Leicester City 2 Fulham 2: Cadamarteri short-circuits Fulham's late charge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The FA Cup might not have quite the lustre of old, but it still retains the capacity to sprinkle a little redemptive magic dust. When Danny Cadamarteri failed a drugs test at Bradford in the summer, his career looked to be over. In 14 minutes yesterday, though, on his second appearance for the club after a six-month ban, he had a decisive impact, setting up one and scoring the other as Leicester twice came from behind to force a replay against Fulham.
After a poor first half the second was enthralling, with both sides seemingly intent on avoiding a replay. Tomasz Radzinski and Elliot Omozusi both went close for Fulham, the latter after an extraordinary run that saw him bundle through half a dozen challenges, and Iain Hume blazed several feet over from six yards.
A goal was clearly imminent; the only question was at which end? It turned out to be both, twice. First Brian McBride, put through by Michael Brown, swept in his seventh of the season to give Fulham a 69th-minute lead. Patrick Kisnorbo levelled, guiding in Cadamarteri's left-wing cross via Jan Lastuvka's fingertips and the crossbar. Moritz Volz squeezed a 25-yard drive inside Henderson's left-hand post to restore the Premiership side's lead with seven minutes remaining, but the final twist was yet to come.
At 5ft 3in, Levi Porter may struggle to see over the top of the ball, but he proved adept at getting beneath the radar of Omozusi, the 18-year-old right-back making his first start for Fulham. Having turned inside him deep into injury time, Porter cut the ball back astutely, and Cadamarteri guided a firm finish into the top corner. "He's done really well since he's been here," the Leicester manager, Rob Kelly, said of the 27-year-old. "He's hungry. He's not fulfilled the potential he showed as a younger player. He's hit an age when he wants to do well."
Cadamarteri wasn't the only one to impress; the appearance of Milan Mandaric in the directors' box perhaps giving an extra impetus. He is supposedly on the brink of completing a £25 million takeover of the club, which would presumably give Kelly - should he be retained as manager - money to spend.
Fulham expect changes as well, with Collins John on the way out. "His agent stressed that he wants to leave," the Fulham manager, Chris Coleman, said. "I don't want anybody who doesn't want to play. Nobody's bigger than Fulham. He's shown his hand - he said he doesn't want to stay and we've agreed a fee. I'm planning from January on, and in my mind we won't have Collins John."
He is optimistic, though, of bringing in "at least two new faces", one of which may belong to the Everton midfielder Simon Davies. "He's a player I admire," said Coleman, "and obviously there's the Welsh connection, but he's David Moyes's player so I don't want to get involved in a discussion about him."
Most of the discussion was about a former Evertonian, Cadamarteri, and after a miserable six months, deservedly so.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments