Sunday Fulham Stuff - 12/03/17

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Results

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

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Head Coach Reaction

Fulham kept their promotion hopes alive after beating Newcastle 3-1 away at St James' Park and Head Coach Slaviša Jokanović was more than delighted with his team's performance.

"It's a great step for us, we must play ten more games and everything is open," said Jokanović, "Even though some teams at this moment have more points than what we have right now."

"On Tuesday night we are going to have another opportunity to fight for another three points and we must be ready to rest. Our minds must be rested and our bodies and we must be ready to fight again on Tuesday night."

Operating in an advanced role on the left wing, Ryan Sessegnon proved too strong for the Newcastle defence and bagged himself a brace, much to the joy of his coach.

"Sessegnon is working very well, we tried to use him in a little bit of a different position but in the past we have used him in more of an offensive position.

"We expected that he could find the space in behind the back four of Newcastle and he did that twice.

"He finished with a great level of quality and he completed a very good football game and he must be satisfied with the team and himself too."

Despite the setback Newcastle remain top of the Championship, albeit on goal difference, but Jokanović still expects them to go up.

"I believe Newcastle will be a Premier League team, they play differently, they are full of important players and play a different style of football.

"We expected this from a very physical a very strong team, we knew they would try and attack behind our full-backs and we would be in a good distance from them with good positions.

"I would be really, really surprised if next season Newcastle don't get to play in the Premier League."

Fulham are now just two points off the Play-Offs with a number of results going our way today, and Jokanović has vowed his team will stay in the hunt, with a game in hand against Blackburn on Tuesday night.

"We are going to fight. We are not in position to be thinking about being a promoted team but we are thinking about pushing hard to push ourselves into the top six.

"If we are strong enough for the top six then we will have a 25% chance of being a Premier League team next season."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/march/11/head-coach-reaction-newcastle

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Newcastle 1-3 Fulham: 16-year-old sensation Ryan Sessegnon scores twice to ruin Rafa Benitez's one-year anniversary as Newcastle boss

    Ryan Sessegnon scored twice as Fulham won 3-1 at league leaders Newcastle
    Tom Cairney fired Fulham in front with a superb strike from outside the box
    Fulham doubled their lead early in the second half via Sessegnon
    Sessegnon, 16, netted his second of the game eight minutes later to kill the game
    Daryl Murphy gave Newcastle hope with a Newcastle goal 14 minutes from time
    Tim Ream missed a penalty for Fulham in stoppage time at the end of the game
    Newcastle remain top of the Championship; Fulham are now two points off 6th

Rafael Benitez suffered an anniversary to forget as Newcastle crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Fulham.

Twelve months to the day since he agreed to take over at St James' Park, Benitez watched his side suffer their joint-heaviest league defeat of the season as Tom Cairney's early opener was followed by two second-half goals from Ryan Sessegnon.

Newcastle, who claimed a second-half consolation through Daryl Murphy, remain on top of the Championship, but the result means they are ahead of Brighton only on goal difference and are now just six points clear of third-placed Huddersfield.


Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon scored a brace as Fulham upset the league leaders Newcastle


The 16-year-old latched on to a Sone Aluko through ball to seal the game with 30 minutes left


The 16-year-old scored his first eight minutes earlier after a neat backheel from Aluko


Sessegnon netted twice in eight minutes to dent Newcastle's push for promotion

Fulham are two points adrift of the play-off places, but boast a game in hand on all bar one of the sides in the top six and appear to be peaking at just the right time.

Newcastle's home form is a growing source of concern for Benitez, with the Magpies now having suffered five league defeats at St James'.

Their previous home game saw them concede two first-half goals to Bristol City, and they were on the back foot from an early stage of proceedings once again as Cairney broke the deadlock in the 15th minute.

Newcastle looked at signing Cairney during the January transfer window, only for Fulham to stand firm, and his goalscoring abilities were clear to see as he received the ball from full-back Scott Malone before curling a superb 22-yard strike past Karl Darlow.

Fulham went into the game having lost just one of their previous eight league games, and Slavisa Jokanovic's side were unfortunate not to be more than a goal to the good at the interval.


Tom Cairney scored a sensational strike to put Fulham ahead at St James' Park after 15 minutes


Cairney gave Karl Darlow no chance when he curled a shot home from outside the box


Fulham had not won on their last four visits to St James' Park - a run stretching back to 2009


Slavisa Jokanovic (left) and Rafa Benitez greet each other ahead of the clash at St James' Park

Darlow produced a smart stop to deny Sone Aluko after the striker wriggled into space in the area, and Neeskens Kebano came close with a shot that deflected off Paul Dummett and looped narrowly wide of the post.

Newcastle's first-half play was littered with errors, and their only real chance came to nothing shortly before the half-hour mark as Fulham goalkeeper David Button tipped Ciaran Clark's close-range header over the crossbar after the defender rose to meet Vurnon Anita's right-wing cross.

The hosts were no better in the second period, and Fulham swiftly added another two goals to their tally to put the game beyond doubt.

Sessegnon claimed them both, with his pace down the left-hand side causing a succession of problems to the Magpies defence.


Matt Ritchie (left) and Paul Dummett (centre) try to dispossess Fulham's Neeskens Kebano


Jonjo Shelvey tries to get Newcastle back on terms during the first half at St James' Park

His first goal six minutes after half-time saw him slot a low shot into the corner after Clark's poor clearance enabled Aluko to back-heel the ball into his path.

