Hodgson haunted by forward failings

FULHAM might be enjoying their best season for years but Roy Hodgson is apparently a hard man to satisfy.

The Cottagers manager saw his side stretch their fine form to one defeat in 10 games, but Hodgson fears a lack of a cutting edge is hampering his side’s progress. Fulham have not won on the road all season and their last four trips have not even yielded a single goal.

“It’s frustrating to play as well as we did and not quite deliver that cross or final pass,” said Hodgson.

Andy Johnson felt he should have had a penalty after a challenge by Glenn Whelan and Stoke escaped again when Danny Higginbotham handled a Jimmy Bullard cross. “We were lucky,” said manager Tony Pulis.

STOKE (4-4-2): Sorensen 7, Wilkinson 6, Abdoulaye Faye 7, Sonko 6, Higginbotham 6, Delap 5 (Tonge 61, 5), Amdy Faye 6, Whelan 5, Pugh 5 (Pericard 68, 5), Sidibe 5 (Cresswell 5, 5), Fuller 6.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Olofinjana, Cort, Davies.

FULHAM (4-5-1): Schwarzer 7, Pantsil 6, Hangeland 8, Hughes 7, Konchesky 6, Davies 6, Bullard 7, Murphy 6, Gera 6, Dempsey 6, Johnson 6.

Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Gray, Etuhu, Stoor, Andreasen, Kallio.

REFEREE: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire) 5: Missed a blatant handball from Danny Higginbotham.

MATCH RATING: * Awful. Neither side showed a semblance of attacking nous, although both defences will be happy enough.