Wednesday December 26, 2012 Day 19 Finished Craven Cottage

Fulham 1 - 1 Southampton

  • Berbatov 8’
  • Lambert 85’ (pen.)

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  1. Premier League - Jol fury at Berbatov's 'stupid' T-shirt celebration

    Premier League - Jol fury at Berbatov's 'stupid' T-shirt celebration

    Dimitar Berbatov struck early for Fulham on Boxing Day - but manager Martin Jol was less than happy with him as Southampton salvaged a 1-1 draw. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Fulham
    • Southampton
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 tonight/Thursday morning (UK only).
    • 90+5' Full-time! The honours are shared at Craven Cottage as Fulham scored early but peaked too soon, dropping two points to a late penalty against hard-working Southampton. Thanks for joining me today - full report will be up on the website shortly and be sure to follow @EurosportCom_EN and @liamhappe on Twitter...
    • 90+4' Clyne concedes a free-kick on the left wing and this will be Fulham's last chance. Hangeland with the header in the box... wide!
    • 90+3' Ramirez is withdrawn as a time-killing switch. Guly Do Prado is on.
    • 90+2' What a finish at Old Trafford - crazy game! Manchester United v Newcastle United - Yahoo Eurosport UK
    • 90+1' SIDWELL! Volleys inches wide of the upright! Fans on one side of the stadium thought it went in!
    • 90' Four minutes added on. Will we get a late winner?
    • 89' Southampton keep the pressure on and win a corner which Rodriguez is unable to guide towards goal with his head.
    • 88' Beautiful chance from Ramirez! Back-flick initiates a 1-2 with Puncheon which leads to him sending a rasping 25-yard drive towards goal. Schwarzer tips it over... no it's still goal bound.... and he catches it before it goes over the line!
    • 87' Fulham have a corner. Taken short, now here comes the ball in from Riether and Berbatov is inches away from pushing it over the line at the far post!
    • 86' Senderos was booked just before the spot kick for protesting the call. He and other Fulham players felt Lambert was pushing into Baird as they both went up for the ball, leading to the defender's reaction which put his hand in the ball's path.
    • 85' GOAL! Lambert smashes home the penalty despite Schwarzer getting hands to it! 1-1!
    • 84' PENALTY SOUTHAMPTON! Baird handles as the corner comes in!
    • 83' Amateurish defending under pressure from Fulham almost costs them until Riise concedes a corner.
    • 82' Offside against Lambert, who really hasn't had much of a showing today.
    • 81' Puncheon's right-sided cross is hacked away by Senderos.
    • 80' Lambert tries to head into the path of Rodriguez, and is furious when he is penalised for a shove on Senderos.
    • 79' Each side makes a change: Jay Rodriguez is on for Davis while Rodallega is replaced by Giorgos Karagounis. That's the first Saints change and the final Whites switch.
    • 78' Cross comes in from the throw and Fonte flicks it into the path of Lambert! Volleyed over the bar! Big chance for a leveller!
    • 77' Southampton keep the pressure on and win a corner, which is headed away for an attacking throw on the other side.
    • 76' Poor ball from Ramirez fails to beat the first man, though.
    • 75' Puncheon continues to make Riise work and wins a free-kick 35 yards from goal on the right. The lunge earns Riise a booking, too.
    • 74' Creative stuff from Lambert to keep the ball in play from the byline, setting up Puncheon to try and head at goal but Schwarzer is there and the referee rules he was fouled by the winger.
    • 73' Now Ramirez almost makes something of a long punt forward by Southampton, but Schwarzer is there first.
    • 71' Berba tries to stab home the loose ball which comes from said set piece, but Davis bravely claims.
    • 70' A raking ball upfield from Fulham bounces square off the top of Fonte's head and out for a corner.
    • 69' The delivery is half-cleared into the path of Berbatov, who fires wide.
    • 68' Frei gets involved within seconds, winning a free-kick after being sandwiched by Clyne and Schneiderlin. It's out on the left and will be pumped into a packed area.
    • 67' That's the Iranian's last act of the match as he is replaced by Kerim Frei in the home side's second switch.
    • 66' Rodallega heads the ball along to Dejagah, who even from a tight angle on the right-hand side of the box goes for goal. Off-target, though.
    • 65' You get the impression that Fulham just cannot afford to try and settle for 1-0 here. Saints are looking for ways back into this.
    • 64' There have been own goals, revenge goals and even some regular goals in an action-packed Premier League second half around the country so far: Live Premier League Scores | Results � Yahoo! Eurosport UK
    • 62' Good, strong defending from Senderos to prevent Puncheon latching onto a ball dinked over the back line by Cork.
