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Burnley 1-1 Fulham: Shared Spoils At Turf Moor
Neat and tidy Cottagers pegged back by Clarets.
Dec 12, 2009 11:50:30 AM
Premier League results/standings
A close game ended with Wade Elliot equalizing after Burnley went behind from a Bobby Zamora strike.
Burnley went into the game at Turf Moor hoping to bounce back from two defeats on the road. Fulham, meanwhile, approached the fixture in good form with three wins from their last four games. However, the Cottagers would hope to improve on an away record that has seen them record only a solitary victory away from Craven Cottage this season.
The game started with some panic for the home side and with Fulham nearly profiting from the off after the Burnley defense was caught napping by Damian Duff whose attempted chip sailed just wide. A great chance missed but the Clarets were flapping at the back and Fulham were all over them at this point.
Good play by Bobby Zamora gave Fulham another sniff when he moved the ball to Duff. The Irishman jinked into the box, cut back onto his favoured left peg and lashed an effort at goal, but Burnley's number one Brian Jensen was equal to it.
Fulham weren't exactly like Helenio Herrera's Inter Milan in defence either, and the home side started to work themselves into the game with Chris Eagles quick feet causing Paul Konchesky some problems at down the flank.
Eagles buys a foul off Konchesky near goal, but the chance is wasted after Brede Hangeland clears a dangerous ball curled over from the free-kick.
The game was end-to-end stuff now, and Fulham had a better chance to break the deadlock when Zamora headed a cross down from Clint Dempsey right into the danger zone. Steven Caldwell does well though with a goal-saving header to clear the danger.
That was to be the last decent chance of a half in which Fulham had the better opportunities to score but with Burnley finding some joy through the wings.
The second half and Fulham started in the ascendancy. John Pantsil managing to send accurate crosses into the box but, as in the first half, the Burnley defense were competing well in the air to clear the danger.
However, the break-through came moments later when Zamora, who was well marshaled in the first half, managed a neat run across Caldwell after collecting a free-kick from the half-way line. He held off the Scotsman and burst into the box before passing the ball cutely into the corner of the net. 1-0 Fulham.
Despite going a goal down, Burnley started to kick into gear at this point and managed a good spell of possession. This possession wasn't to be wasted when Burnley managed to find the equalizer soon after.
A superb finish from midfielder Wade Elliot came as a cross from Eagles bounced off a Fulham head and Elliott stormed in from the far post to side foot his volley past Mark Schwarzer first time. 1-1.
The home side were galvanized somewhat after the equalizer and Schwarzer was put under some pressure from balls being sent into dangerous areas of the box. Some flapping from the 'keeper saw him give his best Superman impression trying to reach a cross and the Australian is sent crashing to the floor after pressure from David Nugent, but Burnely are not able to capitalize.
As the game drew to a close, it was the home side in the driving seat looking most likely to score the winner. Eagles again the most impressive attacking outlet for his side but unable to make the decisive final ball count.
The final whistle blew with the game all-square. Roy Hodgson will perhaps be disappointed his side did not take the better chances they had throughout the game. Burnley manager Owen Coyle will be pleased with the point as he looks to steer the club away from relegation.
Burnley went into the game at Turf Moor hoping to bounce back from two defeats on the road. Fulham, meanwhile, approached the fixture in good form with three wins from their last four games. However, the Cottagers would hope to improve on an away record that has seen them record only a solitary victory away from Craven Cottage this season.
The game started with some panic for the home side and with Fulham nearly profiting from the off after the Burnley defense was caught napping by Damian Duff whose attempted chip sailed just wide. A great chance missed but the Clarets were flapping at the back and Fulham were all over them at this point.
Good play by Bobby Zamora gave Fulham another sniff when he moved the ball to Duff. The Irishman jinked into the box, cut back onto his favoured left peg and lashed an effort at goal, but Burnley's number one Brian Jensen was equal to it.
Fulham weren't exactly like Helenio Herrera's Inter Milan in defence either, and the home side started to work themselves into the game with Chris Eagles quick feet causing Paul Konchesky some problems at down the flank.
Eagles buys a foul off Konchesky near goal, but the chance is wasted after Brede Hangeland clears a dangerous ball curled over from the free-kick.
The game was end-to-end stuff now, and Fulham had a better chance to break the deadlock when Zamora headed a cross down from Clint Dempsey right into the danger zone. Steven Caldwell does well though with a goal-saving header to clear the danger.
That was to be the last decent chance of a half in which Fulham had the better opportunities to score but with Burnley finding some joy through the wings.
The second half and Fulham started in the ascendancy. John Pantsil managing to send accurate crosses into the box but, as in the first half, the Burnley defense were competing well in the air to clear the danger.
However, the break-through came moments later when Zamora, who was well marshaled in the first half, managed a neat run across Caldwell after collecting a free-kick from the half-way line. He held off the Scotsman and burst into the box before passing the ball cutely into the corner of the net. 1-0 Fulham.
Despite going a goal down, Burnley started to kick into gear at this point and managed a good spell of possession. This possession wasn't to be wasted when Burnley managed to find the equalizer soon after.
A superb finish from midfielder Wade Elliot came as a cross from Eagles bounced off a Fulham head and Elliott stormed in from the far post to side foot his volley past Mark Schwarzer first time. 1-1.
The home side were galvanized somewhat after the equalizer and Schwarzer was put under some pressure from balls being sent into dangerous areas of the box. Some flapping from the 'keeper saw him give his best Superman impression trying to reach a cross and the Australian is sent crashing to the floor after pressure from David Nugent, but Burnely are not able to capitalize.
As the game drew to a close, it was the home side in the driving seat looking most likely to score the winner. Eagles again the most impressive attacking outlet for his side but unable to make the decisive final ball count.
The final whistle blew with the game all-square. Roy Hodgson will perhaps be disappointed his side did not take the better chances they had throughout the game. Burnley manager Owen Coyle will be pleased with the point as he looks to steer the club away from relegation.
Michael Landon, Goal.com
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