Europa League - Thursday 30th July 2009, 6:00 PM
FK Vetra0
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3
Fulham
Attendance: 12000
Referee: F Stuchlik
Match events
Match review
Fulham took control of their Europa League third qualifying round tie with a 3-0 victory over FK Vetra in the first leg.
Roy Hodgson may have been concerned about the fitness of his players ahead of the trip to Lithuania for their first competitive match of the season, but Bobby Zamora inspired a comfortable win.
Zamora, linked with a move away from Craven Cottage, broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time before Danny Murphy made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 57th minute.
Seol Ki-hyeon then struck five minutes from time to give Fulham a three-goal cushion for the return leg next week.
Occasionally showing the strain of beginning their season in July, Fulham were loose in defence at times and lacked bite in midfield for the opening half hour.
The hot conditions did not help but, having settled, they comprehensively outplayed the Lithuanian club, who finished third in the A Lyga last season.
Fulham were reduced to panic stations in the fifth minute when Murphy had to clear off the line following poor marking at a corner.
Brede Hangeland, reportedly a transfer target for Arsenal and Tottenham, nodded a Murphy corner wide.
Vetra midfielder Robertas Vezevicius produced a promising attempt but Mark Schwarzer had time to gather.
Fulham should have taken the lead in the 26th minute when a well-worked move saw Murphy pick out Zamora who directed his shot straight at keeper Povilas Valincius.
Zoltan Gera flashed wide of the near post as the Cottagers butchered another chance but they finally took the lead a minute before half time.
The ball was fed to Zamora on the edge of the area and the former West Ham striker turned and shot in one movement to leave Valincius snatching at air.
Zamora was involved as Fulham extended their lead from the spot 12 minutes into the second half.
Left-back Paul Konchesky found Zamora in the box who had his shirt pulled by Jankauskas and Murphy made no mistake with the ensuing penalty.
Once again Zamora was the provider as Fulham put the result beyond doubt, setting up Seol who drilled the ball home.
“It was important for us to start with a win,” said man of the match Bobby Zamora after the final whistle. “We had a few games in pre-season and looked good, so it was good for us to carry that into this game and get an important result.
“And it was nice to get back on the road and get these games going too. It’s really important for us, we’re all loving playing in Europe as it’s another achievement for us, so we’re going to relish every minute of it.”
“It was a small stadium, but the atmosphere was brilliant. Their fans were good, but our fans were magnificent. To come all the way out here and show themselves in the numbers that they did was sensational, and we’re pleased to be able to send them home happy.
“Now we’re just looking forward to the second leg next week. We want to end the tie, but it’ll be another tough workout for us, and hopefully we’ll come out of it with another win.”
“They were organised and they worked hard. They put the ball in the box and they’ll give us another hard game back at the Cottage next week. Luckily we got our goals at good times though, so there was never any doubt about the result.”
FK Vetra Valincius, Borovskij, Kijanskas, Jankauskas,Paulauskas, Masitsev, Razanauskas, Ngapounou (Stanaitis 47),Vezevicius, Grigaitis (Eliosius 75), Vasiliauskas (Moroz 57).
Subs Not Used: Galdikas, Bucholc, Kulbis, Zulpa.
Booked: Ngapounou, Jankauskas.
Fulham Schwarzer, Konchesky, Pantsil, Hangeland, Baird,Andrew Johnson (Nevland 68), Gera, Murphy (Riise 86), Hughes,Dempsey (Seol 81), Zamora.
Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Kelly, Kamara, Eddie Johnson.
Goals: Zamora 44, Murphy 56 pen, Seol 84.
Att: 12,000
Ref: Fritz Stuchlik (Austria).