And his second came courtesy of an even better finish as he rifled into the bottom corner in the 59th minute after Aluko again teed him up to complete a slick Fulham counter-attack.

Newcastle reduced the arrears with 14 minutes remaining as substitute Murphy turned on the corner of the box before angling a low strike into the corner, and Fulham wasted a great chance for a fourth goal in stoppage time as Tim Ream fired a penalty wide of the post after Dummett was penalised for a push on Gohi Cyriac.


But the Newcastle midfielder was left dejected as the visitors ran away with it after the break


Rafa Benitez's side remain top of the Championship despite the damaging defeat to Fulham


Tom Cairney celebrates the 3-1 win in front of the Fulham supporters at St James' Park



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4304238/Newcastle-1-3-Fulham-Sessegnon-scores-two-visitors.html#ixzz4b6H5tGhq
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Newcastle United 1 Fulham 3: Unhappy anniversary for Benitez after damaging defeat

Newcastle United suffered a damaging home defeat at the hands of Fulham this afternoon.

Rafa Benitez's side were beaten 3-1 on the anniversary of Rafa Benitez's arrival at St James's Park.


Tom Cairney's goal

Newcastle had led the Championship by five points after last weekend's win over Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium.

But that advantage has now gone, and United now only lead the division by goal difference with nine games left to play after Brighton and Hove Albion's win over Derby County last night.

Crucially, third-placed Huddersfield, 1-0 winners at Brentford, are now only six points behind them and David Wagner's side have a game in hand.

Tom Cairney, a player United looked at last summer, put Fulham into the lead in the 15th minute with a 20-yard shot.

Scott Malone found Cairney from the left, and the midfielder was allowed to pick his spot by Newcastle's defence, who stood off him.

Chances were few and far between for United before the break, though Ciaran Clark had a header tipped over by visiting goalkeeper David Button. Jonjo Shelvey also got a warning from referee James Linington after an ill-disciplined half. It got worse for Newcastle after the interval.

Ryan Sessegnon scored the first of his two goals in the 51st minute after United gave the ball away in their own area.

Sessegnon scored Fulham's third goal in the 59th minute after a quick break forward.

Daryl Murphy, sent on by Benitez in the wake of Sessegnon's second goal, gave Newcastle hope with a strike into the bottom left-hand corner in the 76th minute.

But United's brief rally came to nothing, and Fulham had a late penalty after Paul Dummett tangled with Sessegnon in the box. Tim Ream put the spot kick wide of Karl Darlow's goal. And there were still boos at the final whistle from some disgruntled fans.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Darlow; Anita, Lascelles, Clark (Gamez, 64), Dummett; Shelvey, Colback; Ritchie, Diame (Murphy, 61), Atsu; Gayle (Gouffran, 75). Subs not used: Elliot, Hanley, Perez, Mitrovic.

FULHAM: Button, Malone, Odoi, McDonald, Kebano (Fredericks, 84), Cairney, Ream, Johansen (Parker, 90), Aluko (Cyriac, 88), Kalas, Sessegnon.
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Madl, Sigurdsson. Martin.

Goals: Cairney 15, Sessegnon 51, 59, Murphy 76

Bookings: Atsu 50, Clark 60, McDonald 73, Shelvey 79

Referee: James Linginton (Newport)

Attendance: 51,903



Read more at: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-united-1-fulham-3-unhappy-anniversary-for-benitez-after-damaging-defeat-1-8433945

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Anniversary to forget for Benitez as Newcastle outclassed by Fulham

Rafael Benitez suffered an anniversary to forget as Newcastle crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Fulham.

Twelve months to the day since he agreed to take over at St James' Park, Benitez watched his side suffer their joint-heaviest league defeat of the season as Tom Cairney's early opener was followed by two second-half goals from Ryan Sessegnon. Newcastle, who claimed a second-half consolation through Daryl Murphy, remain on top of the Sky Bet Championship, but the result means they are only ahead of Brighton on goal difference and are now just six points clear of third-placed Huddersfield. Fulham are two points adrift of the play-off places, but boast a game in hand on all bar one of the sides in the top six and appear to be peaking at just the right time. Newcastle's home form is a growing source of concern for Benitez, with the Magpies now having suffered five league defeats at St James'. Their previous home game saw them concede two first-half goals to Bristol City, and they were on the back foot from an early stage of proceedings once again as Cairney broke the deadlock in the 15th minute. Newcastle looked at signing Cairney during the January transfer window, only for Fulham to stand firm, and his goalscoring abilities were clear to see as he received the ball from full-back Scott Malone before curling a superb 22-yard strike past Karl Darlow. Fulham went into the game having lost just one of their previous eight league games, and Slavisa Jokanovic's side were unfortunate not to be more than a goal to the good at the interval. Darlow produced a smart stop to deny Sone Aluko after the striker wriggled into space in the area, and Neeskens Kebano came close with a shot that deflected off Paul Dummett and looped narrowly wide of the post. Newcastle's first-half play was littered with errors, and their only real chance came to nothing shortly before the half-hour mark as Fulham goalkeeper David Button tipped Ciaran Clark's close-range header over the crossbar after the defender rose to meet Vurnon Anita's right-wing cross. The hosts were no better in the second period, and Fulham swiftly added another two goals to their tally to put the game beyond doubt. Sessegnon claimed them both, with his pace down the left-hand side causing a succession of problems to the Magpies defence. His first goal six minutes after half-time saw him slot a low shot into the corner after Clark's poor clearance enabled Aluko to back-heel the ball into his path. And his second came courtesy of an even better finish as he rifled into the bottom corner in the 59th minute after Aluko again teed him up to complete a slick Fulham counter-attack. Newcastle reduced the arrears with 14 minutes remaining as substitute Murphy turned on the corner of the box before angling a low strike into the corner, and Fulham wasted a great chance for a fourth goal in stoppage time as Tim Ream fired a penalty wide of the post after Dummett was penalised for a push on Gohi Cyriac.



Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/fulham/anniversary-to-forget-for-benitez-as-newcastle-outclassed-by-1844694.html

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Newcastle United 1 - 3 Fulham

Ryan Sessegnon smashes home his second goal at St James' Park

Teenage full-back Ryan Sessegnon scored twice as play-off chasing Fulham stunned Championship leaders Newcastle with victory at St James' Park.

The 16-year-old slotted in Sone Aluko's backheel after the break and then fired home just before the hour mark.

Tom Cairney had put Fulham ahead with a 25-yard strike into the top corner.

After Daryl Murphy curled in a consolation for the hosts, Tim Ream missed a chance to make it 4-1 when he sent a stoppage-time penalty wide.

Sessegnon appeared to want to take the spot-kick to complete his hat-trick after Paul Dummett brought him down, but USA international Ream took the ball and smashed it past the right post.

Fulham have now won five of their last seven league games and are just two points behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday with a game in hand.

They thoroughly outclassed an out-of-sorts Newcastle side, with skipper Cairney's second fantastic long-range goal in the space of a few days, after his stoppage-time equaliser against Leeds on Tuesday, setting the tone.

However, it was left-back Sessegnon, reportedly being scouted by several Premier League clubs, who provided two moments of composure to seal three points for his side with his fifth and sixth goals of the campaign.

It was a nightmare afternoon for Rafael Benitez's Magpies, a year to the day since the Spaniard took charge, with their advantage over third-placed Huddersfield now down to six points.

But over the past 10 seasons in the Championship, an average of 86 points has been enough to gain automatic promotion, so three more wins could be enough to earn an immediate return to the Premier League.

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez: "We knew it could be a difficult game, and we knew we had to do well at the beginning and not make mistakes. But we started making mistakes, and we paid for that.

"Fulham are a good team - they passed the ball well and they have pace. We were giving the ball away, and that was giving them the chance to play in the way that they like to play.

"When you have tried and have made mistakes, you have to analyse why. It is not as though the players were not trying in terms of effort. Sometimes, it is just the wrong decision, and that is something we have to improve."

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic: "I believe at the end my team deserved the result. It is a great step for us, everything is open, although some teams have more points than what we have right now.

"I believe Newcastle will be a Premier League team. They play a different style of football - they are physical and a very strong team.

"We are not in a position to think about being a promoted team, but we are going to push hard for the top six. If you have enough strength for this then we have a 25% chance to be a Premier League team next season."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39162732

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Nottingham Forest sucked deeper into trouble with 1-0 defeat at Burton Albion

A solitary goal from Cauley Woodrow was enough to help Burton Albion battle to a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest that left Gary Brazil's side looking nervously over their shoulders once more in the Championship.

Woodrow's free-kick gave the Brewers the lead in the 26th minute and Nigel Clough's side held on determinedly to their lead, despite late pressure from the Reds, who might have snatched a point in injury time had Matty Cash made proper contact with a late opportunity in front of goal.

The result lifted Burton above Forest in the table, with the Reds finding themselves only two points outside of the bottom three, as both Wolves and Bristol City also won to close the gap on them, while even Blackburn Rovers were able to battle to a point at Norwich City, courtesy of a 2-2 draw.

Forest dominated possession for much of the game and also carved out the greater number of chances – but few were any more than half sights of goal, as Burton defended stoically for a win that will boost their hopes of survival significantly.

With Derby County set to visit the City Ground next weekend, Forest will be desperate for a victory, to avoid the indignity of seeing their oldest rivals plunging them into the bottom three.

Brazil made five changes to his Forest side, as he looked to inspire an improved performance to the one the Reds produced in the 3-2 defeat at the hands of Brentford in midweek.

There was a completely new look to the Forest forward line as three of the attacking quartet changed.

Ben Brereton was brought in to lead the line, while Ben Osborn was the only attacking player to retain his place, with Ross McCormack and Zach Clough joining him amid the attacking trio, within a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Clough started on the left side, with Osborn on the right and McCormack playing centrally just behind Brereton.

There was some mystery over the condition of Britt Assombalonga, with club staff coming up to the press box to brief the media that the striker was missing with an injury – before the player himself took to Twitter to state that he was match fit and ready to face Derby next weekend.

Michael Mancienne made his return from a hamstring problem to slot into the defensive midfield pairing, alongside David Vaughan.

The final change came in the back four, where Armand Traore returned at left-back in place of Dani Pinillos. Forest were missing former Burton man Jamie Ward through suspension, while Chris Cohen was also missing with a slight injury.

It was right-back Eric Lichaj who provided the first moment of menace for the visitors, as he overlapped down the right side, where he was picked out by McCormack. But, after simply surging into the box, the American's cut-back eluded all his team-mates in the box.

