Fulham Set to Begin European Campaign

Fulham kicks off its Europa League campaign against Lithuanian outfit FK Vetra this Thursday. The Cottagers landed in Vilnius yesterday in preparations for tomorrow's game, which is the first leg of the 3rd Qualifying Round. The second leg will be played on August 6 at Craven Cottage, with the winner earning passage into the playoff round. Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson both saw time in Fulham's recent pre-season game with Peterborough United. Dempsey started the game at right wing while Johnson came on as a late sub.

Weekend Results

• Fulham fell 3-1 to Chelsea in a London derby. Clint Dempsey played the full 90 minutes for Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
• Michael Bradley and Borussia Mönchengladbach lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich. Bradley played the full 90 minutes, but 'Gladbach could not get a point in their relegation battle.
• Standard Liege's title defense took a hit on Saturday. Oguchi Onyewu's team could only muster a 0-0 draw with Zulte-Waregem. Liege went top of the table with the point, but rivals Anderlecht have a game in hand.
  
• Marcus Hahnemann and Reading are headed for the promotion playoffs in the Championship, after a 2-1 home defeat to Birmingham.
• Eddie Johnson and Cardiff City were robbed of the playoffs after losing 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday.
• Maurice Edu continued his extended run in the Rangers team, playing 90 minutes in a 2-0 win against Hearts.
• In Denmark, Danny Califf's FC Midtjylland beat Michael Parkhurst's FC Nordsjaelland 2-0.
• Pachuca hammered Chiapas 5-1 to add to their league-best points total. José Francisco Torres came on in the 60th minute.
  

Saturday Results

• Rangers beat St. Mirren 3-0 in the semifinal of the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park. Maurice Edu played the full 90 minutes for Rangers.
• Clint Dempsey and Fulham held off Stoke City with a 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage. The win vaulted Fulham into seventh place in the table, ahead of West Ham for the final Europa League spot next year.
• Tim Howard and Everton fell to Manchester City, losing 2-1 at Goodison Park.
• Jay DeMerit and Watford nabbed a 3-2 win against Coventry City while Eddie Johnson and Cardiff City were 3-0 losers in Roy Keane's managerial debut for Ipswich Town
• Standard Liege won easily KV Mechelen, but they are still second in the table behind Anderlecht on goal differential. With both clubs on 70 points, Liege trails their rivals by four goals with three games remaining.
  

Catch Up on Championship Action

Highlights from Cardiff City's 4-1 win against Derby County - Eddie Johnson scored Cardiff's fourth goal:

Recent Watford Highlights with JayDemerit, including their 2-2 draw with Southampton and 1-1 draw with Barnsley:


More Cardiff City, this time in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace:

Highlights of Reading's 1-0 loss to Sheffield United:

Saturday Results

• Maurice Edu plays 90 minutes in Rangers' 3-1 win over Motherwell.
• Eddie Johnson came on as a late sub as Cardiff continued their promotion push with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
• In more Championship action, Watford and Jay DeMerit snatched a late draw against Bransley.
• Borussia Mönchengladbach and Michael Bradley fell 2-1 to league leaders Wolfsburg.
• Carlos Bocanegra and Rennes got back on track with a 1-0 win over St. Etienne.
• Oguchi Onyewu and Standard Liege nabbed a 1-0 win at home against KSC Lokeren.
• José Francisco Torres played 45 minutes in Pachuca's 3-1 win over Toluca.
  

Eddie Johnson on Scoresheet for Cardiff

Eddie Johnson was on the scoresheet for Cardiff, netting his second goal for the club in a 4-1 victory over Derby County. Johnson came on as as second half sub for Jay Bothroyd in the 65th minute and grabbed his team's fourth goal in the 79th minute.

Sunday Results

• Eddie Johnson came on as a late sub in Cardiff's 2-2 draw against Swansea City.
• Heath Pearce made a late appearance for Hansa Rostock in their 2-2 draw with FSV Frankfurt.
• Maurice Edu entered the Rangers' game as a 2nd half sub in a 1-0 victory over Falkirk.
• Michael Bradley played 90 minutes for Borussia Mönchengladbach as they earned an important point on the road against Karlsruhe.
• Rennes fell 3-0 to relegation-threatened Sochaux. Carlos Bocanegra played 62 minutes in the defeat.
• Oguchi Onyewu and Standard Liege went back to the top of the table in Belgium, courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Germinal Beerschot.
• Tim Howard and Everton thrashed Wigan 4-0 at Goodison Park.
  

