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Hodgson accepts defeat at Blackburn

last updated Saturday 20th September 2008, 7:57 PM
Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson had few complaints about his side's defeat which ended a run of two consecutive Premier League victories.

Hodgson said: "I thought we were looking pretty good value for a draw and it was unfortunate that Blackburn got the break and we didn't.

"It was an even game in which we gave a very good account of ourselves. It's disappointing not to get a point but it would have been more disappointing if the performance had been worse, and I thought it was more than satisfactory.

"Goals decide games and they got the goal. We had our chances to win the game in both halves with Paul Robinson twice pulling off good saves from Andy Johnson.''

Hodgson admitted midfielder Jimmy Bullard could be a doubt for Tuesday's Carling Cup clash with Burnley after he found himself on the end of two clattering challenges from Keith Andrews and Brett Emerton.

Hodgson, who refused to comment on suggestions Bullard had been deliberately targeted, said: "He's a bit sore and there were two or three quite strong tackles on him which were correctly sanctioned.

"He was in the wars today but he's come through it. I don't think there is any lasting injury, but we will probably have to assess tomorrow and Monday and see whether he is fit for Tuesday's game.''

Blackburn boss Paul Ince heaped praise on Paul Robinson and claimed the former England international remains the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.

Ince said: "I said when I bought him he was the best keeper in the league and he proved that with two great saves today. Andy Johnson had a chance and Paul pulled off an unbelievable save.

"I've felt sorry for Paul over the last two weeks because he's conceded eight goals but none of them have been down to him.

"Because of where he's come from and where he's at with England, people will always look at Paul conceding goals. But today you saw what a world-class keeper he is.''

In the circumstances Ince said he was as happy with a clean sheet as the three points and praised the impact of his late substitutes, Derbyshire and Chilean Premier League debutant Carlos Villanueva.

Ince added: "When you've got four or five strikers you're always guessing which way to go but Matt is the only one who gives you something different, getting behind the defenders and having an eye for goal.

"I think the substitutes came at the right time. The crowd needed something to lift them and they got behind us and were fantastic. It could easily have been different and if they had scored with 10 minutes to go they could have won.''









































































































































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