Rooney ended a one year international goalless streak with a tenth minute opener as England jumped to the top of the group in Basle.

Capello’s side dominated the first half against Switzerland, who had Stephan Lichtsteiner sent off in the second half, with the only low point being an injury to Theo Walcott that saw him being rushed to hospital as a precaution.

Adam Johnson, who excelled as Walcott’s replacement, doubled England’s lead on 69 minutes and although the Swiss pulled one back shortly after through Xherdan Shaqiri, Darren Bent rounded off a strong performance in the closing stages.

Where Adam Johnson impressed, his namesake Glen did likewise at the back, providing excellent attacking support which culminated in England’s first goal. Joleon Lescott stood in for the injured Michael Dawson and formed an impressive partnership with Phil Jagielka at the heart of defence and Jermain Defoe once again demonstrated that he can work with Rooney in a two-pronged attack.

At the final whistle, Capello singled out Wayne Rooney for praise after a week of tabloid headlines.

“The pressure was on Rooney, but he played very well,” said Capello.

“The players want to play without other things on their minds. They can focus on the game alone. He did that. He and the others were happy at the end.”

Wayne Rooney had a hand in three of England’s goals in the opening Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday night but all the while, tabloid hacks were preparing for yet another “Soccer Star Sex Scandal” headline. On Sunday, reports emerged in the Mirror and News of the World that the Manchester United had slept with a prostitute whilst his wife Coleen was pregnant with their first child.

Rooney has, unsurprisingly, been kept away from prying eyes by the FA press team but he is fully expected to start against Switzerland tomorrow night although coach Fabio Capello and various teammates have been wheeled out in a carefully choreographed show of support.

“We have got to make sure things don’t affect us,” proclaimed James Milner. “Things are always being said in the paper, good and bad, about the England team.

“That is part and parcel of football. The only thing that matters is what happens on the field. We just have to make sure we get the result.

“Yes, he has an issue off the pitch but I don’t think that will stop him playing well,” added Steven Gerrard, himself no stranger to dealing with off-field distractions in recent times.

Capello had the final word, weighing in with; “I hope his performance will be the same as at Wembley. I spoke with him and he is happy to play.”

On the field, England will be looking to back up Friday’s victory with another three points away from home against the team that, on paper, provides England’s strongest opposition to that sought after trip to Poland and Ukraine.

The Swiss have yet to start their qualifying campaign but did warm up with a 0-0 stalemate against Australia and coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is likely to have his side well-drilled for the visit of the group favourites.

England only have the one injury concern, with defender Michael Dawson likely to be replaced by Bolton’s Gary Cahill after he sustained an ankle injury on Friday. Hat-trick hero Jermain Defoe has recovered from the knock that saw him limp off.

Although England fans largely passed up the opportunity to vent their frustrations at their underperforming stars in a recent friendly against Hungary, as Steven Gerrard saved England’s blushes in a 2-1 win, the real work begins now with an opening tie against Bulgaria.

England failed to qualify for the 2008 European Championships, ultimately costing Steve McLaren his job, and the pressure will be piling on Fabio Capello and his new-look England to avoid yet another disappointment in a group that also contains Switzerland, Wales and Montenegro.

Capello is playing down the effects of pressure on his side, claiming that he believes the expectations will “bring out the best” in him and his side. The bookmakers certainly think that England will get off to a winning start, pricing them at a miserly 1/3 best price whilst Bulgaria can be had at as much as 12/1.

Stand-in captain Steven Gerrard took a different approach however, claiming that he wanted his troops to make a “statement” with their performance tonight to prove once and for all that England’s stars do care about those three lions on the shirt.

“I think the players and the manager realise that we are under pressure at the moment,” he claimed. “It’s normal after underperforming at the World Cup so it will really help if we put a good, positive performance tomorrow to get the maximum points and then we can take the confidence from that into the Switzerland game on Tuesday.

“We qualified for the World Cup playing good, attacking football and if we can play to that level then I’m sure that we will get out of this group in similar fashion. The difference this time is that there is the pressure on us but we have the exciting players to help us get off to a winning start.

A number of fringe players, left out of the South African shambles, will once again be given their opportunity to perform on the international stage, with Joe Hart set to continue in goal and Everton’s Phil Jagielka at the back alongside Matthew Upson. Theo Walcott is expected to start although Adam Johnson may have to settle for a place on the bench.

It is still unclear whether Capello will stick to the much-maligned 442 system with Jermain Defoe partnering Rooney although the Spurs striker has struggled with an injury since Tottenham’s Champions League first leg defeat to Young Boys.

England have been given a generous group stage draw, with their first game against the USA, a team who – despite recently beating Spain – are relatively weak, especially defensively. England will also face Slovenia, who they comprehensively beat recently, and should therefore have no problem repeating the feat, and Algeria, who are newcomers to the World Cup, and bring little firepower to the table. It must be said, if England fail to qualify from the said group, then it would probably be remembered as the biggest World Cup upset in history.

The squad this time around is by far the strongest for many years – yes Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have played in previous World Cups, but as the latter two especially are now at their peak footballing age, the team now have added experience and ability. The defence is another key area for England – in previous campaigns, the likes of Danny Mills, Wes Brown, and Phil Neville have played roles in this half of the pitch, but this year, a seasoned back four of Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, and Ashley Cole (although his recent injury could prove a problem), should deal with even the most dangerous of attacking forces. Domestic bookmakers seem to be relatively optimistic about England’s chances this year, with many having the team down as second favourites to Spain.

Top free bets UK based company Freebets.com will be putting on a whole host of offers and bonuses leading up to the competition. You can take advantage of these bookie bonuses and try maximising your profit with a bet on England to win the World Cup 2010!

Since the sacking of George Burley only a few months ago, speculation has been intense as to who will take on such a challenging role, and the following pages will provide informative guides to the current situation, and who the potential candidates are. Firstly, we assess the downfall of Burley, and how the national team failed to qualify for the World Cup 2010. Next, we pick some of the highlight candidates for the vacant role, and assess the odds currently being offered by bookmakers – there’s money to be made. You can find all the best betting odds and bonus offers at Gaming Supermarket.

We analyse the credentials of Dundee United manger Craig Levein, and consider whether is relative youth could work for, or indeed against him, in his reported desire to take the national job. We then pose the question as to whether a successful Scottish footballer would be better suited to the taking the helm during such a difficult time – John Collins is the bookmakers 2nd favourite for the role, and we offer a profile of the said ex International, before highlighting the pick of the outsiders, Graeme Souness. The ex Liverpool defender has been out of work for some time now, since leaving Newcastle in fact, and has never shied away from a challenge.

In just over 6 months… 32 teams from around the globe will compete in the greatest sporting tournament in the world. In the summer of 2010, South Africa will come to life as it hosts the World Cup.

On December 4th the draw was made for the group stages of the tournament and it gave us a little bit of a clearer idea as to who might progress and lift the Jules Rimet trophy. Many of you will no doubt be have a bet on who will win the World Cup, so we have looked at the key teams and players to help you decide where you should be putting your money (all betting odds supplied by bwin.com – the online betting specialists).

