Johnson at the double for Jol’s men
FULHAM (4) vs WISLA KRAKOW (1)
FULHAM’S Europa league specialist Andrew Johnson struck twice to hand Martin Jol’s side a comprehensive victory that puts the Cottagers within touching distance of qualification for the next round.
Damien Duff got the home side off to a flying start with a goal in the fifth minute, but the Polish champions, who beat Fulham 1-0 in the reverse fixture two week’s ago, levelled matters soon after thanks to Andraz Kirm’s deflected effort.
But Johnson, out of contract in the summer, restored the lead 15 minutes before the interval when he met Danny Murphy’s cross with a thumping volley on the tun which fizzed in via the inside of the post.
The former England striker then took his tally in Europe this season to a mightily impressive eight goals in 11 appearances, dinking the ball over the goalkeeper from a tight angle after a fabulous training ground free-kick routine involving Murphy and Bobby Zamora.
And with 11 minutes remaining Steve Sidwell added a fourth goal to confirm the three points which lifted the 2010 runners-up to second in Group K, four points ahead of Odense with two fixtures remaining.
Afterwards manager Martin Jol said of his in-form striker: “Johnson for England? What, are they going to play him out on the right like they did before?
“If you keep on scoring everyone says you should be in the England team but, for me, as a second striker he is one of the better ones.”