Zamora exit good for Fulham - Jol

Martin Jol believes Fulham are better off for the departure of wantaway striker Bobby Zamora.

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The 31-year-old left Craven Cottage for west London rivals QPR this week, moving for a fee that could be worth more than £6million. There has been much speculation in recent months of a rift between Zamora and Jol, although the pair have always been quick to play down such talk.

The latter was again coy when asked about their relationship on Thursday, but admitted it was a good time for the striker to leave. Jol said: "The talk of a rift wasn't just over the past couple of weeks, it was over the last couple of months and probably since August."

He added: "Bobby wanted to move so we had to wait for a good offer and QPR made a good offer.

"It was only a matter of making a decision of whether to keep him or let him go.

"I had the opportunity to get somebody else, who is a bit younger in Pavel [Pogrebnyak].

"[I would] not [say he is] better because Bobby was a good player for us so all credit to him.

"It was just about making a decision for us. I think in the games he played he always gave 100%, but if players ask for a move you get the impression [he doesn't want to be here].

"If you ask your boss to move, I think he will get the impression you don't want to work for him. That is the only impression I got. He wanted to move.

"We have a good atmosphere here, a good spirit and they all want to play for the club. You have to appreciate for me the most important thing is that they want to play for Fulham and that they want to play with their heart."

Hangeland welcomes Hodgson return

Fulham defender Brede Hangeland hopes former manager Roy Hodgson gets a warm welcome when West Brom visit Craven Cottage on Wednesday.

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The 30-year-old Norway international moved to west London from Copenhagen in January 2008 to link up with the Cottagers, who were then under the leadership of Hodgson.

During his time at the helm, he helped transform Fulham from a side battling relegation to one fighting to be in the Premier League top 10 as well as the 2010 Europa League final, and Hangeland told the club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com: "He definitely deserves a warm welcome whenever he returns to Craven Cottage."

He added: "I think all the players who were part of that era and certainly the fans will appreciate that [time he had at the club]."

"We know exactly what to expect from West Brom. It will be much the same as we played a couple of years ago and we all know how difficult that will be to break down.

"They will be a strong unit and well organised so we're in for a tough game but obviously we would like to keep our home form going and win the game."

One former player that will not be there, though, is Bobby Zamora, who completed his move west London rivals QPR on Tuesday night.

There had been much speculation in recent months of a rift between Zamora and Cottagers boss Martin Jol.

Although the pair both played down such talk, speculation has been rife that the striker could move on and Hangeland insists there was never any problems in terms of team spirit.

"One of the best things about [our] football [club] is that we always try and let people understand it is a team effort," he added. "We have nobody that stands out as star players as such, it is always a team effort."

Fulham in Pogrebnyak talks

Fulham are in talks to sign Stuttgart striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, Press Association Sport understands.

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Martin Jol has been after a striker throughout the January transfer window and now looks set to secure the signing of the Russia international.

Fulham would not comment on any potential deal but Press Association Sport understands Pogrebnyak is on his way to west London to finalise a move.

The 28-year-old would have a medical with the Cottagers on Tuesday ahead of a move, although it is not known whether the switch would be on a loan or permanent basis.

Pogrebnyak's addition would bolster a Fulham frontline that includes Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson.

Both have been linked with a move away from Craven Cottage this month, with Johnson the subject of offers from Blackburn and QPR earlier in the window.

Jol prepared for Everton onslaught

Fulham manager Martin Jol is expecting a typically tough encounter when he takes his side to Everton on Friday night.

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The Cottagers travel to the north-west to face David Moyes' men in a fourth-round FA Cup tie at Goodison Park and, while the Toffees have struggled for form recently, former Tottenham manager Jol believes they have just been unlucky and expects a tough match.

"I feel that although Everton miss quite a few players they have had decent results in different ways," he said. "Of course if you play Everton it is always a difficult game because they always play to win."

He added: "They have got a system with offensive midfield players. They play with a lot of crosses with English ingredients so we are well prepared.

