Fulham

What a momentous occasion for this famous but small West London Club. It was the first European final in their history and they deserved to be there after turning in gutsy performances throughout the competition. With the managerial skills of an old hand in the game, Roy Hodgson, Fulham have impressed many worldwide.

Roy Hodgson is a proper manager, from the school of old, but with the skills of the new, he knows what it takes to compete domestically and in Europe. Roy joined Fulham in 2007 and many were suprised he was chosen. He was employed to save Fulham from relegation and that he did. What he has done since is a testament to his managerial ability and eye for the correct player. He was voted by his peers as LMA Manager of the year.

This season saw his Fulham side play an incredible 63 games in all competitions with their season beginning in July. Many feel playing in both the Europa and Premier League would have a negative effect on one of the campaigns. However, Fulham finished a respectable 12th in the league, reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup, and the final of the Europa League.

Their road to the final was not an easy one as they beat the the defending champions Shakhtar Donetsk, the German champions Wolfsburg, the well-rated Hamburg, and the legendary Juventus.

The Juventus tie showed the kind of team Fulham have become. After losing 3-1 in the first leg in Turin, Fulham had a mountain to climb and climb they did. In the home leg Juventus scored first, but Fulham managed to win the game 4-1 and knock out the old Italian giants. Truly a special game.

After the battles Fulham had been through they still had Atletico Madrid to pass in order to lift the Europa League trophy.

The game started in Atletico's favour, and they played like a team that believed this game was theirs for the taking. A shot turned pass from Augero and a tidy finish from Diego Forlan put them ahead. Atletico continued to dominate until a bit of inspiration from Zamora led to a cross from Gera and a great volley from Simon Davies.

Fulham were back in the game, and it was back and forth throughout the rest of the match. Watching the match I really began to grasp the essence of the Fulham team. Zamora is so essential in the way they play and it was unfortunate that he was obviously playing through pain due to his injured achilles.

Mark Schwarzer is a competent and reliable goalkeeper. Hangeland is a superlative defender, heading and blocking anything in his path. Etuhu and Murphy are a great central midfield partnership, with Etuhu eating up any attacking threat through the centre and Murphy taking and distributing the ball into attack.

The game went into Extra Time, and it looked like it was all up for grabs, but Fulham were unable to take it. Aguero's creative flair in the build-up was too much for them. He crossed the ball to Forlan, and aided by an unlucky Hangeland deflection, went past Schwarzer into the back of the net. 

Fulham's players absolutely earned their runners up medal and should take pride in it. While they could have had more, no-one expected them to be there in the first place and they definitely earned their offseason holiday.

I HAD this awful feeling Fulham were going to get tonked in the last match of their incredible Europa League journey. Instead, they went down 2-1 to an extra-time strike from Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan.

Agony at the end of a long, long road for the Cottagers. The final in Hamburg tonight might have been for the Consolation Cup - the old UEFA Cup where Champions League failures go to moan - but for Fulham and Roy Hodgson, it meant the world.

The topic "Atletico Madrid" was trending on British Twitter as soon as the game got underway, so somebody cares.

Mind you, it was hardly a classic.

My old coach Woy's band of brave veterans and journeymen have travelled 25,000 miles and beaten holders Shakhtar Donetsk, the Old Lady of Italy Juventus, German champions Wolfsburg and hosts Hamburg.

They were 1-0 behind on the half-hour thanks to Forlan's sixth goal in Europe this season - his 24th of a prolific winter. And the Spaniards looked like turning my doom-laden hunch into a prophecy.

But within four minutes Fulham were back in it, Bobby Zamora appearing to miss the chance before setting up Simon Davies for the equaliser.  He scored a vital goal in the semi against Hamburg too.

And there was Woy - I have to talk about him later on BBC Radio 5 tonight - urging his men on against a side far stronger on paper.

Mark Schwarzer, the veteran 33-year-old Australian No1, did his bit in keeping the Madridistas out. Clint Dempsey (above), also World Cup-bound with the US, grafted away. And Zamora showed once more how much he deserved a crack at Fabio Capello's squad.

