Friday Fulham Stuff (27/04/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Top clubs chase Dembele

The hope of keeping Moussa Dembele, amidst all the rumours surrounding team mate Clint Dempsey's likely Fulham departure, have taken a blow, with news that Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are all now chasing the Belgian's signature.


Dembele has been a revelation for Fulham since signing under Mark Hughes' tutorship in the summer of 2010. At a then cost of £5 million, the midfielder-cum-striker was wrangled from the hands of Birmingham City - who had supposedly already agreed a deal with the player - and settled wonderfully into the Craven Cottage setup.

His ability on the ball is his most potent, threatening and enticing trait. The former AZ Alkmaar player has close control that is almost unrivalled across the Premier League and it opens up spaces in a game that has proven invaluable to Fulham over his two seasons in SW6.

The only area in which Dembele is ever criticised is his lack of goals. Despite regularly finding himself in suitable positions, he rarely finds the net - evidential in his return of only six goals in all competitions since setting foot in London.

That hasn't stopped the interest from increasing over the course of the season and his fine form has now alerted, amongst others, Manchester United and Arsenal. Sir Alex Ferguson could well see him as a perfect candidate for a central midfield role as, over recent weeks, Fulham manager Martin Jol has proven Dembele to be well adept to playing in the middle of the park.

United and Arsenal will face competition from Spurs and Liverpool although the draw of Champions League football may well attract him to Manchester. As it is, Jol will be loathe to lose one of his most prized assets at Fulham, especially given the expected departure of leading goalscorer Clint Dempsey.



http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2012/4/26/2976760/top-clubs-chase-dembele?

[WhiteJC]

 
Everton vs. Fulham: Nothing to Play For and Everything to Play For

This match has absolutely no bearing on anything at either the top or bottom of the table.

This match has absolutely every bearing on the fact that Fulham are heading into Goodison Park for the eleventh time in Premier League history and not a single point to show for any of their efforts.  In fact, they’ve scored a total of six measly goals.  Overall, they’ve lost their last 18 league matches at Goodison Park in all leagues.  EIGHTEEN IN A ROW! The last time they left that wretched place with points to show for it: 1959.  The last time they left there with a victory: 1974 FA Cup.

Shouldn’t that be enough to want nothing more than to beat David Moyes’ scrappy side?

Fulham have been outscored at Goodison 22-6.  They’ve only drawn Everton once ever in the 21 times they have played, a goalless draw at Craven Cottage.

But Everton exorcised their Craven Cottage demons a few years ago.  After they themselves lost their first seven Premier League visits to the banks of the Thames (how bout that for a stat? Everton 7-0-0 vs Fulham at home, 0-0-7 away?), they’ve now got two wins and a draw to their name.

It’s this simple: If Fulham have aspirations of finishing 7th this season, this is a must-win match.  Their final three fixtures are away to Liverpool, home to Sunderland, and away at Spurs.  Correct me if I’m wrong but if a few things go poorly, Fulham could be looking at a big fat zero in the points column from those three fixtures.

But here’s the even more important part: If Fulham are looking to exorcise their away form demons, they need to start right here, with this fixture.  You can’t say you’re a good away form club if you’ve never even drawn a side in 11 attempts.  This is a crucial fixture if the Cottagers want to get into the offseason on the right foot.  Beat Everton here, and ensure that both table finish and form in the final three fixtures are of very little consequence.

Martin Jol has Fulham on the brink of doing things the club has never done before in my opinion.  I think everyone on Al Fayed’s payroll believes they can do what Newcastle is doing this season (whether they can or not is a big question mark, and a tall task, but I know they all believe, and that’s the first step).  But if they are to do that, the first thing they need to rectify is the away form. And what better way to get that monkey off your back heading into next season than to get this monkey off their back this season?  Why head into next season with questions still surrounding your away form when you can start the vanquishing process right here, right now?

So you see, Fulham may not have anything to play for technically this season.  But if they are to take the next step as a club, this is an incredibly important moment.

And if that’s still not enough motivation for you, let this one sink in:
0 – 0 – 10



http://fulhamsfinest.com/2012/04/26/everton-vs-fulham-nothing-to-play-for-and-everything-to-play-for/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Strike Force

Pavel Pogrebnyak made a welcome return to the Fulham starting line-up for our 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic on Saturday having missed our last two matches with an ankle injury.

The Russian striker played a valuable role in securing the three points as he got Fulham back on level terms less than two minutes after Emmerson Boyce had given the visitors the lead and Pavel was delighted to be back amongst the goals.

