HODGSON RAGES AT RED CARDS
Roma 2 Fulham 1
ROY HODGSON could not believe Roma were let off the hook for the second successive Europa League game as Fulham again blew a first-half lead.
The Cottagers were denied in the home fixture when Stephen Kelly was harshly dismissed for conceding a penalty and a last-gasp equaliser was secured when the ball cannoned off John Panstil's head and past Mark Schwarzer.
This time around, the Premier League side impressed at Stadio Olimpico until referee Kevin Blom undid all their great work with a ludicrous straight red card shown to Erik Nevland. Paul Konchesky was also sent off in the closing stages for another challenge that deserved no more than a caution.
"You cannot be happy in the face of injustice," Hodgson protested afterwards. "I accept the situation because the referee makes the decision but I'm not happy.
"I think the two red cards were very harsh. I didnīt speak to the referee. I only spoke to the fourth official.
"To play in the second half down to 10 men is a bitter pill to swallow.
"But what can you do but accept the referee's decision because it doesn't change anything.
"It was a fantastic performance from my players in the first half.
"We have been better than Roma when playing 11 against 11 in both games."
Diomansy Kamara opened the scoring on 19 minutes with a confident penalty after he was fouled by Marco Andreoli, the man who scored the equaliser at Craven Cottage, inside the box.
Kamara and Clint Dempsey spurned chances to extend the lead and Fulham paid the price when Blom overreacted to Nevland's clumsy, deliberate foul from behind on Daniele De Rossi. The Italy international did not help matters with his theatrics on the ground but it was never a red card offence.
John Arne Riise levelled the scores with a deflected drive past Schwarzer and Stefano Okaka headed home to break Fulham's hearts again and give Roma a 2-1 win they scarcely deserved.
To make matters worse, Konchesky was also harshly dismissed in injury time for a foul on Rodrigo Taddei, whose cross had led to the winning goal.
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