Still, he's not alone in being told he has to stay at home this week. Ruud van Nistelrooy, 33, has been left out by the Dutch. Ronaldinho and Adriano – not to mention the old Ronaldo - languish in the also-rans for Brazil.

Incredibly, Argentina's crazed coach Diego Maradona decided to leave out Inter Milan's Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso despite their part in Jose Mourinho’s special surge to the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Patrick Vieira failed to push his way into the French provisional squad despite his recent appearances for Manchester City in the Premier League.

Bobatov is in good company. Forlan on the other hand, is very definitely headed for Group A of the World Cup with Uruguay, where Mexico, hosts South Africa and France await. On this evidence he could be quite a handful.

Just before the extra-time break, with the scores stuck at 1-1 for over an hour, he weaved a path through the Fulham rearguard but Atletico couldn't find a finisher.

But with the clock running down and penalties looming, he stuck out a boot, got a deflection of Hangeland, and Fulham's first ever European final ended in agony.

But for Atletico, the 45-year wait for a European trophy was over.

 

 

When Fulham fell behind 1-0 to Hamburg SV just past the quarter-hour mark in the second leg of their Europa League semifinal at Craven Cottage Stadium in London, they should have called it in.

Fulham essentially trailed by 1.5 goals following Mladen Petric’s booming free-kick conversion, needing two goals in 68 minutes to negate Hamburg’s lead.

In over 112 minutes of play against their German foes, Fulham had created few scoring opportunities, and the outlook seemed bleak.

Fulham should have ducked out, counted their blessings, and sent Hamburg on to the final at their home stadium. It would have been the expected thing to do, by all accounts.

Unfortunately for Hamburg, this Fulham side doesn’t exactly see eye-to-eye with expectations.

Simon Davies skillfully equalized in the 69th minute, and Zoltan Gera put Fulham up for good in the 76th minute, to give Fulham a 2-1 victory, and send them to their first-ever Europa League final on May 12 in Hamburg, Germany.

Fulham opened the game looking primed for the early goal that Roy Hodgson’s squad needed to break the 0-0 aggregate score from the first leg.

Surprise starter Bobby Zamora linked up nicely with Gera to get the game’s first great look, only to be denied by Hamburg’s Frank Rost, who saved with a strong left hand twice to only concede a corner.

After a few minutes of solid defending, Hamburg took charge of the game for the next quarter hour. The Red Shirts looked set for the final on their home turf after Petric’s goal.

Following a sloppy Danny Murphy tackle on Hamburg’s Ze Roberto, the Croatian international took the kick from about 30 yards and put it in the left upper-90 past a shuffling Mark Schwarzer.

Hamburg continued to attack for the remainder of the first half. Left-winger Jonathan Pitroipa gathered a pass from Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 39th minute, cutting inside of Fulham right-back John Panstil and putting a powerful strike just to the right of the frame.

Other than that, neither keeper had to do too much work until the second half.

American Clint Dempsey replaced Zamora, who was battling an Achilles injury and wasn’t expected to play, in the 57th minute.

Zamora put in a strong shift, as usual, but he was clearly hobbled, and Dempsey’s substitution opened up space in the middle that Fulham’s attackers would exploit for the two goals.

The first goal came from Davies in the 69th minute after Fulham had been enjoying the majority of possession.

Danny Murphy chipped a lovely pass over the center to Davies, who made a brilliant run behind Hamburg defender Guy Demel.

Davies controlled the pass wonderfully with his right foot, pulling it across his body to his left foot, which then delivered the final strike beneath the arms of Rost and into the back of the net.

That was all the inspiration the crowd at Craven Cottage needed.

The atmosphere in West London turned from nervous to raucous, and the Hamburg players clearly tensed up.

The winning goal came just a few minutes later off of a Fulham corner. Davies, whose reward for scoring was a switch from left wing to right back, earned and took a corner kick on the right side of the Fulham attack just past the 75-minute mark.

Davies’ in-swinging effort bounced clear of any Hamburg defense just outside the six. Dickson Etuhu craftily held off Demel, and Gera charged from inside the six with a gentle right-footed touch away from the goal and a quick turning shot with his left to give Fulham the lead for good.

Hamburg almost got the goal they needed late in the match when van Nistelrooy got a look from the left side of the goal, but his effort sailed wide.

Fulham now advance to the Europa League final in Hamburg, where they will face an Atletico Madrid side that needed a dramatic late goal from Diego Forlan to advance.

The Roy Hodgson story is a simple one. One of those tales which make football the uplifting, addictive substance which grips millions, bringkng us here and sending us out with a lump of leather in the frost to a World Cup in dark Africa.

At 62, after a lifetime of wandering from England to South Africa, Sweden to Italy, Roy has finally reached a point where he can turn around and say, "I think we've made a major piece of history here today."

This statement was uttered after last night's come-from-behind 2-1 win over Hamburg had put the quaint Cottagers into the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.

While mighty Liverpool stumbled against the Spaniards at once-impregnable Anfield, Woy's boys came back at creaking Craven Cottage with goals from Simon Davies and Zoltan Gera to cap a campaign which has seen them play 18 games and travel 25,876 miles.

Along the way they have disposed of Italian giants Juventus, the holders Shakhtar Donetsk, German champions Wolfsburg, and semifinalists Hamburg, who must host the final at their Nordbank Arena on May 12.

While his nation endures a particularly irritating General Election campaign, there can be no doubt that "Woy" (he tends to pronounce his Rs as Ws) would garner more votes than the three bland, public school party leaders between them if he were to stand for Prime Minister on May 5. 

Tomorrow I'm on Sky News at 11.30am, where I will try to tell a little of the Hodgson story—if the election doesn't intervene as it did last week.

I will tell how this modest left-back from Croydon, born in 1947, has inspired generations in dozens of countries. His full history in management is listed as:

1976–1980           Halmstads (Sweden)

1982                     Bristol City (England)

1983–1985           Örebro (Sweden)

1985–1990           Malmö (Sweden)

1990–1992           Neuchâtel Xamax (Switzerland)

1992–1995           Switzerland

1995–1997           Inter Milan (Italy)

1997–1998           Blackburn Rovers (England)

1999                     Inter Milan (Italy)

1999–2000           Grasshopper (Switzerland)

2000–2001           Copenhagen (Denmark)

2001                     Udinese (Italy)

2002–2004           United Arab Emirates

2004–2005           Viking (Denmark)

2006–2007           Finland

2007–present       Fulham

But that doesn't tell the whole story.

This helps: This morning Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand are fit for the weekend, but had time to add of Hodgson, "It's probably one of the best British performances of all time. I hope they win it now. It's fantastic. I don't know how you place it...one of the best."

And Wolves boss Mick McCarthy says simply, "Roy gets my vote as manager of the season. Without any shadow of a doubt."

Then we have former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson, now boss of World Cup-bound Ivory Coast, saying: "Will Roy be England manager in the future? Why not? He has done well this season and the last. I think he could be manager of England, but first I hope they win the final!"

What Sven didn't mention is that, as a young Swedish coach in the 70s, he would go down to Malmo to learn from a British duo who miraculously lifted an anonymous club to the European Cup final in 1979, where they lost to Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest 1-0 in Munich.

Their names? Manager Bobby Houghton and assistant Roy Hodgson. And they managed it within a year of coaching my first club, Berea Park in Pretoria, South Africa.

And that was where Roy took his first steps on the coaching trail. Signed as a youngster at Crystal Palace, Hodgson never quite made it as a professional and after a journey that included non-league Tonbridge, Gravestone, and Maidstone, he turned up to play in the old National Football League in South Africa with his old pal Houghton, who is currently manager of India's national football team.

There, amongst Hodgon's duties as a diligent fullback and sports teacher at Hillview High School, he coached me. Though bullied by the football mums as a quiet, unassuming Englishman, he produced a Northern Transvaal Under 13 side that boxed well above their weight. In a rugby-dominated city, he quietly handed out the skills that make top footballers.

He didn't just teach you to pass, he taught you to bend the ball, both ways. He didn't just teach you to head, he taught you where and when to head. He took a small band of boys out of the hum-drum and made us dream of playing at the top level.

And among their number?

Winger Roy Wegerle, who went on to play for Chelsea, QPR, Blackburn, Coventry and the USA, and centre-back Gavin Nebbeling, who turned out for Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Preston. And striker Noel Cousins, who went on to become South Africa's most expensive signee when he moved from Arcadia to Moroka Swallows a decade later.

All this means little now, as Hodgson heads for a final knowing the pressure is off, his reputation is finally secure. But even now, he remains modest, refusing to bow to the hype.

As the season ticket holders scramble for one of the 12,650 allocated tickets, he says, "The atmosphere here at Craven Cottage last night was something I think we'll remember for a long time.

"This is what memories are about. When your team produces better football and a better result than we are entitled to ask for. They constantly surprise me.

"To reach a European final is an amazing achievement. We have played 59 games this season, we will end up playing 63 and it would have been easy to lose our heads when they scored.

"It has been a wonderful journey. When I look back on my career, and I hope that won't be soon, I know I will remember my time at Fulham, this night, and many more like it."

So will we Roy. So will we. Now about the Prime Minister's job...

A peek inside of the trophy case at Craven Cottage probably won’t exactly wow you.

Alongside several not-quite-so-prestigious cups, like the Middlesex Senior Cup or the West London Observer Cup, rest only a few notable trophies won by Fulham FC: two trophies from championships in the second tier, one from the third tier, and perhaps Fulham’s greatest achievement to date: 2002’s Intertoto Cup.

Clearly, Fulham don’t exactly break the bank on their monthly brass-polishing bill.

A win in Thursday’s semifinal second leg against Hamburg SV, however, would find the Cottagers one step away from adding a Europa League trophy to that case.

Unfortunately, Fulham will need an outright win, as last Thursday’s 0-0 draw in Hamburg leaves the visitors needing only a non-scoreless draw to advance to the final on the away goals rule.

Freshness could be a factor for Fulham, who have played almost 60 games already this season. However, manager Roy Hodgson continued his recent pattern of resting players in non-Europa League action after Sunday’s 2-1 league loss against Everton, in which Hodgson sat nine first-team players.

In addition, the fixture is at Craven Cottage, which will relieve the Fulham players of travel-induced fatigue.

Another factor will be the health, or lack thereof, of forward Bobby Zamora. Zamora, whose 19 goals on the season lead the Cottagers, is battling a nagging Achilles tendon injury which saw him leave the first leg early in the second half.

Without Zamora, Fulham will likely rely on Zoltan Gera and Clint Dempsey (who has been battling a bit of an injury himself) to lead the line, both of whom are capable forwards but play more naturally in the midfield.

Hamburg, however, are not without their own problems. Bruno Labbadia was relieved of his duties as Hamburg manager after the side lost 5-1 in league action against Hoffenheim on Sunday, so the club is in a state of recovery.

The German semifinalists had only tallied four wins in their previous 15 matches, and stand-in coach Ricardo Moniz will have to provide a calm head and effective game plan if Hamburg are to have any hope of salvaging what has been a disappointing 2010.

The tactical breakdown for this game is just as fascinating as the off-field matters. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s lack of impact in the first leg will not likely be a repeat offense on Thursday, so the Fulham defense, led by a solid center back pairing of Brede Hangelaand and Aaron Hughes, will have to be on top of their game.

However, the fixture will likely be won or lost in the midfield, as are most. The key match-up: Fulham’s Danny Murphy against Hamburg’s Ze Roberto. Both are experienced center mids with tons of top notch European experience, and whichever player can dictate play and possession most effectively should be the one whose side advances to the final in Hamburg.

