Nine-man Fulham succumb to late heartbreak in Rome
ROMA (2) vs FULHAM (1)
PLUCKY Fulham were left to rue the controversial red card of substitute Erik Nevland as they were denied a famous European victory in Rome.
Nevland was harshly dismissed for a 49th minute tackle on Daniele de Rossi – just four minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute.
Fulham were leading up to that point, thanks to Diomansy Kamara’s 19th minute penalty, but Nevland’s red card changed the course of the match as the Italians upped the tempo.
Former Liverpool midfielder John Arne Riise equalised with a shot which deflected in off two Fulham players before Stefano Okaka Chuka put his side in front seven minutes later with a header deep inside the penalty area. Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson then saw his side finish with nine men after full-back Paul Konchesky was red-carded for a foul on Rodrigo Taddei.
The result makes life difficult for Hodgson’s men, who now third in Group E, two points behind the Italians and four behind leaders Basle.
Meanwhile, Celtic, who were held to a 0-0 draw in Hamburg and they remain rooted to the foot of Group C with just two points from four games.