Argentina – 10/1

With the world’s great footballer, Lionel Messi, at their disposal Argentina can not be overlooked as contenders for the World Cup. However there are so many factors against them this time around. A poor perform during qualifying for the FIFA World Cup saw them rely on winning their last fixture to qualify. Add to that the fact that they have not figured beyond the quarter-final stage of the tournament since 1986, when Maradonna’s infamous hand-ball against England, and you can just about safely rule out Argentina as a major threat.

Germany – 10/1

Germany were unbeaten in qualifying as group winners and stumbled to draws only twice. This along with their World Cup record has to keep them in mind when betting on the World Cup. Germany have won the World Cup three times and finished runner’s up on four occasions making them one of the most successful international footballing sides. While their side of today may not have the greatest strength in depth, it still possess some of the world’s greatest players in Michael Ballack and Lukas Podolski, with the latter having one of the best goal scoring records in all of international football (a strike rate of 0.7 per game).

England – 7/1

On paper England have one of the strongest 11 line-ups in the world. With world-class players gracing every part of the pitch there is nothing to suggest England can’t go all the way in 2010. With a group that includes Algeria and Slovenia you would certainly expect England to go on to win their group but beyond that is where the trouble lies. Since 1966 England has always played the supporting role and in all likely-hood will find themselves stumbling at the final hurdle once more. With a second round fixture against either Germany or Australia on the cards, England will be stretched as soon as they hit in the knock-out stages and at odds of 7/1 should be avoided.

Brazil – 6/1

As the 2nd highest ranked side in the world according to FIFA, it should come as no surprise that Brazil are 2nd favourites to lift the World Cup in 2010. Indeed, until the draw was made for the group stages Brazil were in fact joint favourites along with Spain. However, a tough group phase against Portugal and Ivory Coast lies ahead… in addition to a tricky tie against North Korea. But with the likes of Robinho and Kaka Brazil should certainly have sufficient flair to cruise through to the knock-out stages.

Spain – Favourites – 5/1

Spain aim to follow up their Euro 2008 victory with a World Cup success in South Africa. When it comes to the World Cup, however, Spain are always stumbling… and it’s usually at the first hurdle. Spain haven’t gone past the Quarter Finals since 1950 (the only year they ever reached the Semi-Finals) and failed to get past the 2nd knock-out phase in 2006. But their squad still boasts almost all of  the stars from the side which won the Euro’s the summer before last which makes them not only favourites with the betting sites, but also favourites with us.

Open an account with bet365 today and qualify for up to £200 in free bets on the World Cup.

Match Preview

It’s the one both fans and pundits the world over have been waiting for. Jose Mourinho and Alex Ferguson are set to lock horns again over two legs in possibly the greatest Cup competition of them all. Mourinho has the early bragging rights, his Porto side knocked out United en route to winning the Champions League in 2004. In fact, he has lost just once in 12 matches in charge of teams against Ferguson’s United.

Despite these impressive credentials, Inter have somewhat limped into the knockout stages, having lost their last two Champions League matches and are without a win in three. Serie A is a different matter thought. They are nine points clear at the top of the table and have recorded three successive victories, beating Bologna on the weekend and arch rivals AC Milan the week before.

United themselves are in fantastic form domestically, having opened up a seven point gap ahead of second placed Liverpool in the Premiership but have been beset by defensive injuries ahead of their visit to Italy. With Vidic suspended and Evans injured, Ferguson may opt for Fletcher at right back and O’Shea partnering Ferdinand at the heart of the United defence.

Inter have defender Marco Matterazzi struggling to recover in time for the match, but have plenty of cover in the likes of Cordoba, Chivu and Burdisso to call upon.

Line Ups

Inter Milan: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Rivas, Chivu, Santon, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Muntari, Stankovic, Ibrahimovic, Adriano.
Subs: Toldo, Cordoba, Maxwell, Figo, Cruz, Burdisso, Balotelli.

Man United: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Ronaldo.
Subs: Foster, Rooney, Nani, Scholes, Fabio Da Silva, Gibson, Tevez.

Live Blog

90+4′ Cordoba is booked for a rash challenge on Ronaldo. He takes the free kick 25 yards from goal but it rebounds off the chest of Julio Cesar, who didn’t appear to know too much about it. Thre referee blows for full time, leaving it wonderfully poised for the second leg.

90′ Three minutes will be added on, can anyone produce a late winner?

89′ A great pass from Berbatov, who has been criminally ineffective this evening, almost sends Rooney through on goal. Julio Cesar, so impressive in the first half, races outside the box to clear the ball before Rooney can get a shot on.

88′ Rooney is booked, harshly in my opinion for a sliding foul on Cambiasso despite winning the ball cleanly.

85′ United are clinging on now. Ibrahimovic fires in a free kick which takes a deflection and goes behind. The replay suggests it last came off Evans for a corner, but a goal kick was awarded.

83′ Rooney finally makes an appearance and replaces Park. The labouring Berbatov remains on the pitch for now.

82′ How on earth did this not go in? A corner swung in from the left misses a crowd of players before hitting Cambiasso at the far post but it loops back across goal for Van Der Saar who catches it rather calmly under the circumstances.

77′ Ballotelli comes on for Adriano while Muntari is replaced by another striker in Cruz. Still no action from the United bench, perhaps Ferguson is happy with a draw.

76′ Giggs is allowed to advance down the left and then cut inside unchallenged. He ghosts past the anonymous Chivu and lines up a shot in the centre of the box. Just as the trigger is pulled, Cordoba throws himself to the ground to block the shot and prevent what was going to be a certain goal.

73′ Surely it’s time for Ferguson to make some changes. The guile and cunning of Scholes in midfield and Rooney, who would put in infinitely more effort than Berbatov has, could do with being introduced to the game.

71′ Fletcher gets booked for a sliding foul on Muntari on the edge of the Inter box.

68′ O’Shea gives away a free kick for a foul on Ibrahimovic but Maicon curls a useless ball straight out for a goal kick. What a waste.

67′ Ronaldo beats Chivu for pace and tries to set his team mates up on a plate with an incisive ball across the face of goal. It’s a shame none of them are interested – Park misses the ball completely, Berbatov is nowhere in sight and Giggs is too slow to meet it at the far post, allowing Inter to clear the ball behind for a corner.

65′ Ibrahimovic heads at goal from inside the box, but Evra does enough to put him off and the ball rolls harmlessly wide.

63′ Inter are looking far more impressive now and have completely nullified United. Alex Ferguson will be rueing those missed chances in the first half. As it stands, Inter look the more likely to open the scoring.

59′ Chivu is booked for a foul on Berbatov and Maicon is perhaps harshly booked for an innocuous challenge on Carrick in the United box.

56′ Maicon whips a corner towards the far post and it’s close to the goal line. Van Der Saar looks like he’s struggling to deal with it but he gets a free kick after being impeded by Adriano.

