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Wednesday Fulham Stuff (08/03/17)...

Started by WhiteJC, March 08, 2017, 07:16:26 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Results















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


WhiteJC

 
Fulham 1-1 Leeds United: Player ratings as a last gasp Tom Cairney goal shares the points at the Cottage
We've had our say on how the Fulham players did as they went down to a 1-1 defeat to Leeds United at Craven Cottag



Fulham grabbed a point from their game with Leeds thanks to a last minute Tom Cairney screamer to keep their quest for play-off football on track.

Fulham started the game in the worst possible fashion when a freekick was clipped in on the 5th minute mark, which Tim Ream tried to clear, but he sliced across the ball, sending it spinning past David Button and into the net.

Neeskens Kebano thought he had scored when he rifled a strike onto the underside of the bar, which bounced clear and from here looked like it was a yard over the Leeds line, but referee Mr Probert didn't blow and it remained 1-0 to the away side.

The home side continued to dominate the remainder of the first half, but Leeds were still dangerous and Alfonso Pedraza reminded them of this when he went one-on-one with Button, but the keeper made himself big and denied the Leeds man with his chest.

Kebano had the first chance of the second half when he twisted and turned his man, but his piledriving effort found its way to the top corner of the outside netting of Robert Green's goalmouth.

Pedraza should have made it 2-0 when he found himself with time and space in the Fulham box, but the Leeds forward somehow managed to strike the base of the post instead.

Kalvin Phillips was sent off late on for his second booking and with the last kick of the game, Cairney curled the ball into the top left hand corner to grab a point for his side.

Button 7: Didn't put a foot wrong all game and there was nothing he could do about the goal.

Made a good save in the first half to deny Leeds a second goal to keep his side in the game.

Fredericks 7: Put in yet another strong performance down the right and was a constant outlet for Fulham all game. Will be disappointed he didn't cause as many problems as he would've liked however.

Malone 6: Did well for the 61 minutes he played in the tie - combined well down the left a couple of times but his crosses didn't threaten the Leeds centre backs enough.

McDonald 6: Had a decent game shielding the back four but was caught out a few times when Leeds broke forward on the counter.

Kebano 8: What a game from the winger! He was a constant thorn in the side of the Leeds defence, and his trickery set the home side on their way to a number of attacks.

It looked as though Leeds struggled to come up with a way to stop him for 90 minutes.

Cairney 9: Another good game from Fulham's prized asset - he was the creative spark in the side and wanted to get on the ball at every opportunity, and his goal to equalise was an absolute beauty.

Ream 6: Made an early mistake to concede an own goal but looked assured after when he could have so easily let his head drop. Looked comfortable in the air throughout the game but looked shaky in possession at points.

Johansen 6: Was caught in possession in the middle a number of times, while his final ball going forward wasn't something to sing home about.

He's played better this season.

Aluko 6: Started the game well but faded in the second half - his direct style of play worried Leeds defenders early on but he couldn't capitalise.

Martin 6: Was largely alone up top for most of the game and surrounded by Leeds defenders.

Won a few knock downs to set Fulham going but nothing of real importance.

Kalas 7: Had a solid game for Fulham and was reliable when called upon. He made a number of recoveries which demonstrated his speed and reading of the game.

Sessegnon 6: Came on with just under half an hour to play and made himself busy down the wings, but struggled to impact on the game.

Parker 6: Came on for his experience but, like the other subs, struggled to impact on the game, blazing his only effort high over the bar.

Cyriac 6: Didn't make the greatest of impacts when he was brought on and didn't really find himself involved in the tie.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-1-1-leeds-united-12707196

WhiteJC

 
Cairney rescues point in controversial Fulham draw

Fulham 1 Leeds United 1


Tom Cairney scored a stunning equaliser in the 96th minute to earn Fulham a point they thoroughly deserved after their luck had appeared to have run dry at Craven Cottage.

With his side heading for an unmerited defeat – trailing to an early own goal and having controversially had what appeared to be an equaliser not given by the officials – Cairney curled a sublime shot from the edge of the box beyond former QPR keeper Rob Green.

Fulham were arguably good for all three points having dominated large spells of the game following Tim Ream's early misfortune, when he sliced a Kyle Bartley free-kick into his own net after just four minutes.

They appeared to have levelled midway through the first half when Neeskens Kebano's shot thundered against the underside of the bar and, seemingly, over the line.

However, despite Fulham appeals, the officials did not award the goal – and the Whites were further frustrated in the second period.

Kebano fired into the side-netting after stepping past Leeds left-back Charlie Taylor, while concerted pressure led to numerous corners, many of which led to panic in the box but, crucially, no breakthrough.

Their luck did hold out at the other end when Alfonso Pedraza, who had been denied by Fulham keeper David Button in the first half, struck a post when well placed 10 yards out.

Fulham, though, still made most of the running and substitute Scott Parker had a couple of efforts off target, while Green tipped away two Stefan Johansen free-kicks.

The second was awarded following a foul by Kalvin Phillips on Parker, who picked up a second yellow and was sent-off, but still the Whites were thwarted as Green made a fine save from Gohi Cyriac.

However, with seconds remaining, Cairney's last throw of the dice came good – and prevented Fulham from falling back in the play-off race.

Fulham: Button; Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Malone (Sessegnon 61); McDonald (Parker 74), Johansen; Aluko, Cairney, Kebano; Martin (Cyriac 74).
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Odoi, Madl, Sigurdsson.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/cairney-snatches-late-draw-for-fulham-against-leeds-united-after-goal-controversy


WhiteJC

 
Fulham 1-1 Leeds United: Tom Cairney rescues a point for Slavisa Jokanovic's side as Kalvin Phillips sees red

    Tim Ream handed Leeds United an early lead when he scored an own goal
    Leeds' Kalvin Phillips was sent off after he received a second yellow card
    Fulham's Tom Cairney popped up with the equaliser in the 95th minute

Deep into stoppage time, Tom Cairney received a pass from Sone Aluko, stepped inside a couple of Leeds defenders and curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

It felt like an incredibly valuable goal in Fulham's push for the Championship play-offs.

This point keeps them five points behind Sheffield Wednesday, who occupy sixth place, but Slavisa Jokanovic's side retain a game in hand. They are very much in contention.


Tom Cairney curled a beautiful left-footed effort around the Leeds defence and into the net


Cairney celebrated as Leeds' players cut a look of disappointment after being so close to a win


Cairney jumped on the advertising boards to celebrate his goal last-gasp equaliser


Leeds had been gifted an early lead through Tim Ream's comedy own goal. Fulham had also been denied a perfectly legal goal when Neeskens Kebano's rasping shot crashed off the crossbar and bounced over the line in the first half.

Replays suggested it should have stood but referee Lee Probert and assistant Matthew Wilkes waved away appeals.

Jokanovic was aggrieved despite the late equaliser: 'We know it is a mistake. The referee is human and can make a mistake but it is a very expensive mistake.

'From my position, I could see the movement of the ball and was sure it was a legal goal. We scored two but we needed to score three to win the game.'

Jokanovic could have done little to plan for the goal that had Leeds ahead in the fifth minute.

Kyle Bartley lifted a free-kick in the general direction of Souleymane Doukara but Ream's clearance sliced horribly beyond keeper David Button and bobbled into an empty net to the delight of 7,000 travelling fans.

Alfonso Pedraza hit a post when handed a great chance to seal it, and after Kalvin Phillips was sent off, Cairney ensured some justice was served.

Leeds manager Garry Monk said: 'Overall it was a fantastic performance and another point towards what we want to do. There were things that went for and against each side.'
Fulham's Tim Ream reacts after his own goal gave Leeds the lead early on in the game


Fulham's Tim Ream reacts after his own goal gave Leeds the lead early on in the game


Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Bartley celebrate after Leeds went ahead at Craven Cottage


   

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4291416/Fulham-1-1-Leeds-United-Tom-Cairney-rescues-point.html#ixzz4aiWvdUaK
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 1 Leeds United 1 - Late Tom Cairney strike forces Leeds to settle for share of points


Tim Ream puts the ball past Souleymane Doukara and into the back of his own goal. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

LEEDS United were agonisingly denied victory at Fulham thanks to a Tom Cairney wonder-strike in the fifth minute of injury time.

A Leeds side missing injured top scorer Chris Wood had been handed a total gift by Fulham in only the fifth minute when a free-kick by Kyle Bartley was sliced by Tim Ream into his own net.


Tom Cairney and Kalvin Phillips square up to each other before the Leeds player is sent off. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Fulham were then wrongly denied a first-half equaliser when Sone Aluko's shot hit the crossbar and bounced over the line but was not given.

But they got their just rewards through Cairney's late, late strike into the top left-hand corner.

After Ream's comical own goal, the Cottagers then went close twice within two minutes mid-way through the first half.

First a Stefan Johansen free-kick was passed to Cairney who unleashed a fine curling effort from the edge of the area that fizzed inches wide of Rob Green's left-hand post.

Then a long-range effort from Aluko beat Green all ends up but smashed the crossbar before dropping over the line and bouncing clear. Fulham were screaming at the officials that the ball had crossed but Leeds, wrongly, survived.

Leeds then had a fine opportunity to double their lead in the 38th minute when Alfonso Pedraza was played in from the left-hand side and produced a fierce shot that was saved by Button.

The hosts' dominance continued in the second half, but Leeds should have been out of sight in the 73rd minute when a loose ball fell to Pedraza 10 yards out, but his effort hit the left-hand post.

Fulham substitute Scott Parker squandered two decent chances, either side of a narrow escape when Green tipped a Johansen free-kick wide. Kalvin Phillips was then sent off in the 89th minute for a second yellow card.

Gohi Cyriac and Aluko then came within inches of equalising in injury time but Leeds looked to have survived, only for Cairney to have other ideas with his stunning equaliser.

Leeds United: Green, Berardi, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor, Bridcutt, Phillips, Sacko (Barrow 60), Roofe (Vieira 87), Pedraza, Doukara. Unused substitutes: Silvestri, Cooper, Hernandez, Dallas, Antonsson.

Fulham: Button, Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Malone (Sessegnon 61), Johansen, McDonald (Parker 74), Aluko, Cairney, Kebano, Martin (Cyriac 74). Unused substitutes:Bettinelli, Odoi, Madl, Sigurdsson.

Referee: Lee Probert.


http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-1-leeds-united-1-late-tom-cairney-strike-forces-leeds-to-settle-for-share-of-points-1-8426734

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 1 Leeds United 1 - Late Tom Cairney strike forces Leeds to settle for share of points

LEEDS United were agonisingly denied victory at Fulham thanks to a Tom Cairney wonder-strike in the fifth minute of injury time.

A Leeds side missing injured top scorer Chris Wood had been handed a total gift by Fulham in only the fifth minute when a free-kick by Kyle Bartley was sliced by Tim Ream into his own net.

Fulham were then wrongly denied a first-half equaliser when Sone Aluko's shot hit the crossbar and bounced over the line but was not given.

But they got their just rewards through Cairney's late, late strike into the top left-hand corner.

After Ream's comical own goal, the Cottagers then went close twice within two minutes mid-way through the first half.

First a Stefan Johansen free-kick was passed to Cairney who unleashed a fine curling effort from the edge of the area that fizzed inches wide of Rob Green's left-hand post.

Then a long-range effort from Aluko beat Green all ends up but smashed the crossbar before dropping over the line and bouncing clear. Fulham were screaming at the officials that the ball had crossed but Leeds, wrongly, survived.

Leeds then had a fine opportunity to double their lead in the 38th minute when Alfonso Pedraza was played in from the left-hand side and produced a fierce shot that was saved by Button.

The hosts' dominance continued in the second half, but Leeds should have been out of sight in the 73rd minute when a loose ball fell to Pedraza 10 yards out, but his effort hit the left-hand post.

Fulham substitute Scott Parker squandered two decent chances, either side of a narrow escape when Green tipped a Johansen free-kick wide. Kalvin Phillips was then sent off in the 89th minute for a second yellow card.

Gohi Cyriac and Aluko then came within inches of equalising in injury time but Leeds looked to have survived, only for Cairney to have other ideas with his stunning equaliser.

Leeds United: Green, Berardi, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor, Bridcutt, Phillips, Sacko (Barrow 60), Roofe (Vieira 87), Pedraza, Doukara. Unused substitutes: Silvestri, Cooper, Hernandez, Dallas, Antonsson.

Fulham: Button, Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Malone (Sessegnon 61), Johansen, McDonald (Parker 74), Aluko, Cairney, Kebano, Martin (Cyriac 74). Unused substitutes:Bettinelli, Odoi, Madl, Sigurdsson.

Referee: Lee Probert.


http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-1-leeds-united-1-late-tom-cairney-strike-forces-leeds-to-settle-for-share-of-points-1-8426734


WhiteJC

 
Cairney's last-gasp strike denies Leeds United

Tom Cairney came back to haunt Leeds United again as he came up with a last-gasp goal to deny them what would have been a huge three points in their away game at Fulham.

United were holding on to a lead given them in the fifth minute by a Tim Ream own goal and were down to 10 men with Kalvin Phillips red carded when with the last kick of the game the one-time Thorp Arch junior produced a terrific strike to earn the Londoners a precious point.

Cairney has previously scored three times against Leeds and his latest goal means seventh-placed Fulham stay eight points behind Garry Monk's men with a game in hand.

Defeat would have put them 11 behind so the value of the late goal is clearly massive. Cruel it may have been after United battled so well, but in truth Fulham deserved their point after they had what may have been a good goal ruled out.

Leeds were much changed from the side that won at Birmingham with changes in every department.

Charlie Taylor returned from injury to play at left-back with Gaetano Berardi, who has deputised so well for him, reverting to his natural right-back in place of Luke Ayling, who was absent to be at the birth of his baby.

In midfield Kalvin Phillips replaced Eunan O'Kane and was alongside Liam Bridcutt after his impressive display as substitute at Birmingham.

Hadi Sacko returned on the wing and Alfonso Pedraza also came in on the left after scoring as a sub last week. Kemar Roofe replaced Pablo Hernandez in the number 10 role and the big news was Souleymane Doukara up front with 25-goal top scorer Chris Wood out through injury.

The question on who was going to score for United was answered within five minutes as home defender Tom Ream sliced the ball into his own net under pressure from Doukara as he tried to deal with Kyle Bartley's floated free-kick.

Leeds dealt well with Fulham attacks in the early stages and Berardi got forward to fire in a volley that forced a save from keeper David Button.

Former Leeds junior Tom Cairney tried to get his side going and sent a curling effort just wide from outside the area.

