Jol and Martinez hail star forward

Fulham's Hugo Rodallega was praised by both managers. Picture: Dave Thompson/PA Wire.

Saturday, September 22, 2012
9:51 PM

Fulham star Hugo Rodallega earned the praise of both managers as he helped Fulham to their first away win of the season against his former club Wigan.

The Colombian left the Latics in the summer after refusing to sign a new contract and scored his first goal for his new club at the DW Stadium this afternoon in Fulham’s 2-1 victory.

Rodallega is Wigan’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Barclays Premier League with 24 and, after a few boos early in the game, he was applauded by the home fans when he chose not to celebrate his bullet header and was then applauded by all sides of the ground when he was substituted late in the game.

Fulham boss Martin Jol said: “I knew Rodallega would be very eager and motivated to do something nice, to score his goal and that was exactly what he did, so that was ever so pleasing for us.

“He showed respect to the people and they showed him respect as well.”

Rodallega’s goal came in the 31st minute and Damien Duff added a second for the visitors in the 68th minute before Arouna Kone pulled one back in injury time.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said of his former player: “Hugo showed real respect to the fans. It could have been easy for him to celebrate the goal, and rightly so.

“It was a nice gesture from him and the fans recognised that.

“Nothing hurts you more than losing a football game and nothing gives you more happiness than winning a football game so showing the respect of controlling the emotions I think was a nice touch.”