55′ Ibrahimovic is getting more into the game and looking more like the player he claims to be. He ignores the challenge of O’Shea and attempts to cross into the box, but Ferdinand puts a stop to it.

51′ Inter have started this half a lot brighter than the first. Stankovic breaks free of his marker in front of the D and rifles a low shot towards the bottom corner but it goes wide.

49′ Appeals for an Inter penalty, if not a little optimistic. Zanetti fizzes a cross into the six yard box for the awaiting Adriano, but the Brazilian feels a light hand from Ferdinand on his shoulder and goes down as though his life depended on it.

48′ An unbelievable chance for Inter. Cambiasso crosses the ball into the box, Ibrahimovic leaves it for Adriano who swings at it first time on the penalty spot. Van Der Saar is rooted to his spot but the ball goes wide.

47′ A bit of quality from Ibrahimovic down the left. He jinks the ball from one foot to the other, outfoxing Ferdinand and scoops the ball into the area for Cambiasso but it comes to nothing.

46′ Unsurprisingly, Colombian defender Rivas is hauled off before the second half begins and is replaced by fellow countryman, the vastly experienced Cordoba.

Half Time. This has been what you call a “0-0 stuffing”. United have had a ridiculous amount of shots on goal for an away team against hosts of Inter’s calibre. Better finishing would have seen Alex Ferguson’s side cruising into the second leg but as it stands, the second half will start the same as the first, all equal. Inter have not looked great at the back, compared to the solid, if patched up, United back line and Rivas in particular looks well out of his comfort zone.

45′ Inter attempt a late flurry. The lively Santon advances down the left and then infield before being tackled on the edge of the United box. The ball bobbles to Cambiasso who pelts it first time but a deflection takes the sting off the shot and it bounces through to Van Der Saar.

44′ Referee Luis Medina Cantalejo shows a yellow card to Inter’s substitute goalkeeper, the ancient Francesco Toldo, after he and Luis Figo protest on the touchlines at the sheer number of decisions going United’s way. Well, if Inter were not such a bunch of cloggers then maybe so many free kicks would be given.

41′ Park scampers down the left and with the dreadful Rivas nowhere near him, pings a cross towards the far post. Berbatov gets his head to it but it goes wide at the far post.

37′ The home side are getting into the game a bit more now after riding their luck for long periods of the first half. Adriano digs a cross out from the left but it’s headed clear by Ferdinand. The ball works itself out to Ibrahimovic who sends a cross towards the near post but Van Der Saar gathers before the big-boned Adriano can get near it.

33′ Inter may be playing abysmally, but they are still dangerous on the break. Full back Maicon puts in a sweet cross towards the far post but O’Shea is alert enough to head the ball clear.

31′ United get yet another free kick, 25 yards out, on the left hand side. Ronaldo takes it but this time only manages to hammer it into the wall.

28′ This is getting ridiculous. Some more non-existant defending by Inter in the box, Rivas again the cluprit, allows Ronaldo a free header at goal from a Giggs cross 10 yards out. Julio Cesar just stands and watches as the ball fizzes wide of goal. Of all his chances this evening, this is the one he should have scored.

27′ Inter continue to hack United down around the edge of the box. This time from the right hand side, Ronaldo smashes a free kick towards the near post which Julio Cesar touches around the post at full stretch. The replay suggested it may have been going wide, but how many chances are Inter going to afford their opponents?

26′ Giggs rides a poor sliding tackle from Rivas and charges into the penalty area. He’s on an angle and his strike on goal is beaten away by Julio Cesar who was quick to come off his line.

23′ Evra curls a peach of a cross from the left to the far post which Berbatov leaps up to head towards goal. He’s not that far into the penalty box so Julio Cesar is not that worried by it and his effort goes well wide of the post in the end.

19′ Giggs plays Berbatov, who beats the offside trap, into the box. The labouring Inter defence are all at sea and all the Bulgarian has to do is to square it for Park who would have an easy scoring chance. However, he takes too long and his eventual pass is cut out by a clutch of Inter players who finally get back into position.

13′ United win yet another free kick in range of the Inter goal, this time after Carrick goes down from a Zanetti challenge. This time it isn’t Ronaldo who takes it, but Giggs, who can only blast the ball into the wall which Inter have bothered to form this time.

11′ Inter finally muster their first attack, with Stankovic and Muntari exchanging passes who then blazes over the crossbar from 20 yards.

10′ All of the attacking play has come through United during the opening stages, Ronaldo in particular. Ronaldo beats youngster Santon on the right of the penalty box but his effort from a tight angle goes well over the bar.

8′ Ronaldo goes close again for United with a free kick from 30 yards. Inter’s wall is non existant and at first it looks as though the ball is heading for the bottom corner but it curls wide of the post.

5′ United go close to breaking the deadlock. A superb corner by Giggs from the left is met by a thumping header from Ronaldo in the centre. It’s too close to Julio Cesar who reaches out to his right and parries away instinctively.

4′ It looks like United are playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Giggs playing just off loan-striker Berbatov. Inter have Stankovic playing in the hole behind Ibrahimovic and Adriano.

3′ Ronaldo looked to over run a ball but dived for all he was worth over the trailing leg of Chivu on the right hand side of the penalty box. He takes the free kick himself from about 25 yards out but it’s easily caught by Julio Cesar.

1′ United kick things off but Park’s advancement down the left comes to nothing and Inter win an early throw in.

0′ Fergie surprises us with his team selection – picking Evans to partner Ferdinand in central defence and leaving Rooney on the bench. The striker has scored on his last two runouts and is just the sort of hard working player needed for tonight. I cannot fathom why he isn’t on from the start, but what do I know about managing a team in the Champions League?

0′ Good evening. This is where the Champions League starts to get interesting and I cannot wait for this match to kick off. Who is going to take an advantage into the second leg? It may not be as easy to predict as you may think because Inter are yet to beat an English club in Italy in four Champions League attempts while United have lost 10 out of their 15 visits to Italy.

Reaction

On reflection, a draw was a fair result as United were by far the superior side in the first half and Inter the second. United squandered a hatful of chances and half chances in the first period but also had two fantastic opportunities in the second half. If  a United player had gambled when Ronaldo slid the ball across the face of the Inter goal or if Cordoba hadn’t so heroically blocked Giggs’ effort from the edge of the box, United could have got that precious away goal. The home side could also have snatched a goal themselves, with a penalty decision not going their way and a corner which could have gone anywhere but ended up in Van Der Saar’s grasp. Inter are not the world beaters manager Jose Mourinho claims them to be, but they gave United plenty to think about in the second half. On this performance, you would think United will progress to the quarter finals with home advantage in the second leg, but Rooney starting the game is a must.

