Fulham 1-0 Sunderland
Zamora scores as Fulham beat Sunderland 1-0
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By Martyn Thomas at Twickenham. |  |
Sunday, 06, Dec 2009 04:58
By inthenews.co.uk staff.
Fulham beat Sunderland 1-0 at Craven Cottage thanks to a first-half goal from Bobby Zamora, who notched his sixth goal of the Premier League campaign.
The win lifts Roy Hodgson's side to eighth - only two points behind Liverpool - and should have come in more comprehensive fashion, with Zamora hitting the bar before the break and Erik Nevland wasting a golden chance by firing straight at Marlon Fulop.
Clint Dempsey, Aaron Hughes and Damien Duff returned to the Fulham lineup having been rested for the midweek Europa League victory against CSKA Sofia and the London side were on top for much of the first half.
They took the lead in the seventh minute as Zamora headed home a deep John Pantsil cross as the visitors' defence dithered and looked likely to extend their lead with every break.
Zamora headed a Paul Konchesky onto the crossbar and later provided a fine lay-off for Nevland, who could only shoot straight at Fulop, before placing the follow-up over the bar.
Sunderland appeared for the second half with more energy and Darren Bent looked dangerous, knocking a tempting pull-back into the Fulham box before firing just wide from a Kieron Richardson cross.
The England man leant back too far with another chance, blasting the shot over, while Bolo Zenden could have levelled the scores late on with a low drive.
But Roy Hodgson's men defended with resolve and sealed their second victory of the week to climb to eighth.