Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Fulham 1-2 Town - Match Report
Saturday, 14th Feb 2015 17:07

Daryl Murphy scored his 20th and 21st goals of the season as Town defeated Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage. The Championship's top scorer netted on five and 45 in a first half in which the Blues could have been further ahead, before Ross McCormack pulled one back for the Cottagers 16 minutes from time but the three points were never seriously under threat.

Tyrone Mings, Kevin Bru and Jay Tabb returned to the Town starting line-up with Jonny Parr and Stephen Hunt dropping to the bench, while Darren Ambrose missed out having picked up a hamstring niggle.

Dean Gerken was replaced on the bench by Paddy Kenny, the former Colchester man having suffered a hand injury, while David McGoldrick was left back in Suffolk having also missed the 2-1 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday with a thigh problem.

Irish U21 international winger Dylan Connolly was named as a sub for the first time since joining the club, while Cameron Stewart travelled but missed out on a place in 18.

Adam McDonnell, still unavailable with his clearance from FIFA yet to come through despite having been signed in September, also made the trip.

Former England international Scott Parker was back in the Fulham starting line-up, alongside ex-Blues loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe.

The Blues, backed by a following of more than 4,000, including 250 who had made the final leg of the trip by boat, started with a midfield diamond matching the home side’s system with Bishop at the most advanced point, Tabb on the left, Bru on the right and Cole Skuse in the deeper role.

Town might have gone ahead within the first minute, Murphy crossing low to strike partner Freddie Sears but his shot was straight at Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli.

The Blues continued to threaten and in the fifth minute Shaun Hutchinson was forced to turn a Sears cross from the right behind.

And from the corner Murphy grabbed his 20th goal of the season to put his side in front. Tabb sent the ball in from the left and the Irishman’s header struck a defender before beating Bettinelli.

Murphy suffered a blow to his head as he scored his goal, what appeared to be a nose injury subsequently requiring lengthy treatment and a new shirt, so the celebration was somewhat muted for a man who had just become the first Town player to net 20 league goals in a season since David Johnson scored 22 in the 1999/00 season.

Fulham had most of the ball in the period after Town’s goal but without being able to cause the Blues any real danger. All too often they eventually resorted to long balls over the top which came to nothing.

On 22 skipper Luke Chambers failed to deal with a deep ball from the right, allowing Alexander Kacaniklic to cross low from the left but Christophe Berra cut it out.

At the other end, Bishop, by now playing in a wide right role with Bru in the centre with Skuse, fed Sears inside the area to the left, but the former Colchester man’s shot was blocked.

But, with rain now falling heavily, the game mostly consisted of Fulham playing the ball around in midfield but unable to find a way through the Blues’ backline.


Town looked the more dangerous side on the break, a defender’s toe preventing Murphy’s 30th minute cross from the left from finding Sears. From the corner, the ball came out to Bishop but the midfielder hit his shot into the ground.

A minute later Cottagers skipper Parker brought the ball forward before feeding Hugo Rodallega, but the Colombian’s first touch let him down and Bartosz Bialkowski claimed.

On 33 Kacaniklic cut in from the right having switched flanks earlier in the half and hit a low shot which Bialkowski pushed around his post.

The home side were beginning to put the Blues under some pressure, Parker lifting a shot just over from the edge of the box after a corner had been cleared to him.

However, Town came close to making it 2-0 in the 36th minute when, after good work from Skuse and Bishop as the Blues broke, the ball ricocheted into Sears’s path in the clear to the right of goal. Fortunately for Fulham, Bettinelli blocked his shot.

The Blues again should have added to their lead a minute later when Murphy held off Hutchinson down the left and crossed. The ball reached Sears, who moved it on to Bishop but Bettinelli acrobatically saved to his left.

Town finally scored the second goal their first-half performance fully deserved in the final scheduled minute. Bishop won the ball on the right just inside the Blues half. Bru found Skuse, who brought the ball forward and moved it left, where Tabb fed Mings.

The left-back whipped over a low ball, which deflected to Murphy on the right of the area, the striker taking a touch before curling home his 21st goal of the campaign.

