First degree Burns

Sunday Herald, The, Aug 3, 2003 by Alan Campbell at Fir Park

Motherwell 2-2 Fulham Subs: McFadden for Clarkson 67, MacDonald for Craig 72.

Not used: Quinn, Kinniburgh, Ballantyne, Ewings, Barkey.

Referee: E Mack.

Subs: Boa Morte for Malbranque 60, Hayles for Saha 73, Buari for Marlet 73, Green for Bonnissel 87.

Not used: Hudson, Beasant, Knight.

A satisfying game and one which augers well for Motherwell this season. Much, of course, will depend on whether they can keep their star players, including James McFadden, but on the evidence of this performance, Terry Butcher's side are unlikely to be propping up the Premierleague again next May.

McFadden, linked with Celtic last week, came on as a second-half substitute and duly provided the low cross for Alex Burns' second goal of the match. Burns, so predatory at Partick Thistle last season, could be the very man to turn Motherwell's fortunes around.

"Pre-season games are often a poor barometer of how the season will go,"

warned Butcher, "but overall I'm delighted to get a result and stay unbeaten.

When you look at the Fulham team-sheet and their subs you think: 'My God'.

They are a very good Premiership side and packed with internationalists."

There wasn't even a Motherwell booking in a refreshing performance and as long as McFadden, especially, stays on the books the future is bright. "He's got a mission this season to increase his goals tally and help us get as high up the league as we can," said Butcher, brushing aside any transfer speculation. "After last season we've all got a mission."

Motherwell played the perfect hosts in the opening 20 minutes of the game, affording, as Butcher later conceded, their visitors far too much respect. It would not be an exaggeration to state that virtually this entire period was played in the Motherwell half as Fulham stroked the ball about in a fine display of possession football.

Steve Malbranque, playing wide on the left, caught the eye with some flashy touches, and he supplied the cross which put Fulham ahead in the 16th minute.

Barry John Corr, signed from Celtic, had looked confident enough on his Fir Park debut, but had no chance when Louis Saha got his studs on to the cross and the ball drifted lazily into the net.

It was no more than the visitors deserved, but a rare goal- scoring opportunity as the London side appear fixated with playing pretty, as opposed to penetrating, football.

Getting stuck in is a trademark of this young Motherwell team, and it slowly dawned on them that a much meatier effort was required if they weren't to spend the afternoon chasing Fulham's shadows.

They got the encouragement they needed midway through the half when Steve Marlet slipped when in possession on the half-way line and the impressive Steven Hammell took advantage to set up a chance for Burns. Edwin van der Sar spread himself well at the expense of a corner.

With the game now a contest instead of an exhibition, Martyn Corrigan showed some skill of which Malbranque would have been proud to feed Burns, who in turn supplied Stephen Pearson for a shot which whistled just over the bar.

Fulham's lack of cutting edge was demonstrated a few minutes later when Saha, who was allowed rather easily to slip the Motherwell central defenders, had only Corr to beat on the edge of the penalty box. The Frenchman tried to lob the goalkeeper, but Corr rose to the occasion and made a fine save by tipping the ball over the bar.

With six minutes to half time, another new signing pleased the Motherwell fans.

David Clarkson, whose workrate is impressive, won a penalty when he was brought to the turf by Alain Goma. There wasn't a hint of nerves as Burns crisply scored from the spot to equalise.

What had developed into an enjoyable first half continued on the resumption.

Fulham again took the lead on the hour mark, but just seconds earlier could have shipped a sloppy goal themselves when Martin Djetou's badly angled header forced van der Sar to make a scrambled clearance for a corner.

Almost directly from that set piece Fulham went ahead. For once a long ball was aimed in the direction of Marlet. Pearson should have had the situation covered - instead the Scotland under-21 player allowed Marlet to win the ball and again Corr was left exposed and unable to prevent the Frenchman putting his side ahead.

The groans which followed this event were soon replaced by the loudest cheer of the afternoon. McFadden is idolised by the Motherwell supporters and his arrival on the pitch as a replacement for Clarkson was duly given a celebrity reception.

The striker, on the mend from injury, was soon causing his customary mayhem. He had already curved a shot just wide before his 81st minute effort forced van der Sar to make an alert save.

Then former Rangers left-back Jerome Bonnissel took the ball off McFadden's toes at the expense of a corner.

To Motherwell's credit they chased the game like dervishes and there was a perfect finale for the home fans. Nifty footwork by McFadden was followed by a low cross which the lurking Burns adroitly stuck in the net.