Man of the Match

Ronaldo had enough opportunities in the first half to win this accolade hands down, but his set pieces were not quite up to scratch and he missed a headed chance which he should have buried. With that in mind, I am going to award the MoM to the man who thwarted him all night, Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar. The Brazilian stopper was equal to two free kicks from Ronaldo within the first 10 minutes of the match and again on 27 when he tipped one around the post. Julio Cesar was also on hand late on in the game to keep the score at nil nil, when he rushed out of his area to deny Rooney and then deny Ronaldo yet again from a set-piece in stoppage time.

Match Preview

Tonight sees two teams who endured contrasting starts to the season, but are now separated by just four points and are almost as bad as eachother. Tonight’s hosts, Hull City, had a storming start to the season, while Tottenham were propping up the division under Juande Ramos. Now, the Tigers are in freefall, while some slight improvement has been made by Spurs under new manager Harry Redknapp.

Both sides are in poor form. Hull have the worst home record in the Premiership and are desperate for a first victory in 10 attempts. They may just get it against a Spurs side which has lost eight out of 12 against fellow clubs in the bottom half of the table. While we are discussing miserable statistics, Spurs have also lost eight out of 12 on the road and if they go behind they are almost guaranteed to lose – they have done on 12 out of 16 occasions this season.

Hull will definitely be without Craig Fagan, who has had knee surgery, but Ian Ashbee, Daniel Cousin, Caleb Folan and former Spur Anthony Gardner are all available. Harry Redknapp can call upon Robbie Keane, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Vedran Corluka, who were all cup-tied for last week’s UEFA Cup defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk and there may also be recalls for Carlo Cudicini, Jon Woodgate, Aaron Lennon, Wilson Palacios and Luka Modric.

Line Ups

Hull: Duke, Ricketts, Turner, Gardner, Dawson, Marney, Ashbee, Zayatte, Kilbane, Garcia, Cousin.
Subs: Myhill, Doyle, Barmby, Geovanni, Halmosi, Manucho, Mendy.

Tottenham: Cudicini, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Jenas, Palacios, Modric, Keane, Bent.
Subs: Gomes, Zokora, Bentley, Huddlestone, Pavlyuchenko, Dawson, Chimbonda.

Goals

Hull: Turner (27′)

Tottenham: Lennon (17′), Woodgate (86′)

Live Blog

90′ Four minutes of added time as Hull search for an equaliser. They may just get one if Cudicini continues to play up in goal. Yet again he opts to beat away a corner when under no pressure, rather than taking the easy option of catching it.

88′ Two substitutions for Spurs sees Zokora replace Lennon and Dawson comes on in place of the the goal scorer Woodgate, who collided with Corluka and has blood streaming from above his left eye.

87′ Phil Brown shuts the stable door after the horse has bolted by bringing on the talismanic Geovanni in place of Zayatte.

86′ Goal! Hull 1 Spurs 2. A poor ball by Jenas sends Assou-Ekotto wide out left but the full back beats Gardner and clips a delightful cross into the six yard box. Centre back Jonathan Woodgate meets it with a towering header which gives Duke no chance.

85′ Spurs have a sniff at goal through Jenas, who cuts into the box and unleashes at goal. Gardner is there to block it behind for a corner.

82′ The Spurs defence seemed content to back off and back off some more of Marney as he advanced towards the edge of the box. How he would love to score against his former club but his effort is well blocked by King.

79′ The hard working Garcia is replaced by Manucho. The home supporters do not appear overly thrilled at the prospect.

76′ This is a better corner from Hull. Dawson crosses in to the near post and Turner busts a gut to reach it. Zayatte, however, gets there first and his glancing header beats the keeper but comes back off the far post.

74′ The game has become scrappy and the crowd subdued. Hull appear determined to get a corner at every opportunity – Cudicini’s inability to deal with them hasn’t gone unnoticed.

72′ The unproductive Bent is replaced by Pavlyuchenko as manager Redknapp searches for a winning goal.

69′ Zayatte gets away with a warning after deliberately barging Jenas to the ground.

67′ Bernard Mendy comes on for Daniel Cousin. Hull manager Phil Brown must be happy to settle for a point as Spurs have been a lot more purposeful this half.

66′ Modric drifts in a fantastic free kick from the right which Corluka heads towards the top corner but is unlucky to see it come back off the crossbar.

64′ Palacios wins the ball in midfield and plays it to Keane down the right. His cross is thumped clear by Hull who opt to defend in numbers. The Tigers break quickly and Marney whips in another trademark cross to the far post for Kilbane, who can only manage a feeble header which is scooped up easily by Cudicini. At least he caught it this time.

60′ Cudicini opts to slap away a corner, but at least gets some distance on it this time. The ball comes back towards him but he is fouled in the air by Gardner who also challenged for it.

58′ Spurs appear to be getting more of a foothold in this game. They should do too. On paper they are a class above this Hull side but do they have either the belief or desire to win this match?

54′ Keane appears to have woken up. A poor clearance from Duke lands right at his feet and he attempts a lob from 25 yards. He gets it all wrong and it goes harmlessly wide.

51′ Chances are coming thick and fast at both ends. This time it’s the visitors turn. Keane, with possibly his first contribution of the game, plays a great pass to Palacios on the edge of the box who thunders a volley straight into the ample frame of Gardner, who knew nothing about it. Goalkeeper Duke was well beaten there I think.

50′ Some more dire defending by Spurs at the other end. A corner is completely missed by everyone present in the six yard box and Cudicini, who obviously hadn’t learned from his mistake in the first half, again fists the ball aimlessly into the ground. Kilbane rattles in a shot which is desperatly blocked by Assou-Ekotto.

49′ Spurs play a patient, passing game around the Hull box, occasionally putting in a poor cross which is easily dealt with. The ball drops to Bent with his back to goal, he spins and fires in a volley which is well saved by Matt Duke.

46′ Spurs kick off and for their sakes, I hope they put in a better performance in this half than they did the first.

Half Time. Spurs have performed like a side struggling against the drop and Phil Brown will be the happier manager of the two going into the break. The Tigers have enjoyed the majority of the possession and have created more chances, but they simply haven’t been good enough to make them count. Their best chance of scoring seems to be from a set-piece, where they can bully a weak Spurs defence into submission. Harry Redknapp’s side, frankly, need to buck their ideas up.

45+1′ Some razor sharp wit from the Hull fans who direct chants of “What a waste of money” towards Robbie Keane, much to the amusement of the commentator. They instantly follow up with “There’s only one Jimmy Bullard”. The irony is undoubtedly lost on them.

45′ Modric goes into the book himself for clipping Kilbane just outside the D. It’s Dawson who takes the free kick from a run up but curls it high and wide at the near post.

42′ Ashbee gets a yellow card for tackling Modric so high he almost leaves a studmark on the Croatian’s forehead. It may be acceptable in League Two, but not in the Premiership, son.

40′ Another sweeping Hull move almost produces a goal, but they lack that final bit of quality. Ricketts touches the ball out to the right for Marney who curls in a superb cross towards the far post. Ricketts has a free header but it’s poor and trickles out for a goal kick.

37′ Spurs have been awful this half and I can count the number of times Robbie Keane has touched the ball on one hand. It’s dismal stuff from a team everyone still believes is “too good to go down”. Two words. Manchester. City.

