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Sunday Fulham Stuff (10/12/17)...

Started by WhiteJC, December 10, 2017, 08:34:52 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Results















Friday
Sheff Utd
1 - 2 Bristol City
Saturday
Aston Villa
0 - 0 Millwall
Barnsley
0 - 3 Derby
Burton
1 - 2 Preston NE
Fulham
1 - 0 Brimingham
Hull
3 - 2 Brentford
Middlesborough
2 - 0 Ipswich
Nottm Forest
3 - 2 Bolton
QPR
1 - 3 Leeds
Wolves
0 - 0 Sunderland
Norwich
3 - 1 Sheff Wed

WhiteJC

 
Arsenal interested in signing versatile Fulham youngster

It's rumoured that Arsenal are sounding out Fulham to see if they will part with one of the Countries emerging talents, Ryan Sessegnon.

The 18-year-old wonder kid has impressed this season for the Cottagers with a series of impressive stats including 9 goals in 43 games at a conversion rate of 20% also creating 32 chances and 5 assists.

Arsenal are not alone in the hunt for Sessegnon's signature with Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs thought to be equally interested. The versatile youngster would be a welcome addition to the Emirates because of his versatility as left wing back, left back, left-sided midfielder or in the attack.

Sessegnon also displays pace, vision and calmness in front of goal which is something Wenger puts right at the top of his shopping list of prime assets required in a modern player.

These are all qualities that Wenger admires and appreciates greatly and a modest fee by today's standards may well tempt him into making an offer.

Fulham for their part could invest the money wisely to assist their ambitions and a future promotion push but they will hold out for the right offer which realistically, could be £20 million plus.

Normally, that would be an issue but it's felt that the players potential is such that it may be money well spent long term. If Fulham decide to cash in, Arsenal will have to move quickly with a host of other suitors prepared to meet that speculative asking price.

Wenger is looking for options with the prospect of loosing a number of players in the transfer window and would relish the thought of nurturing an emerging talent that could serve him well across the pitch.

The player himself would surely jump at the chance to improve and be seen on a bigger stage but his advisors will seek assurances about playing time to avoid a repeat of the Oxlade-Chamerlaine situation, which was cited as the major reason for his move to Liverpool.

There are few English players that the Arsenal manager would be prepared to pay big money for, having moaned about inflated fees for homegrown players but this will not apply to the Fulham starlet. It's said that Sessegnon has already been visited by the North London club scouts on numerous and each has given a glowing account.



http://arsenalfever.com/arsenal-look-at-emerging-talent-in-transfer-window/

WhiteJC

 
Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović is pleased with his side's defensive solidarity as Fulham grounded out a win against Birmingham City at Craven Cottage.

Sheyi Ojo's lovely finish in the first half was enough to secure maximum points for the Whites, who recorded back-to-back clean sheets at home for the first time this season.


We must be positive," stated Jokanović.

"We have won two games at home, with two clean sheets – it's a new experience for us.

"We were really solid at the back, and limited their chances. I believe they only had one attempt on target. If we drop points, it's due to a late goal, like we did against Preston."

"We tried a different shape and tried to find our style. We dominated the game and created enough chances to score more today. I believe we can still play better, just so we we're not in trouble in the end of the game. The only solution I know is to be more clinical and score more goals. We need to show more quality in this situation.

"We tried to find a way to control the game by playing more midfielders, with Stefan Johansen on top of the diamond. We don't have players at the moment, who can play in the gaps, like Floyd Ayité and Lucas Piazon, so we tried a new way without losing our style."

Birmingham's best chance of the game came from the spot and Fulham's Head Coach admits his side were fortunate that the visitors didn't tuck the penalty away.

"One mistake and you can pay an expensive price," stated Jokanović.

"The only solution is to be more clinical and try a find a way to score a goal. My team tried to score a second goal and created chances. In the end, we got a little lucky that they missed the penalty."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/december/09/head-coach-reaction-birmingham


WhiteJC

 
Fulham 1-0 Birmingham City


Jeremie Boga spurned Birmingham's best chance to equalise

Jeremie Boga missed a penalty as Birmingham City's miserable away form continued with defeat at Fulham.

