Source: Daily_Mail
Blackburn 2 Fulham 0: Injured Dempsey prompts World Cup worry
Clint Dempsey, seen as a potential threat inEngland's group at this year's World Cup, could miss the showpiece inSouth Africa after being injured.Fulham's United States winger injured a knee in the defeat atBlackburn, and manager Roy Hodgson said: 'Clint will be scanned but wefeel it might be a posterior cruciate ligament, which would be bad forus and he would be out for a while.'Crucial: Ryan Nelsen heads home Blackburn's secondIt was a miserable return to Blackburn for Hodgson, who was sacked astheir manager in 1998, though a better day for incumbent Sam Allardyce.However, his task goes beyond winning games now. With the first bannerappearing demanding his sacking, he has to win over the Blackburn fansas well. Blow: Clint Dempsey receives treatment after picking up an injury at Ewood ParkGoals from Christopher Samba and Ryan Nelsen quietened the terracecritics as Blackburn earned their first win in 10 Barclays PremierLeague games.'It's a massive relief,' said Allardyce. 'There was a massiveturnaround in terms of pressure because one little man writes somethingabout my job not being safe. I could feel the tension on the inside ofthe club but we've overcome it.'Get in: Chris Samba celebrates his opener Benni McCarthy's mis-hit corner was cleared off the line by Damien Duffbut Samba bundled it in.McCarthy set up a second when his free-kickcaught Fulham out and Nelsen's glancing header earned him his thirdgoal of the season.Tussle: Brett Emerton and Paul Konchesky battle it out'We thought it was offside,' said Hodgson.Dempsey hit the bar with a spectacular overhead kick but his day was to end in worrying fashion.BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Robinson 7; Chimbonda6, Samba 7, Nelsen 7, Givet 6 (Hoilett 58min, 7); Emerton 6 (Salgado83), Nzonzi 6, Reid 7 (Andrews 70, 6), Olsson 6; McCarthy 7, Kalinic 5.Booked: Samba.FULHAM (4-4-2): Schwarzer 6; Kelly 6,Hughes 6, Hangeland 6, Konchesky 6 (Kallio 46min, 6); Duff 7, Murphy 7,Baird 6, Gera 6; Dempsey 7 (Nevland 63, 6), Johnson 5.Booked: Baird, Nevland, Gera.Man of the match: Benni McCarthy.Referee: Kevin Friend. Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce hints at move for Middlesbrough's Gary O'Neil JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW 2010: All moves at every Premier League club FULHAM FC