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Coleman angry with match official

last updated Saturday 20th January 2007, 7:30 PM
Fulham boss Chris ColemanFulham boss Chris Coleman felt his side were unfairly denied victory against Tottenham - even though the linesman made the right decision for Pascal Chimbonda's equaliser.

Chimbonda levelled with two minutes remaining at Craven Cottage, with Tom Huddlestone's free-kick being challenged by Franck Queudrue and Dimitar Berbatov before the ball fell to the full-back at the far post.

Although Queudrue had the final touch, Coleman needed several replays before it became clear the linesman was correct.

'It looked like the last touch was off Franck Queudrue but if the linesman can see it he's superman,' said Coleman.

'If he's seen it I'll apologise, I'll be amazed if that`s the case. If he thinks Berbatov has won the header I would like to know why it wasn't offside.'

Coleman's men looked set for victory after Vincenzo Montella's penalty with eight minutes left after Michael Dawson had handled in the area.

They had played much of the second half with 10 men after Heidar Helguson was dismissed, receiving a second yellow card after leaving a foot in on Huddlestone.

'I said to `H` to be careful but he's 100% - that`s him,' added Coleman. 'I don't think he touched him but he's come off the floor with his feet.'

Despite being down to 10 men, Coleman brought on Montella and debutant Clint Dempsey to remain an attacking threat.

'You can only be on the ropes for so long,' said Coleman. 'We've been down to 10 men before and you can only hold on for so long.

'We were camped in our own half with 4-4-1.

'Vincenzo's reputation is something Tottenham would know about, so that's why we wanted him on the pitch.'

Montella tucked away his penalty but the lead did not last long and Chimbonda levelled, meaning Fulham have drawn their last six Premiership matches.

'We're unbeaten on one hand but three points would have made us 10th,' added Coleman.

Spurs boss Martin JolSpurs boss Martin Jol had Aaron Lennon and Robbie Keane on the bench - possibly with the Carling Cup semi-final against Arsenal on Wednesday in mind - and Jermain Defoe could not reproduce his recent impressive form.

Steed Malbranque was making his return to Craven Cottage after being sold to Jol nearly five months ago, but the Frenchman struggled to impose himself in a scrappy game.

Jol admits his side are struggling to create the same chances away as they do at White Hart Lane. 'I'm disappointed,' said the Dutchman. 'At home we create sometimes 20 chances, we are not as good away.'

Berbatov and Hossam Ghaly both had sight of goal early on but were guilty of indecision before the danger was cleared.

'I always say you have to be ambitious to score in the first 15 minutes,' the Dutchman said.

'There was no danger. If they play against us they use a certain style which can be a problem but we matched them.

'We brought Lennon on and he was dangerous a couple of times with our width. We also had two strikers high up the pitch.'

Jol, who had to replace Teemu Tainio early on with an ankle injury, faces Arsenal this week at the start of a hectic period for the club as they remain in three trophies.

Jol, however, has been spared a trip to back to Holland as Feyenoord have been excluded for the UEFA Cup.

'I feel for Feyenoord because it's only 50 or 100 lunatics that spoil it for the rest,' said Jol.















Source Soccernet
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