Sheyi Ojo sidefooted Neeskens Kebano's cross into the roof of the net to give the hosts an early lead.

David Stockdale made an excellent save to deny Stefan Johansen before Kevin McDonald's foul on Emilio Nsue gave the Blues a chance to equalise.

Boga blazed the spot kick over the bar, and Birmingham have only collected two points from 11 games on the road.

Birmingham's total of 10 goals in 21 league games is the lowest in the entire Football League and Boga's miss from 12 yards proved crucial after Fulham had failed to kill off the game.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side secured their third win in four Championship games thanks to a third goal in four games from on-loan Liverpool winger Ojo, who was lively throughout.

Aboubakar Kamara and Ryan Sessegnon failed to take chances to make it 2-0, but Boga's miss and Blues' bluntness in attack ensured Fulham's wastefulness did not cost them.

Fulham are 12th, two points clear of London rivals Brentford, while Steve Cotterill's Birmingham remain 22nd.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic:
"We must be satisfied that this is the second time that we have won at home with a clean sheet.

"This is good news for us, we are solid at the back and we believe Birmingham only had one attempt on the target.

"We try to play with a different shape, to create the chances and score the goal. I believe we dominated the game and did enough to score more goals."

Birmingham manager Steve Cotterill:
"The second half again I thought we created more chances. We've got to put one of them away, it gives everyone a big lift.

"For our pressure, and the way we were we deserved the penalty, when it comes you are hoping that it goes in. It sums up our luck at the moment."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42205336

WhiteJC

 
Barnsley & Ipswich Town Tickets

Fulham are next in action at Craven Cottage on Saturday 23rd December when they take on Barnsley with kick-off at 3pm.

Enjoy Christmas at the Cottage with tickets available to supporters on General Sale and starting from just £20 for adults and £10 for juniors.

We return home just over a week later, kicking-off 2018 against Ipswich Town on Tuesday 2nd January, 7:45pm.

Tickets for this fixture start from £25 adults and £15 juniors.

Secure your seat today online, by phone on 0203 871 0810 (opt. 1) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

Come On You Whites!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/december/09/festive-football

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 1-0 Birmingham City

Fulham ran out 1-0 winners over Birmingham, from a first-half Sheyi Ojo effort, to leave their opponents near the foot of the Championship.
The West London side were able to welcome back Tim Ream after missing the last two games, while the injury-hit visitors put in Josh Dacres-Cogley for his first appearance of the season, and Cohen Bramall returned for the first time since August.
Both teams forced a number of corners in the opening period, although there was little in the way of quality.
However, Fulham took the lead on 14 minutes with the first noteworthy effort. Neeskens Kebano delivered a low cross into the box from the left, and Ojo was able to direct his first-time effort past Birmingham goalkeeper David Stockdale.
The home side could have doubled their lead on 20 minutes, when Stefan Johansen was able to feed an excellent pass into the box for Ryan Sessegnon to connect with - however, the 17-year-old failed to properly control the ball with his foot, putting his effort well wide.
Fulham continued to look the more dominant of the two sides, and Kebano was foiled just before the interval, when after picking up a loose ball from a corner he fired it low, only for Stockdale to palm away through a body of players.
This proved to be the last contribution of the day for the Congolese, who was replaced by Aboubakar Kamara just before the break after limping off.
Birmingham started the second half with some more attacking intent that they failed to display in the first half.
Fulham continued to look dangerous, though, and had two chances in the space of a minute. Firstly, Kamara put his shot wide of the post on 57 minutes after picking up a through-ball from Johansen.
Both players then changed roles, with the substitute turning provider for Johansen, who was found unmarked, but aimed his effort straight at Stockdale.
Ojo should have added his second of the afternoon on 72 minutes, but fired well over the crossbar from less than 12 yards out.
Birmingham should have punished Fulham for their failure to take their chances on 75 minutes, when Emilio Nsue was fouled in the box by Kevin McDonald. However, Jeremie Boga placed his spot kick over the bar.
Kamara fired wide late on for the hosts, who held on comfortably for their second win at home in a row.
ends



http://www.espn.co.uk/football/report?gameId=483448


WhiteJC

 
Everything Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic said after the Birmingham victory

Here's what Slavisa Jokanovic had to say after his post match press conference after the win against Birmingham

Satisfied with home win?
"We must be satisfied, this is second time at home we won with clean sheet.

