Crusaders 1-3 Fulham

Crusaders 1 - 3 Fulham

Matthew Briggs, right, celebrates his opener at the Seaview Stadium

Fulham took control of their Europa League second qualifying round tie against Crusaders with a battling display in the first leg in Belfast.

The Cottagers fielded another strong line-up but were pushed all the way by the Northern Irish semi-professionals.

Fulham's Matthew Briggs made it 1-0 with a screamer, but Timmy Adamson's fine finish drew the hosts level.

The Crues could not hold on, though, and Bobby Zamora's header and a Danny Murphy penalty sealed the away win.

"We knew it could be tough," said Fulham boss Martin Jol. "They [Crusaders] play a very direct style, with two good, big strikers, and that's always difficult.

"But we came through it well. The only disappointing thing for me was the way we conceded the goal.

"Other than that, though, we did well in the first half and recovered nicely after their goal to win. It was nice to see the youngsters like Briggs and Kerim Frei come in and do well as well."

“Robbie's a great player, but we've got great strikers here. I'm a big fan of Robbie”

Martin Jol on Robbie Keane

As the first top-flight English opposition to play at Seaview in a competitive European game since Liverpool back in 1976, Fulham were expected to enjoy an easy ride against Crusaders.

But any suggestions the IFA Premiership outfit would be over-run by their Premier League opponents proved unfounded in an entertaining contest.

The Londoners, without new signing John Arne Riise, were restricted to long-range efforts by the hard-working hosts.

One such long-ranger led to the breakthrough for the visitors, though, as Briggs lashed into the top corner from a half-clearance - not that the hosts capitulated thereafter.

In fact, the Crues surprised Fulham with a fine leveller eight minutes into the second half when summer signing Adamson controlled well inside the box before firing home in off the far post.

Fulham put paid to any hopes of a shock result, however, when Zamora rose to nod in a Damien Duff corner and Murphy converted from the spot after Andy Johnson's chip was handled in the box Paul Leeman.

Meanwhile, asked after the game whether he would be active in the transfer market this summer, Jol said: "We're busy."

On Robbie Keane specifically, he added: "Robbie's a great player, but we've got great strikers here. I'm a big fan of Robbie."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Crusaders

01 O'Neill
02 McKeown
03 McBride
04 Leeman Booked
05 Magowan
07 McCann
14 Dallas (Gargan - 71' )
16 Watson (Faulkner - 86' )
09 Adamson
15 McMaster
18 Owens (Rainey - 83' )

Substitutes

19 Murphy
20 Gibson
11 Gargan
21 Faulkner
10 Rainey
17 Halliday
22 Roy

Fulham

01 Schwarzer
05 Hangeland
06 Baird
18 Hughes
28 Briggs
13 Murphy
16 Duff (Donegan - 86' )
20 Etuhu (Sidwell - 79' )
21 Frei Booked
08 Johnson (BH Riise - 79' )
25 Zamora

Substitutes

12 Stockdale
02 Kelly
14 Senderos
32 Halliche
04 Sidwell
17 BH Riise
34 Donegan

Ref: Turpin

Att: 3,011

Match Stats

Possession 37 63

Shots

6 17

On target

1 13

Corners

0 5

Fouls

12 13

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:22 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +2:49

Unfair challenge on Timmy Adamson by Brede Hangeland results in a free kick. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Ryan McCann from right channel, Aaron Hughes manages to make a clearance.

90:00 +0:33

Kerim Frei produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide left of the goal.

85:27 Substitution

Substitution Aiden Watson leaves the field to be replaced by William Faulkner.

85:12 Substitution

Substitution (Fulham) makes a substitution, with Tom Donegan coming on for Damien Duff.

83:30

Effort from just outside the box by David Rainey goes over the bar.

82:48

Shot by Damien Duff from outside the box goes over the net.

82:10 Substitution

Substitution Jordan Owens goes off and David Rainey comes on.

80:35

Effort from inside the area by Damien Duff misses to the right of the goal.

80:11

Corner taken short by Damien Duff.

79:54

Damien Duff sends in a cross, Bobby Zamora takes a shot.

78:55 Substitution

Substitution Steve Sidwell replaces Dickson Etuhu.

78:02 Substitution

Substitution Bjorn Helge Riise is brought on as a substitute for Andrew Johnson.

77:08

Ciaran Gargan produces a cross, Brede Hangeland makes a clearance.

76:26 Goal scored

Goal - Danny Murphy - Crusaders 1 - 3 Fulham Placed penalty scored by Danny Murphy. Crusaders 1-3 Fulham.

75:18

Handball by Paul Leeman.

73:49

Damien Duff provided the assist for the goal.

73:49 Goal scored

Goal - Bobby Zamora - Crusaders 1 - 2 Fulham Bobby Zamora finds the back of the net with a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. Crusaders 1-2 Fulham.

73:36

Corner taken by Damien Duff from the right by-line,

73:25

Damien Duff takes a shot. Aiden Watson gets a block in.

70:35 Substitution

Substitution Ciaran Gargan joins the action as a substitute, replacing Stuart Dallas.