Fulham Manager Chris Coleman was delighted by Fulham's display and also refused to condemn Poll, even though the official missed Terry's handball which would have given Fulham a great chance to level at 3-3.

"We were without two of our strongest players today, Papa Bouba Diop and[Steed Malbranque, but credit to the guys who played today - I thought they were magnificent"

"I'm very proud of the players and the effort they put in today. We played very well for long periods against, in my view, the best team in the league.

"Today we've surprised them but there are a lot of positives for us to take away from today. We must maintain our enthusiasm and work rate - that must continue."

"We changed our formation a little bit and gave Heidar Helguson a run today who I thought was absolutely outstanding along with McBride," he added.

"We caused them problems all afternoon and at 2-0 down we showed a lot of courage to get back into the game - we fancied our chances but it wasn't to be."

"We were nervous in the first 10 minutes and didn't defend properly at the corner for Gallas' goal," he said.

"Then they got the second and it was important we didn't fold. But then we got the goal back and showed tremendous spirit and courage.

"We got a deserved equaliser and were looking to win the game. Overall it was a tremendous performance from us."

He added on the Terry handball: "There was no doubt it was a penalty, but two penalties at Stamford Bridge at the moment? It was a stone cold penalty.

"There could have been one in our box with Zat Knight, but their handball should definitely have been a penalty."
(from the sportinglife)

Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho hailed Joe Cole after the England midfielder set up the winner in Chelsea's action-packed 3-2 victory over west London neighbours Fulham.

A heel injury to Michael Essien meant Cole started the match in midfield but he was switched to the right wing when Shaun Wright-Phillips was taken off at half time.

The 24-year-old responded in the perfect manner firing the cross which Hernan Crespo volleyed home to give Chelsea all three points.

Chelsea raced into a 2-0 lead with William Gallas and Frank Lampard finding the back of the net in the opening 23 minutes, but Fulham hit back.

Brian McBride notched the first following a blunder from Chelsea keeper Petr Cech and when the USA striker was brought down by a tackle from Cole, Heidar Helguson was on hand to slot home the penalty.

Referee Graham Poll could have awarded two other penalties for clear handballs from Zat Knight and John Terry but Mourinho had no complaints.

"The same thing happened with us against Blackburn. The home team starts better, scores a goal in the first couple of minutes and the match looks finished. It looks like it could be 3-0 or 4-0," he said.

"Then when they go into half time 2-1 behind instead of 2-0 behind, you give them a gift to their self belief.

"They have a good manager who can motivate players and good players who can come out in the second half and fight. They did that.

"I think there were three penalties but all three were very difficult situations for the referee. I haven't seen them on TV yet.

"I think Joe Cole tries to play the ball but doesn't touch Brian McBride. Zat Knight was a handball for sure but I couldn't see if it was inside or outside the line from where I was.

"John Terry did a block with his hand, but I don't know whether it was inside or outside. I thought Poll contributed to a very good game."
(from the sportinglife)