Wednesday Games

Cardiff City and Watford meet in English League Championship action this afternoon, and Watford captain Jay DeMerit could feature for the Hornets. DeMerit, who has been out injured, returned to training this week. Eddie Johnson could get time for Cardiff City, who will be keen to hold on to their sixth place position in the table. The Bluebirds currently occupy the fourth and final playoff spot.

It's as close to do-or-die time as possible for Michel Orozco and San Luis in the Copa Libertadores. San Luis, with only one point to its name after three matches, takes on Universitario of Peru tonight in Mexico.The Gladiadores will host the Peruvian club, with Orozco's side very much in need of a win to stay alive in the competition. As it stands, they are at the bottom of Group 8 with one point and a -4 goal differential, behind Libertad (9 points), Universitario (4 points) and San Lorenzo (3 points).

Eddie Johnson's Goal

Eddie Johnson scored for Cardiff City on Saturday, to the delight of the Ninian Park crowd and City manager Dave Jones. Here is the goal. Great soundtrack selection by whoever did this. We'll have better highlights from this game later on, so check back:

Saturday Results

• Eddie Johnson scored his first goal for Cardiff City in a 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers. After entering the game midway through the first half, Johnson curled home a left-footed effort in the 60th minute to open his account for Cardiff.

• Borussia Mönchengladbach lifted themselves off the foot of the Bundesliga table with an impressive 4-1 win against Hamburg. Michael Bradley played the full 90 minutes for 'Gladbach, who are up to 19th place with the victory.
• Bayern Munich easily beat Hannover 96, the 5-1 victory keeping them four points behind Hertha Berlin at the top of the table. Landon Donovan entered the game as a late second half sub. Steve Cherundolo started and played the full 90 minutes for Hannover.
• Clint Dempsey and Fulham were knocked out of the FA Cup with a 4-0 loss to Manchester United.
• Standard Liege's 1-0 win sent Oguchi Onyewu's team to the top of the Belgian table.
  

Saturday Results

• Taken down by a late winner last week, it was Everton's turn to inflict injury time pain on another team this week, with Tim Cahill's headed goal giving the Toffees the 1-0 win at the City of Manchester Stadium. Tim Howard made three saves in the victory.
• Fulham drew again, fighting out a goaless snoozer with Stoke City. Clint Dempsey went the full 90 minutes for the Cottagers.
• Carlos Bocanegra and Rennes continued their unbeaten run, but missed a chance to go just one point behind Lyon. Their 0-0 draw with Nantes leaves them fifth in the table.
  
• Eddie Johnson came on as a first half sub as Cardiff City beat Ipswich Town 2-1.
• Steve Cherundolo and Hannover96 tied 1-1 with Arminia Bielefeld.
  

Championship Midweek Update

• Eddie Johnson came on as a sub in Cardiff City's 2-2 Draw with Burnley.
• Marcus Hahenmann made six saves in Reading's 1-0 win over Blackpool. Bobby Convey also entered the game as a second half sub.
  

Liverpool 0, Fulham 0

Fulham traveled to Anfield this weekend and came away with a 0-0 draw.

Clint Dempsey played 85 minutes in the match, as Fulham spoiled Fernando Torres' return to the starting lineup for Liverpool.

In other Fulham news, Eddie Johnson, on loan to Cardiff, played 90 minutes in Cardiff City's 2-1 loss to Plymouth in the English Championship.

Next up for Fulham is a trip to Villa Park to meet a tough Aston Villa side with Brad Guzan.



Picture courtesy of fulhamfc.com

Dempsey back in Starting Lineup as Fulham Win

Clint Dempsey was in the starting lineup for Fulham as the Cottagers defeated in-form Tottenham 2-1 at Craven Cottage. Dempsey was inserted into the starting 11 and made an impact early as Tottenham goalkeeper Gomes was forced to make a save from Clint's long range drive.

Later in the first half, Tottenham's Gomes was at fault for some shocking goalkeeping to let Fulham open the scoring. In the second half, the Cottagers continued to have the better of the exchanges, and the home side extended its lead through Andy Johnson in the 70th minute.



A late Tottenham consoloation goal was not enough to trouble Fulham, who moved up to 9th place in the Premier League with the win. All five of Fulham's wins in the league have come at Craven Cottage. Watch manager Roy Hodgson talk about Fulham's win here.

