World NewsJoyous Fulham Could Get Euro Bonus |
FULHAM are contemplating the amazing bonus of a "possible" European campaign next season as an incredible bonus to their last-day survival in the Barclays Premier League.
Danny Murphy's 76th-minute header brought Roy Hodgson's team a fourth win in five games - and a third away triumph in a row - against FA Cup finalists Portsmouth to pip Reading and Birmingham on goal difference even though those sides also won comfortably.And now it emerges Fulham could be handed a place in the qualifying round for next season's UEFA Cup as reward for their success in the European Fair Play League.
England have already clinched another UEFA Cup place through this unlikely avenue and it goes to the 'fairest' team not already qualified for Europe - which looked certain, up until yesterday, to be Manchester City.
But City had Richard Dunne sent off in their 8-1 trouncing at Middlesbrough and it is thought this could be enough to put them behind the Cottagers in the Fair Play League.
Fulham's communications officer Sarah Brooks said: "It is certainly a possibility that we could be playing in the UEFA Cup.
"It is a complicated situation in which administration efficiency is also taken into consideration as well as on-field behaviour but we know we are in a good position and expect to have confirmation from the Premier League early next week.
"For now, we have enough to celebrate over staying up but this could be another bonus, although we can't say more at this stage until all the documentation is in."
The notion of Fulham making the UEFA Cup having just dodged relegation brings a crazy slant to the entire process of European qualification and provides an almost surreal flavour to an amazing day when the club's hopes and dreams all came true.
Manager Hodgson, 60, seemed as non-plussed as anybody despite all his vast experience as manager of Inter-Milan, Blackburn, Finland and Switzerland to name but a few - while Pompey chief Harry Redknapp admitted he was stunned by his side's failure to sink their London rivals.
Fulham, of course, went away to celebrate - even though Hodgson admitted an armchair seat in front of last night's 'Match of the Day' was enough for him - and Portsmouth fans were left wondering how their favourites are going to turn around their dreadful end-of-season form in time for Saturday's FA Cup final against Cardiff.
Hodgson said: "I know you are going to say that this is probably my best-ever achievement even though I think I have had some great successes before with other clubs.
"But I'm delighted if that is what people think and I'm so happy for everybody at the club and the fans - even though I feel for good lads like Stevie Coppell (Reading) and Alex McLeish (Birmingham) because I know how they feel, too."
Redknapp admitted: "Up until 75 minutes, I couldn't see us being beaten.
"We were by far the better side and it seemed just a case of sticking a chance away.
"It didn't happen and we were caught on a set-piece but we've still finished eighth and are in the Cup final. It doesn't get much better than that for Portsmouth."
Copyright (c) 2008 Press Association
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