"I hope we can push on in the FA Cup. It would be fantastic because we are out of the Europa League and Carling Cup. It would be nice to progress to the next round."

Several former Everton players could make an appearance, including Andrew Johnson, Simon Davies and Philippe Senderos.

The latter has established himself as a regular starter in central defence this season alongside Brede Hangeland. Some fans have questioned Jol's decision to break up Hangeland's established partnership with Aaron Hughes, although the Fulham boss responded defensively when asked about it.

"Maybe you have a preference for other players but I don't," Jol said. "I think Philippe did very well and of course he made a mistake, maybe two, but others did too.

"I felt after the Europa League there was not a necessity to rotate so I made a decision to play him at the back with Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland and John Arne Riise.

"I am not someone that will change it all the time but that doesn't mean Aaron Hughes, who is one of the fittest and did very well for us, that he is a substitute. He isn't. He is a big part of my squad. Next week, for example, we have two matches in four days so there is a possibly for one or two players to come in."

Hodgson demands improvement at home

Head coach Roy Hodgson has challenged his West Brom players to put their dismal home form behind them during the final third of the season.

The Baggies have collected 25 points during the current campaign but only eight of them have come at the Hawthorns, where they have suffered seven defeats in the Barclays Premier League.

In contrast, Albion have achieved five victories away from home, and Hodgson said: "We are very disappointed with our home form so far this season. We have had bad results and not many performances have lived up to what our home public would have been hoping for."

He added: "Our away performances have been better.

"But it is a quirk and not a trend and if someone says 'why?', I can't explain it. Perhaps we are trying too hard to get it right so, when things go against you, it is hard to get back on track.

"Our away form has dampened down the impact of our home results. But our home form is very important to us.

"I would expect many of our points in the final third of the season to come at home and that we can put this unfortunate period behind us."

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Fulham told to pay 6.5 million for Maxi Lopez

Catania have told Fulham they must stump up around £6.5million for Maxi Lopez.

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Fulham have been chasing the Argentine striker for some time and according to the Daily Mail, Catania have told them their asking price.

The West London club have already had a loan bid turned down by the Italians.

The former Barcelona forward is also a target for Fiorentina and AC Milan.

Martin Jol is desperate to boost his striking options this month, with question marks over the futures of Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora.

Schwarzer signs new Fulham deal

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has signed a contract extension with Fulham until at least the summer of 2013, the club have confirmed.

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The 39-year-old, who joined Fulham on a free transfer in the summer of 2008, said: "I love playing and want to continue for as long as possible as long as the performances are there.

"I like to set myself targets and the 2014 World Cup is my goal without a doubt."

He added: "I'm enjoying my football as much as ever and I try to maximise every opportunity I get. The saying I use is 'I'll be a long time retired', so I want to do the best job I can.

"There's plenty of time to feel tired when you're retired - now is the time to enjoy it."

Australia international Schwarzer, currently sidelined with a spinal injury, continued on the Barclays Premier League club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com: "I realised a long time ago what a great life I have and you have to be realistic and realise how privileged we are to play football for a living, at this level in the Premier League.

"In my opinion it's still the best league in the world. I look at Brad Friedel and he's older than me so I'll keep going as long as he's going!

"He said to me he's going to play for at least another two seasons so I've got at least that."

Blackburn 3-1 Fulham: Match Report

The first red card of Ayegbeni Yakubu's nine-year career in English football midway through the first half seemed to add to beleaguered manager Steve Kean's woes.

But Morten Gamst Pedersen and David Dunn struck either side of the interval, and despite Damien Duff pulling one back, substitute Mauro Formica sealed only Rovers' fourth league win of the season.

QPR and Wigan still have to play this weekend, but the fact Rovers sit 17th after this game will at least give Kean encouragement.

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The latest fans' protest against owners Venky's outside the ground before kick off was but a sideshow, and completely forgotten about come the final whistle.

The fans, though, are having their say with their feet as just 18,003 turned up at Ewood Park, the worst league crowd for many years.

Those that stayed away, however, missed a rousing performance from Kean's side, who were spurred into action after Yakubu's dismissal.

