Fulham Stroll Through

Strikers Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora were both on target for Fulham as the Cottagers completed an emphatic Europa League victory over Crusaders.Johnson opened the scoring with a neat finish to a sweeping team move as the hosts dominated the first half.Damien Duff fired home a second before Zamora converted Johnson's cross with a first-time shot to stretch the lead.Steve Sidwell completed the scoring ahead of a third-round qualifying tie against either Domzale or RNK Split.Fulham will take play away in either Slovenia or Croatia on 28 July before returning to Craven Cottage on 4 August.After the contest Cottagers boss Martin Jol expressed his high hopes for the partnership of Johnson and Zamora."Even if you have got a tough defence you know you can score goals," said Jol."Last year Bobby was of course injured and Andy was the same, he only had 16 starts. 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. If you saw Bobby in the first half, if he is in the flow he is a very good target."Matthew Briggs who had scored Fulham's first against the Belfast side in the first leg, was shunted from left-back to right-back to make way for debutant John Arne Riise.But the 20-year-old looked just at home on then opposite flank and created Fulham's first chance for Johnson, who forced a save out of Sean O'Neill.

Johnson was not be denied for long however, and fired in after Zamora's dummy.

A pass from centre-back Philippe Senderos sent Duff clear early in the second half and the Republic of Ireland winger slipped his shot just inside the far post to double the lead on the night.

Fulham's superior fitness levels told in the last quarter of the match as Zamora took advantage of some tiring legs in the Crues' ranks before Sidwell headed home.

Should Fulham emerge victorious from the third round, a play-off would be the final obstacle between them and the group stages of the competition.

Fulham set to Land Czech Star

Fulham appear to be on the verge of signing Slovan Liberec midfielder Marcel Gecov, after his agent confirmed the player is set to undergo a medical at the club.

The 23-year old, who has also received interest from Sparta Prague, started his career with Slavia Prague and has made 79 appearances in Czech Republic’s top flight since then, scoring three times.

Gecov's agent, Jiri Muller, told Sky Sports: “The clubs have been negotiating, so we will see how it turns out.

“Marcel is to undergo a medical and will have an interview with coach [Martin] Jol.”

The midfielder caught the eye at the European Under-21 championships in the summer, receiving the man of the match award in the Czech Republic's late win over England.

New Fulham boss Martin Jol has already started strengthening his squad as he looks to build on their eighth-placed finish from last season, bringing in John Arne Riise and Hungarian goalkeeper Csaba Somogyi.

Fulham 's Jol to make bid for Carlos Kameni.Martin

Fulham have been put on red alert after Espanyol revealed they will listen to offers for highly-rated keeper Carlos Kameni.Martin Jol has been strongly linked with a £2m move for the Cameroon international who says he would love the chance to play in the Premier League.Jol is looking to strengthen the Fulham squad following his arrival as manager earlier this month and could make Kameni his first signing at Craven Cottage.Espanyol CEO Joan Collet admits the club are determined to keep their best players but they will consider an offer for Kameni if Fulham make a sizeable offer.Collet said: "Every summer we seem to have speculation surrounding his future. If an offer is made for the player we will consider it."
The arrival of Kameni at Fulham will cast a huge doubt over the future of Mark Schwarzer, who has been the club's first-choice keeper

Martin Jol is new Fulham Manager

Martin Jol is returning to the Premier League as Fulham manager, four years after an acrimonious exit from London rivals Tottenham.The 55-year-old Dutchman has agreed to an initial two-year contract with Fulham, with the option for a further year's extension, the club said.Jol is replacing Mark Hughes, who resigned last week after just one season in charge at Craven Cottage.
"I am very happy to join Fulham Football Club, a wonderful traditional club,'' Jol said on the club website.. "It is a club with good, solid foundations and a great fan base. I am looking forward to being part of the Fulham family and thank the chairman for the trust he's shown in me.''
Jol will be Fulham's third manager is as many seasons.
"He understands my vision for the club, and believes in what we are striving to achieve here,'' Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed said. "I know that he will dedicate himself to helping us move forward, and is with us for the long term, to help us build and progress.
"We have enjoyed three incredibly successful years, and my hopes and dreams for this club are for that journey to continue. I know that with his wealth of experience and success, Martin is the right man to help us do this.''
A former player with clubs including Bayern Munich, West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City, Jol coached Dutch teams Roda JC Kerkrade and RKC Waalwijk before moving to Tottenham.
Since being ditched by Tottenham in 2007 despite successive fifth-place finishes, Jol has coached Hamburg and Ajax.
Jol has been out of work since quitting Ajax in December, following a slump in fortunes after leading the Dutch club to second in the league and a place in the Champions League.
Jol will start working with his new Fulham players from June 23 when they return from their summer break in time to prepare for a Europa League qualifier. Fulham reached the 2010 final under Roy Hodgson but lost to Atletico Madrid.