Saturday Fulham Stuff (15/04/17)...

[WhiteJC]

Results

Thusrday
Wigan	3 - 2	Barnsley
Friday
Brentford	4 - 0	Derby
Bristol City	2 - 1	QPR
Huddersfield	3 - 2	Preston NE
Norwich	1 - 3	Fulham
Nottm Forest	0 - 1	Blackburn
Rotherham	1 - 1	Birmingham
Sheff Wed	1 - 0	Cardiff
Wolves	0 - 2	Brighton
Burton	1 - 2	Ipswich
Newcastle	1 - 1	Leeds

[WhiteJC]

 
Commentary Issue

Jim and Jamie have been caught up in the Bank Holiday traffic en route to Carrow Road, and may arrive at the stadium slightly late. Until they get to their match position, commentary is kindly provided by BBC Radio London, and will be switched to Jim and Jamie when they are with us.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/14/commentary

[WhiteJC]

 
Chris Martin shown straight red card for Fulham

Derby County striker Chris Martin, who is on loan at Fulham has been sent off in their game against Norwich.

Martin was shown a straight red card for an elbow in the third minute of injury time in the first half.

   Fulham, who are winning 1-0 at half time, means they've moved in to the play-off places (sixth) as it stands at the break.

Stefan Johansen opened the scoring after just five minutes.

Martin is expected to return to the Rams next season, having signed a new long-term contract earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Derby County are 1-0 down at Brentford going in to half time at Griffin Park.

Danish striker Lasse Vibe put the Bees ahead in the 32nd minute and his goal separated the sides at the interval.

Rams manager Gary Rowett named an unchanged starting line-up - and bench - following the 2-1 win at Birmingham City.



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/chris-martin-shown-straight-red-card-for-fulham/story-30271622-detail/story.html#ZqxAz8o1u7DroBP3.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Striker Chris Martin Gets Sent Off After Elbowing Mitchell Dijks

Fulham are currently leading Norwich 2-0, despite striker Chris Martin seeing a straight red for a painful looking elbow on Canaries defender Mitchell Dijks.

Fulham lead the hosts 1-0 after five minutes, with former Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen getting his name on the scoresheet.

However, Cottagers boss Slavisa Jokanovic was surely cursing Scotland international Martin after he appeared to deliver a rash elbow to Dijks as the two battled in the air.

Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli sent the ball long to Martin, who managed to head the ball onto a teammate... however in the process the 28-year-old floored his marker and was immediately sent for an early bath:

Fulham are currently leading Norwich 2-0, despite striker Chris Martin seeing a straight red for a painful looking elbow on Canaries defender Mitchell Dijks.

Fulham lead the hosts 1-0 after five minutes, with former Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen getting his name on the scoresheet.

However, Cottagers boss Slavisa Jokanovic was surely cursing Scotland international Martin after he appeared to deliver a rash elbow to Dijks as the two battled in the air.

Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli sent the ball long to Martin, who managed to head the ball onto a teammate... however in the process the 28-year-old floored his marker and was immediately sent for an early bath:

Fulham are currently leading Norwich 2-0, despite striker Chris Martin seeing a straight red for a painful looking elbow on Canaries defender Mitchell Dijks.

Fulham lead the hosts 1-0 after five minutes, with former Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen getting his name on the scoresheet.

However, Cottagers boss Slavisa Jokanovic was surely cursing Scotland international Martin after he appeared to deliver a rash elbow to Dijks as the two battled in the air.

Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli sent the ball long to Martin, who managed to head the ball onto a teammate... however in the process the 28-year-old floored his marker and was immediately sent for an early bath:



Despite Martin's red card, Fulham continued to surge forward in his absence, with his Scotland teammate Tom Cairney scoring a penalty to give the visitors a 2-0 advantage.

Meanwhile supporters seemed divided on whether Martin deserved to be sent off, or whether the decision was harsh:

Fulham currently sit in 7th spot in the Championship, two points behind Sheffield Wednesday who occupy the final play-off spot.