The hosts then felt aggrieved when Neeskins Kebano's fierce strike hit the crossbar and replays suggested the ball may have gone over the line.

Scott Malone fired over following a free-kick and Leeds survived their first serious pressure of the night.

They broke out of defence for Pedraza to go through, but the Spaniard was denied by Button and it stayed 1-0 to half-time.

Taylor joined the attack from left-back at the start of the second half only for his shot to be off target.

The dangerous Kebano threatened again for Fulham, but his shot from a tough angle went into the side netting.

Leeds were playing better than in the first half, however, and only a good save by Button denied Roofe.

Ryan Fredericks was well off target with a strike from distance for the home team before Pedraza came within inches of a second goal for Leeds with an effort that hit the post. Roofe put the rebound over.

Fulham substitute Scott Parker sent a low shot wide after good work by Cairney as the hosts kept looking for an equaliser.

They came closer on 81 minutes when it needed a good save from Rob Green to keep out a Stefan Johansen free-kick and Parker put the ball over following a scramble.

United were reduced to 10 men in the 90th minute when Phillips was sent-off following a late tackle on Parker, having earlier been booked. Despite protests that he won the ball he had to go off, leaving Leeds with an anxious five minutes of added time to see out.

Fulham pressed for a goal and Green had to save Cyriac's header then Sone Aluko sent a shot inches wide.

But Leeds could not hold out as in the final attack of the game Cairney found the top corner to score for the fourth time against the club that gave him away as a youngster.

Match facts

Fulham 1

(Cairney 90+5)

Leeds United 1

(Ream og 5)

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

EFL Championship

Attendance: 22,239

Fulham: Button, Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Malone (Sessegnon 61), Johansen, McDonald (Parker 73), Aluko, Cairney, Kebano, Martin (Cyriac 73).

Leeds: Green, Berardi, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor, Bridcutt, Phillips, Sacko (Barrow 61), Roofe (Vieira 87), Pedraza (Dallas 82), Doukara.

Referee: Lee Probert.


http://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/cairney-s-last-gasp-strike-denies-leeds-united-1-8426731

WhiteJC

 
Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was pleased with his side's fighting spirit on Tuesday, but believes they should have claimed all three points.

Trailing to Tim Ream's early own goal, Neeskens Kebano fired in a stunning equaliser, only for the officials to deem that his effort had not crossed the line.

Tom Cairney crashed home a dramatic goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time to earn Fulham a deserved point, but Jokanović was left thinking of what might have been.


"First of all I am really proud of how my team played football tonight," he stated. "As we conceded one and scored two I believe we deserve three points.

"We had an accidental start, we scored an own goal then we scored a legal goal but the referee didn't see this situation very well.

"Second half he probably missed one penalty for us and at the very end we found some kind of compensation and Tom Cairney scored a fantastic goal.

"We played all the football on the pitch tonight, we moved from one side to the other side, we created many chances. We won only one point but I believe my team deserve three tonight."

Disbelief engulfed the stadium when Kebano's wonder goal was not given, but Jokanović acknowledged that these things can happen in football.

"I cannot complain about the referee," he said. "It's a human error, you can make a mistake but it's a very expensive mistake.

"And from my position I saw how the ball was moving, I was sure it was a legal goal. We checked after at half-time and it was a big mistake but that is part of the football too.

"I don't know how to explain, I was sure the ball was past the line, and for some reason the assistant didn't watch the situation very well.

"But I am really proud of my team, how we played football, how we fought with confidence, how we defended with the Fulham press. My team was really competitive, and we found this kind of compensation in the last moment of the game."

Leeds arrived in SW6 sitting fourth in the Sky Bet Championship, but they struggled to cope with Fulham's fluid football.

"It's important that we play with confidence, that we play with our style," Jokanović said. "We moved the ball, we created many chances, we shot 23 times and my team played with confidence.

"My team believed they can play very good football, today we played very well. Okay we scored two, well we scored three, the third to win the game at the end.

"In the end it's an important goal, confidence is good and we keep going and push hard to keep fighting to be in the top-six.

"It's not a question about entertaining football, I believe we did enough today to win the game, I don't want to have possession of the ball for nothing.

"Our possession is for shots and in general we are one of the teams in the Championship who shoot more times. I believe we are a top team and this is the reason we want to play this type of game.

"Tom Cairney is a very important player for us, he did a fantastic job and he is probably one of the best in this competition."

The draw extended Fulham's unbeaten league run to six matches, with Jokanović hoping to make that seven at St James' Park on Saturday.

"We have confidence for everything, we are going to try our style and try and dominate," he explained. "Newcastle is a physical, very strong team and they will be looking to put the ball in behind us and run in the spaces behind out centre-backs.

"We are going to try to move the ball and create our chances."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/march/07/head-coach-reaction-leeds

WhiteJC

 
Everton the latest Premier League club to wade into transfer scrap over Fulham whizkid Ryan Sessegnon
Director of football Steve Walsh was at Craven Cottage on Saturday to see the 16-year-old left-back shine against Preston


Sessegnon's performances for Fulham at age 16 have him on transfer radars across Europe (Photo: Reuters)

Everton have joined the race for Fulham's brilliant young left-back Ryan Sessegnon.

Steve Walsh, the Toffees' new director of football, was at Craven Cottage last Saturday to run the rule over the 16 year-old Championship defender — and Sessegnon was again outstanding in a 3-1 win over Preston.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has been drawing up his plans to revitalise his squad with the kind of players he believes can make the Goodison club into one that can challenge for Champions League qualification.

Sessegnon will fit that bill - if Everton can prise him out of Craven Cottage ahead of a string of rival suitors.

Last month, before Fulham's FA Cup tie against Tottenham, their skipper Tom Cairney heaped praise on his teen team-mate.

He said: "His mentality is ridiculous. It does not make sense.

"Earlier in the season at Leeds I thought, 'I don't know how he is handling it all!'

"He is 16, not even nearly 17, has just done his GCSEs and is playing like he has played 100 games. It does not make sense. He is so fit, has scored four goals — ridiculous from left-back, really.

"It's amazing. I don't really understand.

"His game understanding for his age is something I have never seen before. Fulham have got a huge prospect on their hands."


http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/everton-latest-premier-league-club-9984620


WhiteJC

 
Jokanovic rues disallowed 'goal' as Fulham snatch late point

Slavisa Jokanovic was left wondering what might have been after his Fulham side grabbed a deserved 1-1 draw with fellow promotion contenders Leeds.

Tom Cairney's 95th-minute strike cancelled out Tim Ream's own goal that had gifted Leeds a fifth-minute lead. But the game's turning point arrived in the 23rd minute when Neeskens Kebano's shot hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced out. TV replays suggested the ball had crossed the line.

Fulham manager Jokanovic said:"I'm really proud how we played. We actually scored two and we deserved three points.

"We made an accidental start with the own goal and we scored a legal score, but he referee does not see the situation.

Then Tom scores a fantastic goal.

"We played all the football and created many, many chances. We shot 23 times on goal. We won only one point, but deserve three.

"You can't complain about the referee. He is human. But it's an expensive mistake. I see myself that the ball is past the line. It was a big mistake. Goal-line technology would be good.

"We were very competitive and were rewarded in the last moments of the game. It's an important point as there's many games still in front of us. We played with confidence and with style. We need to push hard to be in the top six."

Fulham were on the back foot after Ream sliced Kyle Bartley's free-kick into his own net. But that setback did not affect the hosts, who dominated and were furious Kebano's shot was not allowed.

Fulham continued to lay siege to the Leeds goal and Kalvin Phillips' late red card for a second yellow did not help Leeds, who finally buckled when Cairney struck from distance.

Leeds manager Garry Monk said: "We had a game plan and followed it excellently against a good side who have been free-scoring here. It feels like a sucker punch with the way it came at the end very end, but that's football.

"You have to take it on the chin. It was a good point against a very good side. We needed a second goal and the ball hit the post which would have done it. That would have sealed the game for us.

"Things went for and against them and us. It's another performance and a point to where we want to go."

Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/leeds-united/jokanovic-rues-disallowed-goal-as-fulham-snatch-late-point-1844278.html

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 1 - 1 Leeds United


Tom Cairney's eighth Championship goal of the season earned Fulham a late point

Tom Cairney scored in injury time to deny Leeds victory and extend Fulham's unbeaten run to six Championship games.

The visitors took the lead in bizarre fashion as Tim Ream sliced an attempted clearance past goalkeeper David Button.

Neeskens Kebano seemed to have made it 1-1 with a shot that bounced down off the crossbar, but a goal was not given.

Leeds' Kalvin Phillips received a second yellow for a poor tackle on Scott Parker, before Cairney curled in a strike to equalise with seconds left.

Fulham had won four of their previous five Championship games to move into seventh place, within five points of the play-off places, but went behind in unusual fashion after just four minutes.

Under pressure from Souleymane Doukara, Ream misjudged a volleyed clearance from Kyle Bartley's quickly taken free-kick and beat Button.

The hosts fought back immediately with Cairney firing narrowly wide from a well-worked free-kick before Kebano's powerful strike off the underside of the crossbar was deemed not to have crossed the line.

Alfonso Pedraza had two chances to double Leeds' advantage, but the Spanish winger spurned two one-on-one opportunities, seeing one saved by Button and one come back off a post.

Phillips was dismissed as injury time approached and Rob Green looked to have earned a third straight win for fourth-placed Leeds when he saved from Gohi Cyriac's header, but Cairney had the final say.

The Cottagers' captain picked out the top corner from the edge of the area to maintain the five-point gap to sixth place, following Sheffield Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Burton.

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic: "I'm really proud how we played. We actually scored two and we deserved three points.

"We made an accidental start with the own goal and we scored a legal score, but he referee does not see the situation. Then Tom scores a fantastic goal.

