Fulham v Middlesbrough

[boro_boy]

I think we will get beaten again, we just can't seem to score at the moment, no one in the team is shining, other than the keeper and thats not going to get us any goals. We need to buy a new midfield, we have the strikers but they are not getting any service.

Prediction

Fulham 1 - 0 Middlesbrough

[cliffy]

i think we can get something out of this. We need something out of it to get out the shit we are in.

[westboy]

Fulham are too strong at home although the fact boro are so inconsistant means you can never count them out

[Nafe]

I should think it will be a test for Boro, not performing well away and neither at home. A win could maybe start a string of wins but it depends how consistent they are.

1-1 to be fair, 2-1 Fulham for the worse.

[Simonutd]

a borin 1-1, i would like boro to win, i cant stand fulham for some reason, i think its that guy who brings round the black stuff to burn on my fire, he does my head in

[boro_boy]

I've changed my tone, I've looked at the table and Fulham are only 2 places above us and we can go above them if we beat them on Monday night,

[RedRabbit]

after dominating the start of the game Boro unfortunately give a penalty.
1-nil for Fulham

[hammer9]

I'm sorry BB but COME ON FULHAM!:p

[RedRabbit]

2-nil Fulham. Goal by McBride, from the top of the box, he was given too much time to line up that shot.

[westboy]

Boro going down...West Ham out of trouble at this rate

[RedRabbit]

2-1, goal by Viduka. under 15 minutes to go will Boro tie it up???:confused:

[Simonutd]

didn't watch the game i was workin, was it any good, i got it on sky+ is it worth me watchin now,

[Nafe]

I never saw the match either, seemed an edgey match.

Brian McBride grabbed the crucial goal as Fulham edged a lively and entertaining game against fellow Premiership strugglers Middlesbrough.

Boro began brightly and Stewart Downing and James Morrison could have put them ahead in an impressive opening burst.

But Fulham took the lead when George Boateng tripped Moritz Volz and Heidar Helguson calmly scored from the spot.

McBride's curling shot made it 2-0 but Mark Viduka's composed finish gave Boro hope after a poor Antti Niemi kick.


Fulham's win seemed unlikely after a frantic opening which was dominated by Boro.

Downing twice went close with vicious curling free-kicks, the first flew inches over and the second forced Niemi to hurriedly beat the ball away.

The impressive Morrison then jinked his way through only to see his fierce drive superbly saved by the home keeper.

But with a visiting goal looking imminent the west Londoners took the lead when Boateng was ajudged to have unfairly ended Volz's rampaging run into the box and Helguson calmly rolled the ball home from the spot.

It was tough on Boateng who made a genuine attempt to play the ball but inadvertently clipped Volz's ankle.

Boro hit back instantly and Fulham were grateful for a fantastic interception by Philippe Christanval which prevented Viduka from tapping the ball home after more good work by Morrison.

Both sides were now creating chances at will with the pace of Boro's Morrison and Downing as well as Fulham's Radzinski and Wayne Routledge to the fore.

Radzinski missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 when he lofted the ball straight into Mark Schwarzer's arms after being put through on goal.

At the other end, Franck Queudrue headed narrowly wide against his former club and Yakubu unleashed a swerving low drive that Niemi did well to fumble past the post.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate's side, still chasing a first Premiership away win of the season, were looking dangerous in attack but their injury-hit defence seemed far from comfortable and Fulham took full advantage to double their lead before the break.

Radzinski fed the ball into McBride and with the Boro defence backing off, the American had time to curl the ball into the bottom corner with the help of a deflection off Chris Riggott.

McBride nearly grabbed his second moments later but dragged his shot narrowly wide.

McBride and Yakubu both had chances before the half-time whistle and although the frenetic pace continued after the interval the chances dried up.

Schwarzer's acrobatic stop denied Helguson from grabbing his second with an equally athletic headed attempt and Queudrue went close with another headed effort.

But, with the game petering out, Boro were thrown a lifeline when Niemi made a dreadful hash of a goal-kick and Viduka raced through on goal and finished with typical quality, dinking the ball over the keeper.

Yakubu and Viduka tested Niemi with decent curling efforts as the visitors poured forward towards the end but Fulham stood firm to record a second consecutive home win.

[boro_boy]

I didn't watch it I was getting too drunk, i seen te last minute on tv but that was it.