McLeish's View: Fulham (a)

Last updated : 21 February 2010 By Brian Cartlidge

Blues were gifted a 1-0 lead just three minutes into Sunday's game when Chris Baird headed into his own net from a Lee Bowyer cross.

However, Damien Duff equalised for the hosts with a superb individual effort just before the hour mark and Bobby Zamora snatched a win for Roy Hodgson's side when scoring direct from a free kick after Stephen Carr had fouled Zoltan Gera on the edge of the box in stoppage time.

"I didn't feel there was any real rhythm from either team and I felt it was a nothing game until Damien Duff took a hand in proceedings," McLeish said after the 2-1 defeat.

"It's terrible to lose the way we did in the last minute with a free kick on the edge of your box - you're asking for trouble committing free-kicks there.

"Stevie Carr was fully committed but you know he doesn't make many mistakes over the course of a whole season and I'm sure he will want to bounce back next week.

"Bobby Zamora was the big difference. Today, my players had a hard game against one of the best strikers in the league - he caused us a lot of problems,

"If they are going to step up to the next level, they have to overcome players like him.

"But, I don't think Fulham could have complained had we taken something from the game."