The Cottagers dominated much of the game early on and Zoltan Gera’s 12th minute header proved decisive, but Fulham were nearly left to rue their missed chances - which included a Danny Murphy penalty miss - if it wasn’t for Damien Duff’s goal line clearance late on.
Fulham began the game brightly and within the opening couple of minutes found them selves in the opposition’s box on a number of occasions but were unable to provide that cutting edge final pass. Firstly Pantsil’s clipped ball forward down the line was picked up by Simon Davies who’s driven cross fell just behind the in coming Bobby Zamora.
The next goal scoring opportunity involved Davies again after Danny Murphy quickly and cleverly played in the Welshman but he could only fire straight at goalkeeper Zravko Chavdorav.
With just five minutes played the game was already in full flow and it was now Sofia’s chance to test out their goal shooting ability. The visitors came close to taking a shock early lead when the crossbar denied Todor Timonov’s left foot effort.
Fulham soon regained control of the game and were awarded a penalty 8 minutes in when Zoltan Gera was tripped by Ivan Ivanov and up-stepped Danny Murphy. But the returning captain who is usually so confident from the spot was unable to convert, side-footing the ball over the bar.
The Cottagers were playing with great tempo and it seemed only a matter of time before they were going to take the lead. On 12 minutes it looked like they had done just that when the impressive John Pantsil found himself inside the Sofia box but his shot was well saved by Chavdorav.
However from the resulting corner Fulham had their inevitable first goal of the game via a Zoltan Gera header. After the corner was initially cleared by the Sofia defence, Bjorn Helge Riise picked up the ball and his dribble and cross was beautifully weighted for the Hungarian to slot in.
Further chances fell to Fulham throughout the half most noticeably involving Bobby Zamora and Simon Davies.
Moments after Fulham took the lead thay had the chance to double it when a long ball forward was knocked down to Zamora by Gera. But unfortunately the returning striker could only blast over from 9 yards out.
With a few half chances falling Fulham’s way and Sofia not creating too much for them too worry about it was important for Roy Hodgson’s men to extend their one goal advantage.
Just before the half hour mark Simon Davies had the perfect opportunity to double their lead after Murphy’s ball forward was skilfully touched down by Zamora to Davies but his left footed slashed shot flashed wide.
Fulham failed to extend their lead before the break but were in complete control and must have been confident that goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was really forced into making an early save after Timinov’s early effort.
As the teams emerge for the second half along with CKSA Sofia coach Lubaslav Penev who has finally arrived at the game following problems with his passport only receiving it back this morning – hopping on a plane and landing 10 minutes before kick-off – only to be denied entry by stewards once he arrived at the ground for not having the correct accreditation.
The restart saw the introduction of Aaron Hughes replacing Brede Hangeland seemingly in an effort to rest the big centre back for Sunday’s league fixture against Sunderland.
Fulham began where they left off from the first half and again another opportunity fell the way of Bobby Zamora on 50 minutes after a good move but the front man could only screw his shot wide.
Coach Penev’s first real contribution to the game was bringing off an unhappy Timinov on 53 minutes for forward Michel Platini. But the substitution looked to have paid off minutes later when Platini had his hand in a good break away move from the Bulgarians.
Captain Todor Yanchev was played in but a well-timed block tackle from left back Stephen Kelly denied the away side from drawing level.
Sofia were beginning to threaten the Fulham goal and with Fulham making all three substitutions, Clint Dempsey replacing the limping Davies and Damien Duff coming on for Murphy, they were looking more and more likely of snatching an equaliser.
With just under 10 minutes left Damien Duff was called into defensive action to knee off the line Yanchev’s driven effort after claims of handball against Kelly.
In the 87th minute captain Yanchev again had another opportunity to draw his side level but could only guide his headed effort over the bar. Fulham were now defending doggedly to avoid a draw that would end their chances of progressing through to the last 32.
Three minutes added injury time is not what many around Craven Cottage wanted to see going up on the fourth assistant’s board least of all Roy Hodgson, who was looking increasingly more agitated on the touchline as each remaining minute ticked by, but fortunately they were able to hold on.