After Tabb, who had earlier required treatment to a head injury having been blocked off somewhay cynically by Jazz Richards, was replaced by Jonny Parr, the half-time whistle was blown.

Town fully deserved their lead and probably should have been even further ahead with Sears and Bishop both squandering decent chances.

Having got the early goal, the Blues challenged Fulham to find a way through them but Bialkowski in the Town goal had rarely been seriously threatened.

The Blues always posed more danger on the break with two-goal Murphy once again outstanding as he took a season’s total beyond the 20-goal mark.

Former Town loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe shot over shortly after the restart as the home side looked to get back into a game which already appeared a lost cause.

On 50 Bettinelli was off his line quickly to claim at Parr’s feet after a sharp first-time through ball from Bru.

The second half begun in much the same pattern as the first with the home side unable to seriously test Bialkowski. In the 56th Lasse Vigen Christensen crossed from deep on the right but Rodallega couldn’t keep his header down.

At the other end, Parr scuffed a shot wide from distance before Berra was somewhat harshly booked for a foul on Kacaniklic. Ross McCormack, who came close to joining the Blues during Roy Keane’s time as Town boss, curled the freekick well over.

In the 68th minute, after Murphy had been penalised for a high boot as he looked to hook a Berra header from a corner beyond Bettinelli, Noel Hunt replaced Sears, who was warmly applauded off by the large Blues following. Fulham switched Rodellega for Brian Ruiz to cheers from the home fans.

As the game moved into its final 20 minutes, Kacaniklic was found deep inside the Town box but Bru did enough to prevent the Swede from getting in a clean shot at goal, forcing the ball behind from a corner, which Town defended comfortably.

Bishop hit a 73rd minute strike from the edge of the box after Parr had brought the ball forward along way.

A minute later, Fulham pulled a goal back out of nothing. Tommy Smith missed a cross in from deep on the left and McCormack behind him made no mistake from close range.

The goal seemed to finally wake the home side and their fans up and the Blues found themselves under serious pressure for the first time, Kacaniklic hitting a shot on the turn over.

Soon after, Paul Anderson replaced Bishop for the Blues, then Bru was booked for a foul on Konstantinos Stafylidis.

Town twice came close to making it 3-1 in the 82nd minute following a freekick on the left.

Hunt hooked the ball back in from the right towards Murphy, but it was deflected out to Mings, whose powerful shot was blocked on the line by Stafylidis, who handled according to a number of Town players. The loose ball fell to Berra, whose shot was superbly tipped over by Bettinelli.

Skuse was booked for a foul on Ruiz as the game moved towards its final five minutes, then Patrick Roberts replaced Kacaniklic for the Cottagers.

On 89, with Fulham’s push for an equaliser having stalled somewhat, Tunnicliffe was booked for a frustrated late challenge on Mings.

In injury time Hunt required lengthy treatment after an aerial collision with Hutchinson and was eventually taken off on a stretcher with the Blues ending the game with 10 men.

Despite McCormack’s goal giving the home side hope of grabbing a point in the closing stages, anything other than a victory would have been harsh on Town, who really ought to have taken more of their chances in the first half.

After the brief flurry following the Cottagers’ goal, the Blues, who have put their tricky spell firmly behind them, were never in any real danger of conceding a second and Mings and Berra were unfortunate not to add to the Blues’ lead at that stage.

With Middlesbrough and Derby in FA Cup action this weekend and Bournemouth drawing 1-1 at home to Huddersfield, the result sees the Blues remain in fourth but now only two points behind the Cherries, who return to the top, and Boro and one off the third-placed Rams.

Fulham: Bettinelli, Richards, Hutchinson, Bodurov, Stafylidis, Christensen (Woodrow 64), Tunnicliffe, Parker, Kacaniklic (Roberts 85), Rodallega (Ruiz 68), McCormack. Unused: Kiraly, Burn, Grimmer, Fofana.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Bru, Bishop (Anderson 76), Tabb (Parr 45), Murphy, Sears (N Hunt 68). Unused: Kenny, Clarke, S Hunt, Connolly. Referee: Mark Haywood (West Yorkshire).