Burton were looking a threat from set-pieces and Jackson Irvine should have done better with a header he sent looping harmlessly over the bar.



Read more at http://www.nottinghampost.com/nottingham-forest-sucked-deeper-into-trouble-with-1-0-defeat-at-burton-albion/story-30196552-detail/story.html#RDCxVpxyYqZjVJSw.99

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'We're coming for you' – Fulham fans react to sensational win at Newcastle

Fulham pulled off an unlikely victory away at Newcastle United this afternoon, winning 3-1 and putting themselves within touching distance of a top six place.

The Cottagers were comfortable throughout, and Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon put them in control, before the 16-year-old Sessegnon added a third.

Newcastle got one back, but they could not muster any more of a response and but for a Tim Ream missed penalty late on, would have been looking at 4-1 scoreline.

The win moved Fulham to within two points of Sheffield Wednesday, who lost at Aston Villa.

In what was a tremendous win in the North East, Fulham fans were sure to be delighted.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/were-coming-for-you-fulham-fans-react-to-sensational-win-at-newcastle/

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Newcastle United gets outclassed at home against Fulham

Fulham dominated Newcastle United up and down the pitch, on their way to a 3-1 win.

Newcastle United took six points on the road from Brighton and Huddersfield Town last week. They played to a draw with Reading midweek, in another away match. They were comfortably on top of the Sky Bet Championship table. So, why I ask, does Newcastle United continue to come out so disinterested at home? Fulham came into St. James' Park and absolutely embarrassed the home side.

Tom Cairney opened the scoring with a perfect, bending strike that Karl Darlow didn't have a chance of stopping. But, up until that 15th minute strike, Fulham was clearly the more inspired side. And on the goal, Newcastle's defense left the captain too much room, and time, to fire that shot.

Newcastle's attack consisted of repeatedly trying to beat Fulham over the top to Dwight Gayle. It didn't work. Ryan Sessegnon scored two goals for the visitors in the second half. Yes, a 16 year old netted a brace on the road against a club that feels they belong in the Premier League. Trailing 3-0, Daryl Murphy was able to at least get Newcastle on the board.

This game left me with a similar taste as the loss to Oxford in the FA Cup. The club was not lively from the opening whistle, and got exactly what they deserved. Stay tuned tomorrow morning for the match report card. Here's a hint, there won't be a single A! The home supporters deserve better than this.


http://newcastletoons.com/2017/03/11/newcastle-united-gets-outclassed-home-fulham/

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"Embarrassing" – Tim Ream explains why Ryan Sessegnon didn't take Fulham penalty at Newcastle

Fulham's Tim Ream has apologised to supporters for missing his side's penalty against Newcastle in the 3-1 win, saying that he was prepared to take two-goal hero Ryan Sessegnon take the spot-kick.

Two finishes from 16-year-old Sessegnon had put Fulham in a terrific position away to Newcastle on Saturday afternoon with a goal from Tom Cairney putting the Cottagers 3-1 ahead.

The away side were awarded a penalty kick late on in the fixture at St James Park but, despite Sessegnon's obvious desire to take the set-piece, defender Ream stepped up to the penalty.

Unfortunately the USA international sent his effort wide of the post and now Ream has taken to Twitter to apologise for his poor spot-kick.

And the defender has revealed that he was more than happy to allow Sessegnon to take the penalty but it was manager Slaviša Jokanović who insisted Ream remain on spot-kick duty.

Ream put on his Twitter page: "Not my decision folks, was completely prepared to have Sess take it. Embarrassing nonetheless. Manager took the decision

"Cheers for the kind words though. Shouldn't take away from the great team performance away from home! We go again Tuesday!

The win for Fulham puts them just two points outside the play-off places with a game in hand over sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday. They are unbeaten in their last seven league matches.



Read more at http://www.squawka.com/news/embarrassing-tim-ream-explains-why-ryan-sessegnon-didnt-take-fulham-penalty-at-newcastle/917643#iqEvxwhEcuTKHVUR.99

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Slavisa Jokanovic: "Everything is open"

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has said that his side have taken "a great step" towards finishing in the Championship's top six with a 3-1 victory away at league leaders Newcastle United.

Goals from skipper Tom Cairney and 16-year-old Ryan Sessegnon helped the Cottagers to all three points from their trip to the North-East, lifting them to just two points off the playoff places with a game in hand on the teams around them.

Jokanovic's side have picked up 17 points from the last 21 available and the Serb has vowed to "fight" to break into the top six in the last 10 games of the season.

"It's a great step for us, we must play 10 more games and everything is open," he told the Fulham website. "Even though some teams at this moment have more points than what we have right now."

"I believe Newcastle will be a Premier League team, they play differently, they are full of important players and play a different style of football. We expected this from a very physical, a very strong team. We knew they would try and attack behind our full-backs and we would be in a good distance from them with good positions. I would be really, really surprised if next season Newcastle don't get to play in the Premier League.

"We are going to fight. We are not in position to be thinking about being a promoted team but we are thinking about pushing hard to push ourselves into the top six. If we are strong enough for the top six then we will have a 25% chance of being a Premier League team next season."

Fulham play their game in hand - a home encounter with struggling Blackburn Rovers - on Tuesday night.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/blackburn-rovers/news/slavisa-jokanovic-everything-is-open_293581.html

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Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic insists his side will continue to fight for play-offs after Newcastle victory
The Cottagers took the league leaders apart on Rafa Benitez' one-year anniversary but Jokanovic insits his side will continue to fight for the play-offs

Slavisa Jokanovic refused to get carried away with his side's play-off chances after Fulham smashed league leaders Newcastle at St James' Park.

