Fulham

Fulham
Fulham 6-0 Norwich Norwich's hopes of Premiership survival were swept away by rampant Fulham. The Canaries could have guaranteed survival with victory, but never threatened to get the win they needed. Brian McBride slid Fulham ahead after nine minutes, and Papa Bouba Diop added a second with a stunning 25-yard free-kick before the interval. Zat Knight fired home after 53 minutes, and a further strike from Steed Malbranque, a second from McBride and an Andy Cole tap-in piled on the agony. Norwich manager Nigel Worthington was in confident mood before the game, but it was not echoed by his team, who delivered a dreadful display and must now contemplate Championship football next season. The Canaries, backed by 7,000 travelling supporters, started brightly but it was not long before the carnival atmosphere inside Craven Cottage became muted. Fulham were ahead after nine minutes as Norwich paid a heavy price for their early attacking adventure. Tomasz Radzinski played in McBride, who slid a neat finish under Robert Green as he raced out. Norwich were stunned by the blow and they were unable to carve out any clear-cut opportunities before Fulham doubled their lead after 34 minutes. McBride was fouled by a combination of Craig Fleming and Thomas Helveg, allowing Diop the opportunity to curl a brilliant free-kick high past Green. Norwich's spirits sagged visibly, and they were fortunate not to go futher behind as Fulham threatened to run riot in the closing stages of the first half. Malbranque's shot was saved by Green, who also dived low to clutch a long-range drive from Moritz Voltz. And as Fulham pressed for a third, Norwich's goalkeeper came to the rescue again by touching McBride's shot from six yards on to the bar. Norwich's hopes of staging a recovery in the encounter were snuffed out after 54 minutes, when their failure to clear a corner saw the ball fall to Knight, who fired low past Green from just inside the area. The Canaries had been dreadful, barely posing an attacking threat in a game they needed to win to stay up, and it was no surprise when Fulham went 4-0 up. Luis Boa Morte ran at the heart of Norwich's defence, rounding Green to pull the ball back for Malbranque to score via a deflection Norwich were totally deflated, and Fulham piled on the humilation when substitute Cole tapped home from almost on the goal-line. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fulham: Van der Sar, Volz, Knight, Goma, Bocanegra, Malbranque, Clark, Diop, Boa Morte (Cole 87), McBride, Radzinski. Subs Not Used: Pembridge, Crossley, Rehman, Pearce. Goals: McBride 10, Diop 35, Knight 54, Malbranque 72, McBride 86, Cole 90. Norwich: Green, Helveg (Jonson 45), Fleming, Shackell, Drury, Bentley (Svensson 59), Safri (Holt 33), Francis, Huckerby, Ashton, McKenzie. Subs Not Used: Charlton, Ward. Booked: Helveg. Att: 21,927 Ref: S Dunn (Gloucestershire).

Coleman expresses Norwich regret
Fulham manager Chris Coleman expressed sympathy for relegated Norwich after their 6-0 thrashing at Craven Cottage. He said: "Norwich have put up a tremendous fight this season, but they caught us on a day when everything came right for the first time this season. "Relegation is like no other feeling in football and I feel sorry for them, but I was proud of my players in this game. "We could have had our minds on the beach because we were safe, but we wanted to go up a few places."

Clark resigned to leaving Fulham
Fulham captain Lee Clark is set to leave the club following the expiration of his current contract. After Fulham's final-day 6-0 hammering of Norwich, 32-year-old Clark conceded he will reluctantly have to look for employment elsewhere. He said: "I think that was my last game. I've not had a contract put in front of me, so I think my time at Fulham has come to an end. "It's a shame. I don't want to leave but that's football I suppose."

Captain Clark released by Fulham
Fulham captain Lee Clark has been told he can leave the club when his contract expires on 30 June. The 32-year-old, who signed from Sunderland for £3m in 1999, scored 22 goals in 178 appearances for the club. "I've not had a contract put in front of me, so I think my time here has come to an end," he said after the 6-0 final day win over Norwich. Jerome Bonnissel, Malik Buari, Sean Doherty, Ross Flitney, Alex Lawless and Stuart Noble have also been released.