Fulham next face Basel away on Wednesday 16th December.
Fulham began the game brightly and within the opening couple of minutes found them selves in the opposition’s box on a number of occasions but were unable to provide that cutting edge final pass. Firstly Pantsil’s clipped ball forward down the line was picked up by Simon Davies who’s driven cross fell just behind the in coming Bobby Zamora.
The next goal scoring opportunity involved Davies again after Danny Murphy quickly and cleverly played in the Welshman but he could only fire straight at goalkeeper Zravko Chavdorav.
With just five minutes played the game was already in full flow and it was now Sofia’s chance to test out their goal shooting ability. The visitors came close to taking a shock early lead when the crossbar denied Todor Timonov’s left foot effort.
Fulham soon regained control of the game and were awarded a penalty 8 minutes in when Zoltan Gera was tripped by Ivan Ivanov and up-stepped Danny Murphy. But the returning captain who is usually so confident from the spot was unable to convert, side-footing the ball over the bar.
The Cottagers were playing with great tempo and it seemed only a matter of time before they were going to take the lead. On 12 minutes it looked like they had done just that when the impressive John Pantsil found himself inside the Sofia box but his shot was well saved by Chavdorav.
However from the resulting corner Fulham had their inevitable first goal of the game via a Zoltan Gera header. After the corner was initially cleared by the Sofia defence, Bjorn Helge Riise picked up the ball and his dribble and cross was beautifully weighted for the Hungarian to slot in.
Further chances fell to Fulham throughout the half most noticeably involving Bobby Zamora and Simon Davies.
Moments after Fulham took the lead thay had the chance to double it when a long ball forward was knocked down to Zamora by Gera. But unfortunately the returning striker could only blast over from 9 yards out.
With a few half chances falling Fulham’s way and Sofia not creating too much for them too worry about it was important for Roy Hodgson’s men to extend their one goal advantage.
Just before the half hour mark Simon Davies had the perfect opportunity to double their lead after Murphy’s ball forward was skilfully touched down by Zamora to Davies but his left footed slashed shot flashed wide.
Fulham failed to extend their lead before the break but were in complete control and must have been confident that goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was really forced into making an early save after Timinov’s early effort.
As the teams emerge for the second half along with CKSA Sofia coach Lubaslav Penev who has finally arrived at the game following problems with his passport only receiving it back this morning – hopping on a plane and landing 10 minutes before kick-off – only to be denied entry by stewards once he arrived at the ground for not having the correct accreditation.
The restart saw the introduction of Aaron Hughes replacing Brede Hangeland seemingly in an effort to rest the big centre back for Sunday’s league fixture against Sunderland.
Fulham began where they left off from the first half and again another opportunity fell the way of Bobby Zamora on 50 minutes after a good move but the front man could only screw his shot wide.
Coach Penev’s first real contribution to the game was bringing off an unhappy Timinov on 53 minutes for forward Michel Platini. But the substitution looked to have paid off minutes later when Platini had his hand in a good break away move from the Bulgarians.
Captain Todor Yanchev was played in but a well-timed block tackle from left back Stephen Kelly denied the away side from drawing level.
Sofia were beginning to threaten the Fulham goal and with Fulham making all three substitutions, Clint Dempsey replacing the limping Davies and Damien Duff coming on for Murphy, they were looking more and more likely of snatching an equaliser.
With just under 10 minutes left Damien Duff was called into defensive action to knee off the line Yanchev’s driven effort after claims of handball against Kelly.
In the 87th minute captain Yanchev again had another opportunity to draw his side level but could only guide his headed effort over the bar. Fulham were now defending doggedly to avoid a draw that would end their chances of progressing through to the last 32.
Three minutes added injury time is not what many around Craven Cottage wanted to see going up on the fourth assistant’s board least of all Roy Hodgson, who was looking increasingly more agitated on the touchline as each remaining minute ticked by, but fortunately they were able to hold on.
Fulham next face Basel away on Wednesday 16th December.
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