    • 61' Ironically, re: the possession situation, Fulham have actually had 65% of it in this half. They have just been so wasteful in more promising scenarios while Saints have relied on counter-attacking.
    • 60' Now Puncheon is one on one! No, the flag went up. Good ball by Cork barring the moment's timing.
    • 59' The hosts clear the flag kick only for Berbatov to trigger the flag again. Poor possession from Fulham in this half as they cling onto the lead.
    • 58' Big danger for Fulham as Davis close controls his way into the six-yard box until Baird concedes the corner before he can shoot.
    • 56' Berba trips Schneiderlin for a free-kick. With that yellow for the goal celebration, he is living dangerously.
    • 55' Berbatov scored his fifth ever PL goal on Boxing Day – equal-most of any current player on December 26, level with Defoe and Lampard.
    • 54' Offside flag against Berbatov.
    • 53' The visitors work possession from the set-piece in their own half, and once they do get forward, Lambert's across is headed wide by Davis.
    • 52' Riise bodychecks Ramirez as Southampton try to start a breakaway.
    • 51' Great play by the sub Ruiz leads to a through pass for Riether on the right-hand overlap, until Yoshida again comes to the rescue with a good slide challenge.
    • 50' Long diagonal ball from Ramirez appears to pick out Lambert superbly, but the striker's attempt to bring it down for a shot is heavy. Goal kick.
    • 48' We are also back up and running across the Premier League board - ALL live goals and major incidents brought to you here: Live Premier League Scores | Results � Yahoo! Eurosport UK
    • 47' Puncheon comes close to getting Saints back on level terms with a decent low shot just inside the box, which goes narrowly wide of the far post.
    • 46' And Southampton get the second half underway.
    • - One half-time change as Kacaniklic makes way for Bryan Ruiz.
    • 45+2' And there's the whistle. Fulham 1-0 up at the break through Dimitar Berbatov. Do you think they'll hold on or can Saints fight back? Let us know via Twitter at @eurosportcom_en and @liamhappe
    • 45+1' Kacaniklic fires over from outside the box in our only minute of time added on in this half.
    • 45' Free-kick Fulham in the middle of the park could start their last chance at doubling their lead, but the short-take approach eventually leads to Saints getting the ball and winning a free-kick.
    • 44' Fulham have just about been good value for their lead thus far but have certainly rode their luck from time to time on the slippery Cottage pitch.
    • 43' The briefest of dialogues with his touchline training staff but the forward is ok to continue without any prolonged interval.
    • 42' Rodallega lands worst after an aerial collision with Yoshida. May have hurt his shoulder.
    • 41' Shaw makes progress down the wing but his early cross attempt is blocked by Baird.
    • 40' Steven Davis with a great sliding interception to snuff out a Fulham attack on the left.
    • 38' Riise now makes an error inside his own final third allowing Saints to capitalise. Ramirez eventually has a chance at goal closed down. The left-back thinks he's let the ball run out for a goal kick but in fact Cork keeps it in behind his back and puts in a centre. Strange stuff.
    • 37' Baird stretches out to clear a Ramirez cross from the right.
    • 36' It goes back to Schwarzer again, and AGAIN he hashes his kick-out forcing Riise to go in meatily on Ramirez to get the ball safe.
    • 35' Woefully short goal kick from Schwarzer in terrible conditions is salvaged by Sidwell who calmly heads it to a team-mate before it can be pounced upon.
    • 34' Davis does well to catch Riise's deflected cross before it can go out for a corner.
    • 33' Game slowing down a bit now after that good spell from Fulham leading to their goal and Southampton's strong reaction.
    • 31' Dejagah loses control of the ball under pressure from Yoshida and fouls the Japanese international trying to over-compensate.
    • 30' Fonte clears a lovely right-sided cross from Berbatov before Rodallega can attack it.
    • 29' Riether was the man with the cross for Berba's goal, by the way - Dejagah had released the ball to him just beforehand.
    • 28' Davis spills the ball but Saints are set up well enough to prevent a follow-up and clear the danger.
    • 27' Dejagah wins a corner for the hosts off Yoshida.
    • 26' You can keep up to speed with all the Premier League goals today via the Eurosport multiplex - and there's been a couple at Old Trafford already... Live Premier League Scores | Results � Yahoo! Eurosport UK
    • 25' More Fulham pressure ends with a free-kick going Saints' way and Davis punts the set piece long into the Fulham half.
    • 24' Berbatov sets up Kacaniklic on the left to cross, but it's blocked by Clyne for an attacking throw.
    • 22' Rain continues to pelt down at Craven Cottage, not helping either side in the least.
    • 21' Rumours that Berbatov will perform a Rick-Roll if he scores again are, for now, false.
    • 20' Cork's 20-yard drive held by Schwarzer after Ramirez went down in the box under minimal pressure from Senderos. Nothing given against the Swiss centre-back.
    • 18' @Jagerminister thinks the t-shirt stunt could haunt Berbatov: "Berbatov will keep calm, score another goal, and get sent off. #FFF" - keep your comments coming @liamhappe
    • 17' Kacaniklic twists and turns impressively to beat Clyne but his cross is claimed by Davis at the near post.
    • 16' Lambert is flagged offside on a long ball upfield by Southampton.
    • 15' Kacaniklic floats a cross in from the right on a Fulham counter but Berbatov is unable to score a quarter-hour brace with a tame header wide.
    • 14' Puncheon tries to weave a little magic on the right but is outnumbered and leveraged off the ball.
    • 12' This is a good response to falling behind so early, at least.
    • 11' Now a 30-yard free-kick is pumped into the danger zone by the visitors but nobody is able to connect with the delivery and Schwarzer takes the free-kick.
    • 10' Saints go on the offensive from the restart and win a corner, which comes to nothing.
    • 9' Berbatov takes off his shirt to display a 'Keep Calm & Pass Me The Ball' vest - which of course gets him booked.
    • 8' GOAL FULHAM! Low cross in from the right by Dejagah is not dealt with and Berbatov taps in the loose ball. 1-0!
    • 7' 15 of the 18 Premier League games involving Fulham this season have gone over 2.5 goals, so hopefully the omens are good for this one to open up.
    • 6' Neat flick from the Bulgarian tees up a Riise cross which Yoshida heads from danger.
    • 5' It takes two Saints players to dispossess Berbatov on the left wing before Fonte clears for a throw.
    • 4' Schwarzer is almost sold a short back pass but the keeper gets there in time to lash it away before Lambert can pounce.
    • 3' Our first chance comes courtesy of the home side as Rodallega pulls back to Sidwell from the left, but the midfielder's low drive goes disappointingly wide from the edge of the box.
    • 2' Scrappy start as both sides try to get some passes going before caving in to the long balls when put under pressure by their foes.
    • 1' The hosts kick off the first half and here we go!
    • 15:00 Here come the teams! Festive football action just a few moments away - but first we have a minute's applause to remember those who have passed away this year - fire me your predictions and any other comments you want published via @liamhappe on Twitter
    • 14:55 Southampton haven’t won away at Fulham since October 1947 in any competition, a run of 14 visits without success (W0 D6 L8).
    • 14:50 Fulham have only won two of their last six Premier League home matches (W2 D1 L3). Southampton have won just two of their last 28 Premier League away games (W2 D5 L21).
    • 14:45 In each of the last six seasons of league football between these two sides, one of the matches has ended as a draw and the other has been a home win. Saints & Fulham drew 2-2 at St Mary’s earlier in the season.
    • 14:40 Southampton have only won three of their last 18 Boxing Day fixtures (W3 D8 L7), but have enjoyed victories in the last two. Fulham have won none of their last seven Boxing Day fixtures (W0 D3 L4).
    • 14:35 Get involved in today's coverage in one of three ways: leave your thoughts in our comments section below, rate the players as the game progresses once we kick off, and if you want to get your comments published here on the 'cast, simply send them over via Twitter! You can do that by following me at @liamhappe
    • 14:30 Southampton boss Nigel Adkins: “All of the games are going to be pressurised so what we’ve got to make sure we do is regroup and get ourselves ready for Fulham. They’re good. They play a 4-4-1-1 very well with (Dimitar) Berbatov between the lines. They’re well organised defensively and as a unit. It’s similar to what we go and do so they’ll be a team that is difficult to break down, but one we believe that we can score against.”
    • 14:25 Fulham manager Martin Jol: "Against Liverpool we didn't show our strength and hopefully we can pick up the points not because it is a vital game for us. It is a vital game for them as well. We are in a good position, we have got a good cushion but if we don't pick up the points in the next week or so then we're really in a relegation battle with other teams."
    • 14:20 FULHAM: Schwarzer, Riether, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Dejagah, Sidwell, Baird, Kacanikic, Berbatov, Rodallega. Subs: Stockdale, Kelly, Karagounis, Briggs, Hughes, Ruiz, Frei. /// SOUTHAMPTON: K Davis, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Cork, S Davis, Puncheon, Ramirez, Lambert. Subs: Boruc, Hooiveld, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Guly, Richardson, Mayuka.
    • 14:15 Good after and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE Boxing Day Premier League matchcast as Fulham take on Southampton. Team news will follow very shortly!