My prediction: the first side to score wins. Should Fulham tally first, Hodgson will pack in the forces and get the 1-0 result by the same bend-but-not-break means displayed in last Thursday's scoreless draw. However, if the Cottagers allow an early goal, it will be an uphill battle to score the two goals then needed to advance.

Fulham seem to have a way with uphill battles these days, though. Just ask Juventus.

If Hamburg have had an oscillating route in the Europa League, Fulham have gone on with much ado, eliminating one by one the trophy holders, Shakthar, then the even more popular Juventus, and Germany’s champions, Wolfsburg.

Even Lucescu, the current UEFA Cup holders’ manager, is betting not only on Fulham’s qualification in the finals, but also on the fact that the English team will win the title.

Between Fulham and Hamburger, the latter is obviously more gold-laced within European competitions. The Germans have played at least one final in each European competition and they won the Champions Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup, even though in the last 10 years Hamburger haven’t scored too much in Europe.

For Fulham, this match in the semifinals is totally a premiere, and the boys seem to be eager to fulfill the big dream. Thanks to their extraordinary results until now, Fulham are considered favorites for this match, and even more for the cup itself.

Hamburger will play without Marcell Janseen and Mladen Petric, but also without their Dutch winger, Eljero Elia, a significant player. At Fulham, Shorey and Okaka will surely miss this match, too, while Clint Dempsey will take a late fitness test and his situation is still uncertain at the moment.

Hamburg will fight as much as they will be able to for the acceding to the Europa League final, which will take place in three weeks’ time on their own field, the HSH Nord Arena. Playing an European cup final match in their home stadium and in front of their own supporters should be the dream stimulus for the German team.

You can watch Hamburg vs Fulham live on several TV stations: Sky Sport HD (Germany), ESPN (UK), Gol TV (USA), C+ (Spain and France), Al Jazeera Sport, YES Sport 1 and many others.

Jann - livescoredaily.com - livescore

As Fulham progressed to the semifinals of the Europa League tonight, their striker must be thinking to himself, "What do I need to do to get Fabio to notice?"

Zamora, yet again, scored the winner as his side beat German Champions Wolfsburg.

The goal took the forward onto 19 goals for the season.

This is by far the best season of his career, and calls for international recognition are growing by the day.

This season, Zamora has a new hunger about his game. After a poor season in 2008-09, there was talk of him being shipped off to Hull, as he was surplus to requirements at Craven Cottage.

Added to that, the fans were beginning to get on his back, as he was a striker who was simply not scoring.

New season, new man, as Zamora is now the jewel of this very good Fulham side.

Fabio Capello has yet to be sufficiently impressed though, as Zamora waits patiently for a chance to shine on the international level.

The main problem for the Fulham man at the moment is his timing.

With only two games left until the World Cup, it seems that Capello is reluctant to try out a new frontman. Zamora is also vying for only one place, along with three other strikers.

Three strikers are all but guaranteed to go to South Africa. Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch, and Jermaine Defoe are virtually there.

That leaves one place up for grabs. At the moment Emile Heskey is in pole position. Heskey, though, has only scored five goals all season and is struggling for form at Aston Villa.

Next, there is Carlton Cole. The West Ham forward has admitted himself that he is currently out of form, and shouldn't go to the World Cup the way he is playing at the moment.

Finally, there is Darren Bent. Bent has scored the most goals this season with 22, but he doesn't offer as much as Zamora. He is just a natural goal-scorer, nothing else.

Zamora holds the ball up well, and can be the main striker up top. He would allow Wayne Rooney to drop off and collect the ball as he does for Manchester United.

Zamora has a great first touch and is strong in the air. Above all else, though, he is playing with extreme confidence.

Take a look at both his goals against Wolfsburg over the two legs. The first, he picks up the ball and runs at the defenders before curling the ball beyond the keeper. The second, a result of a great turn, and then again, a lovely finish into the bottom corner.

Without question, Zamora should be given a chance by Capello, but the timing is wrong, as I said.