"We played all the football and created many, many chances. We shot 23 times on goal. We won only one point, but deserve three."

Leeds manager Garry Monk: "We had a game plan and followed it excellently against a good side who have been free-scoring here. It feels like a sucker punch with the way it came at the end very end, but that's football.

"You have to take it on the chin. It was a good point against a very good side. We needed a second goal and the ball hit the post which would have done it. That would have sealed the game for us.

"Things went for and against them and us. It's another performance and a point to where we want to go."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39111570

WhiteJC

 
Fulham boss 'proud' of players but unhappy at key decisions

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic was proud of his team's performance after they snatched a draw with virtually the last kick of the game against Leeds United – but unhappy that two key decisions went against his side.

Having fallen behind to an early Tim Ream own goal, the Whites dominated large spells of the match and appeared to have equalised midway through the first half when Neeskens Kebano's shot hit the underside of the crossbar and seemingly bounced over the line.

However, the officials did not award the goal and also turned down appeals for a penalty in the second half.

It took Fulham until the 96th minute to get what they deserved as Tom Cairney curled home brilliantly from the edge of the box.

Jokanovic said: "I am really proud of how they played, independent of the result. I believe they made enough [chances] to win the game.

"After the referee ruled out our legal goal, we had some situations – in the second half, there was a touch with a hand which is a penalty for us.

"We paid a very expensive price [for the officials' decisions] but all of us are human.

"It's big damage for us, it's an important two points that we lost today, but we are going to push harder still than we did tonight.

"I cannot be satisfied with the result but I am satisfied with how they fought with spirit for the Fulham crest and how they helped each other."


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-wls-fulham-boss-proud-players-unhappy-key-decisions-leeds-united-draw


WhiteJC

 
Cairney curler rescues point for Fulham
by Dan on March 8, 2017


Just as fortune appeared to be eluding Fulham, Tom Cairney produced a moment of individual magic to rescue a point and leave Slavisa Jokanovic's side very much in the Championship promotion picture. The classy midfielder, released by Leeds at fourteen on account of him 'being too small' to make the grade, came back to haunt the Yorkshire side with a majestic curling strike in the fifth minute of stoppage time that left veteran goalkeeper Rob Green grasping at air. A point was the least Fulham deserved from a high-octane encounter, especially after Neeskens Kebano's rasping drive was inexplicably judged not to have crossed the line having thundered against the crossbar in the first half.

Fulham showed great resilience to claw their way back into the contest against one of the division's in-form side. That Leeds were ahead at all might have been something of a sore point – given how Gary Monk's team gained their advantage. The visitors, without the services of key striker Chris Wood who was sidelined by a calf strain, went in front in the fifth minute when Tim Ream, under the slightest of pressure from Souleymane Doukara, sliced his attempted clearance of Kyle Bartley's swiftly taken free-kick up into the air and past a stranded David Button into the unguarded net. It was the worst possible start to a vital encounter for the hosts, who took some time to come to terms with going behind in such a manner.

Leeds carved out opportunities to extend their lead. Stand-in right Gaeteno Berardi drove in a ferocious effort from the edge of the box after Scott Malone half cleared a corner, but Button proved equal to the shot. Monk's charges also unsettled Fulham from the outset by pressing the home side high up the pitch and almost profited when Button miskicked an attempted clearance but Kalvin Phillips was closed down before he could get a shot away. The robust nature of Leeds' approach disrupted Fulham's usual rhythm and it wasn't until Ryan Fredericks began surging down the right that Jokanovic's side offered a potent threat.

The right back eventually surged clear of Charlie Taylor and whipped in an inviting cross but Kebano, stretching every sinew to divert the ball towards goal, only succeeded in turning it wide. Chris Martin met a cross from the opposite flank sent in by Scott Malone, but Leeds' well-drilled defence mopped up the danger. Cairney lifted an effort wide of goal when a cleverly worked short free-kick arrived at his feet 20 yards out and, minutes later, a flowing move involving the Fulham skipper and Stefan Johansen culminated in Kebano, with a short backlift, beating Green from the edge of the area but the rebound that appeared to cross the line after cannoning off the crossbar was waved away by the officials.

Leeds had a couple of openings at the end of the first period to extend their lead. First, Kemar Roofe caught Ream in possession forty yards from goal and unselfishly sent the recalled Gaetano Pedraza in on goal, only for Button to measure his angles to perfection and repel his low shot at the near post. A swift break featuring Hadi Sakho saw Doukara threaten inside the Fulham box, but Tomas Kalas arrived in the nick of time to repel the danger.

The start of the second half proved rather cagey, but Fulham eventually found the verve and panache that has characterised their recent performances. Critical to their upturn in form has been the return of Kebano, something of a peripheral figure before his trip to the African Nations Cup, but the Congolese winger displayed the tricky combination of clever running and quick to fashion an opportunity on the left angle of the Leeds box – only for his early shot to rattle the side netting.

