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Charlie Wyett at SunSport |
Norwich (0) 0 Fulham (0) 0
Dimitar Berbatov got a boot in the face before asking Martin Jol whether his looks had been ruined.
Sadly, though, there was nothing beautiful about this pig of a match. Even the scoreboard died of boredom.
Norwich extended their winless run to nine matches and have now scored just once in six league and cup games.
Fulham were equally as awful and managed just one attempt on goal in the entire match.
The only talking point came after a minute when Berbatov left the pitch for treatment having been caught on the nose by a high challenge from Norwich midfielder Bradley Johnson.
Fulham boss Martin Jol said: "Dimitar got kicked and he asked whether he was still handsome.
"It was important for him but not for me.
"But we had to play with 10 men for five minutes while our player received treatment. Then our player had to wait two minutes to get on again.
"It is an awful rule. We should send their player away for five minutes as well, so it is 10 v 10."
Yet Jol seemed happy enough with the point, particularly as some of Fulham's players had gone down with a bug overnight and Sascha Riether had to be sent home.
That meant a debut for right-back Stanislav Manolev, a Bulgarian on loan from Eindhoven.
He was not in the initial squad and was sent from London to Norwich in a taxi and had a pretty decent debut.
Jol added: "He is a quality international player. A few months ago, he was man of the match against Italy."
There was also a full debut for Emmanuel Frimpong, although he was subbed as he was heading for a second yellow card due to his constant fouling.
Fulham's only chance was a strike from Steve Sidwell which was saved by keeper Mark Bunn.
Norwich, who lost striker Grant Holt with a back injury in the morning, showed more purpose but did not create enough.
Former Leeds striker Luciano Becchio, on his full debut, should have done better with an early chance, while Johnson flashed a shot wide.
Incredibly, Norwich have now failed to beat Fulham in 12 attempts.
Norwich boss Chris Hughton, who is taking his side to Abu Dhabi for a four-day break, said: "I
am disappointed because we were at home.
The emphasis was to get the three points but I do not think we had enough in the final third.
"Our lack of goals is a concern. It has to be.
"We are looking more solid as a team but are lacking the flair."
STAR MAN - SNODGRASS NORWICH: Bunn 6, Martin 6, Bassong 6, Turner 5, Garrido 6, Snodgrass 7, Tettey 6, Johnson 5, Bennett 6 (Jackson 5), Hoolahan 5, Becchio 5 (Kamara 6).
Subs not used: Camp, Whittaker, Howson, Surman, Tierney.
Booked: Elliott Bennett, Snodgrass.
FULHAM: Schwarzer 6, Manolev 5, Senderos 5, Hangeland 6, Riise 5, Sidwell 6, Frimpong 6 (Emanuelson 5), Duff 5, Ruiz 6 (Dejagah 5), Berbatov 5, Rodallega 5 (Petric 5).
Subs not used: Etheridge, Karagounis, Hughes, Kacaniklic.
Booked: Frimpong, Manolev.
Att: 26,816
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
Source .