Fulham Vs. West Brom: Clint Dempsey Doubles Fulham’s Lead

United States international and Fulham’s leading scorer, Clint Dempsey, has put the Cottagers ahead 2-0 over West Brom with a header on a set piece. Dempsey’s jumping ability helped to create the goal and West Brom’s poor defending was probably the biggest factor in creating the goal, but Scott Carson cannot be ignored. Once again he had a decent chance to make a stop, and once again, he failed to do so.

Dempsey’s header had some decent power on it and Brede Hangeland’s run from a different direction towards the spot Dempsey was standing in might have confused Carson, but Dempsey’s header was not into the corner. It was right down the middle, pretty close to Carson’s hand. This goal wasn’t nearly as big of an error as the first one, but the fact that Carson should have done better on both of Fulham’s goals can’t be ignored.

The goal was Dempsey’s sixth on the season, making him Fulham’s leading scorer by four goals. A flurry of other players are tied for second place on the team’s scoring charts, with two goals apiece.

Fulham do not appear content to play keep-away with a two goal cushion and they are still playing direct, attacking balls. However, their rigid 4-4-2 formation has worked well, with their midfield and defense holding their shape extremely well, and therefore it will be difficult for West Brom to break them down.

Both teams have made changes, with Zoltan Gera replacing Diomansy Kamara for Fulham and Marc-Antoine Fortune replacing Youssuf Mulumbu for West Brom. Both teams look to be changing tactics, with Fulham playing more of a 4-4-1-1 setup with Gera operating deeper than Kamara did. Fortune is a striker replacing Mulumbu, a midfielder who likes to occupy deeper positions, so their intentions are obvious down two goals.