On form he should be going to the World Cup, but in reality, he will be watching while on holiday like the rest of us.

English teams have dominated in Europe in previous seasons.

Although Middlesbrough’s solitary UEFA Cup final spot provided little of note in the lesser of the two European stages, the Champions League is now firmly under the control of English based outfits.

It hasn’t always been like this. In the first five years of the new millennium not a single appearance was made by an English team. Spain led the way with four final appearances, Germany and Italy had two a piece and Portugal and France made up the final two spots.

Yet in the final five years of the noughties, English teams filled six of the possible ten positions with Spain and Italy only managing two a piece. 

So it is hopeful for the English neutral, or for anyone invested in home grown glory that further appearances will be achieved this year.

Evidently possible as well is the chance for two completely English finals that could be a consequence if the four remaining English teams in European competition can edge through.

Final appearances are now available for Fulham and Liverpool in the Europa League, with Manchester United and Arsenal hopeful for similar feats in the Champions League.

The biggest match of them all that would be likely to determine if at least one final could be an English affair will be Arsenal’s quarter final challenge against favourites Barcelona.

It is not an unwinnable match, yet Barcelona will look to brush aside Arsenal with a greater ease than they did in their 2006 final against the Gunners. Arsenal will however be seeking revenge for their previous encounter and will not go down lightly.

Victory against the Spanish giants could spearhead a greater challenge if they were to come out the other end triumphant. After all if you beat the tournament favourites then surely you would be able to handle a clash against the likes of Inter Milan or CSKA Moscow in the semis.

Manchester United have found themselves in exactly the opposite position. They go in as overall second favourites for the trophy against a team still licking their wounds from the late defeat against the Red Devils in 1999.

It was a heartbreaking result that year, which saw Bayern lose glory with two goals from United that came in the last five minutes. They did win the tournament two seasons later, yet the prospect of destroying Manchester United’s chances this season will be a mouth watering one indeed.

In the Europa League the odds are less appealing but not a lost cause. The remaining eight teams look closer in ability than those left in the Champions League. This is reflected in the current odds that have Liverpool as favourites at a cautious 7-1, with Standard Liege, the perceived least able team at only 16-1.

After their defeat of Juventus it does seem somewhat odd that Fulham are only seventh favourites. You do have to wonder though if they would have progressed without the sending off of one opposing player, which was accompanied with the helping hand and resultant penalty that levelled the aggregate score before the win was sealed. 

Yet by boasting one of the strongest defensive records in England and Europe, Fulham will hope to gift themselves a greater chance of progression.

Their passionate display of goal scoring ability at home to Juventus though will stand them in good stead against German outfit Wolfsburg. This is a winnable match that could afford them a semi final appearance against Liege or second favourites Hamburg.

Fulham can also benefit from the fact that their half of the draw looks a great deal easier than Liverpool’s half. They have less to lose after their famous win in the last round.

Liverpool actually appear the more vulnerable of the two teams , as their inconsistency throughout this season means that you do not expect them to just ease through to the final.

The obstacle of reaching the final may be too much to overcome.

If they can subvert and reverse their previous misfortunes against Benfica then Benitez may be facing his former team in Valencia. Victory would put them through against an arguably easier match in the final.

If Liverpool and Fulham can both achieve beautiful triumphs in the quarters and semis then they will further back up the claim to England’s stranglehold on the European scene.

Liverpool are still considered as one of the big four, so it would have been nicer to see a team such as Tottenham, Villa or Man City be in their position.

A Liverpool vs Fulham final would allow though a continuation of the dominance portrayed by Premier League teams.

With the gap closing on Liverpool’s fourth spot this can only get better if other teams could increase their credibility in the Europa League.

This is something that is currently lacking with English teams, and something that allows countries such as Spain, Germany and Italy an opportunity to at least control one aspect of the European game.

Such an occurrence can and does undermine the proclamations that the Premier League is the best league in the world, as only four teams are currently accomplished against international opposition.

One half of an all English season in Europe could be fulfilled if Arsenal and Manchester United force themselves into May’s final. Such an event would echo United’s tie against Chelsea in the final of 2008. Yet they would both need to overthrow teams intent on their exit.

The other half of the all England season is in the hands of two teams that will need to overcome individual team concerns. Liverpool’s lack of form and Fulham’s inexperience in European competition may hinder both teams. Yet with comfortable second leg wins in the last week they should be on a charge and subsequently on a run to the final in May.

The Betting Odds:

Champions League (Bet 365)

Barcelona: 2-1

Man Utd: 3-1

Inter Milan: 7-2

Arsenal: 11-1

Bayern Munich: 12-1

Lyon: 14-1

Bordeaux: 16-1

CSKA Moscow: 40-1

Europa League

Liverpool: 7-2

Hamburg: 4-1

Valencia: 9-2

Benfica: 6-1

Wolfsburg: 7-1

Atletico Madrid: 8-1

Fulham: 10-1

Standard Liege: 16-1

This weekend see the F.A. Cup come to the fore, as eight sides battle it out for a semi-final berth in the World's most famous club cup competition.

Perhaps of most interest to England manager Fabio Capello will be this evening's 5:20pm kick-off at Craven Cottage, when Tottenham travels to in-form Fulham, who have just recorded one of their finest results in club history—having completed a 3-2 two-leg Europa League victory over UEFA Cup holders Shakthar Donetsk in Ukraine last week.

Of greatest interest to Capello, and most neutrals, will be a chance to see two England hopefuls battle it out at opposite ends of the pitch for a place in England's 2010 World Cup squad.

Peter Crouch (pictured) enhanced his international reputation further with a mid-week brace to seal England's 3-1 comeback win over African champions Egypt. Bobby Zamora, Fulham's leading scorer this season, is in the form of his life, and will have double the incentive to perform not only in front of Capello, but also against his old team.

With a tiring Fulham labouring to a mid-week draw at Sunderland, and injury ravaging Tottenham's once-sizeable squad, managers Harry Redknapp and Roy Hodgson could do without this game. But this is the F.A. Cup, and both managers know how much the competition means to the fans, and to their clubs.

Redknapp, an F.A. Cup winning manager at Portsmouth in 2008, will hope to lead Tottenham to an eighth success. Hodgson will be pleased that his team has a chance to knock out one of the favourites to win on home soil, where his team has been difficult to beat this season.

In fact, with only Chelsea and Aston Villa other likely candidates, each team has a real chance of securing a day out at Wembley.

Fulham will be without strikers Andy Johnson and Clint Dempsey, but left-back Paul Konchesky, a star performer this season, may return after an ankle injury.

Tottenham will be without most of its starting midfield, its two best centre-backs, and possibly Jermain Defoe, who complained of a tight hamstring after he was substituted at half-time for England on Thursday.

Redknapp will hope, however, that the livewire striker can shake off that knock. He will also monitor the fitness of full-back Gareth Bale, who has been his best player in 2010.

The battle between Spurs captain Michael Dawson and Fulham hotshot Bobby Zamora will be compelling, as will the match-up between influential Cottagers playmaker Danny Murphy and Luka Modric, Tottenham's wily Croat enforcer.

Expect a cracking cup-tie, and late drama. Back a 2-2 draw at 16-1 with Blue Square, while Tottenham is 14-1 with Ladbrokes to miss yet another penalty.

Possible Teams

FULHAM (4-4-2)

Schwarzer; Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Duff, Murphy, Greening, Gera; Zamora, Nevland  Subs: Zuberbuhler, Shorey, Smalling, Davies, Etuhu, Riise, Elm

TOTTENHAM (4-4-2)

Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Krancjar, Modric, Palacios, Bale; Pavlyuchenko, Gudjohnsen   Subs: Alnwick, Dervitte, Livermore, Parret, Rose, Kane, Defoe

Prediction: Fulham 2-2 Tottenham

On the 28th of December 2007 the forgotten man of English management returned to to the Premier League, and what a difference he has made. 