Man Utd sign keeper Van der Sar
Manchester United have signed Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar from Fulham for an undisclosed fee. The 34-year-old has agreed a two-year deal and will join the club on 1 July, providing he passes a medical. United have been looking for a new goalkeeper after releasing Roy Carroll at the end of May. Van der Sar, who has 99 international caps, moved to Fulham from Juventus for £5m in August 2001 and went on to make 153 appearances for the Cottagers. He was linked with a move to United in January but agreed a contract extension with Fulham until summer 2006 instead. The Dutchman is United's first signing since the club's takeover by Malcolm Glazer and he is likely to join the squad for July's tour of the Far East. He will become the latest in a long line of keepers to have been tried by manager Sir Alex Ferguson since the loss of Peter Schmeichel in 1999. Mark Bosnich, Massimo Taibi, Raimond van der Gouw, Fabien Barthez and Carroll have all come and gone while Ricardo's contract expires this summer. United's other keeper, American Tim Howard, agreed a new contract until 2009 in May.

Fulham playing down Green reports
Fulham have insisted that rumours linking them with Norwich goalkeeper Robert Green are unfounded. The Cottagers have sold Edwin van der Sar to Manchester United and have been linked with Green as a replacement. Norwich were relegated during the past campaign and Green, 25, knows he needs to be in the Premiership to improve his England prospects. A Fulham spokesperson told BBC Sport: "There is no truth in the speculation. We have made no approach to Robert." Green earned his first international cap in the recent 3-2 friendly win over Colombia on England's United States tour. He is set to discuss his future with Norwich and may be keen to move to the top flight. It could enhance his chances of making coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's 2006 World Cup squad - if England qualify for the tournament in Germany.

Barnet set to sign keeper Flitney
Conference champions Barnet are to sign former Fulham goalkeeper Ross Flitney. The 21-year-old, who was released by the Premiership side will join the Bees once he has passed a medical. Flitney did not start a senior game for Fulham but gained League experience during a loan spell with Brighton in 2003/04 and at Doncaster last season. Chairman Tony Kleanthous told Barnet's website: "Barnet never enter anything just to make up the numbers. Ross comes to us with a fantastic background."

Fulham move for keeper Drobny
Fulham have moved to sign Czech Republic goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny from Greek side Panionios as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar. The 25-year-old shot-stopper is the understudy to Chelsea keeper Petr Cech for his international side. Drobny, who initially signed a pre-contract agreement in January, is expected to become Fulham's new first-choice keeper. He will compete with Mark Crossley for the number one shirt at Craven Cottage. Fulham's goalkeeping coach Dave Beasant says he will be working hard to get Drobny bedded in ahead of next season. "Because we were concerned about losing Ed in the last transfer window we took the steps to make sure we weren't left short here. "Now Jaroslav will be coming in and joining us for pre-season. "Obviously it would have been great to have him in and work with him for three or four months while Ed was still here because Ed is a great person to watch and learn from as well. "It would have been ideal to have him working with Ed and Mark Crossley, but that's not going to be the situation. "And now he is going to come in we just have to make sure we get him prepared and as ready as we can for the British style of football sooner rather than later."

Beasant backing for Van der Sar
Fulham goalkeeper coach Dave Beasant believes Edwin Van der Sar will be a big success at Manchester United. Beasant worked with the Dutch star at Craven Cottage before his move to Old Trafford and told BBC Sport: "I don't see him having any problems there. "He has got all the experience that he needs and he is already proven as an international goalkeeper. "There are some very good Premiership keepers but there are also world class keepers - and Edwin is one of those." The only shock for Beasant is that the transfer did not happen sooner. He added: "I was quite surprised that neither United or Arsenal tried to buy him in the January transfer window. "They were both in the Champions League and Ed was eligible to play whether he was first choice or not. "If something had happened to one of the keepers at either club you might have felt they were lacking someone of Ed's quality to come in. "With him signing a new contract at the start of the year we were hoping he was going to stay, but I do feel he has done tremendously well for Fulham. "This move is a bit like saying to him 'you've done well for us so we're going to let you go and get that chance you wanted back in the Champions League'. Can Edwin end Man Utd's keeper curse? "I think it has worked out well for both parties." The 34-year-old impressed Beasant with his attitude in their time together and he is certain he will not go the same way of several other United keepers of recent years. "He's a top professional," Beasant said. "He works hard at his game and listens to what people say to him and I've enjoyed working with him in the two years I've been here. "I feel that Ed's responded and enjoyed working with me as well. "Consistency is vital at the very top and you don't see Edwin making too many mistakes. "He's a good character in the dressing room and he is a leader on the pitch. "He gets people organised and he makes saves which I don't think other goalkeepers make. "All goalkeepers make a lot of saves but there are ones that go past people and you think they are unstoppable - but then I've seen Ed stop the unstoppable."

