Source: Telegraph
Fulham v Shakhtar Donetsk: Europa League win 'probably best in Europe', says Hodgson
Bobby Zamora struck a stunning 63rd-minute winner at Craven Cottage to give Fulham a strong chance of progressing in the competition when they travel to the Ukraine for next Thursday's second leg. [LNB]Shakhtar threatened to cut loose after Luiz Adriano equalised Zoltan Gera's early opener, but Fulham rallied as Bobby Zamora grabbed the winner to leave Hodgson beaming with pride. [LNB] Related ArticlesFulham 2 Shakhtar Donetsk 1Europa League tablesEuropa League fixturesFulham v Birmingham City: previewShakhtar Donetsk refused Harrods entrySport on television"We're very happy to get a victory against such a good team," he said. "It was a very exciting cup tie played in the right spirit and it was very competitive. Both teams tried to pass the ball. [LNB]"I'm pleased to have taken such an important scalp. It's a big game for Fulham and we've come an awful long way. [LNB]"If someone had said to me during my first season here when we were battling to stay in the Premier League that we'd beat Shakhtar in a couple of years, I'd have thought they were taking the mickey. [LNB]"We've done it and are very proud of it. There's an awful lot left in this tie because we saw how skilful they are, but we still have a chance to make a name for ourselves. [LNB]"This was a very good victory - probably our best in Europe." [LNB]Hodgson heaped praise on Zamora, who struck from 20-yards with a powerful drive that cannoned off the crossbar and crashed into the net. [LNB]The impressive Fulham forward also set-up the opener for Gera. [LNB]"It was a wonder strike from Bobby. He's got two feet, I don't know which is his best and neither does he," said Hodgson. [LNB]"Apart from his typically accomplished performance as a target man setting things up and working hard, his strike was of real quality. [LNB]"We're now talking about a striker who has scored 14 goals in 31 starts. [LNB]"It's an excellent strike rate. I hope he can get over the 20-goal mark to crown his season." [LNB]Shakhtar are midway through their winter break and coach Mircea Lucescu blamed their inactivity for allowing Fulham to sneak ahead through Gera in the second minute. [LNB]"A lack of practice coming into the game saw us concede the first goal. After that we had the game under control," he said. [LNB]"There were a lot of chances which we could have scored from but we couldn't always get the breakthrough. [LNB]"We will have to realise our potential in the second leg and win the game, but this will be very hard to do as Fulham are very well organised." [LNB]
