Source: Daily_Mail
Blackburn 2 Fulham 0: Injured Dempsey prompts World Cup worry
Clint Dempsey, seen as a potential threat inEngland's group at this year's World Cup, could miss the showpiece inSouth Africa after being injured.[LNB]Fulham's United States winger injured a knee in the defeat atBlackburn, and manager Roy Hodgson said: 'Clint will be scanned but wefeel it might be a posterior cruciate ligament, which would be bad forus and he would be out for a while.'[LNB]Crucial: Ryan Nelsen heads home Blackburn's second[LNB]It was a miserable return to Blackburn for Hodgson, who was sacked astheir manager in 1998, though a better day for incumbent Sam Allardyce.[LNB]However, his task goes beyond winning games now. With the first bannerappearing demanding his sacking, he has to win over the Blackburn fansas well.[LNB] Blow: Clint Dempsey receives treatment after picking up an injury at Ewood Park[LNB]Goals from Christopher Samba and Ryan Nelsen quietened the terracecritics as Blackburn earned their first win in 10 Barclays PremierLeague games.[LNB]'It's a massive relief,' said Allardyce. 'There was a massiveturnaround in terms of pressure because one little man writes somethingabout my job not being safe. I could feel the tension on the inside ofthe club but we've overcome it.'[LNB]Get in: Chris Samba celebrates his opener [LNB]Benni McCarthy's mis-hit corner was cleared off the line by Damien Duffbut Samba bundled it in.[LNB]McCarthy set up a second when his free-kickcaught Fulham out and Nelsen's glancing header earned him his thirdgoal of the season.[LNB]Tussle: Brett Emerton and Paul Konchesky battle it out[LNB]'We thought it was offside,' said Hodgson.[LNB]Dempsey hit the bar with a spectacular overhead kick but his day was to end in worrying fashion.[LNB]BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Robinson 7; Chimbonda6, Samba 7, Nelsen 7, Givet 6 (Hoilett 58min, 7); Emerton 6 (Salgado83), Nzonzi 6, Reid 7 (Andrews 70, 6), Olsson 6; McCarthy 7, Kalinic 5.Booked: Samba.[LNB]FULHAM (4-4-2): Schwarzer 6; Kelly 6,Hughes 6, Hangeland 6, Konchesky 6 (Kallio 46min, 6); Duff 7, Murphy 7,Baird 6, Gera 6; Dempsey 7 (Nevland 63, 6), Johnson 5.Booked: Baird, Nevland, Gera.[LNB]Man of the match: Benni McCarthy.[LNB]Referee: Kevin Friend.[LNB][LNB] Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce hints at move for Middlesbrough's Gary O'Neil JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW 2010: All moves at every Premier League club FULHAM FC
