Fulham 1-0 CSKA Sofia: Zoltan Gera Strike Keeps Fulham Hopes Alive

By Neil Jones

Fulham v CSKA Sofia: Line up & stats
Europa League results/standings 

Fulham kept their Europa League qualification hopes alive with a 1-0 win over CSKA Sofia, courtesy of Zoltan Gera's first half goal at Craven Cottage. The result, coupled with Roma's win over Basel in Italy, means the Cottagers now need a win in Switzerland in a fortnight's time to secure their passage into the last 32 of the competition.

Fulham, who welcomed back skipper Danny Murphy to their starting line-up after a hamstring injury, were afforded the luxury of resting key players Clint Dempsey and Damien Duff, and began with confidence and purpose. Bobby Zamora had the first opening of the night just two minutes in, but his touch was heavy and CSKA keeper Zdravko Chavdarov was able to smother.

As the home side adhered to their manager Roy Hodgson's pre-match wish to "treat the game like a Cup final", Chavdarov was again called into action seconds later as Murphy's quick free-kick released Simon Davies, but the keeper was able to gather cleanly as the Welshman sent in a fierce cross-shot.

Yet in a frantic opening five minutes, it was CSKA who came closest to breaking the deadlock. Midfielder Todor Timonov unleashed a 25-yarder with his left foot that beat Mark Schwarzer, but crashed against the crossbar as Fulham rode their luck.

And it looked like it was to be a crucial let-off as just a couple of minutes later the Cottagers were awarded a penalty as the hapless Ihan Ivanov clumsily tripped Zoltan Gera in the penalty area. However, the usually ultra-reliable Murphy side-footed his penalty high over the bar, in keeping with a frenzied opening to the game.

There was no let up, Zamora saw a speculative effort deflected wide and John Paintsil was denied by Chavdarov at the front post before the home side's pressure was rewarded with the opening goal.

It was Bjorn Helge Riise who was the architect, wriggling free down the right to clip in an inviting cross that Zoltan Gera met with a powerful stooping header from six yards. It was the least that Fulham deserved for their high-tempo start to the game, and Zamora went close to a second within a minute as he volleyed Gera's downward header over the crossbar.

It was one-way traffic, Riise firing straight at Chavdarov from 25 yards, before Davies missed a glorious chance to double the advantage, sweeping Zamora's intelligent knock-down wide from six yards left footed. 

Timonov's ambitious volley, which dipped yards wide of Schwarzer's left-hand post, was as close as CSKA came as Fulham monopolised possession and pinned their visitors back. The one goal advantage they took into the half-time break seemed an unfair return for their dominance.

With CSKA's controversial coach Luboslav Penev - who had looked set to miss the game due to an unpaid bank demand of over $1.5m - arriving at the ground in time to give his side a half-time team-talk, the second half initially followed a similar pattern to the first. Again Zamora had the first chance of the half, after neat link up with Gera, but drove wide of the near post on his weaker right foot.

CSKA gave notice of their increased menace as Todor Yanchev burst clear of the Cottagers' backline, but he delayed his shot too long and Aaron Hughes was able to deflect wide.

Soon after it was striker Spas Delev who was threatening Schwarzer's goal, controlling a cross from Yordan Minev on his chest before sending a dextrous volley wide.

Fulham, after looking so assured for so long, suddenly looked rather ragged, conceding possession more often and inviting CSKA on. A potential penalty shout, when Riise was blocked off by Apostl Popov in the area, was waved away, as tension began to creep into the Cottage.

Clint Dempsey's introduction, for the luckless Davies, should have settled Fulham down somewhat, but still it was CSKA who looked the more likely to score in the closing stages. Another sub, Damien Duff, was forced to clear off the line from Kosta Yanev, after Aaron Hughes had survived a handball appeal. Delev then sent a 25 yard effort inches over Schwarzer's bar before Yanchev headed over when well placed.

It left Hodgson patrolling his technical area like a worried parent, knowing a Sofia goal would have all-but-eliminated his side. Alas it never arrived, and Fulham will travel to Basel in two weeks' time with their fate in the best place possible. Their own hands.