LONDON — Fulham manager Martin Jol hailed Pajtim Kasami's stunning volley against Crystal Palace Monday as better than fellow Dutchman Marco van Basten's classic in the Euro 1988 final. Macedonian-born Swiss Kasami sprinted to control a lofted pass on his chest and in one movement smashed a dipping volley across Palace keeper Julian Speroni to put his side on the road to a 4-1 Premier League victory at Selhurst Park. Struggling Palace had taken an early lead through Adrian Mariappa's header but Kasami's stunner and Steve Sidwell's thumping shot on the stroke of halftime turned the game. “It was better than people think because he had to control the ball on his chest and then put it in the other corner, it was a really good goal from a talented boy,” Jol told Sky Sports. “Marco van Basten's goal was totally different and you can't compare the two but this one was better! He had to sprint 30 yards, take a touch and then score, it is one of the goals of the season.” Van Basten's improbable angled volley from a high, dropping ball against the former USSR is widely regarded as one of the best goals ever scored. Dimitar Berbatov made it 3-1 to Fulham with a header five minutes into the second half before Phillipe Senderos hooked in from close range shortly afterwards as Palace crumbled. Victory lifted Fulham up three spots to 14th with 10 points while second-bottom Palace look destined for a long, hard struggle against relegation after their seventh defeat of the season from eight matches. Canada holds Iran Canada managed a 1-1 draw in Dubai Tuesday against Iran — its fourth straight one-point haul in FIFA U-17 World Cup finals play — and is still in the hunt for a place in the knockout rounds with one game remaining. Holder Mexico bounced back from its opening-day hammering to best Iraq 3-1 in Al-Ain and do its chances of reaching the knockout rounds a world of good. In the late matches Monday Uzbekistan played a goalless draw against Morocco, while Japan thrashed Venezuela 3-1. Mourinho charged Jose Mourinho was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association Monday after being sent to the stands during Chelsea's 4-1 win over Cardiff. There were a number of controversial incidents in the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge Saturday and Chelsea manager Mourinho was sent to the stands by referee Anthony Taylor for the final 20 minutes after losing his cool when a series of decisions went against his team. Athletic Bilbao wins In Spain, Mikel Rico's perfectly taken header helped Athletic Bilbao beat 10-man Villarreal 2-0 at its new San Mames Stadium in the Spanish league Monday. Rico dove horizontally to meet Andoni Iraola's precise long cross from the right to score his second league goal of the season in the 33rd minute. Two minutes later, Aritz Aduriz netted Bilbao's second when he raced forward and pounced on a poor clearance by Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio, sending a low shot rolling past goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo. Bilbao is sixth in the standings on 16 points, one less than fourth-place Villarreal. Barcelona leads the standings on 25 points after nine matches, ahead of Atletico Madrid on 24, two more than third-place Real Madrid. Also, Levante beat Celta Vigo 1-0 after a goal by Papakouli Diop. — Agencies