34′ It’s all Hull at the moment. Marney curls a long ball towards the far post to Garcia who’s chasing, but the former West Ham midfielder can only half-heartedly volley it wide of the goal.

29′ Cousin goes agonisingly close to putting the Tigers into the lead when he pelts the ball first time towards goal following a poor knockdown by Ledley King on the edge of the box. At first it looks like it’s way off target but curls spectacularly towards the top corner and goes just wide.

27′ Goal! Hull 1 Spurs 1. The equalising goal comes from more dreadful defending, this time from Spurs. Cudicini flaps at a corner and smashes it straight into the ground. The ball riccochets off Palacios back towards an unguarded net and Michael Turner gleefully hammers it in from close range. Who needs channels like Dave when you have comedy gold like this to watch?

23′ Some atrocious refereeing by Lee Probert who signals for a throw in after Dawson clearly bundles the ball behind for a corner when tackling Darren Bent on the touchline.

18′ Hull have a great opportunity to equalise mere moments from the kick off. Zayatte races past Corluka and bears down on goal but goalkeeper Cudicini is on hand to slide-tackle him and put him off his stride.

17′ Goal! Hull 0 Spurs 1. A short corner is played to Modric, who passes to Aaron Lennon on the edge of the box. Nobody in a striped shirt bothers to close him down and he has all the time in the world to pick his spot – top corner, near post. A neat finish but shocking defending from Phil Brown’s side.

16′ Bent huffs and puffs for all he’s worth and gets in the box but is tackled superbly by Gardner who sticks out a long leg and pokes the ball behind for a corner.

14′ A moment of comic confusion between Woodgate and his keeper Cudicini with the defender doing his best to head a harmless ball into his own net. Cudicini, rushing out off his line like a madman, does his best to assist, but manages to get back in time and prevent the ball from crossing the line.

13′ Hull cause Spurs problems with long crosses to the far post. Ricketts manages to get one in twice in a matter of moments. His second effort is cleared behind by the stooping Corluka.

10′ Both Zayatte and Palacios are sprawled out on the floor after an ugly clash of heads. The Hull man is up first, proving the notion of “southern softies” a factual one under the circumstances.

7′ Dawson gets away with a ticking off after a two footer on Lennon. The older brother of Tottenham player Michael gets booked seconds later for wrestling Lennon to the ground. Can anyone say “out of his depth?” I think he’ll be off before the game is out if Lennon keeps running rings around him.

3′ Garcia gets the home supporters mildly interested for a moment with an effort from the edge of the box. It’s quickly charged down and goes out for a corner. Garcia wins it in the air and Gardner hooks back across the face of goal when it looked like it was going behind. The ball reaches Dawson, who draws upon all his years in the lower leagues and slices a cross with the outside of his boot for a throw in. Danger over.

1′ It’s Hull who get us started this evening. This is what Monday evenings are all about – hardcore mediocrity. I bet the schedulers were literally wetting themselves with underwhelment when this fixture was announced for broadcast. Ah well, suppose I’d better watch seeing as I am paying for it.

0′ We haven’t even mentioned Nick Barmby yet, probably because the veteran midfielder is hidden away on the Hull bench. For those of you old enough to remember, he made 108 appearances in all competitions for Spurs and scored 27 goals before he departed for Middlesbrough in 1995. Have I missed anyone out?

0′ That’s not all, former Spurs player Dean Marney makes his 100th appearance for Hull, as does Sam Ricketts, while Jon Woodgate makes his 50th appearance in a Spurs shirt. Anthony Gardner also faces his former club – he made 144 appearances for Spurs between January 2000 and last August’s £2.5 million move to the KC Stadium.

0′ Several players are hitting significant career milestones this evening. Robbie Keane makes the 400th English league start of his career, taking in Wolves, Coventry, Leeds, Tottenham and Liverpool. Hull’s Andy Dawson also makes his 400th career start, admittedly via a less glamorous route at Nottingham Forest, Scunthorpe and of course the Tigers.

Reaction

Harry Redknapp used his “Get of Jail Free” card at the KC Stadium with a later winner. Woodgate’s deciding header was his first away goal in the Premiership for 10 years and the result condemned Hull to their seventh defeat in their last nine games at the KC Stadium. Hull certainly had the better of the first half, but could not make their dominance count which allowed Spurs to creep back into the game. They were by far the better side after the break but they too did not look like they would force a winner until Woodgate showed real desire to head home the cross by Assou-Ekotto. It’s three precious points for Spurs, who clamber up to 14th in the table and five points clear of the drop zone.

Man of the Match

Not many players stood out tonight as the match was void of any real quality for long periods of the match. I will award this evening’s accolade to Aaron Lennon, who proved a constant threat in the first half. He ran Dawson ragged down the left and it looked as though his superior play would force the defender into clumsy challenges and ultimately an early bath. He was also the player who opened the scoring for Spurs, with a strike of real quality after 17 minutes. He may not have produced as much in the second half but he definitely helped to swing the balance in favour of Spurs before being substituted late on.

Match Preview

Newcastle are a side still looking over their shoulder at the bottom three and they do not go into this match in good form. The Magpies have won just once in seven Premiership matches – a 3-2 victory against a truly woeful West Bromwich Albion side on 7 February.

Everton FC are in good nick, winning their last three in all competitions and have lost just once in 13 league and cup matches. They have avoided defeat in eight of their last nine Premiership fixtures but David Moyes’ side have found Newcastle a difficult place to visit. Since beating them on Tyneside in October 2000, Everton have lost five and drawn twice in their seven subsequent visits.

Newcastle are boosted by the return of Argentine winger Jonas Gutierrez, while striker Obafemi Martins is also set to feature at some point after recovering from a hernia problem which has kept him out since December.

Everton are able to recall Jo after he was cup-tied for their FA Cup win against Aston Villa, but Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar are all out injured while Tim Cahill and Tony Hibbert are suspended.

Line Ups

Newcastle: Harper, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Ryan Taylor, Butt, Nolan, Duff, Ameobi, Lovenkrands.
Subs: Krul, Cacapa, Martins, Smith, Gutierrez, Geremi, Viduka.

Everton: Howard, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Gosling, Neville, Arteta, Rodwell, Anichebe, Jo.
Subs: Nash, Van der Meyde, Castillo, Saha, Jacobsen, Fellaini, Wallace.

Live Blog

90+1′ Wait, this is the last chance. Rodwell fires a 25-yarder which Harper appears to touch behind for a corner but a goal kick is awarded. Come on ref, enough is enough now!

89′ A dire free kick from Jagielka, who clobbers high, wide and not very handsome. Surely that’s the last chance we have of a goal this afternoon?

88′ Fellaini interupts the dullness with a booking to liven up the last couple of minutes. I am not sure why he was booked, it may have been something to do with Nicky Butt. I don’t care any more, I’m losing the will to live.