“I’d been training all week with the Team before the Wigan game and I felt good and felt that I would be able to help the Team,” he told fulhamfc.com. “I’m very happy that we won the game and I’m very happy that I scored a goal as well.”

With Pogrebnyak out injured recently, Clint Dempsey has led the line admirably in his absence, scoring three goals in two games and Pavel was full of praise for the Texan.

“Clint Dempsey has done very well when he has played as a striker against Bolton and Chelsea,” he said. “I really enjoy playing up front when Clint is in midfield because when we are playing together on the field, we are great.”

With just four games left of the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League season, Pavel has no intention of taking his foot off the gas and is desperate to fire Fulham as high up the table as possible.

“We know that if we do well in these two games against Everton and Liverpool then we have a good chance of moving above them in the table,” he explained. “The match on Saturday will be a very important contest because both teams are looking for points in the table.

“As we say in Russia, ‘the appetite comes with the food,’ and I believe we can do better as a Team and finish the season strongly.”



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/April/ReturnOfThePog.aspx?#ixzz1tDHUR93T

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol backs star for surprise call-up

Fulham boss Martin Jol believes winger Alex Kacaniklic is good enough to play for the senior Swedish national team.

The 20-year-old spent nearly two months on loan to Championship side Watford from the end of January where he turned in a number of eye-catching displays.

Jol was so impressed with his efforts for the Hornets that he cut short his spell at Vicarage Road to get him in and around the first-team with his parent club. He has since made three appearances for the Cottagers although his manager is now challenging him to reproduce his Watford form at a higher level.

Sweden coach Erik Hamren is known to be short of options on the left flank, and with Euro 2012 coming up, it has been suggested that the 20-year-old former Liverpool youngster could make a late entrance into the squad this summer.

Hamren has already checked on Kacaniklic in action for Kacaniklic was watched in person by Hamren during Fulham's win at Bolton earlier this month after he received glowing reports about his debut against Norwich a week earlier, while his performances at Watford were also monitored.

Jol said: "They saw what he can do, but that was with Watford. He's got to show what he can do at the highest level.

"I'm sure if he does that he will be involved. Normally, if you play in the Premier League you're good enough to play in the Swedish national team."



http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/jol-backs-star-for-surprise-call-up-1419986.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Chairman Souvenirs Sale

Day 2 of our Massive Fulham Retail Sale Offers

We have yet another unmissable deal for the second day of our Massive Fulham Retail Sale as the end of the season approaches.

Take advantage of the incredible daily offers and buy that original piece of Fulham merchandise you have always wanted. Don’t miss out as stock is limited.

Today’s offer:

50% off all Chairman Products*. Buy your lucky Chairman Gnome; take him on your summer travels, to work, or out and about around town and tweet us your pictures via Twitter using the hashtag #MoGnomeTour.

Don’t forget to look on fulhamfc.com each day for our Massive Fulham Retail Sale daily offers. Also, if you haven’t secured your 2011/12 Home Shirt why not buy it today and grab a leather Fx Pro wallet totally Free.

* Offer is only available online & in store.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/April/ChairmanSouvenirs.aspx?#ixzz1tDI4YP1f

[WhiteJC]

 
Aston Villa

Not to take away from Rich’s most recent post, but lost among Chelsea’s guerrilla tactics on Tuesday was the fact Aston Villa choked a lead away and lost, at home, to relegation candidates Bolton.

So, with three games left, Aston Villa are just three points above the drop. And if Mark Schwarzer’s parry hadn’t fallen to the feet of Andreas Weimann at the death last month, they would be one point above the drop, with three matches left.

Let me repeat that:

Aston Villa could easily be one point above the relegation zone with three matches left.

How the heck did we get here? From Staurt James of theguardian

Extraordinary not because McLeish came from Villa’s rivals, Birmingham City. Extraordinary because McLeish had just suffered his second relegation with Birmingham in three Premier League seasons. And extraordinary because he is synonymous with a brand of football that, to borrow the former Villa manager Graham Taylor’s recent description, “looks [like] you are preparing a side not to lose”.

This season has been abysmal and the statistics make for painful reading. Villa have won only seven league matches all season, the lowest in the division with the exception of already relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers. Only Wigan have scored fewer than the 19 goals Villa have managed in 18 home fixtures. McLeish’s side have won only four league games at Villa Park and just one in the past five months [ed note: thanks Mark!], meaning that they are guaranteed to finish the season with the worst home record in the club’s history.

