Boss Proud Of Progress

Last updated : 25 February 2010 By BBC Sport

Hodgson said his side were hitting new heights after they beat Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their Europa League last 32 tie.

Zoltan Gera and Bobby Zamora sealed a 2-1 win after Luiz Adriano had levelled for last year's Uefa Cup winners.

"I'm pleased to take such an important scalp. It's a big game for Fulham and we've come a long way," said Hodgson.

"We've done it and are very proud of it. This was a very good victory - probably our best in Europe."

Hodgson added: "If someone had said to me during my first season here when we were battling to stay in the Premier League that we'd beat Shakhtar in a couple of years, I'd have thought they were taking the mickey.

The Cottagers are enjoying a fine season, despite injuries ravaging the squad, with striker Andrew Johnson ruled out for the campaign and forward Clint Dempsey and defender John Pantsil also on the sidelines.

Having progressed into the FA Cup quarter-finals, Fulham are 10th in the Premier League and their hopes of progression in the Europa League now rest on taking a slender one-goal lead to Ukraine on 25 February.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport