Source: SKY_Sports
Fulham too strong for Amkar
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Fulham took control of their Europa League play-off tie against Amkar Perm with a 3-1 victory at Craven Cottage.[LNB] Andy Johnson fired Fulham in front after just four minutes and Clint Dempsey made it 2-0 early in the second half.[LNB]Bobby Zamora added a third in the 75th minute but Vitali Grishin netted an away goal for Amkar to give them hope ahead of next week's return leg in Russia.[LNB]Johnson also gave Fulham an injury scare when he was sent sprawling by an outrageous body-check and had to be replaced, while Damien Duff came on to make his debut.[LNB]Early goalOnly four minutes were on the clock when Fulham took the lead through Johnson, though an inspired pass from Zamora was the highlight of the move.[LNB]Dempsey put Zamora into space down the left where he delivered a perfect curling ball to the onrushing Johnson who pounced on the simple tap-in.[LNB]Amkar captain Martin Kushev missed a solid chance amid some encouraging play from the Russian visitors, who were content to keep possession for long spells.[LNB]Harried at every turn, Fulham had little space to operate in and were being pinned back for long spells.[LNB]In a carbon copy of the opening goal, Zamora threaded a long, accurate pass to Johnson but this time defender Dmitry Belorukov reacted in time and was able to intercept.[LNB]Only last-gasp intervention from Zakhary Sirakov prevented the Cottagers from extending their lead as he athletically headed a goalbound Dempsey effort over the crossbar.[LNB]Second periodKushev took advantage of confusion in Fulham's defence to produce a sharp save from Mark Schwarzer shortly after the interval.[LNB]It was a rare dangerous moment from the Russians, who slipped further behind in the 51st minute following a magnificent strike from Dempsey.[LNB]The American was given too much room on the edge of the area and he was able to pick his spot and curl a shot into the top left corner.[LNB]The goal failed to dampen Amkar's spirits as they peppered Fulham's penalty area with balls and then forced the departure of Johnson.[LNB]Duff was brought on and had an immediate impact, crossing to substitute Erik Nevland to instigate Fulham's third.[LNB]The Norway striker back headed into the path of Zamora who buried the ball with a blistering shot that gave Narubin no chance.[LNB]But Grishin then drove home a hard left foot shot to pull one back for Amkar to claim a crucial away goal.[LNB]
