Injury time equaliser 'hard to take' for Hodgson
Hodgson felt aggrieved with sending off decision
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By Matt Fortune. |  |
Thursday, 22, Oct 2009 11:33
By Sam Ross.
Roy Hodgson says he feels aggrieved after another deflected injury-time equaliser denied his team all three points against Roma in the Europa League.
Marco Andreolli's late strike meant Fulham dropped to second in Group E, one point behind FC Basel, as opposed to being top by one point which until injury time they were destined to be.
Hodgson said: "I think its rather cruel with the 92nd minute deflected equaliser against West Ham [when Fulham drew 2-2 on Sunday 4th October] with ten men followed by this one.
"It's very hard for me to take at the moment."
The turning point of the game came when Stephen Kelly was sent off for a professional foul on John Arne Riise and Hodgson feels aggrieved at the decision.
He said: "The sending off is a problem and of course it forces you to play with ten men.
"I've got my grave doubts as to whether it was actually a penalty but you get penalties given in those situations when you've got people driving into the box.
"But [Brede] Hangeland was coming across and I don't think there is any question that it was a last-man foul. There is no way you can give that as a last-man foul when there is someone coming across trying to cover."
Other than the sending off decision and the heartbreak of the last-minute equaliser, the Fulham boss was pleased with his side's performance.
He added: "I thought we had a marvellous first half, I think we really played well and dominated the game.
"I don't think we did quite as well in the second half but of course we were playing with ten men and it is very difficult like that.
"I've got to say that the effort from the players was quite magnificent."