MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 15:35:20| >> :120:4203:4203:
[monks data]
Fulham logo
Premier League
Dec 8, 2013 at 1.30pm UK
 
Aston Villa logo

2-0

Sidwell (22'), Berbatov (30' pen.)
FT(HT: 2-0)

Half-Time Report: Fulham hold comfortable lead

Goal from Steve Sidwell and Dimitar Berbatov give Fulham a comfortable 2-0 lead over Aston Villa at half time.

Half time at Craven Cottage sees Fulham hold a comfortable 2-0 lead over Aston Villa in this afternoon's Premier League clash.

Dimitar Berbatov went over in the area on eight minutes, but the referee waved away the claims for a penalty.

Soon after, the Bulgarian forward came close with a header, but Brad Guzan kept his effort out with a fine one-handed save.

The away side broke away quickly on 12 minutes and Christian Benteke came close to giving them the lead, but he could only head Gabriel Agbonlahor's cross wide.

Benteke had another chance on 16 minutes, but the Belgian's low drive was kept out well by the goalkeeper.

Fulham then took the lead on 22 minutes when Steve Sidwell clipped the ball past Guzan from a tight angle to make it 1-0.

Fulham's Steve Sidwell celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal against Aston Villa during their Premier League match on December 8, 2013© Getty Images

The hosts had a chance to increase their lead on 28 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Ashkan Dejagah was brought down by Leandro Bacuna.

Berbatov stepped up and calmly stroked the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Guzan kept out Berbatov on 36 minutes, getting down low to save the striker's effort.

Bacuna fired a free kick just over the bar on 44 minutes as Villa looked to reduce the deficit before half time.

ID:122959: cacheID:122959:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3306:
Written by
Sam Hughes
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Fulham head coach Rene Meulensteen on the touchline during the match against Tottenham on December 4, 2013
Read Next:
Team News: Fulham make one change
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!