Fulham 3 Ankar Perm 1: Late strike means Hodgson might smell trouble in Russia

A 25-yard strike from Clint Dempsey helped Fulham to a respectable first-leg lead against Russian minnows Amkar Perm. But Roy Hodgson will have expected more against a team who came fourth in the Russian league last year and are named after a fertiliser.  One up: Andy Johnson (centre) is congratulated by his team-mates after opening the scoring early onInstead of approaching Sunday's west London derby against Chelsea with qualification for the Europa all but assured, Fulham must now take a strong squad on the 4,500-mile round trip to Perm next week to play on an artificial pitch. American idol: Clint Dempsey celebrates his long-range effortFulham did not know much about their Russian opponents, relying on three matches of video footage after Hodgson had been unable to secure a visa to go and watch the team live. Fulham conceded a corner within the first two minutes, but the nerves should have been settled by Andrew Johnson's third-minute opener. Dempsey picked up the ball on the break and fed Bobby Zamora on the left. The striker played a perfect pass to Johnson, whose right-footed shot sailed past goalkeeper Segey Narubin. Only an acrobatic goalline clearance from rightback Zakhary Sirakov prevented Dempsey from making it two, but the USA international made amends early in the second half with his superb long-range effortZamora made it three on 75 minutes after Erik Nevland had headed back debutant Damien Duff's cross. Substitute Vitali Grishin got one back for Amkar two minutes later. Fulham take West Brom skipper Greening on loan for the seasonAngry Hodgson attacks Russian visa system ahead of Europa League clashFULHAM FC

Source: Daily_Mail