Against that backdrop, it is little wonder that there is so much apathy surrounding the club. There were 10,000 empty seats inside Villa Park for the Bolton game, which has been a common theme this season. Villa’s average attendance is 33,755, which is more than 6,000 down on the peak of four years ago and nine per cent down on last season, when Gérard Houllier’s side flirted with relegation…In fact more fans watched Villa in David O’Leary’s last season, when the club finished 16th and supporters held up a banner that said: “We’re not fickle, we just don’t like you.”

It’s easy to blame McLeish for Villa’s faults, which some of them are, but it’s been a combination of injuries and paucity of experience that is dooming this club.

What’s remarkable about the club is they only have 4 players over 30,  (in comparison, we have 10). The average age of their starters is just 24.

So when Richard Dunne and Darren Bent are out for the season in February, the likes of 21-year old Nathan Baker, 23-year olds Eric Lichaj and Chris Herd, and 20-year old Andreas Weimann get called upon to fill in. Not to mention relying on 22-year olds Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan, and Ciaran Clark anyway.

Add into this equation the fact that over the summer,Villa lost Nigel Reo-Coker, John Carew, Brad Freidel, Stuart Downing, Ashley Young, and Luke Young (the first three were released, the last three sold), only to be replaced with Shay Given, Charles N’Zogbia, and Alan Hutton, and you could see that trouble could easily flare up.

To blame McLeish for Villa’s fault is only portion of the story yet seems to be the entire story. What should be looked at as an exemplary yet dangerous transition to a youth/academy squad, is being overshadowed by dirge and doom. One could look at chairman Randy Lerner looking to gut the squad, sell off any assets, and hire an unpopular manager to shield any criticism; but the flip-side of attempting to rebuild for the future with a promising core is just as easily viewable. Heck, if Jol signed the likes of Bannan, Albrighton, et al, I’d be ecstatic.

McLeish’s goal that the media refuses to perceive is similar to that of Martin Jol’s: reduce the wage and age bill.  Jol has found success partially because he’s been able to rely on the old guard. McLeish has no remaining old guard to speak of.

Needless to say, this summer will be interesting. I hope Villa don’t make it an omen.



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/aston-villa/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Pienaar v Duff



Amid all the talk of Nikica Jelavic’s ice-cold killer touch and Darron Gibson’s proficiency in pulling the strings, it would be remiss to overlook the impact their fellow January arrival has made on Everton’s 2011/12 campaign.

Blues supporters took to their social networks in a dizzying outpouring of excitement when it was confirmed Steven Pienaar would be returning to Goodison Park – and the little midfield maestro hasn’t let them down.

>>> Try out evertonfc.com's Head-t0-Head stats tool

Pienaar made just four domestic appearances and only one start for Tottenham this season before striking the loan deal which secured his return to Merseyside.

But a more regular shot at first-team football is not the reason for the rediscovery of his best form – he was the undisputed Man of the Match in his very first game against Wigan and he hasn’t looked back since.

It seems he is just at home here.

"I think he's been absolutely fantastic since he's come back," says Blues legend Graeme Sharp. "He gives us so much. He's got so much energy and ability. His first touch is good, he's creative and he causes teams problems."

According to evertonfc.com’s Head-to-Head stats tool, the 29-year-old has added a further 10 appearances to his overall tally for the season since rejoining the Blues and taken his goals total from one to four – an improvement aided by his appearance on the scoresheet in each of Everton’s last two Premier League games.

His four assists this term have all come since his deadline day move and, in the 10 games he's played, Everton have suffered defeat just twice – a run which has helped propel David Moyes’ men up to seventh in the Barclays Premier League table, two points and two places above Saturday’s visitors Fulham.

The Cottagers’ own good form has largely been down to the goalscoring gusto of talisman Clint Dempsey. The American can’t do it all, however, and Pienaar’s possible left-wing counterpart Damien Duff has also been key in weighing in with four goals and six assists of his own.

Though he is just as likely to be seen cutting in off the right these days as operating in the touchline-hugging role which made him, Duff has still managed to supply a whopping 81 crosses – more than eight times as many as Pienaar, a player whose potent threat comes almost entirely through his marauding forays into the thick of the action.

“Steven's not what you would call an out-and-out left winger - he'll come in off the line and come into positions infield and make it difficult for people to mark him,” explains Sharp.

“If I was comparing the two of them, I would probably say that Steven has more impact on our team than what Damien has at Fulham.

“Fulham have the likes of Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey who take the headlines, but Damien Duff is a sound player who will come in and do a job for them.

“He's not the player he was in terms of pace, but he's had a good career and is still a competent player. He likes to come in from the right and score with his left foot as well now. He's still got ability and works extremely hard.”