  • Summary

    • 90+1' SIDWELL! Volleys inches wide of the upright! Fans on one side of the stadium thought it went in!
    • 88' Beautiful chance from Ramirez! Back-flick initiates a 1-2 with Puncheon which leads to him sending a rasping 25-yard drive towards goal. Schwarzer tips it over... no it's still goal bound.... and he catches it before it goes over the line!
    • 87' Fulham have a corner. Taken short, now here comes the ball in from Riether and Berbatov is inches away from pushing it over the line at the far post!
    • 85' GOAL! Lambert smashes home the penalty despite Schwarzer getting hands to it! 1-1!
    • 84' PENALTY SOUTHAMPTON! Baird handles as the corner comes in!
    • 78' Cross comes in from the throw and Fonte flicks it into the path of Lambert! Volleyed over the bar! Big chance for a leveller!
    • 58' Big danger for Fulham as Davis close controls his way into the six-yard box until Baird concedes the corner before he can shoot.
    • 38' Riise now makes an error inside his own final third allowing Saints to capitalise. Ramirez eventually has a chance at goal closed down. The left-back thinks he's let the ball run out for a goal kick but in fact Cork keeps it in behind his back and puts in a centre. Strange stuff.
    • 8' GOAL FULHAM! Low cross in from the right by Dejagah is not dealt with and Berbatov taps in the loose ball. 1-0!
    • 3' Our first chance comes courtesy of the home side as Rodallega pulls back to Sidwell from the left, but the midfielder's low drive goes disappointingly wide from the edge of the box.
    • 14:20 FULHAM: Schwarzer, Riether, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Dejagah, Sidwell, Baird, Kacanikic, Berbatov, Rodallega. Subs: Stockdale, Kelly, Karagounis, Briggs, Hughes, Ruiz, Frei. /// SOUTHAMPTON: K Davis, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Cork, S Davis, Puncheon, Ramirez, Lambert. Subs: Boruc, Hooiveld, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Guly, Richardson, Mayuka.

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
      8.3 6
      Defenders
      8.6 7
      Yellow Card 5.5 6
      4.6 6
      Yellow Card 4.2 5
      Midfielders
      5.5 7
      7.4 6
      Substitution Out68′ 9.1 7
      Substitution Out45′ 8 6
      Strikers
      Goal Yellow Card 7.9 7
      Substitution Out78′ 6.2 6
      Subs
      Substitution In78′ 4.5 5
      Substitution In45′ 4.3 6
      Substitution In68′ 4.3 5
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7 6
      Defenders
      6 6
      6 7
      7.5 8
      6 7
      Midfielders
      6.5 6
      6 7
      7 7
      Substitution Out90′ 6.5 7
      Substitution Out78′ 8.3 7
      Strikers
      Goal 7.5 6
      Subs
      Substitution In90′ - -
      Substitution In78′ 7 5

Comment 1 - 10 of 10

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  1. Ashkan dejagah !! Iranian love you

    From Doctor, on Thu 27 Dec 9:37

  2. Quality players in Fulham: Berbatov, Ruiz, Schwarzer,­ Reither....to some extend Kacaniklic (he has potential)­ Lacking Quality: SANDEROS, BAIRD, RODALLEGA,­ KARAGUNIS. THEY desparetly have to be faster on the­ wings, need to buy a good midfielder and central­ defender...otherwise i see them in danger!

    From Delyan, on Wed 26 Dec 17:57

  3. Fulham defence needs sorting out Big Time.

    From Angelo, on Wed 26 Dec 17:29

  4. Multi cultural Fulham are rubbish.

    From ALAN, on Wed 26 Dec 17:07

  5. Ashkan dejagah is really working hard ,he is vert good­ player for fulham. Are you agree with me?

    From avesta, on Wed 26 Dec 16:16

  6. nothing from Father Christmas so Saints above please­ come good now, Norm,

    From N, on Wed 26 Dec 15:40

  7. Do not write here. It's full with communists.

    From Simo, on Wed 26 Dec 15:04

  8. Communists control this sight or whatever.

    From Simo, on Wed 26 Dec 14:54

  9. Fulham are going to have trouble if they don't­ start feeding Berba with more balls. Berba needs to­ score 3-4 goles in the next 5 games, and Fulham will be­ ok. I see them near the bottom 2 teams in near future,­ if they don't win at least a game each month.

    From Boril, on Wed 26 Dec 4:26

  10. Richard, I think Berb is playing as though he­ doesn't wanna be there. You're not too wrong­ about the midfield though. There's the Greek guy,­ who's running everywhere but nowhere, and Baird­ playing the ball back or sideways, because he's­ defender. If you're gonna win games, you have to­ get the ball forward quickly, on your terms, and force­ the opposition into making mistakes, as other teams are­ doing to Fulham right now.

    From TruthRaidersCousin, on Mon 24 Dec 12:49
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