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



BlueandTruesince82 added 17:14 - Feb 14
1. Bloody Bolton, thought they would do Watford at one point
2. Bloody wolves seriously worried about getting scum in the play offs
3. Bournemouth held by Huddersfield, this must mean that Huddersfield are in the top 6 by some logic, no? See it happens to other teams, it really is a funny old game. Presumably Eddie Howe deserves the sack after such a result.
4. COYB!
5. Fair play to the 4k traveling army.

that is all.
12

kuyski added 17:14 - Feb 14
Great away 3 points in bags.
Looking forwards to 2 home games coming!
COYB
3

jas0999 added 17:14 - Feb 14
A very good win. Sounds like we controlled the game and very pleasing to see Murphy get to 20 goals. Congratulations to him. Surprised that Tabb started. I personally don't rate him, but the manager clearly does. Slight worry over Tommy Smith. Yet another error, but hopefully he can overcome this mini slump in form as he has been excellent this season. Well done to all. Two home games coming up so a real chance to push on. Good result.
4

masetheace added 17:19 - Feb 14
Well all you idiots who trashed the team selection should maybe say " we don't know as much about the game as we think we do and MM has a much better handle on the whole thing than we realise " Well done guys , onward and upwards
0

warwickblue added 17:19 - Feb 14
Congratulations Daryl Murphy.
22

btrevelyan added 17:21 - Feb 14
Was getting very nervous for a second there, but sounds like we defended well to get the three points.
Murphy, what a season he's having. We've been craving a 20+ goal scorer for years, turns out he was right under our noses! All he needs now is a hat-trick! He definitely deserves one.
2 points off 1st now, what a crazy league this is. Hopefully the Boro/Derby results go our way when they play their games in hand.
Things are looking good, let's go on a really good run now!
COYB!
5

bluefeast added 17:21 - Feb 14
Wonderful achievement from Murphy ,incredible. 21 goals in February ,15 games left ,can he get another 7. Brilliant well done.
19

Europablue added 17:21 - Feb 14
Great win, and all still to play for.
I can see the current top six pulling away from the rest now.
I think Brentford will probably drop out of it now. It sounds like their manager isn't working under ideal circumstances to say the least.
If we keep picking up the points, the other teams' results will take care of themselves.
4

Walk_the_Wark added 17:23 - Feb 14
Well done Murphy! Much better Town. Still need Parr at RB and Chambers in the middle though
12

IrishBlue17 added 17:23 - Feb 14
Nearly had a heart attack with all the injury time added on! 7 minutes in the end. Well done to Murph getting his 20th & 21st goals of the season. The only way is up!
5

NoCanariesAllowed added 17:25 - Feb 14
Pleased and proud to have been one of the four thousand today. And so glad the lads put on a show for us. For the most part, that was a proper textbook away performance from Town today, and one that really helps us to regain the momentum in that promotion race.

Had to work hard towards the end there - not sure exactly what happened for the Fulham goal but the important thing was we'd taken our chances in the first half and then stayed solid enough to see it out. Probably deserved at least one more goal too - how we didn't score from that second half scramble, I still don't know.

Teddy and Freddy are such a boost for this club. Both were lively again throughout today, and Parr again gives us that flexibility of a solid defender and a forward threat. He was everywhere.

No coincidence that it feels like the good Ipswich is coming back at the same time Murph looks like he's back. His finish for the second was so beautifully placed and had the measured control of a striker that fully deserves his place as our first 20+ scorer for a decade. Hope Hunt isn't too badly hurt though as we always benefit from the backup.

And the fans. Could hear them from the park, and the noise walking up those stairs had echoes of a bygone era. Fantastic noise in a ground that was otherwise utterly devoid of volume from the hosts - even when they scored.

Top job all round, lads. Well done.
17

Walk_the_Wark added 17:25 - Feb 14
Masetheace- never said McCarthy doesn't know enough. Simply that he hasn't the skills to get us up and stay there. Quite obvious to most, considering what we've seen and his record..
-30

commuterblue added 17:31 - Feb 14
europablue, it would be harsh on Warburton, but "sacked in the summer" must be number one on the playlist for March 7th v Brentford.

