Juventus win inspires Konchesky

(GSM) – Fulham defender Paul Konchesky believes that the Cottagers can see off the challenge of Manchester City on Sunday following their historic win over Juventus on Thursday night.

The Londoners head into Sunday’s clash awash with confidence having dumped the Turin giants out of the Europa League with a shock 5-4 aggregate win.

But City are unbeaten in their last five league games, though, and a win could see them move into fifth to replace Liverpool, who face leaders Manchester United also on Sunday.

Fulham have won their last three league games at Craven Cottage, however, and Konchesky thinks everything is set up for Fulham to take at least a point from the match.

“Juventus are one of the best teams in Europe. But football-wise we outclassed them. That’s what we’ve been like all season,” said the 28-year-old.

“Games like the one against Juventus give you loads of confidence.

“If we can play like that again on Sunday against Manchester City then we’ve got a great chance.”

While Thursday’s win will undoubtedly go down as one of the most famous in the club’s history, Konchesky believes the team must move on and focus their attention on tomorrow’s game and Wednesday’s FA Cup quarter-final replay against his former side Tottenham.

“It was a great night for us and for the club but we were back in training on Friday,” he said.

“We’ve got a big game on Sunday and we’ve just got to work hard and concentrate on that now.”

Fulham are boosted by the return of Danny Murphy and Jonathan Greening for the match, while Clint Dempsey is pushing for a starting place alongside Bobby Zamora after scoring the winner that booked next month’s quarter-final meeting with German champions Wolfsburg.

The American, who signed from New England Revolution in January 2007, believes the club’s future is looking bright.

“You have to be trying to better yourself and be moving in the right direction, and this club is doing that,” said the 26-year-old.

“We’re getting stronger and stronger, and hopefully we can push further in this competition and in the FA Cup, and see if we can try to finish where we did or higher in the league than last season.”