 18:11

  4. Is it just me, or the comments section seems to­ disappear every now and then?

    From hiromu, on Sat 20 Apr 17:43

  5. Arsenal up up up yo game pse dis was not cul at all

    From Divan Jaco, on Sat 20 Apr 17:36

  6. aresnal!!!!!!!

    From Deesh, on Sat 20 Apr 17:23

  7. Sure third place for Gunners...................GO­ GUNNERS...............GO FOR­ FINISHING....................UP GUNNERS

    From Olatoye emmanuel Sodipo, on Sat 20 Apr 17:06

  8. i have no idea wat the fk happened. 10-men fulham­ played better than us. it was luck that arsenal scored­ that goal coz of the lapse of concentration in the free­ kick. we didnt deserve to win

    From ZiXiang, on Sat 20 Apr 17:04

  9. ffs people, Ramsey was voted MOTM twice in succession­ before today's game, and rightly so. So today­ wasn't his best game, he did make several mistakes­ (didn't Cazorla?) and he missed an empty goal­ (Giroud and Walcott do that several times every game,­ and they are strikers!), but he also made a few good­ tackles and interceptions and most of his passes were­ actually neat. What in the devil's name is wrong­ with all the Ramsey haters? And yes, today's­ performance was certainly not Arsenal at its best. But­ heck, it still brought us three freakin points. You­ are furious when we play great and lose, and you are­ fuming when we suck and still win. Stop whining, get­ behind the team, and be happy with the three points!

    From hiromu, on Sat 20 Apr 17:03

  10. An absolute disgraceful performance from Arsenal again.­ Where on earth did Wenger get these players from and­ why did he keep Walcott. New Manager and a new team is­ required. A Manager who will fight for more money to­ spend on 1st class players instead of trying to be the­ club who makes most profit? We are paying better wages­ now but not for the right people. We haven't signed­ up any star players for years and it is needed.

    From lanesar, on Sat 20 Apr 17:02

  11. giroud was useless all game. im actually quite pleased­ he got the red card coz that'll mean that he wont­ play in the next 3 games n podolski would probably play­ as centre forward. just hope wenger doesnt do something­ stupid like putting gervinho up front again

    From ZiXiang, on Sat 20 Apr 17:01

  12. I got to say that Arsenal were a little bit lucky­ today. Fulham deserved a draw.

    From M Lutfi A, on Sat 20 Apr 16:59

  13. f......ck arsenal and arsene what a buch of idiots

    From Alex, on Sat 20 Apr 16:58

  14. The horrible ref can't do jack all. I bet that­ weren't even a red card for Giroud, the ref's­ just trying to even it up at the very last minute of­ the game because he knew deep down he shouldn't­ have sent off Sidwell. Disgusting refereeing. I hope he­ gets demoted. Bad ref. At least we won. Go Gooners,­ despite the fact we're inconsistent.

    From Reiss Jorden, on Sat 20 Apr 16:57

  15. The Gunners played much harder and better without­ Giroud.

    From Isaacs, on Sat 20 Apr 16:55

  16. What a poor show!

    From Happymrzot, on Sat 20 Apr 16:53
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I heat wenger for giving ramsey this many undiserving­ chance!!!

    From yehualashett, on Sat 20 Apr 16:52

  18. yes giroud is off,Now arsene will be forced to play­ podolski.

    From Shane, on Sat 20 Apr 16:51

  19. Arsenal is getting bombarded what is wrong with them!­ I just give up. If they win this game it is down to­ luck

    From lanesar, on Sat 20 Apr 16:51

  20. FFS whats wrong with some of you arsenal have only lost­ 1 game in 12 and only conceded 8 goals which is the­ best so far in any team thats played 11 games.

    From David, on Sat 20 Apr 16:49
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