Fulham appoint Hodgson as manager

Fulham have announced the appointment of Roy Hodgson as their new manager on a “long-term” contract. He will take over on 30 December, with caretaker boss Ray Lewington remaining in charge for Saturday’s away game against Birmingham City.

Fulham sacked Lawrie Sanchez last week with the club in the Premier League’s bottom three.

“I am determined that we will overcome the current position,” Hodgson, 60, told the club’s official website.

“I understand that it will be a challenge, but one that I will relish.”

Fulham’s new manager will be at their game at St. Andrews on Saturday before taking training with the Craven Cottage squad on Sunday.

His first game in charge will be the local derby at home against Chelsea on New Year’s Day as he tries to arrest a dramatic slump in form for the Cottagers.

Wigan 1-1 Fulham

Jason Koumas scored on his 300th league appearance to snatch an unlikely point for a below-par Wigan. On 11 minutes, Clint Dempsey got on to the end of a Diomansy Kamara cross and fired home to put Fulham ahead.

Wigan had already been rocked two minutes earlier when striker Emile Heskey was forced off injured.

After the break, Chris Kirkland saved well to deny Dempsey before Koumas confidently slotted home a penalty after Mario Melchiot had been fouled.

It secured a barely-deserved draw for Wigan, who huffed and puffed and also lived dangerously as Fulham made the better of the chances.

Fulham 3-3 Tottenham

Diomansy Kamara scored a dramatic late overhead kick to snatch an unlikely point against a wasteful Tottenham. Younes Kaboul poked home after Antti Niemi had flapped at Gareth Bale’s corner and Dimitar Berbatov smashed in Robbie Keane’s sublime flick.

Fulham pulled one back through a Clint Dempsey header but Bale extended the lead with a fine solo run and finish.

Alexey Smertin’s deflected shot off Ricardo Rocha clawed Fulham within reach before Kamara’s late leveller.

It was the most unlikely of points for Fulham who had been completely outplayed throughout.

Portsmouth land Diop from Fulham

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has signed midfielder Papa Bouba Diop from Fulham for an undisclosed fee. Diop had been given the go-ahead to quit by Cottagers boss Lawrie Sanchez after the 29-year-old told him he wanted a new challenge.

“It’s nice to be here,” Senegal international Diop told the Pompey website. “It’s a good move for me and a good move for the club.

“It was an easy decision to make and I am very happy.”

Diop said he had a number of offers and Newcastle were one of the clubs linked with him.

He joined Fulham in 2004 from French club Lens and signed a new contract last year.

Fulham complete Stefanovic deal

Fulham have signed Portsmouth’s Serbian defender Dejan Stefanovic. The 32-year-old has moved from Fratton Park in a £1m deal and has agreed a two-year contract.

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez said: “Dejan is a formidable defender with vast experience at both domestic and international levels.

“He reads the game well, is brave and knows the pace and strength of the Premiership, so I have no doubt that he will prove to be an asset for us.”

Stefanovic joined Pompey from Vitesse Arnhem in July 2003, and had been captain of Harry Redknapp’s side.

Sanchez added: “It’s been a busy transfer period for us and we have bought some real quality into the squad.

“It’s been a disappointing start for us in terms of the results, but I’m confident that we have a squad of players now that can go on and achieve things here.”

source:bbcsports

Villa complete £3.5m Knight deal

Aston Villa have completed a £3.5m deal for Fulham defender Zat Knight, who has signed a four-year contract. Knight, 27, signed a new three-year deal with the Cottagers in the summer but Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez accepted an offer from Villa.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill’s interest in Knight came after his bid to sign West Brom’s Curtis Davies hit the buffers because of the £8m-plus valuation.

There is still interest in Davies and Villa are also keen on a right-back.