Meanwhile, Norwich have slumped to 10th and appear increasingly keen for the season to end.



http://www.talkingbaws.com/2017/04/video-fulham-striker-chris-martin-gets-sent-off-after-elbowing-mitchell-dijks/

[WhiteJC]

 
Norwich City 1-3 Fulham: Cottagers keep their Championship play-off bid on track despite Chris Martin red card

    Fulham remain firmly in the Championship play-off hunt after a win at Norwich
    Stefan Johansen, Tom Cairney and Floyd Ayite scored Fulham's goals
    They were down to 10-men by the break, after Chris Martin was sent off
    Norwich grabbed one back after Cameron Jerome headed a cross into the net 
    Cottagers remain two points adrift of Sheffield Wednesday in sixth place

Fulham boosted their Sky Bet Championship play-off chances by seeing off Norwich 3-1 at Carrow Road - after playing the entire second half with 10 men.

The Cottagers were leading 1-0 on the stroke of half-time when striker Chris Martin was sent off - on the ground where he made his name - for elbowing Mitchell Dijks.

That left the visitors facing a tough fight to defend Stefan Johansen's early opener, but a penalty just after the break from Tom Cairney made that task a good deal easier.


Johansen slides to his knees as he celebrates his early goal in front of the home fans


The Fulham players charged towards their own fans to celebrate after Cairney's penalty

Substitute Cameron Jerome did pull one back for the hosts but Fulham had the final say late on with a goal from the excellent Floyd Ayite, keeping them in the thick of the battle for a top six finish.

Norwich, who had beaten Reading 7-1 the previous week, were soon on the back foot this time around as Fulham took the lead from their first attack.

Martin's shot was blocked by the home defence but the ball bounced out nicely for Johansen to thump the ball into the bottom corner from some 20 yards.

After a bright start from the visitors Norwich gradually began to get a foothold in the game, but clear-cut chances were few and far between.

The hosts had to wait until the 44th minute for their first genuine opportunity, with goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli needing to produce a brilliant reflex stop to keep out Timm Klose's header from a Wes Hoolahan corner.

Fulham had barely threatened themselves as the half wore on, and they shot themselves in the foot by getting themselves reduced to 10 men.

With just seconds to go until the interval, Martin went up with Dijks for a high ball and caught him with a flying elbow, with referee Andy Madley immediately brandishing the red card.

The Cottagers were furious - but they were soon smiling again in the opening minute of the second period.


Stefan Johansen gave Fulham an early lead as he drove the ball past goalkeeper John Ruddy


Cairney of Fulham and Russell Martin of Norwich battle for the ball in the middle of midfield


But before half-time, striker Chris Martin was shown a red card for an arm on Mitchell Dijks


Fulham's Tom Cairney is shocked to see the red card brandished at team-mate Martin

Ryan Bennett, who replaced the injured Klose at half-time, was adjudged to have hauled back Thomas Kalas at a free-kick and Cairney blasted home to give the 10 men some breathing space.

Johansen then miskicked when in a good position - and from then on Norwich laid siege to the Fulham goal.

The visitors defended heroically however and it was not until the 77th minute that the Canaries managed to get a goal back.

A neat move ended with Alex Pritchard ended with substitute Jerome heading home to set up a grandstand finish.

Norwich had their chances but Fulham held firm and restored their two-goal advantage in the 89th minute when Ayite kept his cool in a tight situation in the six-yard box, side-stepping Ruddy and walking the ball into an empty net.


Fulham were awarded a penalty following substitute Ryan Bennett's foul on Tomas Kalas



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4412468/Norwich-City-1-3-Fulham-Match-report.html#ixzz4eITJx4uQ
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham maintain play-off hopes with Championship win at Norwich