Defensively the pair can't be seperated, our stats tool showing they have contributed three blocks and five clearances each.

But Duff's 26 appearances put him 12 ahead of Pienaar and, amongst all the praise, Sharp believes the South African's all-round contribution is something all too often overlooked.

He adds: “What people don't realise with Steven is his workrate. He works extremely hard. He's not the biggest guy in the world, but he'll get back and help his full-back, whether it be Leighton [Baines], Sylvain [Distin] or whoever. He's a complete player for me.

“Defending is part and parcel of the game nowadays. You have to do it now if you're a wide player. It's not all about getting forward, although they'd like that to be the case. You've got to get back and work for the team and Steven does that."

And as for the prospect of facing the Cottagers on Saturday, Sharp is optimistic.

"Martin Jol's come in and done a bit of tinkering but defensively they're very good, the midfield are hard-working and they've got a couple of flair players who can cause problems.

"So they're very similar to ourselves. We've got a good record against Fulham at Goodison though and hopefully that will continue at the weekend."



http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/04/26/head-to-head-pienaar-v-duff

[WhiteJC]

 
Everton versus Fulham Match Preview – by Paddy Howlin

Everton go in to their penultimate home game of the season hoping to protect one of the best unbeaten records in the Premier League, when they face Fulham on Saturday afternoon (15.00 BST).

Since being promoted to the Premier League in May 2001, Fulham have travelled to Goodison Park on ten occasions and each and every time Everton have come out as winners without exception.

Indeed, prior to Fulham’s promotion 11 years ago, the Cottagers have never won a league clash at Goodison in a run that currently stretches across 23 games.

The best result Fulham have achieved away to Everton in the league is to draw. They have done this four times, with the last draw at Goodison between the sides being a 0-0 way back in September 1959. This result put the Toffee’s rock bottom of Division 1 following a winless start to the season, bettered only by Mike Walker’s Everton team in 1994.



The Toffees will be hoping to continue that sequence as they look to consolidate their grip on 7th place, but will be mindful that a unique Fulham win at Goodison would see the East London side leapfrog Everton in table following their recent run of good form which has seen them win seven matches in the last ten games in the Premier League. Last week’s 2-1 victory against an inform Wigan Athletic adding to Fulham’s strong finish to the season.

It’s easy to forget following the doom and gloom of the Wembley FA Cup Semi-Final exit, that the Blues are in a fairly rich vein of form themselves in the Premier League and have won five of their last six at Goodison and have lost just 3 league matches in the last 14.

Everton will go in to the clash in far richer spirits after the amazing 4-4 result at Old Trafford last Sunday. Showing great resilience and a greater attacking threat than the previous weekend at Wembley (and arguably at any time away from home in Moyes’ ten years at the club), most Everton fans will have been encouraged with that performance against a title chasing Manchester United side.



The performances of Nikica Jelavić, Marouane Fellaini and Steven Piennar particularly stood out in an excellent team performance, but no doubt David Moyes will have been worried with the four goals conceded, despite the quality of each of the United goals.

Whilst there is now a growing realisation that Everton do not look as solid when Phil Jagielka is at centre-back, Everton clearly missed the natural balance Leighton Baines brings to the Everton back four.



Fulham’s fantastic recent form can be attributed to the excellent performances of USA International Clint Dempsey who has had his best season to date in England, in what has been a wonderful career since signing from New England Revolution in January 2007. This season has saw Dempsey score a personal best of 16 goals so far in the league and 22 in all competitions. An amazing return given the fact Dempsey is not an out and out forward.

Whilst it was rumoured that Everton were also interested in signing Dempsey, but where not prepared to pay the £2m transfer fee, it is unlikely that Everton would pass on the opportunity to sign Fulham’s leading scorer should they get an opportunity to capture him this summer. With the players contract currently winding down and no news on a new deal on the table, then it is probable that Dempsey will move on during the next transfer window.

The question most people would have is twofold however. Firstly would Everton really have the cash to sign Dempsey and secondly would the player tempted to Goodison Park or would other suitors who could offer more money or the prospect of European Football next season, have a better chance in tempting the American to leave East London? Time will tell, however few would argue that Dempsey would make an ideal replacement for Tim Cahill and be an ideal fit for David Moyes’ team.

The other contributory factor behind Fulham’s rise up the table, has been their improved away form this season, which for the majority of their time in the Premier League has been a major problem. Martin Jol appears to have found a formula that has brought more success for the Cottagers on the road, with them claiming three wins, five draws and eight defeats away from home so far this season. Two of these away wins have come in the last ten league matches, with a 1-0 win at Fulham and a 3-0 win at Bolton.

At the time of writing, Everton should have no fresh injury worries ahead of Saturday’s game, with Leon Osman expected to be fit, despite having to come off at Old Trafford with a head injury. Leighton Baines is expected to be missing until the final game of the season with Newcastle, however it remains to be seen if David Moyes will continue with Sylvain Distin at left back following his shaky performance at Old Trafford in an unfamiliar role. It is possible Moyes may restore Phil Neville in this role, after the Blues Captain put in an assured performance in this position against Sunderland in the last match at home.

Royston Drenthe looks to have played his last game for the club, with rumours of a move to Liverpool next season compounding his ill-discipline which has seen him banished to David Moyes’ naughty stair until his loan expires in May.

The loss of Drenthe however is likely to present a chance for Ross Barkley to have another opportunity in the first team squad as the season draws to a close, with little seen of the promising youngster since October.

Fulham’s main injury problem centre on Costa Rican International Bryan Ruiz, who is now out action until the end of the season with a broken metatarsal suffered in the 3-0 victory at Bolton. The £10.6m signing from FC Twente, has shown flashes of brilliance since his transfer deadline move in August, including a wonderful goal when the two sides met at Craven Cottage in October, a game which Everton won 3-1.

Whilst it is tempting to think that Saturday’s game could play out to be a tame end of season affair, given that in the greater scheme of things neither side has a realistic chance of securing European Football next season, after last week’s game at Old Trafford anything is possible.

With Everton looking less solid defensively without Leighton Baines, but more of a goal threat with Nikica Jelavić well and truly finding his feet in English football, I can see goals at both ends in this game.

Given Everton’s excellent history against Fulham at Goodison, I can see the Blues securing another three points that will extend their long unbeaten run at home against the Cottagers. A win will also hopefully put the Toffees in pole position to land a minimum league placing within the top 10 of the Premier League for a six consecutive season.

Who knows with Tottenham’s season clearly imploding and Chelsea’s attentions being focused elsewhere, there could be an opportunity for the Toffee’s to close in on an unlikely top 6 finish. As proven in the Camp Nou on Tuesday, miracles can happen, but this is Everton and good luck and fortune seldom finds its way to Goodsion!

Everton 3 Fulham 2






http://www.followtonians.com/?p=4309

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss backs talented youngster for international call-up

Martin Jol believes that if Alex Kacaniklic can handle the Premier League then he is good enough to play for Sweden

Fulham manager Martin Jol has backed winger Alex Kacaniklic to play for Sweden at Euro 2012.

The 20-year-old spent two months on loan at Watford, scoring once in 12 appearances, but his performances saw him recalled and he was drafted in for first-team duties.

Sweden coach Erik Hamren watched the left sided player during Fulham’s win at Bolton and Jol believes he can play at international level.

“They saw what he can do, but that was with Watford,” the Whites boss said.

“He’s got to show what he can do at the highest level.

“I’m sure if he does that he will be involved.

“Normally, if you play in the Premier League you’re good enough to play in the Swedish national team.”



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_boss_backs_talented_youngster_for_international_call_up_1_1361450?

[WhiteJC]

 
Know your enemy: Fulham Deconstructed / Betting Preview

Fulham’s Narrow Midfield

In terms of midfield shape, Duff will operate on the right but is naturally left footed so will tuck inside and Dempsey will also come in from the left flank. The tricky Dembele (4th most dribbles per game in the top flight) will play centrally behind former toffee target Pogrebnyak. The defensive midfield slots will be occupied by the former Real Madrid star Diarra and Danny Murphy. Thus, Fulham play very narrow and attack through the middle (39%) more than any side in the top flight which is in contrast to ourselves who attack predominantly down the flanks (75%) – only Wolves use width more than us for attacking situations in the top flight.



Down the left they will look to Riise to provide some natural width by getting forward with Dempsey, who has plundered 59% of Fulham’s goals –  a league high – will tuck inside to support the forward players. The image (right) shows Dempsey (circled) doing this angled run inside  in our fixture last season at Goodison as he escapes Rodwell to slot Fulham’s solitary goal.

Toffee Tactics & Selection

The interesting selection issue for ourselves will centre on whether Moyes sticks with Fellaini further forward in the attack/midfield pivot role or if Cahill returns and Neville steps out. The smart money would be on Moyes keeping things as they were last week at Old Trafford.

I’d guess the sides will line up something like this….


