Cottagers make Europa progress

Fulham booked their place in the Europa League group stage with a 3-1 aggregate win over Dnipro, despite a 1-0 reversal in Ukraine on Thursday.

Last Updated: 25/08/11 at 22:05 Post Comment

Schwarzer (r): Kept busy in Ukraine

Schwarzer (r): Kept busy in Ukraine

Evgeniy Shakhov scored the only goal of the night from close range in the 22nd minute but despite making Cottagers keeper Mark Schwarzer work overtime the home side could not get back in the tie.

Jol's men did the hard work at Craven Cottage a week ago but despite their comfortable cushion the Dutchman warned his side not to take Dnipro lightly and his words proved wise.

Fulham had the first chance when Damien Duff saw his low drive pushed round the post by Dnipro goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka, but the visitors' hopes were hit when John Arne Riise hobbled off on 20 minutes.

Shortly afterwards Shakhov netted the opener when a Dnipro corner was headed back across goal, and suddenly Fulham's hopes of making easy progress to the group stage looked in doubt.

Both sides had chances in an even first half but it could have got worse for Fulham on the stroke of half-time when a dangerous free-kick from Evgeni Konoplyanka was tipped over by Schwarzer.

Dnipro, coached by the man who replaced Jol at Spurs, Juande Ramos, made their intentions clear at the start of the second half as they poured forward in search of a goal to keep the tie alive.

Aaron Hughes got back well to block a drive from Brazilian Giuliano then Schwarzer had to be on hand again to stop a goalbound effort from Ghanaian midfielder Samuel Inkoom.

Nikola Kalinic - a recent recruit from Blackburn - and Shakhov again had further chances, before Dnipro's best chance of further reducing the deficit when Schwarzer fumbled an effort from Konoplyanka and Chris Baird had to hack clear.

With time running out Fulham almost stole a goal of their own on the break when Duff raced clear and crossed to Pajtim Kasami, who somehow contrived to shoot over with the goal at his mercy.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

More Match Results

There are no results at present.

Footer 365

Shearer: Toon mess makes me sick

Alan Shearer believes the appointment of Joe Kinnear as Newcastle's director of football has turned the club into a laughing stock.

Confederations Cup: Italy book place in semis after 4-3 win over Japan

Italy booked their semi-final place as they snatched a barely-deserved 4-3 win against Japan in the Confederations Cup.

Luis Suarez should not be blinded by Liverpool loyalty, says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher says Luis Suarez should not be blinded by loyalty to Liverpool if Real Madrid make a big-money offer.

Mail Box

'Bye Sunderland' & More Fixtures Reaction

The afternoon mailbox has plenty more views on the fixture list. Plus, a sublime piece of skill from Emile Heskey, more cool 'ballers and dull football matches...

One Guy's Genuinely Irked About Fixtures

A Gooner in the Mailbox seems to genuinely think that the world/fixture computer is against his team. Sigh. That, plus more cool footballers & Mike Ashley: Supervillain...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved