Wednesday Fulham Stuff (15/02/17)...

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Results

Tuesday
Norwich	2 - 2	Newcastle
Aston Villa	1 - 3	Barnsley
Derby	3 - 4	Cardiff
Fulham	3 - 2	Nottm Forest
Leeds	2 - 1	Bristol City
Brighton	1 - 1	Ipswich
Preston NE	2 - 1	Birmingham
Rotherham	2 - 3	Huddersfield
Sheff Wed	2 - 1	Blackburn
Wolves	0 - 1	Wigan
Reading	3 - 2	Brentford

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 3-2 Nottingham Forest: Neeskens Kebano settles thriller
Pajtim Kasami opened the scoring in the second minute with a fierce strike
Stephane Sessegnon crossed from the left for Tom Cairney to equalise
Lucas Piazon added another a minute later, after beating three defenders
Fox's cross from the left found Ben Brereton who headed into the corner
Neeskens Kebano was played through and volleyed it past the onrushing keeper

At this crucial stage in the season, when players are drawing on their reserves of strength as the game comes thick and fast, it helps to have a handy impact sub.

In Neeskens Kebano, Fulham seem to have found a very good one and, for the second time in four days, he won them three precious points in their mission to reach the Championship play-offs.

Having fired home a stoppage time winner against Wigan on Saturday, the Congolese stepped from the bench to score here and nudge Nottingham Forest a little closer to the relegation dogfight.


Neeskens Kebano celebrates after scoring his team's winning goal in the 76th minute


Kebano (right) got to the ball ahead of Vladimir Stojkovic (2nd right) and volleyed home


A dejected Jack Hobbs (left) watches on as Kebano's (right) winner crosses the line


The Congo international (left) pumps his fist after his second goal in as many games

Seventeen minutes remained when Kebano won his race with Forest goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic inside the penalty area, his outstretched boot getting a crucial touch that hit Jack Hobbs and spun into the net.

That moment settled another entertaining contest here at Craven Cottage in which Fulham oscillated from the sublime to the ridiculous but ultimately claimed a deserved win.

Having trailed to a second-minute opener from Pajtim Kasami, Slavisa Jokanovic's side landed two quick-fire blows to lead thanks to Tom Cairney and Lucas Piazon.

Ben Brereton levelled for Forest straight after the break but the introduction of Kebano from the bench again proved inspired and his two winners this week may yet define the outcome of Fulham's season.

You wouldn't have guessed at the performance to come by the slipshod way that Fulham started out here.

The hosts seemed barely capable of stringing two passes together in the opening minutes and trailed Forest within two minutes.


Fulham goalkeeper David Button watches on as Pajtim Kasami's (2nd left) strike finds the net


The former Fulham man (right) was muted in his celebrations on his return to Craven Cottage

Gary Brazil's much-changed team needed a confidence boost after Saturday's 5-1 thrashing at Norwich and they were handed it.

With Fulham daftly trying to mimic Barcelona by passing out from the back, it required just one loose touch to send the ball spiralling towards Craven Cottage old boy Kasami.

The Swiss still had plenty to do but, in one fluid motion, he spun and half-volleyed the ball crisply across David Button and into the far corner.

Fulham's sloppiness characterised the first 20 minutes or so and the usually passive crowd grew increasingly annoyed at them, especially when Button's mis-hit clearance fell to Ben Osborn, who mercifully couldn't get enough lift on his 35-yard shot.


Ryan Sessegnon (2nd right) made a run down the left before teeing up Tom Cairney (2nd left)


Cairney (left) slotted past Forest stopper Vladimir Stojkovic (right) to level the score

But in a flash Fulham snapped out of their funk and started playing the brand of incisive football Jokanovic has been trying to develop here and the style they hope will trouble Tottenham in the FA Cup this weekend.

Suddenly every pass was finding its target and soon Fulham were slicing through the fragile Forest defence. After warning shots from Ryan Sessegnon and Sone Aluko, the equaliser seemed inevitable.

Just after the half-hour, Sessegnon was sprung down the left and, glancing up into the box, picked out Cairney from near the byline. The captain wasn't going to make any mistake from there, sweeping the ball beyond Vladimir Stojkovic.

Forest barely had time to recover their breath before they fell behind less than three minutes later.


Cairney of Fulham celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Championship clash


Lucas Piazon (2nd left) added another a minute later, after beating three defenders

Floyd Ayite fed a pass to Piazon, who dribbled between two Forest challenges on the edge of the area, then left a third statuesque defender for dead before rolling the ball home left-footed.

It was a moment of Brazilian brilliance and all the troubles of earlier had suddenly melted away.

But they would return immediately after the restart as Forest wasted little time in getting themselves level. Daniel Fox broke free down the left and swung in a pinpoint cross from which Brereton powered a superb header into the bottom corner.

And they seemed to be queuing up to score just before the hour after Brereton retrieved the ball and Kasami eventually fired into the side-netting after three others had tried to work space.

But Fulham found a strength of character to come again and when Kebano struck, there was no way back.


Piazon (right) roars in front of the Fulham fans after his wonderful solo effort


Danny Fox's cross found Ben Brereton (left) who headed into the bottom corner

While Fulham are looking up, Forest are glancing over their shoulder, with seven points separating them and the drop zone.

Caretaker manager Brazil said: 'I thought we did enough to get a draw. We need to show a bit of game savvy.'

Fulham boss Jokanovic said: 'It wasn't our best day, we didn't play a brilliant game and we made a soft start. But we overcame it to win.'


Brereton (left) slides on his knees after pulling his side back level on Tuesday evening



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4224996/Fulham-3-2-Nottingham-Forest-Neeskens-Kebano-wins-it.html#ixzz4YjrEj9Ht
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Head Coach Reaction

A couple of defensive errors put a bit of a dampener on Fulham's second successive 3-2 victory for Slaviša Jokanović.

The Whites made hard work of their meeting with Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage, but eventually prevailed thanks to strikes from Tom Cairney, Lucas Piazon and Jack Hobbs' own goal. 

"We didn't play our best today," Jokanović admitted. "We didn't play a brilliant game, but at the end after a very soft start to the game where we found some problems, we overcame this situation to win.

"These last two games at home we conceded four goals. Both teams put us in stressful situations without pushing us in the box to defend. We made mistakes and after this kind of situation it's not easy for us.

"We need to do better in this kind of situation. I have to be happy with the last 10 minutes when they pushed and took the risk and sent on many strikers in the pitch. We were solid and strong enough to survive this."

He continued: "We changed our tactic after 20-something minutes because it was very clear our plan didn't work at the beginning. We weren't good enough.

"With this change we found some benefits. It's true, we've played some brilliant games and we could have more points than we have right now. But this is football and at the end I cannot complain, and I have to be ready for the next game that is in front of us."

Neeskens Kebano again came off the bench to have a match-winning impact, and he was perhaps unfortunate that the deciding moment was accredited as an own goal.

"The last two games he's been an important impact player," Jokanović stated. "He's brought us four points.

"It's important that on the back of the Africa Cup, he is working hard, he is fighting for a place in the team. He's been with us half a year, and I believe in the future he can be an important player for us."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/14/head-coach-reaction

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham edge past Nottingham Forest to claim a second 3-2 win in four days
Whites come from behind again to claim back to back wins - but again it was heart-stopping stuff

For the second time in four days Fulham won a pulsating duel by the odd goal in five.

For the second time in four days it was Neeskens Kebano who provided the winner.

The man who claimed the points against Wigan on Saturday did the business again deep into the second half as a sub, even if the goal was officially labelled an own goal.

However, a porous Whites defence made life tough for the team in another spate of deja vu as they often hung on by the seat of their pants.

It didn't start well.

You might have guessed a former Fulham striker would score against his old side.


Goal! Neeskens Kebano

Not Ross McCormack as expected, but Patjim Kasami, who flitted in and out of the side between and 2011-14.

Whites defence committed hara-kiri in the second minute as they failed to clear with fingers pointed at recalled Ragnar Sigurdsson to let Kasami rifle home left footed from the edge of the box.

David Button nearly handed a second to Ben Osborne after a woeful kick-out from the Fulham keeper saw the Forest man hit back first time only for the custodian to perform a scrambling rescue.

Sigurdsson's recall lasted all of 28 minutes when Michael Madl took over having made way after Saturday's defensive woe against Wigan.

Ryan Sessegnon's lightning pace with one-twos as he went saw him pull back from the left for Cairney to sweep home and level from 15 yards.

Dancing feet from Lucas Piazon as he bypassed three bemused Forest players saw him through like a knife through butter to plant it past Vladimir Stojkovic for the lead.

Danny Fox's cross two minutes after the restart and Ben Brereton header as he rose between two defenders saw him head home into the bottom corner.

Kebano was an inspired substitution when he put Whites back in the lead after sprinting into the box on 72 minutes to beat the keeper to the ball, although Jack Hobbs was officially landed with an own goal.


Leap: Delight from Tom Cairney

Right at the death, Kebano thumped the post, but it didn't matter. His moment came earlier and breathed life into the play-off chase.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-edge-past-nottingham-forest-12605330

[WhiteJC]

 
No Valentine's Day massacre, but still heartbreak for Nottingham Forest in Fulham defeat

This was no Valentine's Day massacre. That took place a few days early. Instead, this was a simple heartbreaker.

Nottingham Forest twice put themselves in a good position to claim a result at Fulham. At one stage, it looked like they would go on to win comfortably.

As it is, they are left to reflect on a 3-2 defeat; the Reds players left looking crestfallen at the final whistle.

Pajtim Kasami had set them on their way, only for the Cottagers to turn it around by the break, with goals from Tom Cairney and Lucas Piazon.

Ben Brereton seemed to then have come to the rescue for his side again, only for substitute Neeskens Kebano to win it for the hosts and leave boss Gary Brazil to contemplate successive away defeats.

Injury, suspension and, perhaps, the desire to alter a team which fell 5-1 at Carrow Road on Saturday, saw Brazil overhaul his line-up for this game.

He made six changes in all, including dropping forwards Britt Assombalonga and Zach Clough to the bench in favour of a new-look strike duo; Ross McCormack making his full debut and teenager Brereton being recalled to the side.

It was a team selection which raised eyebrows. Not least the inclusion of Kasami – a man who had not featured since January 2.

But with little more than two minutes on the clock, it was he who had the travelling fans rising from their seats.

Forest were quick out of the starting blocks. Too quick for Fulham, who barely had time to organise themselves at the back.

Matty Cash had already dragged an effort wide within the first minute, before good work by Daniel Pinillos kept the pressure on. A loose ball then fell to Kasami on the edge of the area, and he lashed a superb half-volley into the far top corner, beyond the dive of David Button to give his side the advantage.

The midfielder did not celebrate against his former club, but the Reds supporters more than made up for that.

The visitors were good value for their lead, too. Bright in attack, they caused a hesitant Fulham defence no end of problems in the opening 25 minutes.

Brereton and McCormack harried the back line, and almost capitalised on some loose passes.

And Kasami looked the sharpest he has done since arriving at the City Ground in the summer.

It could have been 2-0 with 18 minutes gone. A terrible ball from Button went straight to Ben Osborn, who, noting the goalkeeper off his line, attempted a lob from about 35 yards. Button somehow got back to save it.

It was almost a mirror image of Saturday's horror show at Norwich – only this time, the Cottagers were the ones all at sea at the back, and Forest were all over them in attack.

How quickly that changed.

Brazil's men could not make the most of their dominance and paid the price; reverting to the kind of defending which reared its head in East Anglia.

Ryan Sessegnon twice drew Vladimir Stojkovic into action as the hosts upped the ante, then Sone Aluko fired over.

An equaliser looked like it was coming, and it duly arrived in the 31st minute.

Good play down the left saw Sessegnon pull the ball back for Cairney, who swept home with ease.

And if that was a little too easy, Fulham near enough walked in the second just two minutes later.

Piazon left Pinillos and Jack Hobbs for dead as he waltzed past them before coolly slotting beyond Stojkovic.

An Aluko strike was deflected behind soon after as the first period threatened to look a little too much like Saturday's.

Still, the second half began much like the first – with a quick Forest goal.

Danny Fox whipped in an inviting ball from the left and Brereton got on the end of it with a brilliant header to make it 2-2, two minutes after the restart.

Game on.

Fox and Brereton tried to link up again a few minutes later, but a through-ball by the former was just out of reach of the young striker.

Caught cold early on, the home side once again tried to summon a response; Aluko managing to wriggle his way through as he honed in on goal, but the resulting effort was blocked.

The visitors had a couple of decent opportunities of their own to retake the lead.

First, Brereton couldn't quite control a McCormack cross to get a shot away, and then Kasami could only find the side-netting after the Reds passed the ball around the box.

Still, this game looked like it wasn't done yet. And as the final 20 minutes neared, it was still very much in the balance.

Stojkovic spilled an angled strike from Sessegnon before gathering at the second attempt, and McCormack sent a free-kick sailing over the bar at the other end of the pitch.

Then came the sucker-punch.

Having worked so hard to get themselves back into the match, Forest found themselves trailing once more.

Stojkovic came in an attempt to collect a ball in; he didn't, Kebano beat him to it and found the back of the net in the 72nd minute.

With little more than 10 minutes to go, Brazil added Clough to the attack, with Kasami and Aaron Tshibola making way for the forward and David Vaughan.

And he then went for broke as time ticked further down; Assombalonga also joining the fray, in place of Pinillos.

The Reds pressed in the closing stages, trying to give at least one of that forward quartet a chance.

They worked the ball well, passing it around – leaving themselves vulnerable to conceding a fourth in the process.

But despite having the full force of Forest's attacking arsenal bearing down on them, Fulham held firm to clinch the win as the Reds' troubles on their travels continued.


Read more at http://www.nottinghampost.com/no-valentine-s-day-massacre-but-still-heartbreak-for-nottingham-forest-in-fulham-defeat/story-30136452-detail/story.html#Zq2AkvCsILDdJx0M.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Next Up: Spurs

Don't miss Fulham's Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round tie with Tottenham Hotspur this weekend!

Tickets for the match on Sunday 19th February, kick-off 2pm, are on sale to supporters with a Booking History*, with a limited number of Putney End seats available to purchase on General Sale.

Having seen off Hull City in style last time out in the competition, we welcome Premier League opposition to the Cottage once again in Round Five, with prices from £30 for adults and £10 for juniors.

Tickets will be posted out until 3pm on Wednesday 15th February, fans can purchase their seat online at fulhamfc.com/tickets, by phone on 0843 208 1234 or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

Matchday Hospitality packages are now extremely limited in availablity. For more information call 0208 336 7555 or email [email protected] today.

*Tickets for the match are now available to supporters with a Booking History, within the past three years.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/14/next-up-spurs

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham cut down Forest - five vital things learned from a good win
Whites come from behind again to claim back to back wins - but again it was heart-stopping stuff - here are the main features from the 3-2 victory

Fulham edged home - again.

This time Nottingham Forest were the fall guys. Here's a few thoughts from another hard-fought three points.

Three cheers for the Africa Cup of Nations

Remember Neeskens Kebano against QPR at the Cottage in October? A gaping goal and a header well wide by the DR Congo international that would have won a point.

Now a trip to Egypt has seen the rebirth of the player bought from Genk in August with two crucial goals in four days.

His stock is rising.


Goal! Neeskens Kebano

The fiercest battle for a place is between the Fulham full-backs

Ryan Sessegnon was a vital outlet down the left, and it's got to the stage where either the 16-year-old or Scott Malone is a good fit.

The same with the other flank. Ryan Fredericks or Denis Odoi? There's not a lot in it.

Ragnar looking ragged

Apologies if Sigurdsson was carrying a knock we don't know about – but after handing Forest the lead, Slavisa Jokanovic had the Icelander off quicker than you can say 'mistake.'

It just hasn't worked yet for a player who looked pretty good playing for his country in Euro 2016, but the manager doesn't take prisoners.

Four minutes later Whites were in the lead.


Strike: Tom Cairney scores

A game of two halves? More like a game of two 15 minutes

Fulham were awful at the start. Forest couldn't believe their luck as a shaky side handed them the league.
And then like a switch being flicked, Fulham came back into it and ran the show to score twice in three minutes.

It's a microcosm of the season.

When Fulham turn it on they are world beaters.
When they sag they look relegation fodder. Talk about black and white, or is that white and black?

Dress it up any way you want – central defence is a weakness if Tomas Kalas is absent

Michael Madl, Tom Ream and the aforementioned Sigurdsson have been OK...sometimes, but would you say the same about the full-backs or the midfield with Tom Cairney at the heart?

The last two are strengths. That gaping gap in the centre where Ben Brereton scored the Forest second needs Kalas's hip to recover tout suite so he can resume.

And the match...

For the second time in four days Fulham won a pulsating duel by the odd goal in five.

For the second time in four days it was Neeskens Kebano who provided the winner.

The man who claimed the points against Wigan on Saturday did the business again deep into the second half as a sub, even if the goal was officially labelled an own goal.

However, a porous Whites defence made life tough for the team in another spate of deja vu as they often hung on by the seat of their pants.

It didn't start well.

You might have guessed a former Fulham striker would score against his old side.