Elsewhere in England, Marcus Hahnemann and Reading defeated Sheffield Utd. 2-0, Eddie Johnson played 90 minutes in Cardif's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, and Jay DeMerit and Watford fell 2-1 to Barnsley.

Preview in England

Clint Dempsey and Fulham host resurgent Tottenham at Craven Cottage. Fulham have won their most recent two games at home, and a win this weekend would give them three home wins on the trot for the first time in two years. The Cottagers are unbeaten in their last six home games against Spurs and last year's 3-3 game in the corresponding fixture featured Clint Dempsey opening the scoring for Fulham.

Tim Howard and Everton put their four match unbeaten streak on the line against Middlesborough (also unbeaten in four) at Goodison Park. For the ambitious ones among you there are still some seats available.

Jay DeMerit and struggling Watford host Barnsley in the Championship. Watford managed a 1-0 win over Swansea in the Carling Cup midweek, but their league form has been poor and they'll look to get back on track with an important away game on Saturday. In other action, Eddie Johnson and Cardiff host Crystal Palace, while Marcus Hahnemann and Reading face off with Sheffield Utd. in a match between teams placed three and four, respectively, in the Championship table.

Midweek Action

The UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup aren't the only matches on the schedule this week, as many domestic leagues are in action as well.

In England, Cardiff bounced back from this weekend's loss to earn a 2-2 draw at Watford. Eddie Johnson came off the bench in the second half for the visitors, who got two late goals from Jay Bothroyd to grab a point on the road. Jay DeMerit is still sidelined for Watford, who next face a big game with Wolves this coming weekend.

Reading got back on track with a 2-1 victory over Doncaster. Marcus Hahnemann spoke to Reading's website about grinding out the the win, which he said was an important result on the road for the club.

Over in Italy, Danny Szetela and Brescia fell to a 2-0 defeat. Brescia wil travel to Modena on Saturday as they try to improve on their 7th place position.

In Denmark, Danny Califf and FC Midtjylland defeated Jeremiah White and AGF Aarhus, 2-1.

Fulham Earn a Point

Clint Dempsey and Fulham stopped their run of four defeats by earning a 0-0 tie against Sunderland. The game was not without excitement, as Sunderland were denied a goal on multiple occasions: once by the referee and once by the woodwork. Clint Dempsey came on as a second half sub for the cottagers.



The inconsistent start for Tim Howard and Everton continued this weekend, with the Toffees going down, 3-1, to Arsenal in London. Everton took the lead in the first half but couldn't maintain the advantage in the second period, and Arsenal stormed back to take all three points. It gets no easier for Everton, who are in 16th place in the Premier League: they take on Manchester United next weekend.



In other action, Eddie Johnson and Cardiff won 2-0 at Charlton while Marcus Hahnemann and Reading fell, 2-1, to Preston.

Results from England

In the Premier League, it proved to be a tough weekend for Everton and Tim Howard who went down, 3-0, to Portsmouth. The defeat marks the second in a row for Everton. They'll have to wait a few weeks before they have a shot at getting back to winning ways - they next face Stoke on Sept. 14.



Aston Villa tied Liverpool, 0-0, and goalkeeper Brad Guzan appeared on the subs bench for the first time in his Aston Villa career.



In the Championship, Reading resumed their winning ways, beating Crystal Palace, 4-2. Marcus Hahnemann made two saves in the victory while Bobby Convey was an unused sub.

Jay Demerit's Watford grabbed a late victory over Ipswich Town. The 2-1 win sends the Hornets up to 8th in the table. DeMerit started and played the full game on the Watford backline.

Cardiff City and Sheffield Utd finished tied at zero. Eddie Johnson made his second appearance for the Bluebirds, coming on as a late sub in the draw.

Johnson Completes Debut

Eddie Johnson made his club debut, starting up front and playing 90 minutes for Cardiff City in his sides 2-1 victory over MK Dons in the Carling Cup.

Up next for the Bluebirds is a trip to Bramall Lane on Saturday to face Sheffield Utd. in league play.

EJ Set for Debut

Eddie Johnson is in line for his Cardiff City debut tonight in the Carling Cup, as the Welsh club host Milton Keynes Dons in the second round of the knockout tournament. Eddie also spoke to Wales online in an extensive interview that is definitely worth a read.

Random note: MK Dons count American Jemal Johnson among their ranks. The forward was born in NJ before moving to England at a young age with his family.

Check back here later to find out of EJ actually does make his first appearance for Cardiff tonight.