Fulham boosted their Sky Bet Championship play-off chances by seeing off Norwich 3-1 at Carrow Road - after playing the entire second half with 10 men.
The Cottagers were leading 1-0 on the stroke of half-time when striker Chris Martin was sent off - on the ground where he made his name - for elbowing Mitchell Dijks.
That left the visitors facing a tough fight to defend Stefan Johansen's early opener, but a penalty just after the break from Tom Cairney made that task a good deal easier.
Substitute Cameron Jerome did pull one back for the hosts but Fulham had the final say late on with a goal from the excellent Floyd Ayite, keeping them in the thick of the battle for a top six finish.
Norwich, who had beaten Reading 7-1 the previous week, were soon on the back foot this time around as Fulham took the lead from their first attack.
Martin's shot was blocked by the home defence but the ball bounced out nicely for Johansen to thump the ball into the bottom corner from some 20 yards.
After a bright start from the visitors Norwich gradually began to get a foothold in the game, but clear-cut chances were few and far between.
The hosts had to wait until the 44th minute for their first genuine opportunity, with goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli needing to produce a brilliant reflex stop to keep out Timm Klose's header from a Wes Hoolahan corner.
Fulham had barely threatened themselves as the half wore on, and they shot themselves in the foot by getting themselves reduced to 10 men.
With just seconds to go until the interval, Martin went up with Dijks for a high ball and caught him with a flying elbow, with referee Andy Madley immediately brandishing the red card.
The Cottagers were furious - but they were soon smiling again in the opening minute of the second period.
Ryan Bennett, who replaced the injured Klose at half-time, was adjudged to have hauled back Thomas Kalas at a free-kick and Cairney blasted home to give the 10 men some breathing space.
Johansen then miskicked when in a good position - and from then on Norwich laid siege to the Fulham goal.
The visitors defended heroically however and it was not until the 77th minute that the Canaries managed to get a goal back.
A neat move ended with Alex Pritchard ended with substitute Jerome heading home to set up a grandstand finish.
Norwich had their chances but Fulham held firm and restored their two-goal advantage in the 89th minute when Ayite kept his cool in a tight situation in the six-yard box, side-stepping Ruddy and walking the ball into an empty net.


http://www.espnfc.co.uk/report?gameId=452717

[WhiteJC]

 
Match report: Norwich City 1 Fulham 3


Chris Martin was sent off after tangling with Mitchell Dijks. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd

Norwich City crashed to a 3-1 Championship home defeat against 10-man Fulham, who played the entire second half with a player less after Chris Martin's red card against his old club.


The Canaries' defensive frailties re-surfaced after last week's 7-1 Carrow Road masterclass against Reading with Stefan Johansen, Tom Cairney and Floyd Ayite on target for the visitors. Cameron Jerome replied for Norwich who again second best against another of the genuine promotion contenders.

Former Norwich striker Chris Martin was shown a straight red card after tangling with Mitchell Dijks in the final seconds of the opening period. Fulham led through Johansen's early half-volley but Cairney slotted a penalty straight after the interval, before Ayite quelled a home fightback following Jerome's intervention.

Alan Irvine named an unchanged line up from the side that hammered Reading 7-1. Alex Tettey made his 150th senior appearance for the Canaries. City's substitutes' bench was also left unchanged, with Irvine confirming after the game James Maddison was ruled out after picking up a knock in training on Thursday. Graham Dorrans (ankle) is poised to train over the weekend in a bid to come back into contention for the Easter Monday trip to Preston.

Fulham included City old boy Chris Martin, who was on loan from Derby County. City were rocked back inside five minutes when Timm Klose coughed up cheap possession before being turned inside out by Ayite, whose cut-back was lashed home by Johansen 20 yards out.

Norwich were sliced open again in the 11th minute with Wes Hoolahan was required for a vital clearance inside his own six yard box as Sone Aluko looked to apply the finishing touch to Ayite's cross.

Hoolahan rolled a pass into Nelson Oliveira who invited Jonny Howson forward but his right-footed shot drifted wide of Marcus Bettinelli's post.

Tim Ream foiled Jacob Murphy after Hoolahan was afforded too much time and space down the City left.

John Ruddy had to beat away Ryan Fredericks' angled strike after Cairney had advanced deep into Norwich territory.

Jacob Murphy cut inside Scott Malone but his crack from the edge of the area was deflected behind in the final seconds of the opening period.

