Zamora hits late winner for Fulham

Feb 21, 2010 - 7:06 PM By JAMES PIERCY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Roy Hodgson offered Fabio Capello a glowing reference for white-hot Bobby Zamora as the striker claimed a last-minute winner to defeat Birmingham 2-1.

Zamora's lethal 20-yard free-kick gave Hodgson's side all three points, with England manager Capello in the Craven Cottage stands to maintain a check on the former Tottenham and West Ham man who now has 15 goals for the season.

Birmingham took the lead in surprise circumstances after Chris Baird headed Lee Bowyer's cross into his own net but Damien Duff's fine run and shot drew Fulham level.

The win, which sees Fulham leapfrog Birmingham into ninth, was especially pleasing for Hodgson following Thursday night's Europa League win over Shaktar Donetsk which he admitted sapped the energy of his threadbare squad.

Hodgson said: "We got off to worse possible start but after that the team played some good football but Birmingham are a well-organised and strong side and we found it difficult to break them down.

"We started to feel the repercussions of Thursday night more and more in the second half so it was pleasing to see the goals go in as they did.

"I was a bit concerned whether we would be able to keep it going but we did. Over the 95 minutes I thought we were good value, we had to dig deep and two wonderful goals won it for us.

"Fabio is a friend and an excellent manager and if he asked me of an opinion of Bobby Zamora I am happy to give him one, but I would not lecture him.

"He brings people into the game well and took his goal very well. Fabio knows what he wants, he can judge a player as well as anyone.

"If He wants him I would be delighted. He has done a wonderful job for us so far this season."

Fulham's commendable 2-1 win over Shaktar in midweek certainly appeared to have blunted any cutting edge for the west Londoners as Hodgson's side enjoyed plenty of possession but could not muster any genuine threat.

Birmingham were almost stunned themselves when they took the lead as Bowyer's hopeful ball into the box picked out Baird but the Northern Ireland defender, with little pressure, got his bearings all wrong.

Fulham continued to toil but Birmingham struggled to raise their game in what was becoming a Sunday afternoon stroll for both clubs.

Baird atoned for his early error, blocking Keith Fahey's low shot but neither team looked capable to adding to the scoresheet in the first half.

After the break Fulham finally woke up and drew level with a piece of magic from Duff. The Irish winger cut inside from the right flank, played a clinical one-two with Zoltan Gera before sending a brutal left-footed drive that Joe Hart could do little to stop.

Birmingham nearly hit back soon after as James McFadden's shot looked destined for the net only for Mark Schwarzer to deny the Scotland international with a fine save.

In the dying moments Stephen Carr clipped Gera on the edge of the penalty area and Zamora stepped up to claim all three points for his side from the resulting free-kick.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish: "It is terrible to lose it the way did, a free kick on the edge of the area. You ask your players no to concede those sort of things.

"It was two pieces of inspiration from Fulham. The finishes were brilliant and that was the difference.

"We are in a secure position in the league and 37 points may be enough but we cannot rest on our laurels and one or two players looked a bit tired."