By pushing MF further forward you lose some bite in midfield but you gain the advantage of being able to use his energy to press better higher up field which is especially useful against sides who play out from the back like it was with Man United (and fulham). For the midweek game against Stoke its probably less worthwhile given that there is less opportunity to press in these zones given that stoke kick long from the keeper and thus bypass defenders. With Fulham’s tight midfield shape I wouldn’t be surprised if Coleman came on at some stage to stretch things more down the right flank.

Betting

Given Fulham’s away games yielding the fewest goals in the top flight (1.88 per game) and our home games providing the fewest goals (2.06 per game) the logical bet would appear an under 2.5 goals punt. However, in the last 4 meetings between the clubs the average goals has been 3 with both teams scoring on each occasion. The last 3 at Goodison have been 2-1 wins for the Blues. With Jelavic in the ranks we have been much more free scoring with more goals in our last 5 Premier League games (14) than in our previous 17 matches (13).  Jelavic is obviously the logical choice in the scoring markets – the ruthless Croat has needed just 47 touches to net 44 goals for Rangers / Everton in the last 12 months –  and willie hills will offer you 8/5 on a jelavic goal anytime / everton win double…Betfred offers the same bet at 5/2 which appears the best odds. NJ last scorer and Everton win double is 11/2 at Hills. Good luck!!



http://theexecutionersbong.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/know-your-enemy-fulham-deconstructed-betting-preview/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Everton vs. Fulham: English Premier League Matchup Preview


Alex Livesey/Getty Images

With only a two-point deficit to their hosts, Fulham travels to Goodison Park where they will contend for the seventh-place position this Saturday.

Although both sides are ineligible for Champions League qualification, this match still carries some significance.  Neither team has suffered a league loss in April and both are looking for a decisive conclusion, while transitioning into the summer transfer season.

David Moyes and the Merseyside club enjoyed a thrilling 4-4 draw at Old Trafford last weekend.

Manchester United has been in excellent form recently, but Everton managed two goals in the last ten minutes to execute an amazing comeback.

This performance proves that the season's lack of silverware has not affected their work ethic.  Everton are currently in seventh place, but their cross-town rivals, Liverpool, are only two points shy of drawing level.

Lead by the American forward, Clint Dempsey, Fulham have experienced a similar bout of recent success.  Their best fixture was the April 9 draw against sixth-ranked Chelsea who has been in superb form since the takeover of interim manager Roberto di Matteo.

Both teams want to end the season on a high note to allure prospective transfers.

The key player for Everton will be Marouane Fellaini.  Although Nikica Jelavić makes the headlines, the Belgian midfielder plays a crucial role in their success.

Fellaini is a strong defending and passing midfielder who also presents a scoring threat.  Everton will also likely start Sylvain Distin in place of the injured Leighton Baines.

The key player for Fulham is Dempsey whose scintillating season has made him an English Premier League phenomenon.  Against Newcastle earlier this season, he proved he was capable of netting a hat-trick.

Everton is the likely winner because they will be playing at home and have more on the line—for a win will ensure their table position over Liverpool.  Additionally, they show better form, especially in their draw against Manchester United.

The last meeting between these teams saw a 2-1 Everton victory.

Expected result on Saturday: Everton 3 - Fulham 2



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1162065-everton-vs-fulham-english-premier-league-matchup-preivew?

[The Moose]

Everton vs. Fulham: Nothing to Play For and Everything to Play For

This match has absolutely no bearing on anything at either the top or bottom of the table.

This match has absolutely every bearing on the fact that Fulham are heading into Goodison Park for the eleventh time in Premier League history and not a single point to show for any of their efforts.  In fact, they’ve scored a total of six measly goals.  Overall, they’ve lost their last 18 league matches at Goodison Park in all leagues.  EIGHTEEN IN A ROW! The last time they left that wretched place with points to show for it: 1959.  The last time they left there with a victory: 1974 FA Cup.

Shouldn’t that be enough to want nothing more than to beat David Moyes’ scrappy side?

Fulham have been outscored at Goodison 22-6.  They’ve only drawn Everton once ever in the 21 times they have played, a goalless draw at Craven Cottage.

But Everton exorcised their Craven Cottage demons a few years ago.  After they themselves lost their first seven Premier League visits to the banks of the Thames (how bout that for a stat? Everton 7-0-0 vs Fulham at home, 0-0-7 away?), they’ve now got two wins and a draw to their name.

It’s this simple: If Fulham have aspirations of finishing 7th this season, this is a must-win match.  Their final three fixtures are away to Liverpool, home to Sunderland, and away at Spurs.  Correct me if I’m wrong but if a few things go poorly, Fulham could be looking at a big fat zero in the points column from those three fixtures.