Bettinelli was finally tested when he superbly blocked Klose's towering header, before Jonny Howson headed over inside the six yard box, but the midfielder was adjudged to be offside.

But there was one more twist in the opening period when Fulham striker Chris Martin was red carded after an aerial tangle with Dijks and an apparent slap that left the Dutchman crumpling to the floor. Referee Madley gave himself a few seconds of thinking time before brandishing a straight red towards the former City academy product.

Irvine was forced into a half-time change with Ryan Bennett replacing Klose, who had required lengthy treatment in the aftermath of his close range headed chance.

Bennett's first meaningful contribution was to haul down Tomas Kalas at the far post after Howson's reckless challenge on Ayite conceded a free kick seconds after the restart.

Cairney stepped up to send Ruddy the wrong way from the penalty spot to double the 10-men's advantage.

Irvine's response was to replace the ineffective Hoolahan with Jerome before Josh Murphy replaced his twin.

Jerome picked up an early booking but injected a sense of urgency that almost saw Howson poke home in the 72nd minute. Jerome did notch in the 77th minute when he glanced home Pritchard's inviting cross six yards out.

Norwich surged forward in the aftermath with Bettinelli far from convincing in shovelling away Pritchard's dipping shot.

Ruddy thwarted Cairney who powered from half-way after triggering a Fulham counter before the game sung to the opposite end when Jerome was crowded out.

Ayite, however, ended any home fightback when he burst into the penalty area and coolly rounded Ruddy to slot into an empty net to maintain the Cottagers' promotion push.

• Norwich: Ruddy, Pinto, Martin, Klose (Bennett 45), Dijks, Howson, Tettey, Jacob Murphy (Josh Murphy 64), Pritchard, Hoolahan (Jerome 57), Oliveira. Subs: (not used): McGovern (GK), Whittaker, Naismith, Wildschut.

• Bookings: Hoolahan (foul on Johansen, 28); Howson (foul on Ayite, 46); Jerome (foul on Fredericks, 58); Pinto (dissent, 77)

• Goal: Jerome (76)

• Fulham: Bettinelli, Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Malone, Johansen (Sigurdsson 81), McDonald, Aluko (Piazon 75), Cairney, Ayite (Kebano 90), Martin. Subs (not used): Button, Sessegnon, Parker, Cyriac.

• Bookings: Malone (foul on Jacob Murphy, 59); Bettinelli (time-wasting, 67); Piazon (foul on Dijks, 85)

• Sending Off: Martin (foul on Dijks, 45)

• Goals: Johansen (5), Cairney (48), Ayite (89)

• Time added on: 2 minutes / 7 minutes

• Referee: Andy Madley (West Yorks)

• Attendance: 27,023


http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/match-report-norwich-city-1-fulham-3-1-4976905

[WhiteJC]

 
Championship round-up: Late Forestieri strike sees Sheffield Wednesday cling on to final play-off place
The Owls remain in sixth place but Fulham kept the pressure on them with a 3-1 win over Norwich

A late Fernando Forestieri goal kept Sheffield Wednesday in the box seat for the final play-off spot as the Owls saw off Neil Warnock's Cardiff side 1-0 at Hillsborough.

The substitute pounced from close range after Allan McGregor parried Jordan Rhodes' shot and keeps the Yorkshire side in sixth place, two points ahead of Fulham who won 3-1 at Norwich.

The Cottagers were reduced to 10 men just before the break when Chris Martin was sent off with the visitors leading 1-0 but were able to double their advantage thanks when Tom Cairney fired home from the spot. Floyd Ayite's third sealed the deal.

Huddersfield's injury time winner against Preston secured a 3-2 win and extinguish any hopes Brighton had of being promoted on Good Friday ahead of their trip to Wolves.

At the other end of the table Blackburn Rovers gave their survival hopes a huge boost with a 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.

Tommie Hoban's late header means that Rovers are now just two points from safety, with just four games remaining.

Birmingham are still looking over their shoulder, after they were held to a 1-1 draw at already-relegated Rotherham.