"For another side, this is good news for us, we were very solid at the back and we didn't give them any attempts on target.

"At the end, we try a little bit different shape and find our style, create the chances and score the goals - I believe we dominated the game and created enough to score more goals.

"I believe we need, and have the space to improve our performances and believe we can play better than what we played today, to not be in trouble like we are in the end of the game, the only solution I know is to score second goal.

"We must be more clinical and show more quality in this situation for win the game in last part of the game in more quiet situation.

"At the end, we could pay the expensive price after one mistake, they miss the penalty and to avoid this the only solution is to score more goals.

"If today was a big club like City or Man United, if they don't score the second goal, one second phase or one mistake they can make a penalty or someone come slicing in then you can pay expensive price like we could today.

"Solution? Score the goals - I don't know another way. If we want to dominate we want to attack and score the goals, then we need to score.

Hard to lift the players for today after Brentford loss?
"Last five games we on ten points, I want to believe, I can be wrong, but I believe we played very well first 40 minutes against Brentford, they didn't have opportunity to have chances or didn't dominate.

"In few minutes we make many big mistakes and pay expensive price and we can avoid many times before they score second goal.

"We started sloppy and after that with one player less it was complicated for us.

"We show some energy and try to change our situation but we didn't do it - at the end I know it's normal after a defeat people is thinking it's this guy or another guy, this shape or another shape but we are still in similar shape but in same style try to win the game and try to dominate the team.

"I lost some kind of players who can play in the gap in last transfer window, I lost Ayite and Piazon and we are not combining in the same way.

"This is between another side the reason why I use Johansen in the fake striker, or at top of diamond and we try combine and we now try attack behind with different kind of players like today where I used Kebano and Ojo and try attack behind the defensive line.

"It's a hard defeat against Brentford and its always an important game for us and our fans but we cannot be happy with this after the game, but in general we try do something similar and try to win the game in this style which we built many months ago.

Found a way to win a game?
"Yes, in these two games we find a way but where we drop or don't I believe the solution is to score more goals.

"After the late goal we finish the game 1-1, like against Preston, the solution is to score the goal.

"We must be solid and defend altogether, we defend today in one moment during the game, this is part of our professionalism but the solution is to score goals."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everything-fulham-boss-slavisa-jokanovic-14016724

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 1-0 Birmingham: Jeremie Boga misses penalty for the Blues as their miserable run continues

Fulham ran out 1-0 winners over Birmingham, from a first-half Sheyi Ojo effort, to leave their opponents near the foot of the Championship.

The West London side were able to welcome back Tim Ream after missing the last two games, while the injury-hit visitors put in Josh Dacres-Cogley for his first appearance of the season, and Cohen Bramall returned for the first time since August.

Both teams forced a number of corners in the opening period, although there was little in the way of quality.

However, Fulham took the lead on 14 minutes with the first noteworthy effort. Neeskens Kebano delivered a low cross into the box from the left, and Ojo was able to direct his first-time effort past Birmingham goalkeeper David Stockade.

The home side could have doubled their lead on 20 minutes, when Stefan Johansen was able to feed an excellent pass into the box for Ryan Sessegnon to connect with - however, the 17-year-old failed to properly control the ball with his foot, putting his effort well wide.

Fulham continued to look the more dominant of the two sides, and Kebano was foiled just before the interval, when after picking up a loose ball from a corner he fired it low, only for Stockdale to palm away through a body of players.

