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Roy Hodgson hails Fulham effort

last updated Tuesday 09th February 2010, 11:56 PM
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson
     
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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was delighted with his side's comfortable victory over Burnley - a result that pushes the Cottagers into ninth place in the Barclays Premier League.

First-half goals from Danny Murphy and David Elm put the home side in control and Bobby Zamora wrapped-up all three points with a second-half free-kick.

The result stretched Fulham's unbeaten run to three games while Burnley remain without an away success this season.

"I thought the victory lay in the hard work and the quality of our defending," said Hodgson.

"We gave them very little time and space to play and we used the ball wisely.

"We got everything right tonight - the defending and attacking - and on a night like that, we would have been a tough nut to crack for any team."

Hodgson was also delighted to see Elm grab his first goal for the club.

The Swedish striker made the opener for Murphy and then slotted home from close range after Brian Jensen had parried a shot by Zamora.

"It was really good to see David score," added Hodgson. "He's been a bit of a revelation. At the time he came in we had a lot of strikers, but he has moved up the pecking order and deserves to be where he is."

Fulham now face Notts County in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday and then Shakhtar in the Europa League next week.

But Hodgson is not getting excited about the resumption of their European adventure.

"We will attack the FA Cup," said Hodgson. "But I'm not going to change by mind about the Europa League. My priority is still the league and the FA Cup."

Burnley boss Brian Laws claimed Fulham's opening two goals were offside but insists they will keep working hard in an effort to start winning away from home.

"Luck has not been on our side tonight," said Laws. "We did not particularly play well but I thought their first two goals were offside.

"The TV replays show the referee and linesman got it wrong. They are important decisions for us. We need any help we can get.

"Our performance was not up to the standard we set on Saturday against West Ham.

"We shot ourselves in the foot with the first goal because we could have cleared our lines, but the second phase of play was offside.

"But if the referee and linesman get it right, it is no goal. One or two heads dropped but we cannot carry anybody.

"The two goals coming in quick succession, knocked the stuffing out of us.

"We know our away form is not great but we will just have to pick ourselves up."

Laws admits it is vital that his side manage to break their away duck.

"Psychologically it will start to affect the players," conceded Laws. "We have to change the mind set.

"We put in a magnificent performance against West Ham on Saturday and we have not had time to enjoy that because there was another important game against Fulham."







































































Source Adrian Curtis at PASport
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