Their defender Brede Hangeland is a handful but when Manucho came on it was a different ball game.

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Brede Hangeland nodded a corner wide, Zamora shot straight at keeper Povilas Valincius and Zoltan Gera flashed wide of the near post as the Cottagers failed to turn their increasing dominance into goals.

BBC: FK Vetra 0-3 Fulham

Suddenly the Cottagers were rampant and they went close to levelling soon after, when Alex Manninger clawed away a Brede Hangeland header, then threatened again with shots from Zoltan Gera and Bobby Zamora.

BBC: Juventus 3-1 Fulham

After his side was refused a penalty when Florent Malouda was carelessly bundled over by Brede Hangeland, Ancelotti decided to bring on extra firepower.

BBC: Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

Hodgson's carefully crafted team of budget signings (Zoltan Gera, a free transfer from West Brom), obscure European finds (Brede Hangeland from FC Copenhagen) and rejuvenated 'Big Four' cast-offs (Danny Murphy, ex-Liverpool, and former Chelsea winger Damien Duff) have negotiated 14 games on their way to their maiden European final.

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Fulham pushed centre-back Brede Hangeland up into attack late on but could not avoid defeat, with Konchesky's dismissal for a tackle on Taddei rubbing salt into their wounds.

BBC: Roma 2-1 Fulham