A superb second-half strike from Bobby Zamora gave Fulham a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in their Europa League tie.
Striker's goal keeps European dream alive for Hodgson's charges
Bobby Zamora's screamer helped Fulham secure a 2-1 win over Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in their Europa League round of 32 first-leg tie at Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers made a dream start after three minutes when Zoltan Gera converted Danny Murphy's incisive pass, controlling the ball before firing it under the body of Shakhtar keeper Andrei Pyatov.
Donetsk had the better of the first half thereafter and bossed possession, pulling level with 33 minutes gone when Luis Adriano showed a clean pair of heels to sidestep Mark Schwarzer and slot into the net.
Fulham then pieced together a delightful passing move on 63 minutes, Murphy and Gera setting up Zamora to smash an unstoppable 20-yard drive into the top corner for his fifth goal of the Europa League campaign.
Gera was denied by Pyatov and Zamora should have headed another for his side as the hosts pressed for more goals, although Roy Hodgson's men held on to leave next week's second leg tie at the Donbass Arena evenly poised.
Raced out of the blocks
Zamora's 14th goal of the season gives Fulham hope of progressing in the competition, although big-spending Shakhtar will console themselves with an away goal ahead of next Thursday's second leg.
Fulham raced out of the blocks and would have taken the lead after just 50 seconds but Pyatov reacted swiftly to save Brede Hangeland's header at the far post.
The Shakhtar keeper was culpable when Fulham powered ahead in the third minute, however, after sharp passing from Murphy and Zamora split open the visiting defence.
Zamora laid on a brilliant chance for Gera and although the Hungarian's shot lacked menace, it still slipped beneath Pyatov who got a despairing hand to the ball.
Stunned into action, the strike provoked a flurry of activity from Shakhtar aided by Hangeland losing the ball too easily and keeper Schwarzer producing a dismal goal-kick that fell straight to the dangerous Fernandinho.
Jadson saw a shot blocked by the busy Hangeland before captain Darijo Srna fired wide from 25 yards out.
Fulham were buckling as they struggled to contain the speed and movement of their opponent's Brazilian contingent.
In the 32nd minute they cracked, Ilsinho slipping a beautifully weighted pass between Aaron Hughes and Kelly to his fellow Brazilian Luiz Adriano who easily beat Schwarzer.
Shakhtar cranked up the pressure but had Srna booked on one attack after the right-back made a meal of a challenge by Kelly.
Nervy finish
Shakhtar displayed their counter-attacking skills when Zamora was caught dithering on the edge of the area, stripping him of the ball and then breaking clear through William.
The only way of halting the jet-heeled midfielder was for Murphy to nudge him over and the Fulham skipper was booked as a result.
The Cottagers were beginning to look more threatening with Zamora holding the ball up well and Damien Duff proving a handful down the left flank.
Shakhtar occasionally looked suspect at the back and in the 63rd minute they were undone by a pile-driver from Zamora.
The ball was quickly played out of defence by Hangeland to Gera, who spotted an unmarked Zamora and the Fulham marksman pulled the trigger on a 20-yard shot that struck the underside of the crossbar before crashing home.
Gera and Zamora then had chances to produce a third, but both players directed their headers at Pyatov.
Shakhtar had lost momentum and their forays forward lacked the conviction of earlier, although some hesitancy in Fulham's defence ensured home fans were subjected to a nervy finish.
The real heart-stopping moment came when Schwarzer produced a magnificent save from Fernandinho deep into injury time.
| Fulham |
Team Statistics |
Shakhtar Donetsk |
| 2 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 4 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 3 |
Shots off Target |
9 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
8 |
| 1 |
Corners |
6 |
| 17 |
Fouls |
19 |
| 0 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 68 |
Passing Success |
87.2 |
| 22 |
Tackles |
9 |
| 81.8 |
Tackles Success |
77.8 |
| 30.1 |
Possession |
69.9 |
| 50 |
Territorial Advantage |
50 |
|