Goal! Neeskens Kebano

Not Ross McCormack as expected, but Patjim Kasami, who flitted in and out of the side between and 2011-14.

Whites defence committed hara-kiri in the second minute as they failed to clear with fingers pointed at recalled Ragnar Sigurdsson to let Kasami rifle home left footed from the edge of the box.

David Button nearly handed a second to Ben Osborne after a woeful kick-out from the Fulham keeper saw the Forest man hit back first time only for the custodian to perform a scrambling rescue.

Sigurdsson's recall lasted all of 28 minutes when Michael Madl took over having made way after Saturday's defensive woe against Wigan.

Ryan Sessegnon's lightning pace with one-twos as he went saw him pull back from the left for Cairney to sweep home and level from 15 yards.

Dancing feet from Lucas Piazon as he bypassed three bemused Forest players saw him through like a knife through butter to plant it past Vladimir Stojkovic for the lead.

Danny Fox's cross two minutes after the restart and Ben Brereton header as he rose between two defenders saw him head home into the bottom corner.

Kebano was an inspired substitution when he put Whites back in the lead after sprinting into the box on 72 minutes to beat the keeper to the ball, although Jack Hobbs was officially landed with an own goal.

Right at the death, Kebano thumped the post, but it didn't matter. His moment came earlier and breathed life into the play-off chase.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-cut-down-forest-five-12605974

[WhiteJC]

 
Guess what Slavisa Jokanovic said about another 3-2 Fulham win? Boss on conceding two but coming from behind to beat Forest
Somebody should provide a default script for Whites man in charge when it comes to scoring and conceding lots

Slavisa Jokanovic is getting used to this.

For the second time in four days, Fulham won 3-2 but had to do it the hard way in the face of a stout Nottingham Forest performance.

Neeskens Kebano was again the provider of the goal that clinched things.

But the Whites head coach is going to watch his beard go appropriately white if it carries on like this.

We didn't play our best today," he said. "We didn't play a brilliant game, but at the end after a very soft start to the game where we found some problems, we overcame this situation to win.


Lit up in lights: The Craven Cottage scoreboard

"These last two games at home we conceded four goals. Both teams put us in stressful situations without pushing us in the box to defend. We made mistakes and after this kind of situation it's not easy for us.

"We need to do better in this kind of situation. I have to be happy with the last 10 minutes when they pushed and took the risk and sent on many strikers in the pitch. We were solid and strong enough to survive this."

He added: "We changed our tactic after 20-something minutes because it was very clear our plan didn't work at the beginning. We weren't good enough.

"The last two games he's (Kebano) been an important impact player. He's brought us four points.

"It's important that on the back of the Africa Cup, he is working hard; he is fighting for a place in the team."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/guess-what-slavisa-jokanovic-said-12606038

[WhiteJC]

 
Kebano settles another Fulham thriller
by DAN on FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Neeskens Kebano is making a habit of producing crucial cameos that breathe new life into Fulham's pursuit of the Championship play-off places. Four days after stepping off the Craven Cottage bench to kill off Wigan Athletic's brave resistance in the final seconds of stoppage time, the Congolese winger was introduced to offer a new dimension to Fulham's attacking play against a Nottingham Forest side who were threatening to overwhelm the Whites at the other end of the pitch. Kebano's impact was almost immediate – racing onto a lofted through ball from Sone Aluko and touching it beyond Vladimir Stojkovic to score the goal that settled another thrilling contest on the banks of the Thames, although the last touch came off the luckless Forest defender Jack Hobbs.

At the end of an enthralling encounter, defeat was probably harsh on an enterprising Forest side, expertly managed by former Fulham forward Gary Brazil. Brazil, something of a marmite footballer during his time in west London was one of the rare sparks of quality during one of the toughest periods of the club's history, is on his second spell in caretaker charge of Forest, whilst another boardroom saga unravels. He has brought through several bright academy prospects, including lively winger Ben Brereton – who headed home his second senior goal in the second half – and Brazil's side began playing bright football at such a confident tempo that Slavisa Jokanovic was forced to substitute a bewildered Ragnar Sigurdsson with less than half an hour gone.