This proved to be the last contribution of the day for the Congolese, who was replaced by Aboubakar Kamara just before the break after limping off.

Fulham continued to look dangerous and had two chances in the space of a minute. Firstly, Kamara put his shot wide of the post on 57 minutes after picking up a through-ball from Johansen.

oth players then changed roles, with the substitute turning provider for Johansen, who was found unmarked, but aimed his effort straight at Stockdale.

Ojo should have added his second of the afternoon on 72 minutes, but fired well over the crossbar from less than 12 yards out.

Birmingham should have punished Fulham for their failure to take their chances on 75 minutes, when Emilio Nsue was fouled in the box by Kevin McDonald. However, Jeremie Boga placed his spot kick over the bar.

Kamara fired wide late on for the hosts, who held on comfortably for their second win at home in a row.

The managers
Slavisa Jokanovic: "We must be satisfied that this is the second time that we have won at home with a clean sheet. This is good news for us, we are solid at the back and we believe Birmingham only had one attempt on the target.

"We try to play with a different shape, to create the chances and score the goal. I believe we dominated the game and did enough to score more goals. We have the space to improve and we can play better than we did today, the solution is to score the second goal. We can pay an expensive price with one mistake."

Steve Cotterill: "The second half again I thought we created more chances. We've got to put one of them away, it gives everyone a big lift. For our pressure, and the way we were we deserved the penalty, when it comes you are hoping that it goes in. It sums up our luck at the moment.

"You can see by the team selection today, we've had two days preparation and it's quite a changed team. I think that might have been Josh Dacre-Cogley's first game and Cohen (Bramall) may have had one start previously. For those two lads to be thrust in like that, it was tough for them."



http://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-birmham/374862

WhiteJC

 
Ojo's goal earns victory for Fulham


Fulham 1 Birmingham 0


Sheyi Ojo's volley was enough to earn dominant Fulham victory against a Birmingham side who missed a second-half penalty.

Ojo scored his third goal of the season on 14 minutes, converting a cross from the left from Neeskens Kebano after Tom Cairney's pass had opened up space behind the City defence.

The Whites wasted numerous chance to add to the on-loan Liverpool man's goal and almost paid the price when Kevin McDonald turned blindly with a raised foot to make a clearance, bringing down the onrushing Emilio Nsue.

But City's on-loan Chelsea attacker Jeremie Boga knocked the resulting spot-kick over the bar.

The Whites should have made the game safe before Boga's miss.

Ryan Sessegnon shot wide from close range after latching onto a defence-splitting pass from McDonald.

And only a fine reflex save on the line from former Whites keeper David Stockdale denied Kebano just before the interval.

After the break, a good move down the right involving Cairney and Stefan Johansen opened up a decent chance for substitute Aboubakar Kamara, who fired just wide and, moments later, Johansen forced Stockdale into a fine save.

Birmingham took an hour to cause Marcus Bettinelli any problems and even then the Fulham keeper did not have to make a save, as a Boga free-kick curled wide.

It was the same with the penalty, which Boga lofted into the Putney End.

The Whites were the ones who always looked the more likely scorers, but they spurned chances to wrap up victory, Ojo guilty of skying the best opening after good work by Sessegnon down the left flank.

Fulham: Bettinelli; Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Sessegnon; McDonald; Cairney, Norwood; Ojo [Djalo 90], Johansen [Fonte 79], Kebano [Kamara 45]. Norwood. Subs not used: Button, Graham, Mollo, De La Torre.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/ojo-earns-victory-fulham-loan-chelsea-man-misses-penalty-birmingham


WhiteJC


Ojo lifts Fulham into top half
by Dan on December 9, 2017

This wasn't a vintage Fulham performance, but after the mess Slavisa Jokanovic's side created for themselves by trying to pass their way around stubborn opposition at Griffin Park last weekend, the Serbian won't be too perturbed that his charges swapped style for steel. The home side would have wanted to build on Sheyi Ojo's expertly-taken early goal – and the nervousness before Jeremie Boga's atrocious penalty miss certainly wasn't in the script – but a second gutsy home win by a single goal lifted the Whites back into the top half of the Championship table.