Australian Elrich moves to Fulham
Fulham have signed Australian international midfielder Ahmad Elrich, who said he was "absolutely thrilled". The 24-year-old signed a three-year contract after the Cottagers agreed terms with Korean club Busan Icons. "He trained with us for a week in May and showed great commitment, enthusiasm and ability," said boss Chris Coleman. "He has blistering pace to rival that of even the fastest players in our squad and I've no doubt he will be an asset to us next season." Moving to the Premiership has fulfilled a life-long ambition for Elrich, who intends to make the most of his opportunity. "It has always been my dream to play for my country and to play in the Premiership so I'm absolutely thrilled," he said. "To play under Chris Coleman will be great also, you can tell he has the respect of all the players and he really wants to do well. "He gives 110% and the players want to play for him. Being a former player at the highest level he can give me really good advice about taking this step up."

Man Utd seal Van der Sar switch
Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has finalised his move from Fulham to Manchester United. The 34-year-old will join the club on 1 July after passing a medical and signing a two-year deal. Van der Sar said: "I am delighted to have signed for Manchester United, one of the most famous clubs in the world. "I'm looking forward to joining my new team-mates to start preparations for the new season, which promises to be one of the most exciting of my career." Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been looking for a new goalkeeper after releasing Roy Carroll at the end of May. United moved for Van der Sar and agreed an undisclosed fee for the player, who has 99 international caps. He moved to Fulham from Juventus for £5m in August 2001 and went on to make 153 appearances for the Cottagers. He was linked with a move to United in January but agreed a contract extension with Fulham until summer 2006 instead. The Dutchman is United's first signing since the club's takeover by Malcolm Glazer and he is likely to join the squad for July's tour of the Far East. He will become the latest in a long line of keepers to have been tried by Ferguson since the loss of Peter Schmeichel in 1999. Mark Bosnich, Massimo Taibi, Raimond van der Gouw, Fabien Barthez and Carroll have all come and gone while Ricardo's contract expires this summer. United's other keeper, American Tim Howard, agreed a new contract until 2009 in May.

Fulham snap up Czech goalkeeper
Fulham boss Chris Coleman has brough in Czech goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar. Drobny, 25, who played 18 times for the Czech Under-21s, joins on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee from Greek club Panionios. Coleman told the Fulham website: "Jaroslav has strong positional play and great defensive organisation. "He has played in the Uefa Cup and is calm under pressure so I know that he will be an asset to us." Drobny has been selected for the all-star Greek team for the last three seasons. The Czech keeper said: "I'm very happy to get the opportunity to play for Fulham in the Premiership. It's my ambition to compete at the very highest level." Van der Sar completed his move to Manchester United on Friday.

Fulham complete deal for Drobny
Fulham completed a deal to sign Czech Republic goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny from Greek side Panionios as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar. The 25-year-old shot-stopper is the understudy to Chelsea keeper Petr Cech for his international side. Drobny, who initially signed a pre-contract agreement in January, is expected to become Fulham's new first-choice keeper. He will compete with Mark Crossley for the number one shirt at Craven Cottage. Fulham's goalkeeping coach Dave Beasant says he will be working hard to get Drobny bedded in ahead of next season. : "Because we were concerned about losing Ed in the last transfer window we took the steps to make sure we weren't left short here. "Now Jaroslav will be coming in and joining us for pre-season. "Obviously it would have been great to have him in and work with him for three or four months while Ed was still here because Ed is a great person to watch and learn from as well. "It would have been ideal to have him working with Ed and Mark Crossley, but that's not going to be the situation. "And now he is going to come in we just have to make sure we get him prepared and as ready as we can for the British style of football sooner rather than later."

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