Bristol City's 2-1 win at home to QPR sees them rise to 18th place, ahead of the Birmingham City.

Brentford eased past Derby to end any slim hopes that the Rams had of making the play-offs with a 4-0 win at Griffin Park thanks to braces from Lasse Vibe and Jota.


http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/championship-round-up-late-forestieri-10228228

[WhiteJC]

 
Victory for 10-man Fulham at Norwich

Norwich 1 Fulham 3

Fulham maintained their pursuit of a play-off spot with a terrific win despite playing the second half with 10 men.

Chris Martin was sent off just before the interval at Carrow Road, where Stefan Johansen's early goal had put the Whites ahead.

Tom Cairney's penalty made it 2-0 and, after Cameron Jerome had pulled one back for Norwich, Floyd Ayite sealed the victory for Fulham, although they were denied a return to the top six by play-off rivals Sheffield Wednesday scoring a late winner at home to Cardiff.

Fulham opened the scoring on four minutes when Martin's shot was deflected towards Johansen, who fired home from 25 yards out.

Sone Aluko went close to doubling the lead before Martin was red-carded after being adjudged to have elbowed Mitchell Dijks.

But Fulham were 2-0 up within a couple of minutes of the restart after Cairney netted from the spot following Ryan Bennett's foul on Tomas Kalas.

Jerome gave the Canaries hope with a close-range header from Alex Pritchard's cross.

But Fulham defended superbly and snatched a brilliant third when Ayite rounded keeper John Ruddy and tucked away his fourth goal in three matches.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/victory-10-man-fulham-norwich

[WhiteJC]

 
Norwich City 1 - 3 Fulham

Tom Cairney has scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for Fulham this season

Fulham won at Norwich to maintain their play-off hopes, despite having Chris Martin sent off in the first half.

Stefan Johansen gave the Cottagers the lead when his left-footed shot found the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

Martin was sent off for an elbow on Mitchell Dijks late in the first half as he challenged for a long ball.

Tom Cairney doubled the lead from the penalty spot and Floyd Ayite slotted in to seal the three points after Cameron Jerome's header had given Norwich hope.

Fulham had rarely been tested by the hosts until Jerome's goal, but the Canaries improved in the closing stages, with Marcus Bettinelli twice having to deny Alex Pritchard.

But Ayite rounded keeper John Ruddy and rolled the ball into the net to calm the visitors' nerves, moments after Cairney had prodded tamely at Ruddy when through on goal.

Despite the victory, Fulham stay seventh in the table with only four games to play, two points behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday.

The Cottagers also face a more difficult finish to the season, as all four of their remaining fixtures are against teams in the top half of the table.

Norwich's already slim play-off hopes are now all but mathematically ended, as they sit 12 points outside the top six.

Norwich City interim boss Alan Irvine:
"Fulham are a good team and deserved what they got today.

"After going down to 10 men they were extremely well organised and defended really well to get the result they wanted.

"Our players deserved praised for the way they performed last week and I think they deserve some criticism today.

"We prepare them the same way for each match and you are obviously hoping for the same level of performance in each match, the level the players are capable of.

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic:
"We will certainly appeal [against the sending off]. I had a good view and although Chris touches their player, it was just two players fighting for the ball. There was no intention at all, no aggression.

"I am very proud of the way the players performed today. This is a very tough place to come to - they have a lot of good players and had only lost here three times all season.

"We knew we had to be well organised, we needed to be at our best, and we also had to be very strong mentally, especially after the red card."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39522682

[WhiteJC]

 
Head Coach Reaction

Head Coach Slaviša Jokanović was delighted with the performance of his Fulham side at a hostile Carrow Road on a perfect Easter Friday for the Whites. Playing with 10 men for the entirety of the second half Fulham battled to an impressive 3-1 victory to remain in touch of the top 6. 

"We played 45 or 50 minutes with one player less than them," Jokanović said. "It's a complicated place, they have only lost three games all season.

"In this crucial, important moment we are in right now, this situation. We believe in ourselves, we play with confidence and we are fighting for top six.

