Shakhtar Donetsk v Fulham: Europa League win 'wonderful night', says Roy Hodgson

26 February 2010 07:58
Hangeland headed home against the run of play in the first half and Fulham, 2-1 up from the first leg, made it through despite Jadson's strike for Shakhtar Donetsk levelling the game on the night. [LNB]Shakhtar, the 2009 Uefa Cup winners, were sent spinning out as Fulham's European adventure took them further than they have been in their history in the revamped competition. [LNB]Hodgson said: "It has been a wonderful night for the club. [LNB]"Shakhtar showed what a good team they are. Their ability to pass and keep the ball is as good as I've seen in my 35-year career. [LNB]"I don't like to compare nights, but it's yet another marvellous night along the way and great credit to the team. [LNB]"I really enjoyed the night and the performance but I still hope there'll be some more good nights to come. [LNB]"I'll wait until I retire to discuss which were the great moments and which were the lesser moments." [LNB]During their visit to England, Shakhtar's players were barred from Harrods, owned by Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed, and the Londoners knew that if they could shut up shop again they would be going through. [LNB]In a frantic opening half an hour they did just that, with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer pulling off a string of superb saves to deny Brazilian attackers Adriano, Willian and Fernandinho. [LNB]And having stood up to the barrage, incredibly it was Fulham who took the lead with their first attack of the night. [LNB]Bobby Zamora won a free-kick down the right, Damien Duff floated in the cross and Hangeland's glancing header beat the motionless Shakhtar keeper Andriy Pyatov. [LNB]The moment Fulham feared came in the 69th minute when substitute Douglas reached the byline and pulled the ball back for Jadson to sweep past Schwarzer to level the match on the night. [LNB]But they survived the final nerve-jangling 20 minutes and the stoppage-time dismissal of Danny Murphy, for kicking out at Darijo Srna, to see out a stunning success. [LNB]"The only thing that marred the evening was the sending-off of Danny Murphy, who had a very good game and will now miss the next game," added Hodgson, who also apologised for his touchline rant after a foul on Duff. [LNB]"I thought it was a bad foul on Damien Duff and I was angry he fouled him in that way, but if ever you let your emotions get the better of you it's not good and inexcusable and I made my excuses to the referee. [LNB]"Sometimes things happen to make the red mist fall, but I'm thankful no further damage has been done." [LNB]Hodgson also saw Zamora limp off with an Achilles injury and rated the striker doubtful for Sunday's trip to Sunderland.[LNB]Last-16 draw[LNB]Juventus v FulhamAtlético Madrid v Sporting LisbonValencia v W BremenHamburg v AnderlechtBenfica v MarseilleLille v LiverpoolPanathinaikos v Standard LiegeRubin Kazan v WolfsburgTwo-leg ties to be played March 11 & 18[LNB][LNB][LNB]

Source: Telegraph