Real Betis were held to a 1-1 draw at Fulham as Steve Sidwell’s early header was cancelled out by Nosa Igiebor’s second-half equaliser.
The Cottagers fielded a strong side that included Dimitar Berbatov, Brede Hangeland and Bryan Ruiz, and it was Ruiz who set up Sidwell for the opening goal on 13 minutes when the midfielder latched on to his astute cross.
However, the Andalusians got back on level terms 10 minutes after the break, Igiebor firing home from close range after he had forced his way into the penalty area.
The hosts then had a goal disallowed for offside as Sascha Riether's excellent delivery was met at the back post by Hugo Rodallega, but the assistant referee's had already raised his flag.
Nonetheless, a draw was probably a fair result in a game where both sides failed to create many meaningful chances.