"We will continue to fight and battle. Now our focus is on Aston Villa."

With the Whites holding on to a slim 1-0 lead heading into half-time Chris Martin was shown a straight red card challenging for a lofted goal kick. When asked about the incident, the Head Coach said that the Club would be appealing the decision.

"Chris Martin did touch the opposite player with his hand, but no moment of danger existed to hit or hurt him," he said. "All the time they were pushing each other and unfortunately for us the referee interpreted the situation as aggression and sent him off.

"We must appeal, he is an important player for us and I am sure, because I was in a better position that the referee in this situation.

"For important days like us, it was a complicated decision. But it's part of football and that's it, I think they are going to understand our application."

Despite the setback the Fulham side dug in and solidified throughout the field, frustrating the home fans and looking to catch Norwich on the counter.

The stoic nature of the defensive performance and desire to keep Norwich at bay was particularly pleasing for Jokanović but he insists attention has already turned to Aston Villa on Monday at Craven Cottage.

"All the team arrived in the second half with a defensive mind," he reflected. "We know we have to be organised and support each other, but we expect we are going to find some chances in the offensive transition.

"We caught them a few times, we scored two goals it's important for us and it's a great performance.

"In front of us is another important game. For us we must clear minds, refresh the body and be ready for another challenge in front of us."


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

[WhiteJC]

 
Additional tickets available for trip to Fulham

Supporters can now buy up to three tickets each as allocation passes 4000

We have received an additional allocation of around 1300 tickets for our trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday 29 April, taking our total allocation to 4,084. The additional tickets will be in Block P4 of the Putney End and will be sold once blocks P5 to P7 have sold out.

As a result of receiving these extra tickets we are also opening up sales so that supporters can now buy up to three tickets each for the trip to SW6. To ensure that all Season Ticket Holders get a chance of additional ticket supporters can now buy their additional tickets before they go on sale to Members at 10am on Tuesday 18 April. Please note that the ticket office will be closed over the Easter period so all sales will be online only and that any tickets already purchased cannot be refunded or exchanged.

We have currently sold 2,220 tickets for the game as we look to extend an eight match unbeaten run at Craven Cottage. Last season's meeting ended in a 2-2 draw while the Good Friday meeting in 2015 went down in Bees history as a Stuart Dallas brace and goals from Alan Judge and Jota wrapped up a 4-1 win for Mark Warburton's side.

Tickets are priced at:

Adults (22-64) £25
Seniors (65+) £20
Young Persons (18-21) £20 
Juniors (Under 18) £15



Read more at http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/fulham-vs-brentford-sky-bet-championship-ticket-information-3674725.aspx#UgqQIchdZIyrh8Zu.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic says Fulham will appeal against Chris Martin's red card

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic said the club would be appealing against the red card shown to Chris Martin in their 3-1 win over Norwich.