Whilst Jokanovic could content himself with the first pair of consecutive league clean sheets in the same season since October 2014, there was no such silver lining after another away defeat for Steve Cotterill. Birmingham remain in the relegation zone on goal difference after another dispiriting defeat and the goal-shy Blues even spurned an early Christmas present when, after Kevin McDonald brought down Emilio Nsue, Boga blasted the spot-kick into the Putney End. The loanee from the other end of the King's Road must have studied the Fulham penalty-taking manual by mistake.

On a freezing afternoon beside the River Thames, moments of real quality were few and far between. Jokanovic fielded a side without a genuine centre forward for the second successive week – and initially his players seemed determined to show that they could profit from such a system. Both Neeskens Kebano and Ojo looked lively roaming from the flanks and Tom Cairney briefly had an early sight of goal, before the home side took the lead with a move of real class.

Some sumptuous first-time passing between Ryan Sessegnon and Cairney created the space for Kebano to fire a low ball towards the near post, where Ojo arrived to prod an instinctive finish beyond former Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale. It seemed so simple – but the hosts spent the rest of the afternoon trying to repeat the trick without success. Kevin McDonald twice threaded lovely balls through a crowded penalty area but Sessegnon wasn't able to add a telling touch in front of goal.

Stockdale then produced a superb save in first half stoppage time – pawing away a powerful Kebano drive from point blank range after the visitors had failed to clear a Fulham corner. It proved to be the Congolese winger's last contribution as he limped off with a groin strain, replaced by Aboubakar Kamara, who at least gave Jokanovic's attack a more natural focal point.

Birmingham had only threatened sporadically with their best moments coming when Lukas Jutkiewicz and Boga were able to combine, leaving Marcus Bettinelli – who had replaced the dropped David Button in goal – largely a spectator on his first-team return. Within minutes of the restart, only the goalkeeper's quick reactions prevented a calamity after a woefully short back-header from Tomas Kalas almost let in Jutkiewicz.

Cotterill's side certainly had more ambition in the second period, but they had to absorb a prolonged spell of Fulham pressure around the hour mark. Kamara flashed a drive across the face of goal after fine approach play from Cairney and Johansen and the French striker did superbly to play in Johansen seconds later, only for the Norwegian's precise shot to be pushed aside by Stockdale.

When Ojo spooned Sessegnon's inviting cut back high into the Hammersmith End, you got the feeling Fulham weren't going to add to their advantage. The afternoon only got more torturous for the home fans when McDonald missed an attempted clearance and instead scythed down Nsue inside the box. Referee Tony Harrington pointed to the spot and it seemed Blues' wait for an away goal would be a thing of the past, only for Boga to balloon his penalty high over the bar after the shortest of run-ups.

That setback from the spot didn't diminish either the volume or the optimism from Blues' excellent travelling support. They roared their side forward and, with Southampton striker Sam Gallagher adding aerial threat, started to prey on some frayed Fulham nerves. The excellent Tim Ream dealt with a number deep crosses, but a succession of corners ramped up the pressure and Michael Morrison ruffled the side netting with a header at the far post.

In a fraught end to the game, Fulham looked very dangerous on the break as Blues committed numbers forward – with Kamara pulling a shot wide and Rui Fonte powering a downward header wide. Birmingham placed the home defence under real strain during the five minutes of stoppage time, but Fulham remained resolute to record back-to-back home wins.

FULHAM (4-1-2-1-2): Bettinelli; Fredericks, R. Sessegnon, Kalas, Ream; McDonald; Norwood, Cairney; Johansen (Fonte 79); Ojo (Djalo 90), Kebano (Kamara 45). Subs (not used): Button, Graham, Mollo, de la Torre.

BOOKED: Norwood.

GOAL: Ojo (14).