85′ This looks like it’s going to end on a whimper. Neither side look capable of generating a late, great winner and both appear content to play this out to a stalemate. It will surely be two points dropped for Europe-chasing Everton while Newcastle will glady take a point under the circumstances.

82′ The 10-men of Newcastle look set to implode when Steven Taylor plays a dreadful backpass to Harper, who is forced to race off his line and hack the ball into the stands before a blue shirt can get to it.

80′ Anxious moments for Newcastle as Nicky Butt goes down injured. All three substitutes have been used and the Magpies are in danger of finishing with just nine men.

77′ Everton vaguely threaten the Newcastle goal when Jo heads a Rodwell cross straight at Harper.

76′ Alan Smith, one of the few players to make Saha’s fitness record look good, comes on to replace Lovenkrands. Hughton is bound to get at least five minutes out of him etc. etc.

73′ The ever willing Gosling is replaced by Louis Saha. Moyes is bound to get at least five minutes out of him before he gets injured for another six months or so.

72′ Fellaini wins two successive balls into the box, but his knockdowns are met by Newcastle defenders who are happy to hack them away. No blue shirts appear willing to take a gamble in the box. What is wrong with these players?

70′ Steven Taylor gets his knees into the back of young Gosling when both players challenge for the ball. Not much wrong with it and he gets away with a talking too from Lee Mason.

68′ Both sets of players need to buck their ideas up as literally nothing is going on. Everton should be taking the game to 10-man Newcastle, despite their own injury problems. The Magpies, it appears, seem to be content with a goalless draw. Bring back Kevin Keegan, all is forgiven. Again.

63′ The camera pans to the legendary, yet permanently open-mouthed Peter Beardsley in the stands. He looks almost as bored as I do, but at least I am not out in the cold.

61′ It’s all gone a bit flat. Baines whips in a free kick but it’s easily cleared by Bassong.

57′ Baines sends in a corner from the right, but it’s hoofed clear. Ameobi is replaced by Martins, much to the home crowd’s approval.

55′ It’s very scrappy and hurried, with neither side carving out any clear cut opportunities. Newcastle are on top slightly, despite being a man short.

51′ Ryan Taylor fizzes in a free kick from the left but it’s punched clear by Howard. Seconds later Lescott incurs the wrath of the home fans when he deflects a cross from Jose Enrique into Howard’s grasp. The Toon Army want a free kick but referee Mason is having none of it.

48′ Newcastle fail to deal with a corner and Everton play it out to the right hand side via Lescott. Yobo finds himself in a bit of space and has time to line up a rasping shot which goes just over the bar.

47′ It seems Anichebe has got away with nothing more than a bruised shin. It could have been so much worse. Arteta, however, is not as fortunate. He’s been packed off to a Warrington hospital for a scan to determine the level of damage to his ligament.

46′ It has been reported Nolan has apolgised to Anichebe for his truly sickening tackle but maintained he did not set out to hurt his opponent. Yeah, not much. Gutierrez starts the second half for Newcastle in place of the wholly ineffective Duff.

Half Time. St James’ Park resembles a war zone, rather than a football theatre. Arteta and Anichebe have both had to go off injured for Everton, while Newcastle’s Nolan was sent off for a sickening, career ending tackle on the latter. Goodness knows what the second half is going to be like. Both sides could have scored, with Lovenkrands missing a sitter for the homeside and Everton going close off a couple of corners.

45+7′ Anichebe limps off the field and is replaced by the big-haired Fellaini. The Toon fans boo him off.

45+6′ Lovenkrands pings a wicked cross in from the right. There is nobody in the box apart from Ameobi, who looks like he is being held back by Yobo.

45′ Anichebe hobbles back onto the field amid a chorus of boos from the home fans. They will soon change their minds when they watch Match of the Day tonight. Not surprisingly, seven added minutes have been decided upon by the fourth official. There have been some shocking injuries and tackles during this first half. Surely the mood can only improve in the second?

44′ Red Card! Referee Lee Mason shows a straight red to Kevin Nolan for a shocking challenge on the advancing Anichebe. The replays make for grim viewing showing Nolan going over the top of the ball and planting both feet into the shin of his opponent. How Anichebe’s leg wasn’t snapped in two is a miracle.

41′ A free kick from Ryan Taylor is not dealt with properly by Jagielka and Ameobi manages to bundle it over the line with the back of his head. However, in doing so he was impeding keeper Howard and a free kick to Everton was awarded.

38′ Ameobi and Yobo challenge in the air following a free kick from the left. Ameobi gets his head to it, but so does Yobo who does just enough to deflect the ball behind for a corner.

36′ Ryan Taylor curls a beautiful free kick from just outside the D. Howard in the Everton goal just watches it sail wide of the left hand post. It was well wide in the end, but had it been on target the keeper would have had no chance.

31′ Lovenkrands misses a sitter. Ameobi and Butt play sharp, one touch passes on the edge of the Newcastle box and slip Lovenkrands into the danger area. With just Howard to beat, he just needs to pick his spot but he tries to curl an effort into the left hand corner only to see it go wide. Dismal.

29′ Everton cause their opponents problems with another corner. This time it’s Rodwell who goes close with an unchallenged volley from six yards out. He hits the post and Steven Taylor manages to clear the danger.

26′ Newcastle try to attack, with a cross from the right to far ahead of Duff to do any damage with. The Irish winger responds in kind, pinging in a deep cross from the left to nobody in particular.

25′ The cameras pan to a thoroughly bored looking Martins and Smith on the bench. Sky show off their new panoramic lense as they broadcast Viduka “warming up” down the touchline, while chewing, naturally.

23′ Nolan sends a 60 yard ball down the left hand side for Ameobi to chase. Who is he trying to kid? The ball rolls out harmlessly for an Everton thrown with Ameobi nowhere near it.

22′ Harper is on hand yet again to deny an Everton side growing in confidence. Jo is played into the box but Harper races off his line to narrow the angle and forces the striker to stab a weak effort straight into his chest.

20′ Yobo gets the slightest of touches to an inswing corner which forces a great, one handed save from Harper and the ball is thumped clear off the line by Bassong. Seconds later, an excellent cross from Gosling to the far post is met by Jagielka on the volley, but he sidefoots it wide.

16′ It’s not good news for Arteta, who has a reported ligament problem. Man in the Know Geoff Shreeves states he was been taken to hospital and the midfielder’s knee has already swollen. That’s probably the end to his season, which is both a shame and a major blow to Everton’s European aspirations.

15′ Newcomer Castillo has a shot in anger when he a poor headed clearance from Jose Enrique drops at his feet. Harper didn’t move in the Newcastle goal but the effort was well wide.

13′ Ryan Taylor pings a free kick towards the far post but Everton are there to defend in numbers. Young Rodwell mops up the danger not once, but twice as neither side can get hold of the ball properly.

11′ Anichebe doesn’t get any change out of Jose Enrique, who turns him several times before escaping down the left with the ball. Newcastle are passing the ball around well but are yet to create anything which resembles a chance on goal.