Bobby Zamora had just planted a header on to the angle of bar and post from a Damien Duff right-wing cross when the complexion of the game changed, albeit in Rovers' favour.

Kean could be seen mouthing 'That's a disgrace' towards referee Anthony Taylor, but the Cheshire official brandished the red card.

In going for a loose ball with Danny Murphy, Yakubu was high with his right boot, and to add to his indiscretion his studs were showing, catching the Fulham midfielder on his right knee.

It means Rovers will be without their leading scorer for the next three matches, all in the league against Everton, Newcastle and Arsenal, with the middle fixture of those on home soil.

Despite that, it was Rovers who went into the break with the lead, and perhaps rightly so as Fulham showed little invention with the extra man.

Zamora did come within inches of turning home a low ball into the six-yard box from Moussa Dembele, and Paul Robinson made a superb save six minutes from the break.

That saw the England international at his best in clawing away a goal-bound header from Philippe Senderos after the defender was allowed to rise unchecked on to a free-kick from Murphy.

But in the fourth minute of injury time Pedersen stroked home his third goal of the season, curling a low 20-yard free-kick beyond the outstretched grasp of David Stockdale after Bryan Ruiz had brought down Dunn.

If Martin Jol had given his players a roasting during the break, it had virtually no time to sink in because just 56 seconds into the second half Blackburn doubled their lead.

Steven Nzonzi's initial drive inside the area was blocked by John Arne Riise, however, the rebound fell to Dunn who struck a piledriver of a shot beyond Stockdale for his first goal since February 5 last year.

Fulham were finally roused, and four minutes later they thought they had pulled one back, only for Clint Dempsey to be narrowly flagged offside in heading home a save from Robinson who had initially palmed away a stinging effort from Riise.

Less than six minutes later, though, they were back in the game, and all too easily at that.

When Murphy played a pass out towards Duff, who was outside the area and 20 yards from goal at that point, there appeared to be no danger.

Duff, however, eased his way into the box and from an acute angle stroked a right-foot drive beyond a static Robinson for his fifth goal of the season, and second in successive games.

Rovers, though, should have restored their two-goal cushion in the 65th minute, only for Stockdale to beat away Junior Hoilett's 12-yard effort after being teed up by Pedersen.

With less than 20 minutes remaining Jol threw on Blackburn target Andrew Johnson for Riise, sacrificing a defender for a striker in a bid to salvage something from the game.

But in the 79th minute it was Rovers who grabbed the next goal with 69th-minute sub Mauro Formica beating Stockdale with aplomb from 12 yards after being played in by Nzonzi.

Blackburn V Fulham at Ewood Park : Match Preview

Blackburn manager Steve Kean admits this weekend's Barclays Premier League fixture schedule looks promising for his team - but is taking nothing for granted.

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Rovers, currently bottom of the table, host Fulham while fellow strugglers Bolton (18th) and Wolves (16th) are at Manchester United and Tottenham respectively.

Sunday then sees 17th-placed QPR travel to high-flying Newcastle before second-bottom Wigan take on leaders Manchester City at the DW Stadium on Monday night.

A win could take Blackburn out of the relegation zone if other results go their way and Kean feels there is a "very good chance" Rovers will have their heads above water so long as they seal the three points against the Cottagers.

Having seen his side spring a surprise in recent weeks by drawing 1-1 at Anfield and winning 3-2 at Old Trafford, though, the Scot knows it is risky trying to predict how games will go and insists the focus simply needs to be on the job at Ewood Park.

"We know some of the teams around us have got difficult fixtures this weekend,"

Kean said. "We also know there can be upsets, though, because people probably looked at our last two away games (in the league) and thought we weren't going to get anything.

"What you can guarantee is looking after your own results. "We will go into the Fulham game with lots more people available, a good training week under our belt and we know if we can get a positive result, there is a very good chance that we can climb out of the bottom three with plenty of games to go."

Blackburn are set to have several key players back, with goalkeeper Paul Robinson (calf), winger Junior Hoilett and central midfielder David Dunn (both hamstring) all in line to make their returns from injury having been in full training this week.

Captain Christopher Samba - who Kean says is not for sale - is also fit again after sitting out the FA Cup defeat at Newcastle last weekend due to an ankle knock and tight hamstring. After the encouraging results on the road, Rovers were brought crashing back down to earth in their last league outing by a 2-1 home defeat to Stoke.

Fulham boss Martin Jol has praised Blackburn's board for sticking with under-fire Kean. Owners Venky's and Kean have come under fire from unhappy fans, leading to calls for both to leave the Lancashire outfit. Jol admits he has never seen anything like it before during his career in professional football and admires the owners for their backing of Kean.

"It is an awkward situation," the Fulham manager said. "Most of the time the club, the board and the owners will give in after a couple of week and we, the managers, are gone. "But they have stuck with him and you get a different situation.

"I think this could be the first time probably in the history of the Premier League that a board stuck with their manager [under such pressure]. How many times will that happen?

"You need time for development as well as results, which is not a good combination. "Of course as you saw with QPR it is a tough job and people have to make decision like that." Jol was referring to Neil Warnock's sacking as QPR manager earlier this week after a string of poor performances.

Warnock claims he would have kept the R's in the Premier League and Jol believes Kean can do the same if Blackburn stick with him.

"I feel for any manager that is under pressure," he said. "He, of course, needs time. "He does not necessarily have a young team but there are a few good youngsters there. I think they have been a bit unfortunate. "Hopefully they will let him get on with his job and then you will see, with his younger players and Yakubu up front, they will be fine."

Jol does not necessarily agree this is a good time to be playing Rovers. "Every game is different," he said. "If you saw them over the last four or five games they were always on the fringe of doing something good, but then they conceded a goal and that was awful for them.

"But it is not easy to play at Manchester United and if you saw that match, they played a 4-5-1 and came away with a good result.

"If you let them play, they have good players on the ball. "For us we need to be efficient and score one or two goals and then, of course, we are in with a chance."

Jol will have Simon Davies (back) and Andrew Johnson (groin) available while Dickson Etuhu will be assessed ahead of the match.

Fulham in planning application

Fulham have submitted a planning application to increase Craven Cottage's capacity to 30,000 from 25,700.

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The ground has been the Barclays Premier League club's home since 1896 and in October they ended talk of a move away by revealing plans to overhaul the stadium. Fulham plan to develop the Riverside Stand in order to increase capacity up to 30,000, as well as undertaking wider facility improvements at the venue.

In a statement on the club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com, the club said: "Fulham Football Club today submitted an application to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, for the redevelopment of the Riverside stand at its Craven Cottage home."

It continued: "The application will take the club's current capacity to 30,000 seats and, further significant funds will be invested to open up the Thames River walk from Hammersmith to Putney for the first time in recent history."

Fulham will hold exhibitions on January 25 and 28 to showcase the final design submitted and provide feedback from the second consultation.

Fulham look to sign Carlton Cole from West Ham

Sky Sports are reporting interest from Fulham for the signature of Carlton Cole.

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Cole who is also reported to be linked with a move to Aston Villa has been in good recent form for West Ham. A reported £4 million bid is being considered by Fulham who are looking at options should they be forced to sell Bobby Zamora in January.

West Ham will be reluctant to sell Cole with mounting injury concerns to their strike-force threatening to derail their bid for promotion back into the Premier League and having bids for Jordan Rhodes and Peter Whittingham rejected.

Fulham manager Martin Jol is known to admire Cole and has attempted to sign him in the past when manager of Spurs

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal: Match Report

Zamora stuns Gunners

Bobby Zamora's last-gasp volley saw Fulham complete an incredible comeback for a 2-1 win against 10-man Arsenal at Craven Cottage.

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The England international's goal deep into stoppage time helped the Cottagers start 2012 in the best possible manner on a bitterly cold night in west London.

Arsenal had looked set to secure a fifth victory in six away matches thanks to unlikely hero Laurent Koscielny's first half header.