The former Canaries' striker was sent off for catching Mitchell Dijks with an elbow moments before the half-time interval, with the visitors leading 1-0 at Carrow Road.
Jokanovic was delighted with the way his side coped with Martin's absence to stay in the thick of the Sky Bet Championship play-off race - but remained angry with referee Andy Madley's decision after the game.
He said: "We will certainly appeal. I had a good view and although Chris touches their player, it was just two players fighting for the ball. There was no intention at all, no aggression."
As for the manner in which his players dealt with the setback, he added: "I am very proud of the way they performed today.
"This is a very tough place to come to - they have a lot of good players and had only lost here three times all season.
"We knew we had to be well organised, we needed to be at our best, and we also had to be very strong mentally, especially after the red card.
"We played to a good level, everyone worked very hard, and we got the result we wanted.
"You could see the desire of my players out there, they showed the fight needed to get a result at places like these.
"After 42 games we are in a good position to challenge for the play-offs and everyone is determined to finish in the top six. As you saw today there will be no surrender."
Fulham got off to dream start, taking the lead after just four minutes when Stefan Johansen blasted home a loose ball from just outside the area.
Their task was made tougher just before the break when they were reduced to 10 men - but they quickly stretched their lead just after the interval when Tom Cairney scored from the spot after recently introduced substitute Ryan Bennett had hauled Johansen down at a free-kick.
Norwich got a goal back on 77 minutes when another replacement, Cameron Jerome, nodded home Alex Pritchard's cross.
However, Fulham held firm after that and confirmed the win late on when Floyd Ayite took advantage of poor home defending to walk the ball into the net.
Norwich caretaker boss Alan Irvine said: "Fulham are a good team and deserved what they got today.
"After going down to 10 men they were extremely well organised and defended really well to get the result they wanted.
"Our players deserved praised for the way they performed last week (in a 7-1 win over Reading) and I think they deserve some criticism today.
"We prepare them the same way for each match and you are obviously hoping for the same level of performance in each match, the level the players are capable of.
"We started both halves slowly, although I thought there was a decent response in the first half. We got the ball into their final third plenty of times but the final pass, cross or finish just wasn't there.
"After the sending off - which I though was the correct decision - we started the second half in a sloppy fashion, giving away possession, gifting them a free-kick and then defending poorly to allow them a second goal.
"We managed to get one back from probably our first really good cross of the game and then we are guilty of more bad defending for their third goal, just when we looked like we might get something out it.
"It was a really frustrating afternoon, especially after how well we played last week."


https://www.clubcall.com/fulham/slavisa-jokanovic-says-fulham-will-appeal-against-chris-mart-1848503.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Ten-man Fulham breeze past Norwich
by Dan on April 14, 2017

Slavisa Jokanovic told his Fulham players to be brave and trust in their ability ahead of the Easter weekend and the Whites furthered their promotion push with a display full of flair, intelligence and grit as they made light work of both Norwich City and adversity at Carrow Road this afternoon. The visitors, leading by Stefan Johansen's terrific strike, were dealt what appeared to a match-turning blow when, just before the half-time whistle, Chris Martin was sent off for what an alleged elbow on Mitchell Dijks. But, in a measure of the resilience and belief Jokanovic has instilled in his charges, Fulham didn't fold – and instead increased their lead through a Tom Cairney penalty. Even when Cameron Jerome halved Norwich's arrears with a bullet header and the Canaries piled on the pressure, Fulham failed to panic and made the game safe at the death through the excellent Floyd Ayite.

This was a commanding away from performance – underlining why the Cottagers have the third best record on their travels in the Championship. The visitors were progressive from the off, firmly intent on imposing their style on Alan Irvine's side after Norwich had demolished another of the play-off contenders, Reading, last weekend. They took the lead from their very first attack after an intricate move engineered a chance for Martin, whose effort was blocked, and Stefan Johansen drilled a sweet strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards out. It was nearly two three minutes later when a lightning break saw Ayite cleverly work in Cairney, whose shot was smothered by John Ruddy.

Norwich huffed and puffed in front of a restless Carrow Road crowd but struggled to play their way through a Fulham defence expertly marshalled by Tomas Kalas and Tim Ream. The returning American did superbly to flick an Alex Pritchard cross away from danger – and the visiting rearguard protected Marcus Bettinelli, who distributed the ball excellently, until the final minute of the first half, when the academy graduate produced a brilliant reaction stop to claw away Timm Klose's header.

Then came Martin's sending off, which enraged Jokanovic and the Fulham coaching staff. Martin and the physical Dijks had fought a battle for much of the first period and the big Dutch defender went tumbling to the ground after the pair contested a goalkick in the air as Martin backed into him. Referee Andy Madley immediately produced a red card despite being fifteen yards away from the incident – and the dismissal for violent conduct could rob Fulham of their focal forward point for the remainder of the Championship run in, save the final-day showdown with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

If there was a tone of resignation amongst the travelling support at half-time, it didn't take long for that to give way to ecstasy. Madley quickly seized upon an opportunity to level up his questionable decisions – awarding a spot-kick for Ryan Bennett's challenge on Kalas at a free-kick and, perhaps more remarkably, after a long wait, Cairney sent Ruddy the wrong way with the modicum of fuss from twelve yards. Suddenly, the ten men had a two-goal advantage to hang onto – although Fulham spurned glorious chances to put the game to bed, with Johansen and Cairney losing their composure in the penalty area. At the other end, Kalas and Ream headed away a succession of Norwich crosses to keep things under control until Irvine summoned Cameron Jerome from the bench.