The visitors might have scored with their first attack after just forty seconds. Matty Cash burst in from the right flank but slipped as he struck his shot and the ball rattled safely wide of David Button's goal. Fulham's reprieve lasted barely a minute. Much was made of Ross McCormack's return to the Cottage – and the Scottish international striker made his full Forest debut at the ground where he had scored 43 goals in 100 appearances for the Whites – but it was another former Fulham star who came back to make a mark. Pajtim Kasami's first-time volley after a dreadful attempt at control from Sigurdsson took a nick off the Fulham defender on its way into the top corner, but you couldn't argue that Forest didn't fully merit their lead.

Brazil's side could have capitalised further on Fulham's sleepy start. A fluffed clearance from Button presented Ben Osborn with the opportunity to lob the out-of-position goalkeeper from fully 40 yards, only for Button to reappear just in the nick of time and field the effort. The home side spluttered out of first gear with only a blocked shot from Aluko and a fierce cross from teenager Ryan Sessegnon that stung the palms of Stojkovic registering as efforts of any real note, much of the chagrin of the home crowd.

A goal of excellent quality levelled matters right on the half hour mark. After a nice interchange with Aluko, Stefan Johansen spotted another Sessegnon raid down the left and the sixteen year-old did superbly to pick out the late run of Cairney, who had advanced into the penalty area and swept home a precise finish into the bottom corner. The goal offered the Craven Cottage crowd a real lift and an enlivened Fulham side went in front just three minutes later. Their second owed everything to both the persistence and silky skills of Lucas Piazon, who had switched to the right flank, and totally bamboozled the Forest defence. The Brazilian latched onto a splendid flick from Floyd Ayite, deployed as the main forward instead of Chris Martin and Cyriac, and shimmied past two would-be tacklers before firing a low shot past Stojkovic. Such was the surgical precision of his running you would have been forgiven for thinking you were watching the fleet-footedness of Steed Malbranque.

Jokanovic's team talk would have stressed the importance of consolidating the half-time advantage Fulham were fortunate to hold, but another basic defensive mistake soon rendered that message obsolete. Daniel Fox's floated cross eluded Tim Ream and Brereton had the freedom of Hammersmith and Fulham to power an excellent header beyond Button. It was just the fillip that Brazil would have ordered for Forest at the break and their refusal to stick eleven men behind the ball in response to their hammering at Carrow Road on Saturday was justly rewarded.

The game then could have gone either way. Aluko almost wriggled his way through a sea of Forest defenders only for his shot to be smothered by Stojkovic, whilst Kasami nearly restored the away side's lead with his second of the evening after tricking his way into a dangerous position with some nimble footwork but the Swiss midfielder found the side netting from an acute angle. McCormack's clearest sight of goal arrived midway through the second half but, presented with an opportunity to display his set-piece prowess from 25 yards, the former Fulham forward found only the Putney End with a curling free-kick.

The home side seized the initiative with eighteen minutes to play. Some fine first-time football saw Johansen lift a through ball into Cairney on the edge of the box and the Fulham captain's lay-off was cushioned perfectly for Aluko to chip a ball beyond the Forest back line for the newly-arrived Kebano to race onto. The substitute won the dash and flicked the ball past an onrushing Stojkovic – with Hobbs' desperate attempt to effect a clearance only sending the ball careering into the bottom corner.

That set up a frenzied finish that delivered chances at either end in five pulsating minutes of injury-time. David Vaughan flashed a drive fractionally wide as Forest pressed for an equaliser, before Kebano surged clear of a tiring visiting defence, sidefooted his finish past the goalkeeper but saw the ball skim the outside of the post on its way wide. The frustrated proved to be only temporary as Fulham's second five-goal thriller in a matter of days kept their pursuit of the top six on track.

FULHAM (4-1-2-3): Button; Odoi, R. Sessegnon, Sigurdsson (Madl 28), Ream; McDonald; Johansen, Cairney; Aluko, (Parker 84), Piazon, Ayité (Kebano 64). Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Malone, Cyriac, Martin.

BOOKED: Madl, McDonald.

GOALS: Cairney (30), Piazon (33), Hobbs (o.g. 72).

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (3-5-2): Stojkovic; Worrall, Hobbs, Fox; Cash, Kasami (Vaughan 79), Tshibola (Clough 78), Osborn, Pinillos (Assombalonga 85′); Brereton, McCormack. Subs (not used): Smith, Carayol, Ahmedhodzic, Vellios.

BOOKED: Fox.

GOALS: Kasami (2), Brereton (47).

REFEREE: James Linington (Isle of Wight).