8′ Rodwell gets in on the act of laying down injured, following a clash with Ryan Taylor. The replay shows Taylor went over the top of the ball and both players clashed knees. Rodwell gets up, much to the relief of his manager Moyes.

7′ That’s it for Arteta, who’s stretchered off to polite applause. He’s replaced by Segundo Castillo. There’s going to be a lot of added time at the end of this half.

5′ There are some ridiculous haircuts on show this afternoon. With Coloccini’s curly perm leading the way for Newcastle and Jo’s dreadful hairbanded effort for the Toffees. Neither can beat that of Everton substitute Fellaini, who’s huge afro has been allowed to grow wild over the last few weeks. Amazing. Big. Hair.

3′ It’s not looking good for Arteta who went down awkwardly when stretching for a ball with Lovenkrands. The camera pans to the permanently injured Michael Owen, watching in the stands. He may actually play some games before the season is out, in return for his colossal £100,000-a-week wages.

1′ Everton kick off an the returning Yobo manages to play a stray pass out for a thrown in within a matter of seconds. However, Everton recover and the youthful Gosling rampages through a flaky looking Magpies defence before sending a shot wide from the edge of the box.

0′ Injuries and suspensions have forced David Moyes into a change of tactics. He fields an ambitious 4-3-3 formation this afternoon, with a three-pronged attack comprising on-loan Jo, youngster Gosling and Anichebe, who now finds himself back in favour. It’s an unchanged side for Newcastle, who field the same 11 which beat West Brom during their last match.

0′ Nicky Butt makes it a century of starts for Newcastle United this afternoon and also makes his 400th career league appearance. Midfield genius Mikel Arteta makes the 150th start of his Everton career.

Reaction

The early loss of Mikel Arteta meant Everton were never going to win this match. Without the Spaniard, the Toffees were no more than ordinary and offered no cutting edge up front. If Cahill was involved, they may have been able to nick a goal, but without either of them, David Moyes’ side are very, very average. Credit to Newcastle who battled to the end with 10 men following the first half dismissal of Nolan for an horrific challenge on Anichebe.  What we got from both sides was no cutting edge and no goals. A draw was a fair result for two sides that looked like they’d rather be somewhere else.

Man of the Match

It is hard to pick a stand-out performer in a match which offered so little quality. Gutierrez did more in the first 10 minutes of the second half than the man he replaced, Duff, managed in the first 45, but he faded as the match wore on. None of Everton’s back line can be faulted for their performances, but that’s because they had so little to do throughout the match. Sky gave their MoM award to Nicky Butt, who made his 400th career appearance this afternoon. I can’t really argue with that. He was a consistent performer for the Magpies throughout the game and attempted to drive his largely uninterested team mates forward. The former Manchester United midfielder is going to be a key player for the remainder of the season as the Magpies look to avoid relegation.

Match Preview

Fulham’s board must be laughing all the way to the bank following the January transfer window sale of Jimmy Bullard to Hull City. The maverick midfielder is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury – to think Fulham commanded £5 million for him!

Fulham are an excellent team at Craven Cottage and have won seven out of 11 played there this season. In fact, they have lost just once on their home turf – a 2-1 reverse against West Ham last September. In their last six at home, Roy Hodgson’s side have won four and drawn two, including a 2-2 draw against Chelsea. They have scored 13 goals and conceded just six in this sequence.

West Brom find themselves propping up the table and have a poor away record. They have lost nine out of 12 on the road, earning two draws and their solitary victory came at Middlesbrough at the end of September. The Baggies will be boosted by the return of influential 0n-loan striker Jay Simpson as Tony Mowbray’s side look to pull off an unlikely win.

Line Ups

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora.
Subs: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Kamara, Dacourt, Gray, Kallio, Baird.

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Barnett, Robinson, Morrison, Koren, Borja Valero, Filipe Teixeira, Fortune, Simpson.
Subs: Kiely, Cech, Bednar, Brunt, Moore, Menseguez, Martis

Goals

Fulham: Zamora (61′), Johnson (72′)

Live Blog

90+2′ Penalty Miss! Bednar dribbles into the box and goes over Hangeland’s trailing leg, there doesn’t look an awful lot in it but Martin Atkinson points to the spot. Bednar tries placing it to the right but Schwarzer saves it well. Even if the keeper wasn’t there Bednar would have probably missed, such has been West Brom’s miserable time of it today.

90′ The tannoy announcer reveals a laughable four minutes of added time. What is the point? We could stay here all day and West Brom wouldn’t score. Just blow the whistle and be done with it.

87′ Menseguez finds himself on the edge of the box, he plays the ball back slightly to Simpson, who sends a feeble shot towards the Fulham goal. The effort sums up his side’s performance this afternoon. They know the game is up.

85′ The excellent Danny Murphy is replaced by veteran midfield enforcer Olivier Dacourt, who makes his debut for Fulham. Seconds earlier, Robinson earned a booking.

84′ A cross from Brunt is missed by both Hangeland and Konchesky in the Fulham box but it appears to just hit the head of Menseguez and goes over the bar.

80′ Andy Johnson goes off to rapturous applause, as does Bobby Zamora, who are replaced by Nevland and Kamara.  Bednar goes on to replacethe ineffective Fortune.

79′ Fulham are again allowed to pour forward and Konchesky is set free with a single pass from Johnson. Neither Barnett nor Zuiverloon feel like closing him down and it’s left to goalkeeper Carson to come out and smother a low, hard cross before Fulham can bundle in a third.

77′ Out of sheer desperation, Morrison is replaced by the little-known Menseguez. It’s not as though the Baggies have anything to lose now.

74′ Ironic cheers ring around the ground as Fulham spray the ball around unchallenged. They have been far the superior side this afternoon and should be able to see out the last 15 minutes or so.

72′ Goal! Fulham 2 West Brom 0. It’s all over now and no less than Fulham deserve. Some shocking defending by the West Brom “defence” allows a long free kick from Murphy go straight through to Zamora in the box. He shoots, it’s parried by Carson but only as far as an unmarked Andy Johnson, who has the easy task of slotting home into an empty net.

71′ Hangeland is the latest Fulham player to clatter the woodwork. With his back to goal, he heads a corner from six yards but it hits the bar, then Carson, before being cleared.

69′ Simpson on the left hand side for West Brom has the right idea and fires in a glorious pass across the six yard box. It’s a shame none of his team mates can be bothered to gamble because they would have a tap in easier than Zamora’s. Pantsil is the grateful recipient of the ball and he clears.

68′ The commentator announces that prior to today, Zamora has scored just twice in 49 Premiership appearances.With a record as poor as that, how on earth is he commanding both a regular place in a top flight side and earning likely wages of £50,000 a week

65′ West Brom aren’t about to roll over and die just yet. Koren has a sighter from the edge of the box which Schwarzer gets down well to save. Seconds later, Koren touches on to Valero to have a crack from a similar distance but his effort goes well wide.