At least he won't be out of a job for very long
1

Europablue added 17:35 - Feb 14
Walk the Walk, I think it is fair to say McCarthy has proven his ability to get sides promoted from the Championship.
Whether he can play attractive football or even keep a side in the Premier League is up for debate.
To be honest, I'm just happy to enjoy being a town fan for the moment, so I'm not so negative and allow McCarthy to keep doing the good job he is doing even though some of his decisions are frustrating (at least from the limited information I have available to me).
Get in Town!
4

Europablue added 17:35 - Feb 14
Sorry got your name wrong Walk the Wark
1

carlo88 added 17:36 - Feb 14
7 minutes? More like 9! I had to fast forward Sky Plus eventually being ten minutes behind as I couldn't stand it any more. Any news on Noel Hunt?

Derby look to have some very winnable games coming up, could Bournemouth finally have a real wobble?

Thank goodness for Watford v Norwich next week.
0

Langdon_Blue added 17:36 - Feb 14
Blip over, two points from the top...all still to play for. Well done MM and the lads!!
2

Elizabeth added 17:47 - Feb 14
Daryl Murphy makes all the difference. This is the game I thought we would lose! So relieved that we got three points today. Norwich game will now be immense ! Must get something there!
6

bluefeast added 17:48 - Feb 14
Have a look at our March fixtures and the first one of April. & matches in total 5 of which are against the current top 7 sides. That month will very much define our season. COYB
9

NoelTheDub added 17:53 - Feb 14
Super result and well done everyone including MM.Had doubts with Tabb starting but he done a job when called upon as I dont think he should start every game.I think Sears and Bishop are our bright sparks and believe Murf will thrive with them on the pitch.Breaking up the Anderson/Tabb partnership in the middle is the key to us been a far more dangerous team which takes pressure of our backs and creates more for our front men.Great job today....COYB.
5

tractorboybig added 17:59 - Feb 14
Is the reason of our succes MURPHY. without him we would be no higher than last year?
0

bluefeast added 18:00 - Feb 14
Defining 7 matches
Sun 1 Mar 2:05pm Norwich City A
Wed 4 Mar 7:45pm Leeds United A
Sat 7 Mar 3:00pm Brentford H
Sat 14 Mar 12:15pm Middlesbrough A
Tue 17 Mar 7:45pm Bolton Wanderers H
Sat 21 Mar 3:00pm Watford A

Fri 3 Apr 5:15pm AFC Bournemouth H
6

oddball added 18:04 - Feb 14
And we are live on tv for two of those games :-). Coyb
3

warktheline added 18:07 - Feb 14
said after Rotherham game, as I did after Norwich game, let's keep faith and see where we are after next handful of games....believe points been proven, too many were over reacting to dip in form, and for those who were saying we would be lucky to make top 6, let alone top 2, well, please check table.
Like my great grandad used to say to me,' never say die won the Derby'. No apologies for those who don't understand !
6

GerkensBeard added 18:09 - Feb 14
First of all absolutely fantastic result today! Daryl Murphy is the best striker in the country. In all seriousness it's great to see town getting back to their best, playing some good stuff today and putting constant pressure on the Fulham side which led to two goals through errors of there individuals. With our work ethic and our cutting edge we have with the likes of Murph, Sears, bru, bishop and dids we certainly have another creativity and goals to see us possibly still make the top 2. There is a lot of pressure on derby and boro both with away games midweek to come away with 3 points so we could go into the home game next Saturday with a mathematical chance of going top again.
Only one slight criticism is that I would start Smith on the left side of the centre half pairing as he is so uncomfortable on his right which led to their goal. Remember earlier in the season and last season Berra started on the right and is certainly better on his right foot than Smith. I notice this not only when making clearances but also when Smith receives the ball along the back 4 he struggles to find a pass with his right which often has to go long or back to Bart.
All in all tho great result and looking very good for the next couple of home games
3


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024