Teenage substitute Ryan Sessegnon, whose direct running made him much more of an asset in the final third than Scott Malone, drove a shot straight at a relieved Green and another flowing move saw Fredericks dig out a cross to the back post, where Stefan Johansen's fierce drive was deflected behind by Bartley. Fulham were almost caught cold at the other end when a mesmerising run from Modou Barrow culminated in the Swansea loanee playing in Pedraza, who rattled the near post with a powerful strike.

Jokanovic throw on Scott Parker and Cyriac in search of a precious equaliser and the presence of the veteran midfielder, who drifted into the spaces left as Leeds tired, appeared to galvanise Fulham. The one-time England captain found himself in an advanced position and placed a speculative shot from 22 yards just wide of the far post and gradually Fulham's patient football began to make an impression. Fredericks and Cairney fashioned an opening down the right flank but Cyriac's stabbed attempt at a finish lacked the necessary power.

The home side almost found an equaliser ten minutes from time when Johansen nearly punished a crude challenge from Barrow with a curling free-kick that Green athletically turned aside. Fulham continued to push for an equaliser and, an almightly scramble from a set-play after a Sessegnon shot bounced around in front of goal, presented a decent chance for Parker, who failed to keep his volley down.

As the clock ticked down, Leeds lost their commendable composure. Philips was shown a second yellow card for a violent lunch at Parker just outside the box and, although Green tipped over another Johansen free-kick, Fulham's injury-time assault was only just beginning. The Norwegian midfielder dug out a hanging cross from the right and Cyriac leapt impressively to guide a header towards the corner that Green did magnificently to parry clear. Sone Aluko sent a cross-cum-shot agonisingly across the face of goal, before Cairney broke Leeds' resistance in the final minute of stoppage time.

With Aluko and Fredericks both in advanced positions on the right flank, Cairney cut inside onto his favoured left foot, making the most of the unusual amount of time and space he had been afforded to curl an unstoppable shot around Green and into the top corner. The frenzied celebrations saw Cairney clamber into the Hammersmith End to enjoy his equaliser with the home fans and Fredericks gleefully punching the air in his wake. The equaliser was the least Fulham's spirited displayed deserved – and should send Jokanovic's side to league leaders Newcastle on Saturday in good heart.

FULHAM (4-1-2-3): Button; Fredericks, Malone (R. Sessegnon 61) Kalas, Ream; McDonald (Parker 74); Johansen, Cairney; Aluko, Kebano, Martin (Cyriac 75). Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Odoi, Madl, Sigurdsson.

BOOKED: McDonald, Johansen, Cairney.

GOAL: Cairney (90+5).

LEEDS UNITED (4-2-3-1): Green; Berardi, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor; Bridcutt, Phillips; Sacko (Barrow 60), Roofe (Vieira 87), Alfonso (Dallas 82); Doukara. Subs (not used): Silvestri, Cooper, Pablo Hernández, Antonsson.

BOOKED: Sakho, Phillips, Barrow.

SENT OFF: Phillips (89).

GOAL: Ream (o.g. 5).

REFEREE: Lee Probert (South Gloucestershire).

ATTENDANCE: 22,239


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/03/cairney-curler-rescues-point-for-fulham/

WhiteJC

 
Cairney hits out at 'classless' abusive fans following Leeds clash


Fresh from scoring a late equaliser in Fulham's 1-1 draw with Leeds United, Tom Cairney responded to claims on Twitter that he and his family were verbally abused by fans during the game.

It was an important match at Craven Cottage, with Fulham attempting to break into the playoff places and Leeds trying to consolidate their position in the top six.

It was the perfect start for the visitors, albeit it slightly lucky, as Tim Ream sent the ball into his own net in the fifth minute.

Fulham dominated the match, though, as they kept plenty of possession and created numerous goalscoring chances.

It looked as though the Cottagers were going to have to relinquish all three points, but Cairney stepped up in injury time to seal an equaliser.

After the game, the 26-year-old midfielder, who spent part of his youth career at Leeds, responded to a fan on Twitter who claimed to hear abusive comments about the players during the train ride home.

Cairney tweeted that a group of supporters – presumably part of the Leeds following – targeted the players' families during the match.

As it stands, Fulham remain seventh, five points adrift of the playoff spots, while Leeds sit fourth with an eight-point advantage.


http://www.footballfancast.com/social-media/twitter/cairney-hits-out-at-classless-abusive-fans-following-leeds-clash

WhiteJC

 
Scouting Report: Chelsea face important decision over Fulham loan star Tomas Kalas' future

TOMAS KALAS is too good for the Championship.


Chelsea loanee Tomas Kalas has impressed for Fulham



The Chelsea defender has cut an impressive figure in defence for Fulham since joining on loan last summer.

Quite simply, Slavisa Jokanovic's side have a much better record with Kalas in the starting line-up than without him.

Kalas, who has represented the Czech Republic at international level, is out of contract at his parent club next year.

A permanent move to Craven Cottage makes perfect sense for Fulham but their hopes could hinge on whether they win promotion to the Premier League.