Defeat, though, would have been cruel on a Fulham after a spirited performance and the game's dimensions changed 12 minutes from time when Johan Djourou was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Martin Jol's side unleashed a barrage of attacks as they searched for an equaliser, which came when Steve Sidwell nodded home from close range in the 85th minute.

The drama did not stop there, though, as Fulham's continued to exert pressure that resulted in Zamora firing home in stoppage time.

Heading into the match Arsene Wenger resisted the temptation to rest in-form Robin van Persie, although his hand was forced in terms of a defensive alteration.

Francis Coquelin was drafted in as makeshift left-back due to the Gunners' growing injury problems, with Thomas Vermaelen the latest to pick up a knock on New Year's Eve.

Gervinho was the north Londoners' only other change, while counterpart Jol brought in Zamora and Sidwell.

The former returned after a spell out with an Achilles injury and led an attack-minded Cottagers line-up, although the home side spent most of the opening exchanges on the back foot.

Gervinho twice blazed over for the north Londoners and Aaron Ramsey got away a shot on goal under pressure.

Arsenal could not match their bright start with midfield guile, though, and Wojciech Szczesny was forced into action to stop Zamora taking advantage in the 10th minute.

The home side's spirited opening was almost undone three minutes later when former Gunners defender Philippe Senderos upended Gervinho in the box.

The Ivory Coast international seemed to have his legs swiped away but referee Lee Probert waved away the penalty appeals.

The visiting support felt aggrieved by the decision but were soon able to celebrate breaking the deadlock.

Ramsey found space to put in a cross from the left that, having taken a kind deflection off Stephen Kelly, was headed home by Koscielny from six yards.

Arsenal thought they had doubled their advantage almost immediately but were thwarted by some world-class goalkeeping by David Stockdale.

The England squad member stopped a close-range Ramsey drive, a miscued Sidwell clearance and then a Gervinho effort during a penalty box melee.

Stockdale was called into action once more when van Persie flicked a shot on target, which came after Bryan Ruiz shot just wide at the other end.

The Costa Rica international was proving dangerous against Arsenal's makeshift left flank and thought he had won Fulham a penalty after being fouled by Alex Song.

Jol's side looked geed up as half-time approached and Zamora headed wide after some combative play on the left, before Stockdale was called into action to stop Ramsey.

The Cottagers looked rejuvenated after the break and Ruiz fired a snatched half-volley wide inside two minutes of the restart, before Sidwell and Moussa Dembele came close.

The former then hit an audacious 30-yard drive as Fulham looked for an equaliser, which almost came when Senderos headed a Danny Murphy free-kick inches over.

Jol's side were looking dangerous in the air and came closer still through Clint Dempsey, who met a floated Ruiz ball with a darted header that just evaded the far post.

The latter was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance in the 75th minute, firing straight at Szczesny from 12 yards when unmarked.

Fulham's hopes of finding a leveller were boosted three minutes later when Djourou was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Jol's side pushed forward in numbers and found a way past Arsenal's backline with five minutes remaining.

Ruiz's corner was headed back across goal by Senderos after Szczesny parried and Sidwell headed home from close range.

Fulham continued to press forward and eked out a winner deep into stoppage time, with Zamora volleying home from close range.

Wenger left fuming after loss

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hit out at referee Lee Probert for changing the course of the game at Fulham on Monday night.

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Steve Sidwell and Bobby Zamora netted in the final minutes of the match to secure Fulham a 2-1 win, with the catalyst seemingly Johan Djourou's red card for a second bookable offence 12 minutes before time.

Wenger was furious after the match, arguing that neither of Djourou's challenges were worthy of a yellow card, and said: "The referee influenced the game in completely the wrong way, in my opinion We cannot influence that."

He added: "We had a good first half and in the second half we were tired in the last 10 minutes. We lost the game because we were down to 10 men.

"The first yellow card was not a yellow card. The second yellow card was a foul for us."

While Arsenal felt aggrieved after the match, defeat would have been cruel on Fulham after a spirited performance.

