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Steed
Malbranque |
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With all eyes looking for the potential debut
of Fulham’s latest signing Edwin Van der Sar, it was French midfielder
Steed Malbranque who turned out for the Whites first.
Despite Palace having a corner headed off the line by Brevett, the early
exchanges of the match were played at a rapid pace, without either side
creating any clear-cut chances.
Palace were first to carve out an opening on 9 minutes after Andy Melville’s
defensive header fell to Clinton Morrison, whose shot failed to trouble
Maik Taylor.
Another Fulham new-boy making his first start was recent signing Abdeslam
Ouaddou. The Moroccan international, playing in the defensive midfield role
looked far more at ease than his last appearance against Celtic.
On 20 minutes Malbranque gave the travelling Fulham fans their first look
at his set-piece delivery. Highly-rated as a dead-ball specialist in France,
Malbranque delivered his first corner of the match straight on to the head
of Ouaddou, who failed to hit the target.
In spite of the fast pace of the match, neither side managed to create an
opening of any consequence in the first-half.
Yet with the half-time break only minutes away, Palace appeared to have
let Barry Hayles in on goal, the striker brought the ball under control
neatly which enabled him to have a shot on target. Fortunately for Eagles
‘keeper Kolinko, Hayles failed to apply the correct finish.
Palace were again lucky not to go behind as minutes later, Hayles typically
bustled through two Eagles defenders, only to be brought down well inside
the penalty area. Despite the textbook nature of the foul, the referee failed
to point to the spot, much to the puzzlement of the Fulham players and supporters.
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Abdeslam
Ouaddou |
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Having just escaped conceding the opening
goal, Palace played out the remaining minutes of the first-half in a rather
cautions manner, as both sides reached the interval on even terms.
The second-half started with Fulham, again, applying the pressure, which
managed to win the Whites a corner. The addition of Luis Boa Morte for Lee
Clark evidently injected some urgency in to the Whites’ attacks.
Malbranque stepped up to take the set-piece which was beautifully flighted
on to the head of Alain Goma, whose goal-bound header was cleared off the
line.
Short, bustling and with a mean turn of pace, Steed Malbranque was beginning
to run riot in the Palace defense as he elevated his performance up a gear.
With 50 minutes gone, Malbranque fed a delightful pass through to Saha,
who fizzed a shot narrowly past Kolinko’s post from distance.
Five minutes later, the combination was again repeated but, this time, with
more deadly accuracy. Malbranque, again, passed through to Saha who took
the ball down on his chest and fired past Kolinko into the net. 1-0 Fulham.
Whilst Fulham’s attacks were gaining more potency, Palace were starting
to look dangerous on the counter. Quickly breaking, with Dougie Freedman
often leading the charges, the Eagles were by no means out of the match.
As the second-half progressed though, Fulham began to stamp their authority
on the match, much to the apparent frustration of the Palace players, who
were starting to increase the physical nature of their game.
Sensing that their best way back into the match was to play a more direct
style, Palace began to up the tempo of their play, which in-turn, helped
to bring about more vocal support from the Palace faithful. Yet in spite
of their increased effort, many of the Eagles’ attacks lacked a final
cutting edge.
Fulham managed to keep the Palace at arm’s length for the remaining
minutes of the match with some tidy passes and solid defending.
The final whistle signaled a hard fought, but well deserved victory for
Fulham and a pleasing debut for Steed Malbranque.
Team: Taylor, Finnan, Goma, Melville, Brevett, Clark (Boa Morte 45),
Ouaddou (Knight 75), Malbranque, Collins, Saha, Hayles
Subs Not Used: Trollope, Betsy, Stolcers, Hahnemann, Symons
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