But here’s the even more important part: If Fulham are looking to exorcise their away form demons, they need to start right here, with this fixture.  You can’t say you’re a good away form club if you’ve never even drawn a side in 11 attempts.  This is a crucial fixture if the Cottagers want to get into the offseason on the right foot.  Beat Everton here, and ensure that both table finish and form in the final three fixtures are of very little consequence.

Martin Jol has Fulham on the brink of doing things the club has never done before in my opinion.  I think everyone on Al Fayed’s payroll believes they can do what Newcastle is doing this season (whether they can or not is a big question mark, and a tall task, but I know they all believe, and that’s the first step).  But if they are to do that, the first thing they need to rectify is the away form. And what better way to get that monkey off your back heading into next season than to get this monkey off their back this season?  Why head into next season with questions still surrounding your away form when you can start the vanquishing process right here, right now?

So you see, Fulham may not have anything to play for technically this season.  But if they are to take the next step as a club, this is an incredibly important moment.

And if that’s still not enough motivation for you, let this one sink in:
0 – 0 – 10



http://fulhamsfinest.com/2012/04/26/everton-vs-fulham-nothing-to-play-for-and-everything-to-play-for/?

I have a huge admiration for Moyes and really rate Everton. I expect a loss but if we have the right attitude and put in a performance on the day we definitely could win. I expect we'll line up the same as last week. There's a temptation to bring Baird back but there is a question mark over how sharp he'd be. One benefit to having Hughes at right back is that he can cover for Riise so we aren't left with two defenders when Riise gets forward. Many of the best teams have an attacking full back and more defensive one.

[WhiteJC]

 
Everton vs Fulham

Their tails up again following last Sunday's thrilling comeback at Old Trafford, Everton are looking to carry their Premier League momentum through to the end of the season, with Fulham the visitors for the Blues' penultimate home game.

European qualification is still mathematically possible but seeing as David Moyes's side would need to win all four of their remaining fixtures and hope Tottenham lose all theirs, it's a very remote possibility, so the goal is now to ensure that Everton clinch seventh place along with the additional revenue and local bragging rights that would come with it.

In that respect, the Cottagers are the ideal opponents this weekend given the Blues' record against them in recent years. Fulham have come to Goodison Park 10 times in the Premier League and lost on every occasion, conceding an average of 2.3 goals in the process. Everton have owned Fulham in this fixture over the past decade (starting, of course, with Moyes's first match in charge in March 2002) and the manager will be hoping to extend that run.

As was the case last weekend for the match against Manchester United, he will be without Leighton Baines and Jack Rodwell who are sidelined with hamstring injuries and Royston Drenthe who remains frozen out of the manager's thinking, his Everton career effectively over.

It's likely, therefore, that Moyes will continue with Sylvain Distin at left back and, fitness permitting, Phil Neville could play again in central midfield with Marouane Fellaini pushed up in support of Nikica Jelavic. The Belgian played a blinder in that role at Old Trafford and could well be asked to reprise his role in the hole, with Tim Cahill starting on the bench again.

If so, the Australian could be joined by the likes of Denis Stracqualursi, Apostolos Vellios and Ross Barkley, all three of whom will be chomping at the bit for more playing time after seeing their first-team options dwindle over the course of the season.

Fulham's record at Goodison may be abysmal but their form over the past few months is only bettered by the top four and Everton. Their win over Wigan last Saturday moved them up to ninth, just two points behind the Blues, and in free-scoring Clint Dempsey they have a potent weapon that Messers Heitinga and Phil Jagielka will need to keep subdued.

This will be the third meeting between the clubs this season and, having won 3-1 at Craven Cottage in October and knocked Martin Jol's side out of the FA Cup in January, victory for Everton would complete a clean sweep of Fulham.


http://www.toffeeweb.com/season/11-12/news/21245.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol issues warning to Fulham stalwart

MARTIN Jol has warned Fulham stalwart Simon Davies he is likely to be used as stop-gap player at best in the final year of his contract if he chooses to stay at Craven Cottage.

The 32-year-old Welshman – scorer of the Whites goal in the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid two years ago – has been with the club for more than five years and is the longest-serving player on the books, along with Clint Dempsey.

But the midfielder, who was club player of the season in 2008, has endured a torrid year, with a knee injury sidelining him for the first half of the season.

He has since been out of favour with Jol – starting only four times.


