Hodgson praises Fulham's fighting spirit
Hodgson is happy to have goalscoring midfielders on his hands
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Sunday, 13, Sep 2009 10:39
By Matt Fortune.
Roy Hodgson has praised the battling spirit of his Fulham side after they came back from a half-time deficit to beat Everton and climb out of the relegation zone.
On the balance of chances created Everton had been good value for their lead, given to them by Tim Cahill's first of the season. But the Cottagers emerged reinvigorated and afterwards Hodgson felt his team deserved the victory.
"We showed a bit more courage in the second half, it was less a war of attrition and we scored two goals to turn the game around," he said. "It was important to play better and play the type we want to play. Lucky that is what we did and it gave us the chances to win the match.
"It looked like a 0-0 in the first half, both sides were defending. But of course they scored a good goal and we found ourselves on the back foot. But I thought both teams worked very hard and we know we have beaten a good Everton team today."
Fulham had fortuitously got back on level terms when Paul Konchesky's low drive was deflected home off the boot of Joseph Yobo. However, the manner in which they took the lead was pure class as Damien Duff grabbed the first of his Fulham career.
"Damien is a goalscorer," added Hodgson. "It's nice to have players like him and Clint Dempsey and Simon Davies who can support Bobby Zamora Andrew Johnson up front."
The player himself played down the individual brilliance of his input.
"It's always nice to get off the mark sooner rather than later and with the circumstances being what they were as well - a home game, a big game and getting the winner - it made it even better," he said.
"But not wanting to sound boring, the most important thing was to get the three points for the team - not about me."