62′ Zamora has got the wind in his sails now. Dempsey charges down the left and puts in a great cross in front of the West Brom box. Zamora swings at it first time and although the shot is always rising, it only goes over the bar by a matter of inches.

61′ Goal! Fulham 1 West Brom 0. Would you believe it? Pantsil gets a cross in from the right, it’s aimed at Johnson but the striker misses it. The ball reaches Bobby Zamora at the far post and even he can’t miss from a couple of yards out. Nobody can deny Fulham deserve this lead.

59′ The Baggies defence is all at sea again but they get away with it. Dempsey plays in Zamora but the defender goes down under a nothing challenge from Zuiverloon. It looked as though he tripped rather than being fouled. There is some handbags between the pair, but Zamora looks frustrated by his own crapness more than anything.

56′ A long cross field ball from Pantsil is pointlessly headed on by Zamora on the edge of the box. Carson gathers it with ease and would be delighted if “No Goals” Bobby remains on the pitch for the rest of the game.

54′ Fortune wastes another excellent chance. Again, Brunt is the orchestrator, this time from the left and he whips in a delicious cross right in front Fortune but his volley is charged down by Konchesky. Unbelievably, the Baggies could have taken the lead after rarely threatening in the first half.

53′ Brunt makes an immediate impact. He swings a free kick in from the right and it is met by the head of Fortune. He gets his header all wrong and it goes harmlessly over the bar.

52′ A break was on for Fulham but again wasted. Johnson advanced with the ball and tried to play in Zamora, but the pass was overhit and Barnett was able to shepherd the ball back to Carson in the West Brom goal.

50′ Tony Mowbray makes his first change for the Baggies, bringing on Brunt for Teixeira.

49′ It’s more of the same for Fulham. They press forward in numbers and string several passes together in and around the West Brom box without really threatening. First Dempsey and then Davies look as though they may get an opportunity to shoot on goal, but the ball unfortunately reaches Zamora on the right who puts in a feeble cross.

46′ West Brom kick off and will try and ride their luck for as long as possible. No changes have been made to either side.

Half Time. How this match is still goalless is a mystery. West Brom have showed exactly why they are bottom of the league and with a bit more luck on their side, Fulham could be three, four or even five goals up. Hitting the woodwork three times is unfortunate, but Roy Hodgson also needs more from his two strikers, who have hardly been in the game. Zamora looks like a player who will never score a goal again, even against this shocking Baggies defence and you get the feeling West Brom could go up the other end and nick a thoroughly undeserved winning goal if this carry on continues into the second half.

42′ Again, Fulham squander a goal scoring chance. Konchesky swings a cross towards Davies who superbly plays Zamora into the box. The goal shy striker snatches at the effort and volleys it high over the bar. Zamora hasn’t scored in over 1,700 minutes of play, surely it’s time to consider a change of career?

39′ Ridiculous defending by West Brom who are now doing their best to score on Fulham’s behalf. A long ball forward by Murphy is headed back towards goal by Meite. However, neither defender or keeper could have spoken to eachother as Carson was rushing off his goal line to collect the ball. The loose ball rolls agonisingly close to the goal line but Carson gets back in time to push it behind for a corner.

33′ When is this ball going to go in the back of the net? Zamora touches the ball on to Murphy on the Fulham D and he curls a first time effort towards goal, only to see it clang against the crossbar. The Baggies should be dead and buried by now but you get the feeling it’s not going to be Fulham’s day.

30′ Fulham have a good spell of possession and work the ball around the West Brom box. It reaches Konchesky on the left, who sweeps past Koren but can’t deliver that final, telling ball.

28′ The camera pans to Fabio Capello in the stands. What on earth he is doing wasting his time watching this dross is anybody’s guess.

24′ That’s a lot better from Dempsey. A half cleared ball arrives to his feet midway in the Baggies half and he is allowed to strike a glorious shot from 25 yards out. It heads straight for the top corner and Carson is nowhere near it, but the shot rattles the bar and bounces back into play.

22′ Pantsil finds himself in space on the right, he plays the ball to Dempsey who shoots miles over the bar. It looks as though it’s only going to be a matter of time before Fulham score because the visitors are not offering much themselves.

19′ A stinging snap shot from Etuhu from the edge of the box awakens the snoozing crowd after West Brom do their level best not to clear the ball properly. Carson was alert to it and managed to beat the ball away.

17′ A quiet period of the game and I think all this talk of West Brom being a wonderful passing side is a complete myth. They seem content to lump it forward at every opportunity but let’s face it, whatever they try and do it not going to prevent them from going down.

13′ Davies sends Johnson racing clear into the box but Barnett lunges in with a heroic sliding tackle to cut out the danger for the Baggies. A second corner finds Davies on the right, he easily beats the non-challenge from Valero and drives an angled effort towards goal. It takes a deflection and goes behind for yet another corner, which comes to nothing. Tony Mowbray’s side are leading a charmed life at the moment.

9′ A rare break from West Brom with the marauding Simpson. He plays Teixeira in down the left but Pantsil cuts out his cross. The corner comes to nothing and is plucked out of the air with ease by Schwarzer.

5′ Murphy tests the Baggies resolve with a superb free kick from 25 yards. Carson gets his fingertips to it, but it may have been after the ball had initially hit the post. So unlucky for Murphy who could prove to be a key player here this afternoon.

2′ Fulham have unsurprisingly started the brighter. Robinson makes a hash of a clearances, giving Davies a second bite at putting in a cross. It hits the arm of the lumbering full back but no free kick is given.

1′ It’s the home side who get thinsg started. I suspect Fulham will put in a bit more effort than they did at Old Trafford in midweek, rather than politely roll over for their opponents.

0′ Good afternoon everyone. If any Baggies fans are hoping today sees a dramatic change of form, it doesn’t look good I’m afraid. Fulham are an awesome side at home and their record at Craven Cottage is second only to table-toppers Manchester United. They have not lost in their last eight at home and let’s be honest, the Baggies are garbage on the road.

Reaction

The result wasn’t a real surprise. Fulham are excellent at home and West Brom are poor away. Well, they are poor anyway. The score could and should have been, much, much higher as the Baggies led a charmed existance throughout the match. Great news for Bobby Zamora, who finally scored his first goal since September and the result sees Fulham climb to eighth. West Brom look like a said destined for relegation. They were ineffective across all areas of the park and you wonder what on earth they do all week in training. A non-existant defence, midfield and strikers which offer no goal threat. A pathetic showing all round from a side who deserve to be bottom of the league.

Man of the Match

The Fulham midfield ran West Brom ragged all afternoon. Davies, Dempsey, Konchesky and Pantsil got forward at every available opportunity and caused the Baggies all manner of problems. However, the one player who shone like a beacon was Danny Murphy. The former Liverpool midfielder ran the show this afternoon and was unlucky not have scored a goal himself, hitting the woodwork twice. He showed great vision in setting up the second goal, with an inch-perfect ball from the halfway line. Now in the later years of his career, Murphy can provide everything the departed Jimmy Bullard did, and more.