Nevland’s sending off helps Roma beat Fulham in Europa League

Nevland's sending off helps roma come from behind to win europa league tie 2-1

Nevland's sending off helps Roma beat Fulham in Europa League

Nevland's sending off helps roma come from behind to win europa league tie 2-1

Fulham were left wondering what might have been after seeing a red card for Erik Nevland spark a Roma fightback in their Europa League Group H clash in the Italian capital.

The English side led at half-time through Diomansy Kamara's penalty on 18 minutes, but Nevland who had only just replaced the injured Kamara at half-time was stunned to see referee Kevin Blom produce a red card for a sliding challenge on Roma captain Danielle De Rossi.

It gave Roma the encouragement they needed, and two goals in eight minutes from John Arne Riise and then Chuka Okaka swung the game in the Italian club's favour. Paul Konchesky was also dismissed by referee Blom in injury time.

This result means that the Giallorossi supplant Fulham in second place in the group with two games remaining, trailing leaders Basel by a point. Fulham drop to third, but can take heart from their display. Roma, however, will argue that they dominated both possession and chances and thus fully deserved their win.

With the Stadio Olimpico sparsely populated at kick-off, the players also seemed slightly subdued in the opening stages. It was nine minutes before a half chance developed, and Roma captain Daniele De Rossi sharply charged down Bjorn Helge Riise's effort from 16 yards.

On 67 minutes, John Arne Riise was finally afforded the chance to let loose with a free-kick that was deflected behind off the back of brother Bjorn Helge in Fulham colours. From the resulting corner, the same scenario presented itself, but to disastrous effect for Fulham. John Arne Riise was left with too much time and space on the edge of the box and his fierce drive found the net off an unfortunate deflection from his sibling.

And on 75 minutes, Roma's continued pressure told. Taddei provided the cross from the right and Okaka rose unmarked to power a header beyond the despairing dive of Schwarzer.

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