This tends to be one of the easier games for me to get to given that it is a simple train journey from Farnborough into Clapham Junction and from there to Putney. Will unfortunately had a hen pecking at his head so it was my son, Jonny and me alone for this one. The journey was uneventful but I did get talking to a QPR fan on the way and we discussed the merits of his team who are top of the Championship for the moment and the smart money would appear to be on them staying there. There were also assorted Hammers off to their game against Wigan for their so-called ‘save our season’ game; what is the world coming to when it is a make or break scenario in November; desperate times indeed. The rugby crowd for the international at Twickenham were also to be seen in large numbers.
Jonny and I walked down Putney High Street towards the river and called in at the Whistle and Flute pub just before the bridge. The early game involving Vile and Arsenal was on and so a pint or two were called for. It was half-time and 2-0 to the Gunners which raised an early smile to the afternoon. The match as we all know ended 4-2 to Arsenal following an entertaining second half where the roars of the assembled Blues’ fans which greeted the additional Arsenal goals could be heard across the River Thames. How good was this; standing in a pub, drinking beer, watching football on a big screen and witnessing Villa getting beat! The only things that were missing were pearly gates, St Peter, a couple of archangels with cherubs serving behind the bar!
Suitably refreshed we moved off across Putney Bridge to Craven Cottage taking our seats just before kick off. Hleb was back in the team just behind Jerome at the expense of Zigic. Gardner was still out and his place in midfield was taken by Bowyer with Fergusson and Larsson making up the rest of the midfield. Goal keeper and back four were as you were. Blues so nearly went behind in the first couple of minutes when an in swinging corner by Simon Davies was headed goalwards by Aaron Hughes. With Foster beaten it was left to Sebastian Larsson to clear right off the goal line. Fortunately, that was the sum total of Fulham’s threat in the first period and Blues took control and were the better side in the first half. On twenty minutes, Blues took a deserved lead when Fergusson stole the ball in midfield which Hleb picked up just inside his own half. A terrific run down the inside left channel spelled danger for Fulham and the former Arsenal man turned the defender in the box to deliver a beautifully weighted square ball across the penalty area to Larsson running in on the right. The Swede took a touch steadied himself and hit a sweet shot back across Schwarzer into the bottom corner; as good a goal as you will see anywhere in the Premiership this season.
That was about it for the first half from there to be honest. Fulham as you might expect had plenty of possession without ever threatening us and the half time whistle went with Blues 1-0 to the good. I said to Jonny at the break that all Blues had to do in the second half was defend properly especially at free-kicks and corners as that was the only way I could see them scoring. The expected onslaught came of course but Blues’ resolute defence was keeping Fulham at bay with relative ease when on 53 minutes ‘the corner that never was’ was given. Foster dashed to his right to prevent the ball crossing the line from a header from Larsson. Subsequent footage suggests that Foster’s protests that he got there were justified. Questionable though the decision was, you still have to defend the set piece properly and the cross to the far post was headed back across goal to Dempsey who powered a header just inside the near post. Admittedly he had the run on the defenders who were slow to react but he climbs all over Fahey and on another day the goal is chalked off. This compounded the original poor corner decision.
Fulham had the better of what was a tough attritional encounter after that and they were certainly better in the second period. Blues defended resolutely but passed the ball poorly and kept giving possession away cheaply. It was almost déjà vu from when we were mugged last season with a minute to go when Eddie Johnson capitalised from what looked to be clear hand ball from a team mate that fell into his path with Ridgewell now out of position. His shot from a similar position to Larsson’s earlier was saved by Foster’s feet and fortunately for Blues, robbery was averted. Dann was unlucky to see his header from a well flighted corner from Larsson crash against the crossbar earlier in the half and Hangeland was fortunate that the referee, Howard Webb did not have the same view our fans did behind the goal when he clearly pushed Jerome in the back with two hands just before the end. However, a 1-1 score line was a fair result although Fulham could not have complained if they had gone down to their second home defeat in a week. Against teams with more penetration than us they could be in difficulties. They have injury troubles, limited options and I see a long winter ahead for them. This is undoubtedly the poorest Fulham team I have seen for a while but with some of their injuries resolved they should be fine; as for Blues – getting better but we have to be more ruthless when we get into winning positions.
The Good: The atmosphere in the Whistle and Flute and the fact that Jonny and I got home early from the game for once.
The Bad: Truly dreadful catering at Craven Cottage. No chance of getting half-time refreshment. Over priced as well; didn’t bother in the end.
The Ugly: Some of the Christmas decorations in Putney High Street.
Fulham: (4-4-2):
Schwarzer 7; Hangeland 7, Hughes 7, Baird 8, Salcido 5 (Pantsil 24, 7); Murphy 7, Davies 8 (E Johnson 73, 6), Gera 6, Etuhu 7, Dempsey 8 Kamara 6. Subs (not used): Duff, Dikgacoi, Greening, Stockdale, Kelly. Booked: Dempsey.
Birmingham City (4-4-1-1):
Foster 7; Carr 7, Dann 7, Johnson 7, Ridgewell 7; Larsson 8, Bowyer 49, 7, Ferguson 8, Fahey 7 (Murphy 85 N/A); Hleb 8 (Zigic 61, 6), Jerome 6. Subs (not used): Doyle, Phillips, Michel, Parnaby, Beausejour.
Referee: H Webb (South Yorkshire) 5:
This was one of the poorest performances I’ve seen from Howard Webb. His Assistants weren’t exactly brilliant either. There were several late challenges that went unpunished, balls called in when they were out and vice-versa and the corner, the Fulham goal that came from it and the push on Jerome in the box have already been discussed.
KRO SOTV
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