This shot netted Berbatov's first Fulham goal. (Action Images)
West Brom brought their unbeaten start to the Barclay's Premier League season into Craven Cottage on Saturday, putting it on the line against a retooled Fulham squad that now features a former Premier League Golden Boot winner. Fulham were a very confident side on their home ground though, after all, they did drop five on Norwich there on opening day.
The first five minutes of the match were all Fulham. They passed the ball around quite confidently as their opponents were hardly able to get a touch. Despite the probing and possession, they only got off one shot though, as Damien Duff saw his effort blocked in the third minute.
West Brom finally managed to interrupt Fulham's planned afternoon after finally getting some possession of their own. In minute six Peter Odemwingie cranked a shot from outside of the box, but he hit it straight at Fulham 'keeper Mark Schwarzer, who easily held on. James Morrison was next to test the Australian international with a driven shot on 10 minutes, and Jonas Olsson tried to flick a corner kick into the bottom corner on the 11th, but Schwarzer easily handled both chances.
Things finally came good for Fulham and their steady attack in the 32nd minute. Alexander Kacaniklic picked out new arrival Dimitar Berbatov in the center of the area, and the former Manchester United man curled a gorgeous shot into the side netting to make it 1-0. It was Berbatov's first Fulham goal on his home debut. Not bad.
West Brom would find themselves in further trouble six minutes later. After losing out on a ball from from a clearance, Odemwingie inexplicably lashed out and kicked Fulham's Sascha Riether in full view of both benches and the referee. He was given the obvious red card and sent off to take an early shower.
After the ejection West Brom tried to focus and maintain the scoreline through halftime. It almost worked. In the first minute of stoppage time defender Billy Jones chopped down Kacaniklic in the area to concede a penalty kick. Berbatov easily scored the spot kick to bag his brace and hand his club a 2-0 lead at the break.
Fulham pretty much controlled the second half up a man, but West Brom defended reasonably well and 'keeper Ben Foster made several classy saves. They nearly got a goal of their own in the 67th minute as well. Chelsea loan product Romelu Lukaku got on the end of a nice counter attack and sent a low shot at the far post, but once again Shwarzer managed to save it. It might have managed to change the complexion of the match some, but in the end it was West Brom's last gasp.
Fulham finally secured all three points in the 89th minute. Hugo Rodallega headed a ball off the crossbar that rebounded heavily out to Steve Sidwell. The midfielder smacked a perfect volley into the back of the net to make it 3-0 to Fulham on full time.
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