ATTENDANCE: 15,365.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/02/kebano-settles-another-fulham-thriller/

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanovic relieved to claim three points
by DAN on FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Slavisa Jokanovic admitted Fulham were not at their best during a see-saw encounter with Nottingham Forest and said he was relieved the Whites managed to pick up another three points at Craven Cottage this evening.

Former Fulham midfielder Pajtim Kasami shocked the home crowd by giving Forest the lead after just two minutes before two goals in three minutes from skipper Tom Cairney and Lucas Piazon turned the tie in Fulham's favour. Teenage forward Ben Brereton restored parity with a header just after half-time before substitute Neeskens Kebano's clever finish – which has been officially credited as an own goal by Forest defender Jack Hobbs – sealed another nervy victory.

The Fulham head coach told his post-match press conference:

I believe we have played better football. Today was not our best day, we didn't play a brilliant game. But after a very soft start to the game, we found so many problems but we overcame them, then we win the game.

The last two games at home we have conceded four goals, both oppositions put us under so many stressful situations. We need to do better, we need the fans.

I have to be satisfied with the last 10 minutes. Neeskens Kebano has brought us four points and it's important that he's working hard. He's fighting for a space in the team.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/02/jokanovic-relieved-to-claim-three-points/

[WhiteJC]

 
Kebano happy to prove his worth
by DAN on FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Neeskens Kebano feels that his African Cup of Nations experience is helping him establish himself at Fulham.

The Congolese winger was a starter for his country as they reached the tournament's quarter finals but has excelled in two appearances off the bench since returning to London. Kebano scored a last-gasp winner against Wigan Athletic on Saturday and, introduced as second half substitute tonight against Nottingham Forest, delivered another winning goal that keeps Fulham in touch with the Championship play-off places.

Kebano told BBC Radio London after his latest impressive cameo:

I came back from the African Nations Cup fit. I had some time there to play games and get fit. I could play for my country and when I came back I just wanted to do my best to help the team achieve all their goals. When the gaffer gave my the chance, I tried to do my best and give what I can give.

It is good [to be in a team of flair players]. They are very good players with big qualities so when I play with them I try to bring something new and something more special.

We know that it is a very good game. Everybody wants to play so I don't know who is going to be on the field in that day, but I'm sure that all of my team-mates who are going to be on the pitch are going to give everything they can give and do their best. We are going to see that game and we all want to play in this game. I don't know – that is the choice of the gaffer.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/02/kebano-happy-to-prove-his-worth/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham scouting Chester defender
by DAN on FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Fulham are one of a number of Championship clubs taking a close look at Chester defender Sam Hughes, according to a report in this morning's Daily Mail.

Barnsley had a January bid for the talented centre back rejected – which was believed to be around the £75,000 mark – and are thought to be interested in following up their interest in the summer. The teenager has also been watched extensively by Crystal Palace and Swansea – whilst Fulham have sent scouts to check on the 19 year-old's progress. Hughes is out of contract in the summer but any successful deal will see a fee set by a tribunal.

Hughes has pleased in 23 league fixtures for Chester this season and helped them to a comfortable mid-table position in the National League. It is believed that the club would value Hughes at around £150,000. Barnsley, who have a strong tradition of nurturing young centre backs including John Stones and Alfie Mawson, would face stiff competition from Wolves for Hughes' services.

Fulham, who are keen to add to their own defensive ranks come the summer, would also point to their success in picking up defenders from non-league, with England international Chris Smalling emerging in their senior ranks after joining from Maidstone United. Wirral-born Hughes can also operate at right back or in central midfield.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/02/fulham-scouting-chester-defender/

[MaidenheadMick]

Results

Tuesday
Norwich	2 - 2	Newcastle
Aston Villa	1 - 3	Barnsley
Derby	3 - 4	Cardiff
Fulham	3 - 2	Nottm Forest
Leeds	2 - 1	Bristol City
Brighton	1 - 1	Ipswich
Preston NE	2 - 1	Birmingham
Rotherham	2 - 3	Huddersfield
Sheff Wed	2 - 1	Blackburn
Wolves	0 - 1	Wigan
Reading	3 - 2	Brentford

Would have hit the jackpot had anyone done a both teams to score coupon in the Championship. Knowing my luck, I'd have put Wolves in!

[ScalleysDad]

I might be wrong in assuming "upping the ante", "Hari Kari" and " daftly trying to mimic Barcelona" all in reference to the defence means they will be getting a "proper kick up the jacksy in training"

Journalism. The lost art. Still at least we gave em what for and no mistake.