Fulham 1 - 1 FC Twente

The face that Martin Jol pulled upon the sounding of the final whistle just about said it all. Fulham yet again lacked potency in front of goal on an evening in West London that could have quite plausibly kick started a much needed revival in form. 

The Cottagers were sublimely creative throughout the ninety minutes, unsurprisingly so given the inclusion of Dembele, Dempsey and Pajtim Kasami in the starting line up. While the latter did not last the full game, he finally offered the vociferous home fans a glimpse of what he really had to offer - which was a mix of splendidly timed flair and a certain guile that all but the best need to survive in the English game. The Swiss international didn't set the game alive but he has at least whetted the appetite a little.

Meanwhile, captain Danny Murphy continued to spread doubt into the minds of all those that have stood by him over the previous months, lacking composure on the ball and, ultimately, failing to deliver where we most expect him to - with his passing game. It finally seems as though one of the most mastered craftsmen of this generation is losing a touch which has been so integral to the clubs he has blessed. Maybe there's room for revival yet, but at 34, you have to wonder.

Martin Jol handed a debut at right back to Zdenek Grygera, whilst deploying Moussa Dembele alongside eventual saviour Andrew Johnson to form a front partnership which proved troublesome if not quite fruitful.

Twente started the better but created little, seemingly happy to keep ahold of the ball. Whilst Twente looked indecisive, however, Fulham looked about as sharp as they have done all season; Johnson making his predictable yet entirely deadly runs down the wing. Nothing came of them but it was a signal of intent which the Craven Cottage faithful duly adorned to.

It wasn't long before Johnson's boudnless work ethic was rewarded either, as he picked up on a poorly timed back pass by Twente defender Dwight Tiendalli before finishing daintily over oncoming goalkeeper Mihaylov. 

Jol's men didn't rest on their laurels though and continued to look bright, Briggs in particular was prevalent on the left wing, displaying bursts of speed that were executed beautifully. 

Yet, for all the attacking attitude, it only took one lapse in defence to allow the Dutch visitors an unwelcome equaliser. Despite a fine display throughout the evening, lady luck was not shining on Mark Schwarzer as a de Jong header rebounded off of the post and into the back of the Australian's head. Undoubtedly, the cross should have been dealt with more professionally and the former Middlesbrough man let his defence know as much.

In the second half, Fulham arguably looked even more impending as Kasami and Dempsey combined, only for the American to fire his diving header wide. Jol clearly wanted to get the better of his Twente counterpart, Co Adriaanse, a man with whom he has had his fair share of spats with.

The pressure from Fulham wasn't telling and it was the now tiresome problem of hitting the target that began to prove our undoing. Chances continued to flow, none more so than a gifted opportunity for Andrew Johnson, who only had the time and composure to fire his shot directly at the goalkeeper.

Johnson was eventually substituted and his departure spelled the end of the game for Fulham. Without his tireless runs, Jol's team weren't just lacking a clinical edge but were lacking imagination to. This allowed Twente back into the game but, thankfully, nothing came of their final flourish.

A fine performance of intensity it was not, but the mirage of boos at the end were far from justified. A point is a point, after all.