A Tom Cairney first half goal and a Ryan Sessegnon double was enough to condemn Rafa Benitez' side to defeat, despite a late consolation goal from Daryl Murphy.

Fulham were by far the better side in the game and looked good value for their win, but Jokanovic insists his side are still going to continue fighting to make sure they're in the top six come the end of the season.

He said: "We are going to fight. We are not in position to be thinking about being a promoted team but we are thinking about pushing hard to push ourselves into the top six.

"If we are strong enough for the top six then we will have a 25% chance of being a Premier League team next season.

"It's a great step for us, we must play ten more games and everything is open.

"Even though some teams at this moment have more points than what we have right now.

"On Tuesday night we are going to have another opportunity to fight for another three points and we must be ready to rest. Our minds must be rested and our bodies and we must be ready to fight again on Tuesday night."

16-year-old Sessegnon showed composure and talent well behind his years at St James' to score twice, and Jokanovic believes the youngster can be satisfied with his performance.

He sadded: "Sessegnon is working very well, we tried to use him in a little bit of a different position but in the past we have used him in more of an offensive position.

"We expected that he could find the space in behind the back four of Newcastle and he did that twice.

"He finished with a great level of quality and he completed a very good football game and he must be satisfied with the team and himself too."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-slavisa-jokanovic-insists-12728399

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Championship round-up: Fulham maintain playoff charge


Tom Cairney scored a long-range screamer to help Fulham beat leaders Newcastle at St James' Park.
Photo: PA

In-form Fulham's pursuit of the play-off pack received a huge boost as they won at joint leaders Newcastle.

The Cottagers are the biggest threat to the current top six and underlined their menace with a 3-1 success.

Tom Cairney got them going with another long-range stunner before 16-year-old sensation Ryan Sessegnon weighed in with a double from left-back.

Daryl Murphy pulled one back for the home side but Sessegnon could have had a hat-trick when he won a stoppage-time penalty but Tim Ream took it ahead of him and missed.

The gap between Fulham in seventh and Sheffield Wednesday in sixth is now two points, with Fulham having played a game less.

The Owls were beaten 2-0 at Aston Villa, Jonathan Kodija at the double on an afternoon when Vincent Sasso and boss Carlos Carvlhal were both sent off for the visitors.

Newcastle's loss will boost top-two candidates Huddersfield whose own run of brilliant results continued at Brentford.

Rajiv van La Parra scored the only goal in a 1-0 win to put the Terriers six points behind Newcastle and Brighton with a game in hand.

Leeds missed the chance to really cement their place in the top six as they were held 0-0 at home by QPR, but it was a better afternoon for them than it was for Reading who were hammered 3-0 at Preston.



Tom Barkhuizen scored twice for North End, either side of a Daryl Horgan goal.

Alan Irvine took charge of Norwich after the Friday sacking of Alex Neil but was unable to steady the ship with a win as they drew 2-2 at home to improving Blackburn.

Cameron Jerome put City ahead but Mitchell Dijks was then sent off and 10-man Norwich could not last 70 minutes without him as loan striker Lucas Jaoa scored twice.

Jerome then bailed the Canaries out with his second.

Burton won the battle of the midlands clubs as they saw off Nottingham Forest 1-0 thanks to Cauley Woodrow, while Tom Lawrence earned Ipswich a point with a last-minute leveller as they drew 1-1 at Barnsley.

Former Ipswich target Marley Watkins had put the Tykes ahead.

Lukas Jutkiewicz scored with a minute to go, cancelling out Joe Ralls' penalty, as Birmingham drew 1-1 at Cardiff.

At the bottom of the table, Wigan are in big trouble after losing 1-0 at home to Aden Flint and Bristol City, while Rotherham lost again, this time at 1-0 Wolves, as they head towards the drop.

Wolves missed a penalty through Helder Costa but won it through Andreas Weimann.


http://www.itv.com/news/2017-03-11/championship-round-up-fulham-maintain-playoff-charge/

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Newcastle 1-3 Fulham: If only United had signed Tom Cairney in January - 5 things we learned
Rafa Benitez's one-year anniversary partty at Newcastle United ended in bitter disappointment as Fulham outplayed the Magpies on Tyneside

Newcastle United crashed to their fifth home defeat of the season as Fulham thoroughly out-played the Magpies and left St James' Park with deserved 3-1 victory.

Tom Cairney, who United enquired about during the mid-season window, scored the Cottagers' spectacular opener in the 15th minute and contributed an all-round man-of-the-match display as Fulham ended Newcastle's 11-match unbeaten run.

Impressive 16-year-old Ryan Sessegnon then added a brace after the interval, before substitute Daryl Murphy netted a 75th-minute consolation for the Magpies.

Tim Ream missed an injury-time penalty for the visitors to offer United slight relief after Paul Dummett fouled Sessegnon in the box, but Newcastle were deservedly beaten.

Here's what NUFC Writer Chris Waugh learned from an afternoon where Newcastle remained top, but anxiety suddenly returned as far as the promotion push is concerned...

1. If only Rafa had got his man in January...
Ahead of the January transfer window, Newcastle made an enquiry to Fulham for Cairney - and it is understood they were told only a bid of £20million would secure the midfielder's services.

