Source: Team_Talk
Zamora curls Cottagers to victory
Watching England boss Fabio Capello had left Craven Cottage before Zamora struck a magnificent free-kick in the 90th minute to claim his 15th goal in 32 starts, provoking chants of "Bobby for England" - but the Italian will have been impressed by his display.[LNB]Momentum has gathered behind calls for Zamora to be selected by England and Sunday's strike will have improved his chances.[LNB]The Blues raced ahead in the third minute thanks to an inexplicable own goal from Chris Baird who, despite being under little pressure, headed home a Lee Bowyer cross.[LNB]It was a terrible blunder that will surely cause some sleepless nights but it was also harsh on Baird, who otherwise performed well despite being played out of position at right-back.[LNB]Fulham controlled much of the match but had to wait until the hour mark for their equaliser when Damien Duff powered home his ninth goal of the season.[LNB]Riled by two clumsy tackles moments earlier, the Republic of Ireland winger took revenge by dashing infield, combining with Zoltan Gera before driving home from the edge of the area.[LNB]With both clubs imbedded in mid-table and closing in on the critical 40-point mark, Sunday's contest was about little more than having a say in who would get there first.[LNB]It looked like Birmingham would have that honour when Baird handed them the lead in the third minute with an embarrassing own goal.[LNB]Bowyer sent in a cross to the far post where Baird directed an unstoppable header past Schwarzer into his own net.[LNB]The Northern Ireland defender tried making amends by setting up a good chance for Simon Davies only for keeper Joe Hart to come to Birmingham's rescue.[LNB]Gera almost connected with a hanging cross from Duff and was then blocked by Stephen Carr as Fulham pressed for an equaliser.[LNB]Danny Murphy expertly weaved his way into the area but was brought to an abrupt stop by Scott Dann and shortly after Davies nodded a superb cross from Gera straight at Hart.[LNB]Birmingham were content to hit Fulham on the counter, a tactic that was yielding some success.[LNB]Sebastian Larsson had a shot blocked by Dickson Etuhu but more action was taking place at the other end with Zamora hurling himself at two crosses.[LNB]Davies failed to connect cleanly with a clever pass from Murphy, giving Hart time to react.[LNB]Zamora was applauded for a dazzling piece of skill that saw him expertly control the ball, which he then slipped between his legs before pirouetting away from Bowyer.[LNB]The former West Ham marksman fired a well-struck shot from long range but it just lacked the power to really trouble Hart.[LNB]Cameron Jerome scuffed a half-chance straight to Schwarzer and in the 57th minute Birmingham were lucky to escape a penalty after Dann clearly handled the ball.[LNB]But the equaliser eventually arrived in the 60th minute with Duff driving home a brilliant goal that came just moments after he had been hacked down twice by clumsy challenges.[LNB]He weaved his way infield and linked with Gera before taking the return pass and pulling the trigger on a shot that struck the left post and cannoned in.[LNB]Only the fingertips of Schwarzer prevented Birmingham from retaking the lead as the Fulham keeper tipped a blistering shot from James McFadden onto the underside of the crossbar with the ball then bouncing down and out.[LNB]The game was growing increasingly ragged with Zamora breaking free but taking the wrong option - before completing a dramatic finale.[LNB]Gera was felled by an outrageous bodycheck from Carr and Zamora thumped home the free-kick in the 90th minute to clinch victory.[LNB][LNB]
