Rovers and Fulham Share the Spoils

Fulham maintained their unbeaten start to the 2010/11 season, with a Clint Dempsey goal cancelling out Chris Samba's early opener for Blackburn

It was a familiar starting line up for Rovers, in a 4-2-3-1 with

Robinson
Salgado, Nelsen, Samba,Givet
Jones, Grella
Gamst, MB Diouf, EH Diouf
Kalinic

Sam ALlardyce would have hoped for his team to get of the blocks early, and they did, beginning an aerial bombardment of Australian Interntational Keeper, Mark Schwarzer. The goal keeper was called into action early, collecting a corner just off the head of Chris Samba.

Nikola Kalinic then picked up the ball, making a darting run, brought down. Rovers players appealed for a Penalty, however the referee correctly ruled it to be just outside the box. Blackburn continued to pressure, and Mark Schwarzer remained lucky to stay on the pitch. Mark was found in no mans land after attempting to punch out a delivery, then got a hand on a Gamst Pedersen chip, outside the box. It was missed by the referee, and the chip was cleared off the line.

Blackburn finally got their opener, in controversial circumstances. A Paul Robinson free kick made its way into the box, with all players flapping and Samba heading into a somewhat open net. After replays, the reason the net was open was due to a shoulder charge by EH Diouf on Schwarzer, leaving the goalie stranded on the floor. 1-0 Rovers

Fulham almost struck right back. Carlos Salcido, making his debut, struck a delightful bending shot from the far left corner of the box, Paul Robinson managing to tip it wide of the goal. Half time 1-0 Rovers

Fulham upped the pressure in the second half, and got their due rewards after some sloppy marking. A quickly taken free kick found Salcido free out wide, crossing in for an unmarked Dempsey, who made no mistake. 1-1.

Benjani came on for Kalinic, almost making an immediate impact. His flick on found Brett Emerton, however the ball just wouldnt sit right, as Emertons volley was deflected. Benjani managed to hold the ball up well, taking on his man and laying it off as needed.

WIth no real chances to seal the game, it ended 1-1, with both managers left fuming at several game changing errors by referee Anthony Taylor

El Hadji Diouf- Another superb shift by Dioufy. Some superb overlapping runs, got stuck in in defence, and moved the ball around quickly
Good delivery from set pieces, great save from Salcido's bending shot Took his goal well, was very solid in defence, as we expect from the big man Did a good job, would be dissapointed in letting Dempsey get past him for the goal Out run by a pacy Salcido, however Salgado did the same in attack. Quiet game from Givet, did what was needed, nothing going forward Very solid game from Jonesy. Held it tight in midfield, building a really strong combination with Vinny Solid from Vince. Does all the little ugly things other players wont do, held up play well, allowing Jones to be a bit more creative on the ball. Was playing really well before taken off. Must have been a tactical change as he threatened the Fulham defence time after time Not as effective as previous games, almost slipped through after a Diouf cross, just couldnt work that first touch Another superb shift from Dioufy. MOM. Runs superb lines, but too many times he is offside. Needs to check the run, if he does, the goals will come Looked dangerous in the spell on pitch. Good deliviries, moved the ball well Impressive, looks like we are onto something here

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