BIRMINGHAM CITY (3-5-2): Stockdale; Dacres-Cogley, Morrison, Grounds; Nsue, Davis, Kieftenbeld, Gleeson, Bramall (Maghoma 89); Jutkiewicz (Gallagher 63), Boga. Subs (not used): Trueman, Lowe, Ndoye, Cotterill, Jota.

BOOKED: Davis.

REFEREE: Tony Harrington (Cleveland).

ATTENDANCE: 19,644.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/12/ojo-lifts-fulham-into-top-half/

WhiteJC


Jokanovic praises 'solid' Fulham defence
by Dan on December 9, 2017

Slavisa Jokanovic praised his 'really solid' Fulham defence after a second successive home clean sheet secured three points against struggling Birmingham City at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The Whites went in front just before the quarter of an hour mark when Sheyi Ojo finished a fine cross from Neeskens Kebano and had to rely on their new-found resolve to repel sustained periods of Blues pressure in the second half. Birmingham also missed a penalty given away by Kevin McDonald, but Jokanovic was keen to accentuate the positive.

He told his post-match press conference:

    We must be positive. We have won two games at home, with two clean sheets – it's a new experience for us. We were really solid at the back, and limited their chances. I believe they only had one attempt on target.

The Fulham head coach elaborated on his decision to stick with a similar system as the one that he employed at Griffin Park last weekend – and felt this was much more successful.

    We tried a different shape and tried to find our style. We dominated the game and created enough chances to score more today. I believe we can still play better, just so we we're not in trouble in the end of the game. The only solution I know is to be more clinical and score more goals. We need to show more quality in this situation.

    We tried to find a way to control the game by playing more midfielders, with Stefan Johansen on top of the diamond. We don't have players at the moment, who can play in the gaps, like Floyd Ayité and Lucas Piazon, so we tried a new way without losing our style.

Jokanovic is keen to remind his players that Fulham can't afford the sought of silly defensive lapses that almost allowed the Blues back into the game.

    One mistake and you can pay an expensive price. The only solution is to be more clinical and try a find a way to score a goal. My team tried to score a second goal and created chances. In the end, we got a little lucky that they missed the penalty.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/12/jokanovic-praises-solid-fulham-defence/

WhiteJC


Fulham 1-0 Birmingham City: Player ratings
by Sarah Woolmer on December 9, 2017

Not the most convincing of performances from Fulham, but grinding out results is what helps sides climb the Championship table. Back-to-back home wins, as well as consecutive clean sheets at Craven Cottage, are not to sniffed at – however nervy they made us feel.

Marcus Bettinelli: Slavisa Jokanovic finally made the change a vocal section of the Fulham support have been advocating for some time, but the rust from four months on the sidelines will take a little while to wear off. If you are looking for a modern sweeper keeper, adept at the short passing and diagonal switches of play, then Bettinelli isn't your man. He's a more than creditable Championship goalkeeper with a wealth of experience having come through the Fulham academy and he bailed out Tomas Kalas early in the second half by sprinting off his line to beat Lukas Jutkiewicz to a poor header. 6

Ryan Fredericks: Put the disappointment of being turned inside out by Sergi Canos for Brentford's equaliser last week behind him with a typical rampaging performance at right back. There are still question marks about Fredericks' defensive decision making but a poor Birmingham side didn't really examine those – he blocked a number of second half crosses. His most telling contributions came as he flew into the final third to add that extra attacking dimension, but the final ball was lacking. 6

Tomas Kalas: Looked far more assured than at Griffin Park – and part of that was down to having Tim Ream alongside him once again. Relished the physical challenge against Jutkiewicz and rarely lost anything in the air against the Polish striker. That heart-fluttering attempt at a header back to Bettinelli aside, Kalas was as commanding as he had been last season – and it's been a while since Fulham fans were able to say that. 7

Tim Ream: The American was imperious on his return to the heart of the Fulham defence. This was a man of the match performance full of desire and class, especially in the way he escaped tricky situations with a drop of the shoulder. At his best, the former Bolton defender looks effortless with the ball at his feet and gives a possession hungry side another distribution option – and this was a nearly faultless performance. 9