Kalas is open to joining Fulham on a full-time basis but previously admitted a decision was not imminent.

"If I get the offer, I might consider something," he said last month.

"But obviously it's still quite early and we'll see what comes at the end of the season.

"We'll see if we're going to chase promotion or not.

"It depends on so many factors but I'm quite happy now."


Fulham are a much better team when Tomas Kalas is fit

Chelsea's loan model suggests that Fulham would have to stump up a hefty fee to secure Kalas.

You only have to look at the prices the likes of Patrick Bamford have fetched to see that their approach is profitable.

While a competitive price would appear a no-brainer for Jokanovic, Kalas' injury record this season could worry Fulham's stats guru and new director of football operations Tony Khan.

The 23-year-old could, potentially, even be offered a contract extension before another temporary move to a club competing at a higher level than the Championship.

Antonio Conte was spotted at Craven Cottage to watch Kalas during Fulham's FA Cup defeat against Tottenham in the fifth round.

With John Terry set to leave in the summer and Conte actively looking for new defenders, Kalas could find himself in favour at Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea boss has an important decision to make.


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/594528/Chelsea-Fulham-Tomas-Kalas-Future-Gossip


WhiteJC

 
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic speaks out about Neeskens Kebano's 'goal' against Leeds

SLAVISA JOKANOVIC dubbed referee Lee Probert's failure to award Neeskens Kebano's 'goal' against Leeds "a very expensive mistake".


Fulham's Neeskens Kebano unleashes his shot at goal

Kebano unleashed a venomous strike from the edge of the box on 23 minutes with Fulham trailing by a single goal.

The DR Congo forward's effort crashed off the underside of the bar and replays indicated it had crossed the line.

Fulham grabbed a deserved equaliser at the death thanks to Tom Cairney's wonder strike but Jokanovic was miffed by the Kebano decision.

"We know it's a mistake," he said.

"I do not complain about the referee. He's a human and we can make mistakes. It's a very expensive mistake.

"From my position, I see the movement of the ball. I was sure it's a legal goal. We check at half-time, it's a big mistake.

"But it's a part of football."

The Championship does not currently use goal-line technology but it is due to come into practice next season.

When asked if he wants technology in the division, Jokanovic said: "Yes. The referee generally did not be so much on our side tonight.

"The other side cannot complain about this kind of situation.


Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic insists the goal should have stood

"I was sure the ball passed the line. For some reason the assistant didn't watch the situation very well."

Despite failing to clinch all three points, Jokanovic believes Cairney's cracker will motivate his side in their hunt for a play-off spot.

"It's important," he said. "There are many games in front of us.

"It's important for confidence. We keep going, carry on and push hard to fight for the top six."


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/594620/Fulham-Leeds-Neeskens-Kebano-Goal-Slavisa-Jokanovic-Gossip

WhiteJC

 
Jokanovic 'proud' of Fulham's fighting spirit
by Dan on March 8, 2017


Slavisa Jokanovic was pleased with his side's fighting spirit as Tom Cairney grabbed a point at the death against Leeds United in the crunch promotion clash at Craven Cottage last night – but the Fulham head coach feels they should have taken all three points.

Jokanovic was bemused by referee Lee Probert's decision to wave play on after Neeskens Kebano's first half shot bounced down off the crossbar when it appeared over the line. Subsequent television replays showed it to be well over the goal-line, but the Serbian head coach was delighted that his side continued to press for an equaliser deep into stoppage time.

    First of all I am really proud of how my team played football tonight. As we conceded one and scored two I believe we deserve three points.

    We had an accidental start, we scored an own goal then we scored a legal goal but the referee didn't see this situation very well. Second half he probably missed one penalty for us and at the very end we found some kind of compensation and Tom Cairney scored a fantastic goal.

He was also delighted with the composed and patient manner of Fulham's passing football that eventually wore down a well-drilled Leeds outfit.

    We played all the football on the pitch tonight, we moved from one side to the other side, we created many chances. We won only one point but I believe my team deserve three tonight.

    It's important that we play with confidence, that we play with our style. We moved the ball, we created many chances, we shot 23 times and my team played with confidence. My team believed they can play very good football, today we played very well. Okay we scored two, well we scored three, the third to win the game at the end.

    It's not a question about entertaining football, I believe we did enough today to win the game, I don't want to have possession of the ball for nothing.

Jokanovic also refused to directly criticise Probert or his assistant, saying that the mistake was down to 'human error'.

    I cannot complain about the referee. It's a human error, you can make a mistake but it's a very expensive mistake. And from my position I saw how the ball was moving, I was sure it was a legal goal. We checked after at half-time and it was a big mistake but that is part of the football too. I don't know how to explain, I was sure the ball was past the line, and for some reason the assistant didn't watch the situation very well.

    But I am really proud of my team, how we played football, how we fought with confidence, how we defended with the Fulham press. My team was really competitive, and we found this kind of compensation in the last moment of the game.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/03/jokanovic-proud-of-fulhams-fighting-spirit/