Jol impressed by attacking prowess

Fulham boss Martin Jol praised his team’s attack after a 4-0 second-leg win over Crusaders saw them progress in Europa League qualifying.

The West Londoners’ crushed the Northern Irish side 7-1 on aggregate courtesy of their win at Craven Cottage on Thursday as Andrew Johnson, Damien Duff, Bobby Zamora and Steve Sidwell netted.

The win sees Fulham advance to the third round of qualifying and Jol praised Johnson and Zamora, who played up front and combined well after only scoring 10 goals between them last campaign.

“Even if you have got a tough defence you know you can score goals. Last year, Bobby was of course injured and Andy was the same – he only had 16 starts,” Jol said.

“So we had some trouble with injuries and luckily enough we had (Clint) Dempsey and he was our top scorer”

“I feel there is a lot more goals in Andy Johnson. Every game when I see him he is quick and he can score goals. I think he has scored three goals already and that is what you want, not the two goals last year.”

Fulham won the first leg in Northern Ireland 3-1 and Johnson opened the scoring in the 19th minute on Thursday to extend that advantage.

They then added three goals in a 15-minute spell beginning in the 56th minute and Jol said he was pleased with the performance.

“You always want to play perfect football and of course the first half we started well,” Jol said.

“The first half an hour I thought was good. Good movement and everybody was involved.”

“After that there were a few sloppy spells and that is not what you want.”

“But the second half was okay and of course we had to substitute a few players because we have 17 or 18 players who want to be involved.”

Fulham will meet Croatian side RNK Split, who beat Slovenian outfit NK Domzale 5-2 on aggregate, in the first leg of their third round qualifying tie next Thursday.