A DAY that began propitiously for Fulham when planning officers recommended approval
of plans to redevelop Craven Cottage into a 30,000-seat stadium ended unhappily
as Burnley, demonstrating spirit in abundance, came from behind to secure all
three points at Turf Moor.
Glen Little scored the winner in the 88th minute, holding his nerve to slot
beyond Maik Taylor from close range after Ian Moore had caught Fabrice Fernandes,
a substitute, in possession. It means that Fulham, still all but certain of
being promoted to the FA Carling Premiership, have won only once in their past
five matches.
If anything, Fulham were guilty of overelaboration and some of the better sides
that they expect to meet next season might have been at least two goals up by
the interval. Gareth Taylor, who was making his first appearance on loan from
Manchester City, drew a diving save from his namesake, Maik, before Paul Weller
missed by inches with a crisp shot across goal.
Fulham’s cause was not helped by the absence of Louis Saha, their leading scorer
with 24 goals, because of a groin problem. Barry Hayles looked a little off
the pace in his first appearance since New Year’s Day and the most inviting
of their early chances fell to midfield players. In the 32nd minute, Nik Michopoulos
had to react sharply when a low cross by Lee Clark was deflected goalwards off
Paul Cook. Then, six minutes later, Hayles channelled a superb long pass by
Clark into the path of Sean Davis, who decided to shoot early when he could
have taken an extra stride and managed only a feeble effort.
A proven goalscorer at this level, Hayles did not need long to readjust, though.
When Steve Finnan nipped on the outside of Paul Cook unchallenged after 50 minutes,
Hayles found space in the six-yard area to head in the cross and herald a period
in which Fulham demonstrated all their attributes.
Burnley needed character to stay in the match. They withstood an uncertain
15 minutes before Moore shrugged off the attention of Kit Symons and drew the
best save of the contest from Maik Taylor. Finally, in the 73rd minute, Gareth
Taylor headed back a centre from Thomas and saw Moore get the final touch to
equalise.
BURNLEY (3-5-2): N Michopoulos — I Cox, S Davis, M Thomas — G Little
(sub: L Johnrose, 88min), P Weller, G Armstrong, P Cook, G Branch — G Taylor,
I Moore (sub: M Mellon, 90).
Substitutes not used: P Chrichton, A Payton,
J Mullin.
Booked: Armstrong, Weller, Davis.
FULHAM (4-4-2): M Taylor — S Finnan, K Symons, A Melville, R Brevett
— B Goldbaek, S Davis, L Clark, J Collins (sub: F Fernandes, 68) — B Hayles,
L Boa Morte (sub: K-H Riedle, 80).
Substitutes not used: M Hahnemann,
P Moller, A Neilson.
Referee: S Lodge.
Source The Times by Richard Hobson