Roy Hodgson, the twice former manager of Inter Milan, Blackburn Rovers, and the Swiss national side, took up his role as Fulham boss with his side facing a certain relegation and years of struggle trying to get back up into the top tier.

He came into Craven Cottage determined that the club would stay up and was proven right on the final day of the season when club captain Danny Murphy's goal in a 1-0 away win at Portsmouth ensured they would stay up.

They had gone into the last few games looking as if they would go down and but won three games in a row for the first time in the club's top flight history and since then Hogdson's men have continued to amaze the world of football.

On the 16th of December 2009 Fulham headed to Basel a country Hodgson knew well in all his years of management, knowing only a win would see them into the knock out stage of the Europa League.

A fantastic performance inspired by Bobby Zamora's two goals ensured their passage but bad news came in the draw a few days later when they were to face UEFA Cup holders Shakhtar Donetsk but the confidence in the Fulham camp was obvious with goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer saying: "anything's possible." 

Last week they made the perfect start against the holders when Zoltan Gera put his side in front after only three minutes at the Cottage, Donetsk had not played since their final group game because of the end of season break in the Ukraine but as proven last year the break was of benefit to them as they leveled just before the break through Luiz Adriano.

Bobby Zamora fired home a wonder goal just past the hour mark to notch up what was a famous victory for the Londoners. But surely the away goal they conceded meant their task in the Ukraine was going to be too much for them.

As they made their way onto the pitch last night in what was an intimidating atmosphere as England had experienced in their recent World Cup Qualifying defeat in the autumn, Fulham knew it was the David versus Goliath tie. 

They were brave and kept their heads as the home side began well and battered the Fulham defence with Schwarzer pulling off a string of great stops, but with the skill and flair of Damien Duff and Zoltan Gera Fulham knew they had the chance to get the vital away goal.

And it came ten minutes from half time when the defensive rock Brede Hangeland headed home and all of a sudden the whole of Europe took notice. Unlike with youngster Chris Smalling, who is leaving to join Manchester United in the summer, Fulham have managed to keep a hold of Hangeland. But after a performance of this magnitude a lot of clubs will be sniffing around come the opening of the window.

Although the home side equalised with 20 minutes to play Fulham hung on to what is their greatest achievement in European football, and Hodgson was quick to praise the spirit and the belief of his side:

"We put in an enormous amount of work, trained a lot and the result shows it wasn't in vain," said the 62-year-old. "I wouldn't rule out that at the end of my coaching days I will name this match as the best in my career."

At the end of last season Hodgson had come on record as saying he had the tough task of calming expectations down at the club and ensured that Premier League survival was of paramount importance, but after their late show against Birmingham City saw them move into nineth and on 37 points they have their safety assured.

They take on Sunderland in the league on Sunday, but then have a home FA Cup quarter final tie against Tottenham the following weekend and then take on Italian giants Juventus a side Hodgson knows well over two legs sandwiched with a league game against Manchester United.

The other 15 teams Liverpool aside will not have heard much about Fulham but they will have done now and do not be suprised if their fairytale run continues as they face a Juventus side in all sorts of turmoil in the next round.  

Fulham have nothing to lose as for Juventus it is the opposite and once again Fulham fans can rely on a fantastic team spirit Hodgson has instilled at Craven Cottage to ensure they can run the Italians all the way.

As for the rest of the season they have a genuine chance of winning the FA Cup and will hold no fears in the Europa League as has been proved. And as for the league, as said earlier, with survival an almost certainty they can play with no pressure as they find themselves only eight points of Europa league qualification and nine off the top four. 

Hodgson is one of the nicest men in world football and is a genuine footballing man and he is dying breed in our game today with managers now being media driven and money mad. Sir Alex Ferguson regards him as one of his closest friends in management and a top boss and who is argue with that?

Let's all sit back and enjoy how he gets the best out of side week after week because it is a dying art in this modern football world.