LONDON (AFP)
Mladen Petric scored a double on his debut as Fulham got their
Premier League campaign off to a blistering start with a 5-0
thrashing of Norwich at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff opened the scoring and
goals in either half from Petric set the Cottagers on their way
before Sweden's Alex Kacaniklic and a Steve Sidwell penalty put
the result beyond doubt.
Kacaniklic, who is hoping to feature in the first team this
season after being on loan to Watford last term, started up front
in the place of wantaway striker Clint Dempsey.
Fulham were also without Kerim Frei, Philippe Senderos and Zdenek
Grygera through injury, as new Norwich boss Chris Hughton gave
debuts to summer signings Robert Snodgrass and Michael Turner in
his first game in charge of the Canaries.
Duff opened the team's score sheet for the season after 26
minutes following a cross from John Arne Riise from the edge of
the penalty area into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Croation forward Petric, who made his debut along with Sascha
Riether, got the second four minutes before the break when he
headed in from inside the six-yard box.
Costa Rican midfielder Bryan Ruiz had a chance to give the hosts
a third a minute later but his free kick was saved by John Ruddy
in the Norwich goal.
But Petric got his second after 54 minutes with a long range
effort into the top left corner of the goal.
Kacaniklic got the fourth after 66 minutes with Sidwell
converting a penalty four minutes from time after a foul on Hugo
Rodellaga, to ensure Martin Jol's side kept their record of never
having been beaten at home in a Premier League opener.
