Johnson and Murphy send Fulham through

FULHAM are safely through to the Europa League play-off stage after overcoming RNK Split at Craven Cottage last night.

The west Londoners endured a frustrating night in Croatia last week as they struggled to a goalless draw in the third qualifying round first leg but managed to see off the Reds on home soil.

Andrew Johnson’s header proved the only goal of a first half in which the hosts dominated, before skipper Danny Murphy put the tie beyond doubt from the penalty spot in the second half.

Meanwhile, Ryan Shotton’s stoppage-time goal in Croatia secured a 1-0 victory on the night and a 2-0 triumph on aggregate for Stoke against Hajduk Split to also book their place in the play-off stage of the Europa League.

Hearts are also through after a 4-1 home win against Hungarian side Paks gave them a 5-2 aggregate victory.