Source: Eurosport
Boss hails returning Kamara
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson paid tribute to goal hero Diomansy Kamara after the striker's brace earned them a 3-1 win over fifth-placed Aston Villa at Craven Cottage.
It was Kamara's first start since he damaged cruciate knee ligaments while on international duty with Senegal last June and his goals pushed Fulham back into seventh place. Captain Danny Murphy gave Fulham the lead from the penalty spot in the seventh minute after Kamara had been fouled by James Milner.
Ashley Young levelled for Villa seven minutes later but Kamara fired the home side back in front at the start of the second half and completed the scoring with a cheeky backheel on the hour.
"We didn't get Diomansy back from the cruciate injury he sustained until February, so he has done exceptionally well to recover as quickly as he has," said Hodgson. "He sustained the injury in a World Cup qualifier last June and those injuries take a minimum of six months and often nine months.
"He has been used as a substitute since we got him back but this was his first start. He got his chance because Andrew Johnson is still not fit and Bobby Zamora was not fit enough to start the game.
"He took his chance with open arms. I thought his performance was very good and not just with his goals. He was a constant thorn in the side of the Aston Villa defence. He was a model of tactical discipline and the way he played tested the Aston Villa back-four to the limit."
