Zamora enjoys triumphant audition for England as striker seals comeback win
FULHAM (2) v/s BIRMINGHAM (1)
FULHAM striker Bobby Zamora boosted his chances of gatecrashing England’s World Cup squad with a match-winning performance against Birmingham.
Uncapped Zamora was tipped for a call-up by both managers after crowning a classic centre-forward’s display with a superb 90th minute free-kick – his 15th strike of the season.
A Chris Baird own goal had put the visitors in front after three minutes before Damien Duff cut in from the right to rifle an equaliser in off the post on the hour.
Zamora’s star turn came in front of England manager Fabio Capello, who is mulling his squad for next month’s friendly against Egypt.
“I think Capello will have been impressed,” said Fulham boss Roy Hodgson. “I know the fans were chanting his name for England and that was quite right.”
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish added: “If Fabio Capello is looking for a certain type of forward then Zamora is as good as anyone I’ve seen.”
l Blackburn deepened Bolton’s relegation worries with a 3-0 win in blizzard conditions at Ewood Park. Nikola Kalinic put Rovers in front before further strikes from Jason Roberts and Gael Givet.