That inflated fee was something United would simply not entertain paying - particularly once Mike Ashley decided to tighten the pursestrings - and since then Cairney has helped lead Fulham's late play-off charge.

The 26-year-old - who has nine goals and nine assists in 34 league appearances this term - ran the tempo of the game from a deep position.

Benitez wanted Cairney due to his versatility - he can cover Jonjo Shelvey's position, while he can also play anywhere across the attacking-midfield positions - but the price quoted was simply too high.

Denis Odoi's outrageous skill to embarrass Paul Dummett at Craven Cottage was the most-talked about moment of the 1-0 defeat in west London back in August, but it was Cairney who really made Fulham tick that day.

And he did likewise at St James' Park.

While Shelvey was left pinging long balls to Dwight Gayle, or as he did on two occasions straight out of play, Cairney was threading through-balls to Fulham's dynamic front three of Sone Aluko, Sessegnon and Neeskens Kebano.

Then there was the midfielder's magnificent strike. Picking the ball up 30 yards out, Cairney advanced five metres before lashing an effort with his left foot which flew up into the air and then dipped viciously behind Karl Darlow and into the net.

During the second half, Cairney simply dictated the tempo once more and picked United off on the counter with some excellent through-balls.

Benitez wanted Cairney scoring at St James' Park - and he did, only not in a black-and-white shirt as the Newcastle manager desired...

2. Newcastle well and truly played off the park on Tyneside
Three away games in a row, the Magpies were magnificent - aside from the first 20 minutes at the Amex.

Yet it seems that whenever they return to St James' Park, Newcastle take at least 45 minutes to get their struggles out of their system.

On this occasion, that was even more evident than normal. Fulham managed 68-per-cent possession during the opening 45 minutes.

For Newcastle to only manage to keep the ball for 32 per cent of the first half at St James' Park is simply not acceptable at this level.

Yes, Fulham were excellent, but the Magpies were wasteful and kept putting themselves into trouble.

While Newcastle's away form is exceptional - they have won 13 of 19 on the road and have collected 42 points, 10 more than anyone else - their home performances remain a concern.

United are patchy at St James' Park, and are just seventh in the 'home table', behind even Norwich City, having collected just 35 points from 18 games - with five losses and 11 wins.

The home form is certainly an issue Benitez is yet to address, because that is too many defeats to suffer at home in a second-tier campaign.

In the four home defeats before this one, only Sheffield Wednesday really outplayed Newcastle - the rest were down to United's deficiencies.

On this occasion, Newcastle were thoroughly second best.

3. Anita will have nightmares about this one
At Craven Cottage, Vurnon Anita was utilised in a right-midfield role by Benitez, who appeared determined to accommodate the Dutchman in his side in some capacity at the beginning of the campaign.

Here, given DeAndre Yedlin's injury and the fact Jesus Gamez had started in midweek, Anita was this time fielded at right-back.

And the diminutive Dutchman endured a torrid afternoon.

In Sessegnon, Fulham have one of the brightest prospects in English football - and the 16-year-old ran Anita ragged.

The Cottagers Academy graduate, who can play anywhere down the left, constantly got in behind Anita - particularly on the counter.

Both of his goals came as a result of swift breaks from the visitors, with the second also aided by a defensive error, but both of Sessegnon's finishes showed composure that belie his age.

Anita has performed well throughout the majority of this campaign, but the 27-year-old - whose contract is up in the summer - will want to forget this game in a hurry.

Sessegnon, meanwhile, is surely a young English talent we will see move to one of the country's biggest clubs in the not-too-distant future.

4. This is how not to celebrate your one-year anniversary
This game took place on the one-year anniversary of Benitez's appointment as Steve McClaren's replacement as Newcastle boss - and, unfortunately, it could not really have gone any worse for the Spaniard.

From the very first whistle, Newcastle fans chanted their manager's name - with Gallowgate Flags having shown the Benitez flag in all its glory before the game.

But, inside 15 minutes, the party atmosphere which saw 'La Bamba' blast out from the tannoy before the game in honour of Benitez, soon turned to one of disappointment as Newcastle slipped behind.

It gradually got worse - before the temporary relief of Murphy's consolation - but on the whole this was not the way the 56-year-old would have wanted to celebrate.

A few sleeplness nights may follow as Benitez burns the midnight oil in order to find a solution to United's St James' Park struggles...

5. The title race is very much on - and what about the top two?
Brighton and Hove Albion's 3-0 demolition of Derby County on Friday night upped the pressure on Newcastle, and the Magpies not only failed to respond, they very much re-ignited the Seagulls' title charge.

Not only are Brighton level on points with Newcastle, but their goal difference is now just six inferior to United's after a five-strike swing in less tan 34 hours.

Huddersfield Town, meanwhile, closed the gap on Newcastle to just six points by beating Brentford - and the Terriers have a game in hand on the Magpies too.

The hard work to secure those seven points on the road has been undone somewhat after this result - and the Magpies must now to go St Andrew's and get a win next Saturday.

Alex Neil's sacking at Norwich City on Friday afternoon and Aston Villa's struggles this term highlight the magnificent job Benitez has done rebuilding this side.

But they are not over the finish line yet - and this weekend's results have ensured the race for automatic promotion, as well as the title, could go right down to the wire.


http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-1-3-fulham-only-12728631

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Newcastle United 1-3 Fulham: We give our verdict from a fabulous win at St James' Park
It was one of the performances of the season and our reporter Ryan O'Donovan discusses what he learned from St James' Park

Fulham turned on the style as they dismantled Newcastle United 3-1 on a day where Rafa Benitez celebrated his one-year anniversary, but it was only the away side who left the ground in party mood.

Tom Cairney capped off a masterful quarterback performance with another fine goal while Ryan Sessegnon put in a display well beyond his years with two finely taken goals.

A late Daryl Murphy goal couldn't ruin the party up in the top tier at St James' Park as Fulham closed the gap on the play-offs to only two points, still holding that crucial game in hand which comes against Blackburn on Tuesday at the Cottage.

Here's what we learned as Fulham put in one of the performances of the season.

Tom Cairney is the metronome in this Fulham side
The vice captain was in fine form once again and it's clear that he is the one who makes Fuham tick - near enough everything came through him today and the Newcastle midfield just couldn't get near him.

He took a few knocks as Newcastle went to target him, but he didn't let that stop him from dominating the midfield and his goal was the feather in the cap of yet another stunning display.

Is Ryan Sessegnon really only 16!?
What a performance this was from Sessegnon.

The league leaders, at St James' Park, and the 16-year-old looked as though he was having a kick about with his mates in the park.

He took both goals with the composure a certain goalsorer that used to grace the St James' park pitch would've been proud of and left with every one of the 52,000 people who were at the game talking about him.

The sky is the limit for this talented youngster.


On the ball: Stefan Johansen and Jonjo Shelvey go for a tackle (Photo: Lewis Arnold/The Chronicle)

Fulham are the real deal
This is it, Fulham are the real deal at the moment, make no mistakes about that.

The football they played at times was jaw dropping, I found myself watching in awe at times, unable to take my eyes off the football to write anything about what I was witnessing.

No one wants to play this side at the moment, and with teams around them dropping points they have such a great chance at the play-offs now.

If they make it, the other teams will be crossing their fingers in order to avoid facing Jokanovic's side.

Finally, an assured defensive display
We all know Fulham have had a few dodgy displays at the back and that can be a bit worrying at times.

But today Tim Ream and Tomas Kalas didn't put a single foot wrong all game and they marshaled Dwight Gayle so well you wouldn't have known he was on the pitch.

That's what Fulham need to be the complete team, they're attacking threat is clear for all to see but defensive performances have let them down previously - but not today.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-1-3-fulham-12728390

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Paul Merson says anybody watching Fulham match would never believe Newcastle are top

Paul Merson "If you didn't know football you would never in your wildest dreams think Newcastle were 15/20 points ahead of Fulham."

Paul Merson couldn't believe what he was watching today.

Saying that Newcastle just didn't get going whereas 'Fulham started very well', then they went on and controlled the match.

So poor were the home side that Paul Merson declared 'If you didn't know football you would never in your wildest dreams think Newcastle were 15/20 points ahead of Fulham.'

Newcastle started the day 20 points ahead but now it is 17 points between themselves and Fulham, the West London side moving to within two points of the play-off spots.

As for NUFC, they are ahead of Brighton only on goal difference and six ahead of Huddersfield, who have a game in hand.

It might stick in the throat to agree with Paul Merson but when he says 'Newcastle just don't start quick enough, you want them to bombard teams and get on top of them', not many supporters would disagree, certainly in home games.

Paul Merson speaking to Sky Sports:

"Newcastle just didn't get going.

"You get days like that in the Championship, or any place, but it wasn't good. Just didn't get going.

"I thought Fulham started very well and it just didn't happen for them (Newcastle).

"You are watching the game and if you didn't know, you'd be thinking how are they top of the league? How are they top?

"Their main players like Shelvey and Ritchie didn't do anything, you know what I mean? It wasn't good.

"Cairney picks it up 25 yards out and Darlow doesn't stop that.

"Fulham are a good team and they just kept breaking away.

"Ryan Sessegnon – I wouldn't mind being his agent.

"Fair play to the crowd, they stayed virtually right to the end. It wasn't like '60 minutes – see you later'.

"Newcastle just don't start quick enough.

"You want them to bombard teams and get on top.

"The longer this goes on the other team are thinking 'fifty thousand people, this is lovely'. Passing it around, every game is a cup final (for Newcastle).

"If you didn't know football you would never in your wildest dreams think Newcastle were 15/20 points ahead of Fulham."

Stats from BBC Sport:

Newcastle 1 Fulham 3

Goals

Newcastle: Murphy 76

Fulham: Cairney 15, Sessegnon 51, 59

Possession was Fulham  62% Newcastle 38%

Total shots were  Fulham 11 Newcastle 11

Shots on target were Fulham 4 Newcastle 4

Corners were  Fulham 7 Newcastle 5

Referee: James Linington

Newcastle United:

Darlow, Anita, Lascelles, Clark (Gamez 64), Dummett, Colback, Ritchie, Shelvey, Atsu, Diame (Murphy 61), Gayle (Gouffran 74)

Unused Subs

Elliot, Hanley, Perez, Mitrovic

Crowd: 51,903



http://www.themag.co.uk/2017/03/paul-merson-says-anybody-watching-fulham-match-never-believe-newcastle-top-newcastle-united/

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Fulham stun Championship leaders Newcastle to boost play-off hopes

Championship review: Elsewhere in the league, Sheffield Wednesday were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa and Leeds were held to a 0-0 draw by QPR

In-form Fulham's pursuit of the play-off pack received a huge boost as they won at joint leaders Newcastle.

The Cottagers are the biggest threat to the current top six and underlined their menace with a 3-1 success.

Tom Cairney got them going with another long-range stunner before 16-year-old sensation Ryan Sessegnon weighed in with a double from left-back.

Daryl Murphy pulled one back for the home side but Sessegnon could have had a hat-trick when he won a stoppage-time penalty but Tim Ream took it ahead of him and missed.

The gap between Fulham in seventh and Sheffield Wednesday in sixth is now two points, with Fulham having played a game less.

The Owls were beaten 2-0 at Aston Villa, Jonathan Kodija at the double on an afternoon when Vincent Sasso and boss Carlos Carvlhal were both sent off for the visitors.

Newcastle's loss will boost top-two candidates Huddersfield whose own run of brilliant results continued at Brentford.

Rajiv van La Parra scored the only goal in a 1-0 win to put the Terriers six points behind Newcastle and Brighton with a game in hand.

Leeds missed the chance to really cement their place in the top six as they were held 0-0 at home by QPR, but it was a better afternoon for them than it was for Reading who were hammered 3-0 at Preston.

Tom Barkhuizen scored twice for North End, either side of a Daryl Horgan goal.

Alan Irvine took charge of Norwich after the Friday sacking of Alex Neil but was unable to steady the ship with a win as they drew 2-2 at home to improving Blackburn.

Cameron Jerome put City ahead but Mitchell Dijks was then sent off and 10-man Norwich could not last 70 minutes without him as loan striker Lucas Jaoa scored twice.

Jerome then bailed the Canaries out with his second.

Burton won the battle of the midlands clubs as they saw off Nottingham Forest 1-0 thanks to Cauley Woodrow, while Tom Lawrence earned Ipswich a point with a last-minute leveller as they drew 1-1 at Barnsley.

Former Ipswich target Marley Watkins had put the Tykes ahead.

Lukas Jutkiewicz scored with a minute to go, cancelling out Joe Ralls' penalty, as Birmingham drew 1-1 at Cardiff,

At the bottom of the table, Wigan are in big trouble after losing 1-0 at home to Aden Flint and Bristol City, while Rotherham lost again, this time at 1-0 Wolves, as they head towards the drop.

Wolves missed a penalty through Helder Costa but won it through Andreas Weimann.



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/championship-review-fulham-newcastle-play-off-hopes-a7625111.html

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Newcastle legend gives his opinion on Fulham's stars after 3-1 victory at St James' Park
Newcaslte legend Alan Shearer, who scored 260 Premier League goals, took to Twitter to give his opinion on two of Fulham's star players

Alan Shearer has taken to Twitter to give his opinion on Fulham stars Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney.

The pair were standout performers as Slavisa Jokanovic's side took apart the league leaders at St James' Park in a 3-1 victory that has seen them cut the gap to Sheffield Wednesday to only two points.

In his Tweet, Shearer said: "He [Ryan Sessegnon] was brilliant, as was his captain Cairney."

Cairney scored the opener when he found time and space on the edge of the Newcastle box, sticking his left footed effort into the top right hand corner.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Sessegnon bagged himself a brace when he twice broke through into the box, courtesy of two Sone Aluko assists, finishing both efforts in the same corner to send the travelling Fulham fans into raptures.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-legend-gives-opinion-fulhams-12728673

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Tottenham fans call on Poch to splash the cash on this sensational emerging talent

Tottenham fans believe that Mauricio Pochettino should try to sign Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham in the summer.

The 16-year-old wonderkid scored twice in Fulham's 3-1 win over league leaders Newcastle on Saturday and fans are very excited over the potential he could reach if he opted to switch from Craven Cottage to north London.

Not many people of Sessegnon's age get to play so much first-team football at Championship level or above and he has certainly enjoyed what has been a breakthrough season on the banks of the river Thames.

The London-born emerging talent made his Fulham debut in August 2016 when he completed 90 minutes playing as a left-back in an EFL Cup victory over Leyton Orient.

He's made a total of 22 first team appearances in all competitions this season for the Cottagers and has scored a stunning six goals in the process, despite mainly being utilised at full-back.

Sessegnon can also play in a more advanced role on the left wing.

Spurs fans have been drooling over the prospect of signing the youngster after Bleacher Report claimed that the club have entered a tug-of-war with Chelsea to land him in the summer.


http://www.footballinsider247.com/tottenham-fans-call-mauricio-pochettino-splash-cash-emerging-london-talent/

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Liverpool 'confident of landing Fulham teen Ryan Sessegnon'

Liverpool are leading a host of Premier League clubs to the signing of Fulham's teenage left-back Ryan Sessegnon, according to a report.

The 16-year-old's reputation is continuing to grow in the Championship following another couple of goals in the Cottagers' 3-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.

Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are already understood to have contacted Fulham over a potential move for the defender at the end of the season, but The Sun claims that Liverpool are increasingly confident of landing his signature.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is said to be in the market for a new long-term option in that troublesome left-sided position, with James Milner being asked to fill in this term, and he has targeted the England Under-17s international as the ideal player to come on board.

Sessegnon, expected to cost £10m upfront before add-ons are included, has featured 18 times for Fulham in the second tier this season.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/transfer-talk/news/liverpool-confident-of-landing-fulham-teen_293600.html