Fulham 2 Dynamo Zagreb 1
(Fulham win 5-1 on agg)
Fulham manager Jean Tigana slept easier last night. After admitting to bouts of nocturnal anxiety this week, the Fulham manager saw his team recover from a goal down with enough character to suggest that their slump has been arrested.
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Fulham Manager Jean Tigana slept easier last night after a reassuring victory in the UEFA Cup
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Given Fulham's indifferent domestic form, which has seen them lose their past four Premiership games, the Uefa Cup has been a fine opportunity to restore confidence. Though Tigana said that Sunday's match against Birmingham is the priority, this was a chance for players such as Junichi Inamoto and Lee Clark to prove they have something to offer.
Inamoto, so direct and inspiring during the World Cup and when he arrived at Fulham in the summer, showed early on how low his confidence has dipped. Receiving the ball from Steve Finnan, the Japanese midfielder elected to pass waywardly with only the Dinamo goalkeeper Ivan Turina to beat.
Fulham, nevertheless, looked in control. Sylvain Legwinski fired just wide and after Dario Smoje was booked for a crude foul on the edge of the box Clark fired just over from the free-kick. But Dumitru Mitu, Dinamo's most impressive player in the first leg, forced Edwin van der Sar into a fine save with an effort from 30 yards.
Luis Boa Morte created Fulham's clearest opening just before the interval, firing a cross along the six-yard line that the onrushing Facundo Sava just failed to tap in.
Dinamo pulled a goal back when Mitu's cross to the back post was headed in by Olic. But Tigana introduced Steve Marlet and Steed Malbranque, and salvaged some pride.
Bjarne Goldbaek danced his way through a tired defence and threaded the ball to Malbranque, who rounded Turina before nudging the ball into the net. Then, with virtually the last kick, Malbranque muscled his way down the left and crossed for Boa Morte to measure his shot and give Fulham an unlikely victory.
Fulham (4-4-2): Van Der Sar; Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Goma; Legwinski, Inamoto (Malbranque, 64), Clark (Djetou, 72), Goldbaek; Sava (Marlet, 60), Boa Morte.
Dinamo Zagreb (4-4-2): Turina; Smoje, Sedloski, Cesar, Krznar; Agic, Kranjcar (Juric, 76), Mitu, Mikic; Balaban, Olic.
Referee: L Duhamel (France).