Terrace View: Fulham 1-1 Blackpool

Karagounis celebrates his late equaliser (bbc)

The Hammersmith End at Craven Cottage is where I found myself this FA Cup Third Round weekend, hoping, very optimistically, for goal-frenzy thriller. It wasn’t to be. However, although it was perhaps not the tie of the round, there was still plenty to take from the game.

As this was my second visit to the Cottage I thought it appropriate to check out the sights, in particular the infamous (ridiculous) Michael Jackson statue. My friend James, a Fulham season ticket holder, assured me that the singer had actually seen Fulham play once. Hmm.

Another friend of mine, Max, had decided to bring a Greek flag to the game, despite not actually being at all Greek. The aim of course was to attract the attention of the man on the front of the Matchday Programme; Giorgos Karagounis. The four of us, waving the flag aloft, did successfully manage to disrupt the 35 year-olds warm-up. He waved. It must have been fated that he’d score a beauty of a late equaliser.

Blackpool, currently 14^th in the Championship, came into the game without a win in three, although it didn’t show in what was an impressive resolute display. The Seasider’s seemed capable of scoring every time they went forward, albeit infrequently. Fulham on the other hand, despite coming off the back of an impressive victory at West Brom, dominated proceedings but seemed to prefer to pass rather than to shoot, much to the annoyance of the Fulham faithful.

Sidwell tries to get to grips with Ince (sportinglife.com)

Liverpool target Thomas Ince was the main focus of my attention on the visitor’s team sheet and he was undoubtedly their key man. He was a constant thorn in the side of the Fulham defence. His ability to ghost away from defenders, in particular young Matthew Briggs, was especially evident, firing in two shots on goal early on that Stockdale dealt with superbly.  Whilst not every trick came off he certainly wasn’t afraid to go and attack defenders, with pretty much all of Blackpool’s attacks going through the young Englishman, except their goal, ironically. He certainly lived up to my expectations, although he still has to develop much of his overall gameplay, you could see why Liverpool are so keen on the youngster.

Dimitar Berbatov was of course the key man for the home side, not that he seemed interested. In spite of his languid style, he is clearly becoming very much a fan favourite on the Whites terraces. The fans appreciate his interplay; dropping deep, creating chances, and yes, believe it or not, helping out defensively every now and again. His close control is up there with the very best, a player of terrific technique.

However, with Berbatov looking to be creator-in-chief, there left a clear void up front. Time and time again Fulham found themselves passing from left to right stuck in the centre park. Credit of course to Michael Appleton’s side who were exceptionally well organised and had a terrific work rate. Nevertheless, when Fulham did eventually get wide there was no-one to aim for in the centre, and this perhaps led to why they didn’t take all of the spoils.

The First Half was pretty even with both sides going close, Kevin Phillips still showing why he is not resigned to playing Soccer Aid just yet…Oh. Nonetheless Fulham had a greater number of opportunities, the pick being a Bryan Ruiz free-kick tipped superbly past the post by Matt Gilks and Ashkan Dejagah missing from close range after an Alex Kacaniklic centre.

Sylvestre celebrates his goal (times.co.uk)

Fulham came out after the break the stronger, playing with a much higher tempo. However, it was Blackpool who struck first. Aston Villa loanee Nathan Delfouneso was the man behind the goal. Despite having a very quiet First Half, so quiet in fact that I turned to Ross on my left and queried whether he was playing at all, it was he who cut inside to tee-up Ludovic Sylvestre to drive home the opener. A well taken goal, the Blackpool fans were ecstatic.

Fulham then began an onslaught on the Blackpool goal. Chances came and went; usually without a shot actually being fired. Young forward Kerim Frei was introduced for Briggs and his flair, combined with impressive substitute Richardson in support, began to force the initiative. The equaliser, however, came from an unlikely source.

Giorgos Karagounis had been quietly running the show for Fulham. Constantly dropping deep to collect the ball off the centre-halves, starting attacking moves and closing down the opposition’s. By the end of the game his class had really shown through. Martin Jol said after the match he had only intended to give him a 60 minute run-out. Understandable for a player of his age. Although you can never have guessed it by the end.

The most capped Greek player ever was everywhere by now, left wing, right wing, his work rate was astonishing. He deservedly scored Fulham’s equaliser in the 80^th minute. A Bryan Ruiz corner was headed away to the corner of the box where Karagounis was lurking unmarked. He stepped forward and hit it sweetly on the half volley, rifling the ball over a helpless Gilks into the corner of the net.

Karagounis' drive beats Gilks (dailymail.co.uk)

Fulham continued to press late on to a grab a winner, with Bryan Ruiz slamming a header against the bar and Rodallega putting his header wide from inside the six yard box. Ultimately though, Blackpool held on for a replay which will take place on the 15^th of this month.