Ryan Sessegnon: Some of the seventeen year-old's impact on proceedings is reduced from the outset when he operates at left back but this was another mature display from one of the hottest youth properties in English football. He fulfilled his defensive duties admirably, producing a couple of excellent clearances when the pressure was on, and stepped into central defence well on a couple of occasions. Still got forward regularly, starting the move that led to Ojo's goal, and could have had at least one of his own with a bit more good fortune in the box. 7

Kevin McDonald: Blotted his copybook by failing to deal with a second half cross and then conceding what could have been a match-turning penalty with a rash, high challenge on Emilio Nsue. It was impetuous and nervy, the opposite of what McDonald has been since he arrived at Craven Cottage last summer – and so far removed from the rest of a quietly effective afternoon where he put out fires in front of the back four. In the first half, the Scottish schemer found himself high up the pitch and nearly created two goals for Ryan Sessegnon. 6

Ollie Norwood: Sprayed the ball about effectively as the second deep-lying midfield pivot in Slavisa Jokanovic's new forward-less midfield shape, but given his technical ability you crave the moment when the Northern Irish international takes a game by the scruff of the neck and hurts the opposition. He was patient and pretty in possession but against a side more than happy to absorb pressure before launching a counter, Fulham were probably after more incision in his passing. 6

Tom Cairney: It's still so good to see the captain out there, pulling the strings again, especially after his knee injury turned out to be far more of a problem that everyone thought. Birmingham blunted Fulham's playmaker effectively – shutting down the room in which he had to operate and offering the odd late challenge – and this was a rather deliberative and laboured display from Cairney. You sense that he's getting there game by game. 6

Stefan Johansen: The Norwegian isn't being helped by a groin injury he's still not over or the fact that Jokanovic seems to have earmarked him as a false nine – a role he just seems unsuited for – at the moment. Toiled manfully today and was far more successful than in the derby last week, attracting defenders at will and linking the play expertly with his midfielders as well as popping up in the wide positions, but still faded in the second period. 6

Sheyi Ojo: Looked lively again as a winger who regularly popped up right across the front line – and scored a beautiful goal that showcased both the youngster's anticipation and his predatory instincts. Ojo appears hungry to make up for the time he's lost due to injury this season and Fulham are certainly benefiting from his energy and desire. His instinctive finish to beat Stockdale from close range was almost as impressive as the clever run that earned him that extra yard of space – and he was a constant threat to the Blues defence. 8

Neeskens Kebano: An excellent 45 minutes from the Congolese winger, who looked inconsolable as he limped off the field on the stroke of half time. Delivered an excellent low cross that allowed Ojo to poach the winning goal and made have grabbed at least one for himself on another day. Denied by a brilliant reaction save from Stockdale when he probably felt he should've done better – and Kebano's mood wouldn't have improved when the injury he sustained turned out to be so serious as to force him off. 7

Substitutes:

Aboubakar Kamara (on for Kebano, 45): The archetypal Kamara cameo this afternoon. Lively when he came on, firing three shots wildly off target, but also showing plenty of tricks and flicks in tight situations. He caused the Blues' centre backs all sorts of problems before becoming more peripheral as the visitors pushed for an equaliser, but showed enough to suggest he should be in contention for a starting place for the rest of the December programme. 6

Rui Fonte (on for Johansen, 79): Had very little time to impose himself on proceedings but this was an encouraging quarter of an hour from the Portuguese. Held the ball up well with his first touch, won a couple of free kicks and directed a downward header just wide from a corner. Dovetailed well with Kamara and his fresh legs helped take Fulham up the pitch, which was crucial when they came under that late Birmingham bombardment. 7

Marcelo Djalo (on for Ojo, 90): Just had the five added minutes to see out but contributed a couple of clearing headers and clearances as Fulham hung on for those precious points N/A



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/12/fulham-1-0-birmingham-city-player-ratings/