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Nabil Hassan at BBCSport |
Fulham 1 - 1 Roma
Marco Andreolli's last-minute volley earned Roma a dramatic draw against 10-man Fulham in the Europa League.
Fulham had taken the lead when Brede Hangeland headed home Bjorn Helge Riise's corner from six yards out.
There was confusion when Hangeland was wrongly red-carded, before the referee sent off Stephen Kelly, and Mark Schwarzer saved Jeremy Menez's penalty.
With time running out Andreolli volleyed David Pizarro's corner past Schwarzer from three yards out.
The result saw Fulham relinquish their place at the top of Group E to Basle, who beat CSKA Sofia 2-0, although Roy Hodgson's side remain unbeaten in the competition.
However, Fulham will be kicking themselves that they could not hold on to earn what would have been an historic victory over the Italian giants.
Hodgson's side made a bright start with Bjorn Helge Riise continually finding room down Roma's right and causing them problems.
It was unsurprising, then, that Fulham's first chance came from a Bjorn Helge Riise corner and with the ball eventually finding its way to the edge of the area, Jonathan Greening's low shot was palmed around the post by Doni.
Greening then saw a second attempt deflected for a corner and Doni remained busy as he moved well to gather a curling strike from Kelly that was destined for the bottom left corner.
Roma, without talismanic striker Francesco Totti, looked toothless in attack and were reduced to half chances and long-range efforts.
Fulham striker Bobby Zamora sent a deflected shot just wide as the hosts continued to press.
And eventually they got their reward when Hangeland out jumped both the Roma defence and keeper Doni to head Riise's corner into the back of the net.
This sparked Roma into life and Bjorn Helge Riise's brother, John Arne, forced a fine save from Schwarzer with a half-volley from the edge of the area.
Roma introduced both David Pizarro and Simone Perrotta after the break and immediately looked more lively on the attack.
Menez twice had shots blocked but Fulham looked dangerous on the break.
With Roma pressing, Zamora broke but his cross was turned behind by Philipe Mexes at full stretch with Diomansy Kamara waiting to pounce.
And minutes later Zamora's fine through ball to Kamara looked to have played in the Fulham striker but Doni claimed the ball at his feet.
Roma pressed even harder with Mirko Vucinic's curling shot from the edge of the area palmed away by Schwarzer.
The pressure told with Roma earning a penalty and a fine opportunity to equalise after Riise broke dangerously in the box and was tripped by Kelly.
Confusion then followed with Hangeland wrongly shown the red card. After protests from the Fulham players and consultation with the newly introduced extra official behind the goal, the decision was corrected with Kelly sent off instead.
But Menez saw his low penalty to the corner of the net superbly saved by Schwarzer, much to the delight of the Craven Cottage faithful.
Fulham substitute Eric Nevland later saw his shot turned around the post while Pizarro's cross was sent just wide by Riise at Schwarzer's far post.
With time running out it looked as if the home side had held on for victory before a late corner presented Andreolli with a volley, and the Roma defender smashed home to snatch a draw.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson said:
"I've got my grave doubts as to whether it was a penalty, but they get given in those situations when a player drives into the box. You can't give that as a last-man foul when someone is coming across to cover.
"We were short of numbers and we were short for a corner - which led to them equalising with the very last kick of the game. After conceding a 92nd-minute goal with 10 men against West Ham, this is very hard to take."
Fulham defender Brede Hangeland:
"During the second half they created a few chances and maybe deserved a goal. But with 15 seconds left and the lead, you would hope you get three points - so we are really disappointed to concede a goal at the end.
"I think we played well in the first half... I think the boys did really well, and we came close to beating a top-class team."
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