Match Report: Fulham 1 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
A slow Sunday of football culminated in a turgid clash between Fulham and Blackburn that ended in an uninspired draw.
Fulham and Blackburn that ended in an uninspired draw. Neither side would be happy with the 1-1 result, both desperately needing a win but having to settle for a point after two spectacular goals from Ruben Rochina and Bobby Zamora which stood out against a backdrop of dull football. Junior Hoilett picked up what looked like a serious injury in the last minute to add further misery to the display. A win for West Brom earlier in the day meant that this game at Craven Cottage was fought between the bottom two teams in the league, with Blackburn and Fulham picking up a solitary point between them in their opening three games. Things seemed to picking up for the London side though, with new £10 million signing Bryan Ruiz in the starting line up along with long term absentee Bobby Zamora, who had returned from injury. Blackburn on the other hand looked to be in more trouble than ever with many fans wanting Steve Kean out of the hot seat after a terrible start to the 2011-12 campaign. Fulhams starting 11 seemed far too strong to be languishing as they were in 19th place. Martin Jol would be hoping to get all three points with his new strike force, though the aforementioned Ruiz was playing just behind Bobby Zamora rather than alongside him. The problem for Fulham was that they couldnt even complain theyd had a particularly difficult start to the season, with losses to Wolves and Newcastle, a draw against Villa was their only gained point. Blackburns new signing Scott Dann started in the heart of defence alongside Christopher Samba, their full backs looked like theyd have their hands full though with 35-year-old Michel Salgado up against Clint Dempsey, and Gael Givet playing in a not-so-familiar left back role was tasked with keeping Damien Duff out of the game. The unfortunately named David Goodwillie was a lone striker ahead of a five man midfield. It was a cautious opening ten minutes, a rare chance came when Damien Duff broke down the right, exposing Frenchman Givets lack of pace. His cross found Steve Sidwell but the ginger midfielders shot was well wide despite having a great deal of power behind it. Ruben Rochina had a chance as three Blackburn attackers were free to run through at once due to a high Fulham defensive line. The former Barcelona man got the better of Brede Hangeland before trying to place it in the bottom corner, but it was easily held by Mark Schwarzer. 
Goodwillie saw his acrobatic effort fly just over as Blackburn attempted to take the game to the Cottagers. Junior Hoilett was looking lively and his trickery was causing Aaron Hughes problems. The Northern Irishman had just enough to deal with him for the first 20 minutes but then picked up a knock that forced the introduction of Stephen Kelly. The Canadian winger looked like he might be a thorn in Fulhams side. A disastrous cross-goal pass by new signing Scott Dann went straight into the path of Bobby Zamora. His first touch was poor and despite appeals for a penalty due to a challenge by Michel Salgado, he was penalised for handling the ball. Blackburn took the lead on the half hour with a moment of brilliance amidst a half of terrible football. Ruben Rochina took possession of the ball just outside the corner of the 18 yard box before blasting a terrific effort that smashed off the crossbar before crossing the line. If either team deserved to take the lead it was Blackburn but in truth it had been a very poor game. It took just 7 minutes for Fulham to equalise; Bobby Zamora marked his return with a fantastic finish on his left foot. His first touch from Danny Murphys pass was a good one; he then cut inside, leaving Gael Givet in no mans land before bending it round Paul Robinson and into the far corner. Givet in particular was looking woeful, but Michel Salgado seemed to be challenging him for the title of worst defender on the pitch, and lunged in for a terrible challenge on Clint Dempsey after some quick feet by the American. Fulham fans were wishing for a repeat of his strike against Manchester United as John Arne Riise stepped up to take the resulting free kick but he drove it into the base of the wall. Fulham fans must have worrying about the performance of Bryan Ruiz. The Costa Rican had done absolutely nothing to justify his price tag, and was already calling to mind former Eredivisie imports such as Mateja Kezman and Afonso Alves, if anyone remembers him... Two moments of genius had lifted a poor half of football, both sides were looking cautious - needing a win but afraid of another loss. Steve Kean in particular would be dreading a poor result; Blackburn hadnt lost their opening four top flight games since they were founded in 1888. HALF TIME Ruizs uneventful Fulham debut was cut short as Moussa Dembele took the field for the second half. Swedish defender Martin Olsson also came on at half time for Blackburn Rovers, he replaced Christopher Samba who picked up a back injury, which allowed Gael Givet to return to his familiar centre back position. Mauro Formica had a quiet opening 45 minutes but he had a chance early on in the second half, he took the chance too early though after being played in by a good headed flick-on by David Goodwillie. The Argentines shot rolled through to Mark Schwarzer, who scooped it up gratefully. Rochina attempted another spectacular effort as he spun on the ball with a lovely first touch, getting the better of Riise before firing in a long range effort that was blocked by Brede Hangeland before it could travel too far. Junior Hoilett could have won a penalty; his winding run brought him deep into the Fulham area. He appeared to be caught a little by Danny Murphy but sportingly refused to go down. He may have regretted it seconds later though as he was excellently dispossessed by Steve Sidwell. A great last ditch clearance from Gael Givet stopped Zamora scoring a certain goal as he managed to clear a John Arne Riise cross over the bar. The Frenchman was looking far more comfortable in his natural position at centre back. Fulham were starting to dominate the game, they were restricting Rovers to rare counter attacks but their final ball was often sloppy, resulting in few clear cut chances. Steve Sidwell should have done better from a direct John Arne Riise corner but his header went well over. Danny Murphy showed some nimble footwork as his turn deceived Dann and allowed him into the Blackburn area in plenty of space. He aimed for the top corner but a fantastic save from Paul Robinson denied him. Danny Murphy won a soft free kick on the edge of the area after a challenge by Steven NZonzi. You would have put money on the veteran midfielder to take the kick himself but it was Bobby Zamora who stroked it unconvincingly into the wall. Andrew Johnson appealed for a penalty as he was subject to a challenge from behind by Michel Salgado. The former Real Madrid man did get the ball but it was a risky tackle nevertheless. Blackburn found themselves with three against three and were able to stage a rare attack. Hoilett played David Goodwillie through but the striker went for goal instead of playing in one of his teammates and his effort went wide of the post. Paul Robinson denied Fulham a win in injury time; he showed great reactions and leaped across to deny a deflected effort by Clint Dempsey which he punched away with both fists. At the other end Schwarzer wiped out Junior Hoilett after the Canadian got the better of Stephen Kelly and showed great bravery to challenge the Australian keeper. An inconceivable yellow card for Schwarzer it was an obvious goal scoring opportunity and if Howard Webb deemed it a foul he should have been walking. It may have been the retreating Stephen Kelly who saved him. Hoilett looked seriously injured and a stretcher was called on, he was eventually forced to leave the pitch. It wasnt until the 99th minute that the free kick was taken. Martin Olsson struck it into the wall, it bounced through but Schwarzer smothered it. Howard Webb finally called the game to a close in the 102nd minute. Referee: Howard Webb Fulham (4-4-1-1) Schwarzer, Hughes (Kelly, 20), Senderos, Hangeland, Riise (Johnson, 80), Duff, Sidwell, Murphy, Dempsey, Ruiz (Dembele, 45), Zamora Blackburn (4-5-1): Robinson, Salgado, Samba (Olsson, 45) Dann, Givet, Rochina (Lowe, 71), Dunn (Petrovic, 52), Formica, NZonzi, Hoilett, Goodwillie