Boss Martin Jol said: "I am relieved after any game when we get the points on the board and against a top side like Arsenal.

"We did it before against Liverpool and Chelsea so we have some players with excellent quality who can make the difference as you saw.

"We didn't play particularly well in the first 25 minutes. We played a bit differently in central midfield, we tried to screen and play zonally.

"After that we matched them up in midfield and that gave them a problem."

Norwich V Fulham at Carrow Road : Match Preview

Jol battles injuries ahead of `very important game'

Fulham will be without a host of key players for what manager Martin Jol believes could be a season-changing trip to Norwich on New Year's Eve. The Cottagers head to Carrow Road buoyed by their impressive 1-1 draw at west London rivals Chelsea on Boxing Day.

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Andy Johnson, Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff all missed the Stamford Bridge encounter and look set to miss out again against the Canaries. Jol does not believe strikers Zamora (Achilles) and Johnson (groin) will be fit to return, while Duff is also set to miss out through injury.

"Of course the only thing you can say is hopefully they will be back, but I don't think there is a big chance," manager Jol told Fulham TV.

"They were still out on Thursday and Simon Davies is of course out as well. Then we have the long-term injuries to [Zdenek] Grygera and Mark Schwarzer.

"We have got a few worries but we have got attacking options available. I think (Orlando) Sa needs a bit of confidence and then he will start scoring goals.

"It is only a matter of success and then he will thrive on that and do better and better. I thought he held up the ball well at Chelsea. He worked hard and now he has to score goals."

Many had tipped Fulham to be on the wrong end of another heavy defeat on Boxing Day having been thrashed 5-0 days earlier by Manchester United at Craven Cottage. However, the Whites went with a surprisingly attack-minded philosophy and secured a confidence-boosting point.

"You can always defend and we did that well against Chelsea," Jol said.

"But you have to play your own football as well and we should have done that more in the second half. Hopefully we can do that over 90 minutes against Norwich.

"I think it is a very important game to us. One that could change the season.

"But that is for them as well. They know it is an important game as well."

Jol concedes he will have to alter his tactics in a bid to thwart Paul Lambert's side, but expects to run with a similar line-up at Carrow Road. "I don't think we will see many changes," the Dutchman said. "If you see them play, they play in quite an extraordinary style for England. They play 4-4-2 in the diamond. They started off well against Spurs (before losing 2-0).

"Spurs have a very good team and they controlled them, but you can see their strength.

"They have two big players up front in (Steve) Morison and (Grant) Holt, with (Wes) Hoolahan in the hole.

"It is a different style but hopefully we can do the same (as we did against Chelsea) and take the game to them, take the initiative and take control."

Norwich left-back Marc Tierney (groin) is 50-50 for the clash. Fellow defender Kyle Naughton is available again having missed the defeat to parent club Tottenham through suspension, but Ritchie de Laet (back) remains doubtful after coming off against Spurs. Former Everton striker James Vaughan is on course for a return in the new year from his knee problem, along with centre-back Elliott Ward (knee).

Norwich manager Lambert feels keeping expectations in check will be his biggest challenge of 2012. The Canaries were outclassed by high-flying Tottenham at Carrow Road on Tuesday but remain in mid-table with a healthy seven-point cushion over the bottom three.

Fulham's poor away form will give Norwich hope of picking up three more points, but Lambert is taking nothing for granted.

"We have done really fine to be where we are and are playing well enough to win games, but we have to curtail the expectancy level a bit, because it is severe here," the former Celtic midfielder said.

"What the lads have done has been incredible; everybody predicted us to be in the bottom three at this time. "But when you surpass people's expectation levels, they think you are just going to turn up and win. It never works that way. "We are playing catch up with nearly every team in the league because we are new to it. We are the underdog to play every team we come up against, but we are making a fist of it. "Fulham have got terrific players and have been an established Premier League side for a number of years now.

"They got a great result at Chelsea (a 1-1 draw) which shows what a good side they are, so it is going to be a really tough game for us."