UR TV CAST

If we managed to get that play-off place for the World Cup and got through for 2002, I think Michael could well make the final 22.”He played very well at Charlton and he’s got to start doing that in some of the away games against the top clubs. So it’ll be fascinating to see how he does at Old Trafford, especially after the recent league game there where West Ham were well beaten and just couldn’t get a touch in midfield.”Not many do. However well the visitors cope this time, Redknapp has the consolation of knowing there will be a touch of class about their midfield for some time to come.. Fulham are so far in front of the First Division that this setback should prove not more than a mild irritation. They remain, for instance, 17 points in front of sixth-placed Birmingham, though the visitors merited this victory which produced some measure of revenge for a 3-1 loss to Fulham at the start of the season.

Fulham are so far in front of the First Division that this setback should prove not more than a mild irritation. They remain, for instance, 17 points in front of sixth-placed Birmingham, though the visitors merited this victory which produced some measure of revenge for a 3-1 loss to Fulham at the start of the season.
Fulham went into this match with the double misfortune of having their two exciting strikers, Louis Saha and Luis Boa Morte, both under suspension. In their place, manager Jean Tigana experimented with Andre Stolcers paired up front with Peter Moller, a Danish international making his debut after arriving on loan from Real Oviedo.The absence of their leading scorers was clearly a handicap for the league leaders, who failed to cause much anxiety to a Birmingham defence well marshalled by Darren Purse. One opening for Muller, carved by the industrious Bjarne Goldbaek, went begging when Purse got in a timely blocking tackle. Next, following a patient Fulham build-up, Lee Clark’s cross was headed over by Muller.Maik Taylor made one acrobatic catch off a Stan Lazaridis centre but most of what action there was occurred at the other end. A rebound left Fabrice Fernandes in good scoring position but he needed too much time to tee up the offering.

Fulham indulged in their familiar midfield possession game but in the absence of their ringmaster, John Collins, there was frequently little purpose in it all.The persistence of Lazaridis was the biggest threat to Fulham, finishing off one plundering run with a shot so fierce that Taylor was happy to knock it down before collecting. Geoff Horsfield, leading the Birmingham line against his old club, was generally well policed but just before the interval he managed a shot on the turn which was deflected for a corner by Andy Melville. Then when Steve Finnan brought down Martin O’Connor just outside the area Martin Grainger wasted the free kick, his bender bending a little too far and missing the target altogether.But he made glorious amends five minutes into the second half when Birmingham gained another free-kick in almost the same position from the edge of the penalty area. The shot was true and far too good for Taylor’s attempt at a save.Fulham also won a free-kick in a similarly inviting position but Goldbaek’s drive hit the bar and flew into the crowd. As their fans continued to chant cheerfully about the prospects of promotion Fulham battled away in search of an equaliser, with the industrious Goldbaek at the heart of most of their efforts. Karlheinz Riedle was brought on for Stolcers after 55 minutes and immediately headed just wide from a Goldbaek cross. Then Fernandes collecting a poor clearance unleashed a low effort which bounced safely off a blue shirt.Fulham’s hopes were further dampened when their key midfielder, Clark, who had been in trouble since taking a knock in the first half, limped off after 73 minutes.