He has not even made the bench in the past month, with both youngsters Kerim Frei and even Alex Kacaniklic being preferred, and has not scored for nearly a year.

Fulham’s Dutch boss says he has no problem with Davies, but admits his desire to make his team more youthful makes it unlikely the former Wales international will feature prominently in his plans next season, if at all.

"He was involved at first, but was injured for eight, nine months," Jol said. "Then I took him back.

"But I’ve got a few youngsters and I don’t want to just create a space for the older players all the time – and I think I had to do this from the start of the season.

"The only youngster playing here was Matthew Briggs and the average age was 31, so it was the oldest team in Europe."

Jol added: "He [Davies] is a great boy.

"He can play on the left, on the right, or in midfield and I can even use him as a right back like I did before, so yes, he could still have a future here.

"If they give their best, then there’s no problem with me. But you have to ask him if he wants to stay, I don’t know."



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[WhiteJC]

 
Everton v Fulham: Just How Good is Pienaar?

Two in-form teams clash at Goodison Park on Saturday. David Moyes’ side are unbeaten in five league games with their opponents unbeaten in four. Everton’s last outing was an impressive 4 – 4 draw at Old Trafford whilst, a day earlier, Fulham overcame Wigan 2 – 1 at Craven Cottage.  Everton’s four at Old Trafford meant Everton had scored four in consecutive league games for the first time since August 1999.

Everton, having never lost a home league game to Fulham, will be looking to build on their dominance. The run stands at 23 games with 19 Everton wins and four draws. Since the Premier League began, the sides have met 10 times at Goodison Park with Everton winning all 10. Everton are unbeaten in the last five meetings with Fulham winning just one of the last eight clashes, home and away.

Everton’s home form has picked up after an indifferent start. Everton have won, and kept a clean sheet, in five of their last six home league games. Everton’s problem has been goals but the January signings have helped tackle that. Pienaar, Gibson and Jelavic have all had a positive impact. Everton have scored two or more in their last five league games. The Toffees have also scored more goals (14) in their last five games than they managed in the previous 17 (13).

Nikica Jelavic has flourished scoring seven in his last six games. Darron Gibson has had a calming influence with his tidy passing and unsung work in front of the defence. However, the player with arguably the biggest impact is Steven Pienaar. The South African, in his second spell at the club, has improved Everton’s football; a virtuoso display against Chelsea quickly springs to mind.

Earlier in the season, Everton struggled to create and ball retention was poor, as impatience and frustration crept in. Pienaar has improved this with his passing. His overall accuracy and accuracy in key areas is well above the team average.



Pienaar is second in the club’s league assists table, despite only playing 885 minutes. This is all the more impressive as most of Everton’s established midfielders have played over 2,000 minutes each.



However, the stat that shows Pienaar’s true impact is creating chances. Despite making only 10 appearances since his arrival, Pienaar is already Everton’s third highest chance creator (24). His minute per chance ratio (37) is better than Leighton Baines’ (44) and Baines is Everton’s most creative player. Pienaar’s statistics are even more impressive as Baines takes set pieces and this accounts for a percentage of his chances.



Signing Pienaar is imperative for Everton, this summer, with the midfielder becoming the creative hub of an improving Everton side.

Everton will once again be without Jack Rodwell. His hamstring injury has him sidelined for the rest of the season. Royston Drenthe’s ill discipline appears to have ended his colourful Everton career. Leighton Baines remains a few weeks away from fitness with a hamstring injury.

Fulham could welcome back Stephen Kelly after a hand injury. Bryan Ruiz is out for the season after surgery on a metatarsal fracture whilst Steve Sidwell and Zdeněk Grygera remain long-term absentees.

Fulham will be looking to improve their horrendous Goodison record and they will look to Clint Dempsey and Pavel Pogrebnyak for inspiration. Dempsey is enjoying his best season in English football and the American has scored six in his last eight league games. Pogrebnyak had a blistering start to his Fulham career and his six league goals have come from six shots on target.

The sides are in good form and looking to finish the season in style. League places are worth around £500,000 so there is a clear incentive to finish strongly. Fulham will look to end a run that has seen Everton win the last 18 league meetings at Goodison Park. Three points for Everton will make it 100 home league wins under David Moyes whilst Fulham search for their first league win at Goodison Park.

Match Facts

Tony Hibbert is set for his 250th Premier League appearance
Leon Osman is set to make his 300th Everton appearance
Darron Gibson is unbeaten in 25 Premier League games
Everton have won their last 3 home games against Fulham by a 2 – 1 scoreline
Everton have scored 71% of their goals in the second half – a league high



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