Fulham 2 Wolfsburg 1

Last updated : 01 April 2010 By Footymad Previewer
Craven Cottage staged another magical European night on Thursday as Fulham grabbed a 2-1 Europa League quarter-final first leg win over German champions Wolfsburg.

Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff goals put the Cottagers in control before a last-gasp header from Alexander Madlung set up a frantic finish ahead of the reverse fixture next week.

It took Fulham 20 minutes to put their first meaningful attack together as Zoltan Gera's deflected effort from distance had 'keeper Diego Benaglio scrambling with Bobby Zamora ready to pounce.

Wolfsburg responded with glimpses of class with Edin Dzeko and Grafite combining on the edge of the Cottagers penalty area only for Grafite to smash over when he should have hit the target.

Zamora was cautioned on 40 minutes for dissent as the Wolves stamped their mark on proceedings, but Dickson Etuhu went close for the hosts, his header just clearing the bar from a Duff corner as the Londoners finished the opening period on top.

Fulham turned up the heat on the interval with live-wire Duff teeing up Clint Dempsey, but the American's shot sailed wide of the post from the edge of the box.

Soon after the re-start Grafite fired straight down Mark Schwarzer's throat and Dzeko meekly headed a half chance wide before Fulham grabbed the lead.

Gera's cross from the left was taken beautifully by Zamora and he slotted home from 18-yards, taking his seasonal tally to 18.

Moments later the Cottagers doubled their advantage as Zamora played the ball into the path of Duff, enabling the Republic of Ireland man to steer passed Benaglio.

Wolfsburg had the opportunity to pull a goal back immediately as the contest gathered further momentum, but Bosnia striker Dzeko failed to capitalise as his stretching effort went over.

Madlung found his way into the book as Wolfsburg struggled to make significant inroads before former Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins made his way into the action.

He soon stung Schwarzer's hands from the edge of the area with ten minutes to go and following sustained Wolfsburg pressure, they halved the deficit in the 90th minute.

Zvjezdan Misimovic's teasing centre from a short corner was met by the bulldozing Madlung and he planted a header beyond the brave Schwarzer for a pivotal away goal.

Fulham held on to chalk up a fine 2-1 win ahead of the second-leg in Germany next week, proving their majestic success over Italian giants Juventus in the previous round was no fluke.