The former Cardiff striker, a frequent scorer against Fulham, served notice of his threat by twice drifting in behind Ream and getting shots away before he powered home a free header from a floated Pritchard cross to set up a nervous final fifteen minutes. The visitors withstood a succession of Canaries corners, with Russell Martin stabbing a shot goalwards that blocked at source, and Bettinelli then did well to beat away Pritchard's speculative drive from distance before the former Brentford midfielder saw a free-kick deflected just wide.

Just as the tension was becoming unbearable and Jokanovic had appeared to invite further home attacks by introducing Ragnar Sigurdsson as a third centre half, Fulham killed off the contest with a beautiful move that saw Ayite work a glorious one-two with Lucas Piazon, before ghosting in behind the Norwich defence, befuddling Ruddy with some nifty footwork and running the ball into the empty net before sparking delirious scenes in front of the South Stand. Jokanovic was moved to come and salute the travelling fans alongside his players at the final whistle – no doubt recognising that the desire and diligence displayed this afternoon will be invaluable in the last four fixtures.

NORWICH CITY (4-2-3-1): Ruddy; Dijks, Pinto, Klose (R. Bennett 45) , R. Martin; Tettey, Howson; Hoolahan (Jerome 57), Jacob Murphy (Josh Murphy 64); Oliveira. Subs (not used): McGovern, Whitaker, Wildschut, Naismith.

BOOKED: Hoolahan, Howson, Jerome, Pinto.

GOAL: Jerome (75).

FULHAM (4-1-2-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, Malone, Kalas, Ream; McDonald; Johansen (Sigurdssson 81), Cairney; Aluko (Piazon 70), Ayite (Kebano 90+6), C. Martin. Subs (not used): Button, R. Sessegnon, Parker, Cyriac.

BOOKED: Malone, Bettinelli, Piazon.

SENT OFF: C. Martin (45).

GOALS: Johansen (5), Cairney (pen 48), Ayite (90).

REFEREE: Andy Madley (Yorkshire).

ATTENDANCE: 27,023


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/04/ten-man-fulham-breeze-past-norwich/

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanovic praises Fulham's 'fight'
by Dan on April 14, 2017

(Photograph: Mike Gregg; @1966MJG/Twitter)

Slavisa Jokanovic saluted Fulham's 'fight' after the Whites shrugged off the setback of seeing Chris Martin sent off to beat Norwich City 3-1 and keep up the pressure on Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship play-off race.

The Fulham head coach was delighted by Fulham's character in response to Martin's dismissal on the stroke of half time and the desire and work rate of his players as the visitors delivered a footballing masterclass with only ten men to slice the Canaries open at will on the break.

    This is a very tough place to come to – they have a lot of good players and had only lost here three times all season. We knew we had to be well organised, we needed to be at our best, and we also had to be very strong mentally, especially after the red card.

    We played to a good level, everyone worked very hard, and we got the result we wanted. You could see the desire of my players out there, they showed the fight needed to get a result at places like these.

The Serbian, who has been largely non-committal about Fulham's promotion chances all season, conceded his side were in 'a good position' to put pressure on Sheffield Wednesday during the run-in and insisted that there would be 'no surrender,' as today's dominant display showed.

    After 42 games we are in a good position to challenge for the play-offs and everyone is determined to finish in the top six. As you saw today there will be no surrender.

Jokanovic also confirmed that Fulham would appeal Martin's red card after he was sent off for an elbow on Mitchell Dijks – a decision he hotly disputes.

    We will certainly appeal. I had a good view and although Chris touches their player, it was just two players fighting for the ball. There was no intention at all, no aggression.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/04/jokanovic-praises-fulhams-fight/