Sunday Fulham Stuff (21/01/18)...

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Results

Friday
Derby	0 - 0	Bristol City
Saturday
Aston Villa	3 - 1	Barnsley
Bolton	1 - 1	Ipswich
Fulham	6 - 0	Burton
Leeds	3 - 4	Millwall
Norwich	1 - 2	Sheff Utd
Preston NE	1 - 1	Birmingham City
QPR	0 - 3	Middlesborough
Reading	0 - 1	Brentford
Sunderland	1 - 0	Hull
Wolves	0 - 2	Nottm Forest
Sheff Wed	0 - 0	Cardiff

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No offers received for in-demand Fulham midfielder

Sky Bet Championship club Fulham are understood to have not yet received any transfer offers for midfielder Tom Cairney according to Get West London.

The 26-year-old Nottingham born midfield ace has impressed for The Whites this season and the player is thought to be attracting admirers.

English Premier League duo Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion are believed to have shown an interest in Cairney and the latter had been rumoured to be ready to submit a transfer offer in the region of £12 million earlier this week.

It has now been reported that no transfer bids have been received by Fulham for the player and Cairney remains committed to the cause at Craven Cottage.

Cairney came through the academy system at Hull City and the midfielder went on to make 80 appearances for The Tigers in which he scored five goals. The player joined Blackburn Rovers in August 2013 on a loan deal which was later made permanent. Cairney was Rovers' Player of the Year in 2013/2014 as he impressed on a regular basis at Ewood Park.

The midfielder joined current club Fulham two-and-a-half years ago and Cairney has played an influential role for The Whites which saw him win another Player of the Year award last term. The player has made 110 appearances in total for Fulham and Cairney has scored 22 goals.



http://the72.co.uk/97039/no-offers-received-demand-fulham-midfielder/

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Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was full of praise for how well his side performed after their 6-0 rout of Burton Albion at Craven Cottage.

Rui Fonte and Ryan Sessegnon both bagged braces, and Lucas Piazon and Aboubakar Kamara added one each to ensure the Whites won their fifth straight match at home.

"It's good because we extended our good run at home," the Head Coach said. "My team was focused and concentrated. We played a lot of good football, and at the end we played especially well.

"In the first 45 minutes we moved the ball quickly, and created chances to score goals. In the second 45 minutes we tried to control the situation and also score some goals."

Jokanović was especially proud of how his squad approached the game, and was pleased that they weren't complacent heading into the match.

"We respected them," Jokanović said, referring to Burton. "They won their last three away games, and we didn't want that to happen to us at home. We lost away to them earlier, and we approached the game in the right away. And in the end, we found great solutions."

When asked how important it was that his side got the first goal, the Head Coach responded, that "it was really important for us. Among other things, it was key to us winning the game and not making things too complicated.

"We scored first, and second, and from there everything started to become easier for my team and more difficult for Burton."

The Head Coach also was happy for Fonte, who complemented his intelligent off-the-ball movement with two goals. "It's great for him," Jokanović said. "And great for his confidence. He's working well daily, trying to improve himself, and this is great news for him, to score two goals today."

"We expect we'll have other games where we don't have so much space in behind, and we expect Rui can also help us in those moments."

Jokanović also applauded Piazon for his performance on what turned out to be a very happy birthday for the Brazilian. "Lucas played very well today," the Head Coach said. "It's great for his confidence too, after being out for such a long time with an injury.

"He deserved to score a goal and to make himself happy, and it's the end product of a lot of really hard work that he put in that is now behind him. He played a great game but we expect he'll be even better in the future."

Even though the Whites scored six, Jokanović noted that his backline kept another clean sheet. "We defended well and we didn't give them any options," the Head Coach said. "We played good football. We moved the ball well and scored the goals."

When he was asked what was the secret to his squad's recent push up the table, the Head Coach was direct and to the point. "It's hard work. It's that simple," Jokanović said. "With time we expect we're going to play better."

"We are in the challenge—in the fight—for an important position in the Championship. The last few games encourage us to keep going, to push hard and try to fight for one of the top positions in the Championship."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/january/20/head-coach-burton-albion

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Fulham 6-0 Burton Albion

Rui Fonte had just one Championship goal in 12 starts this season before his brace against Burton

Fulham extended their unbeaten league run to seven matches as they sent Burton to the foot of the table.

Lucas Piazon squared for Rui Fonte to tap in the opener before Ryan Fredericks teed up Piazon to double the lead with a curling shot.

Fredericks then crossed for Fonte, who stabbed home at the second attempt.

Ryan Sessegnon slid in after the break, then slotted home from close range before Aboubakar Kamara's cool chip capped Burton's miserable afternoon.

Despite their struggles this season, Burton had won three successive away matches as they headed to Craven Cottage, picking up 16 points on the road this season, double their total at home.

But their hopes of extending that record in Nigel Clough's 100th game in charge lay in tatters by half-time against a rampant Fulham side.

They peppered Stephen Bywater's goal with 21 shots - 10 of them on target - as Fredericks created numerous chances at will, while leading scorer Sessegnon turned in another impressive performance and took his goal tally for the season to nine.

The hosts won just one of their first nine home matches in the league this season, but their fifth straight win at Craven Cottage moved them to within a place and a point of the play-off spots.

Burton, who have lost six of their last 10 in the league, were leapfrogged by Sunderland, who beat Hull, and Birmingham, who claimed a draw at Preston.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic:
"Lucas played very well today. It's great for his confidence after a long injury. He has been part of our improvement in the last few games.

"He scored a goal, he feels happy in himself and from finding some end product from his work. And he will get better in the future.

"It's great news for Rui to score two goals today. We expect some games where we won't find as much space behind the defensive line and Rui can help us with his movement. It's great for his confidence. He is working well daily and trying to prove himself.

"It's good to extend our good run. My team were focused and concentrated and played good football."

Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Derby:
"We just can't cope with the quality that they've got.

"It sounds silly, but three of the goals are just deflections that have ricocheted and dropped down to them.

"But just with the quality players they have all over the pitch, you need everything to go in your favour."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42671844

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Fulham hopeful of Craven Cottage expansion

Fulham have revealed details of a proposal to begin work on an expansion to Craven Cottage by May next year.

The West London club, who secured planning permission for the build in 2013, have planned to add almost 4,000 seats to the stadium by demolishing the Riverside Stand and rebuilding with two more tiers of seating.

Also proposed is a walkway across the River Thames, which would open a currently closed section of the riverbank.

The planned expansion follows the successful move by West Ham United to the London Stadium, while Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium is currently under construction.

Should Fulham receive permission from Hammersmith and Fulham council to begin the work, the club are hopeful of finishing the expansion by 2021.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/off-the-pitch/fulham/news/fulham-hopeful-of-craven-cottage-expansion_316703.html

[WhiteJC]

 
MATCH REPORT: FULHAM

Albion's run of good form away from the Pirelli Stadium was brought to a crushing halt as Fulham avenged their defeat in Burton back in September with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Nigel Clough's men.

The Cottagers who have made their home ground more of a fortress since their last home defeat back in October are one of those sides who when they hit form can be almost unplayable and some of their slick passing and interplay proved too much for the Brewers who have to face up to their heaviest Championship defeat on the long trip back from the Capital.

A brace of first half goals from Rui Fonte sandwiched a smart finish from Lucas Piazon and in the second half it was the turn of Ryan Sessegnon to score twice before substitute Aboubakar Kamara finished things off late on with a well taken lobbed finish.

The only bright spark for Albion was debutant Martin Samuelsen who showed enough to suggest that in other circumstances he will be a more than useful addition to the Burton ranks for the remainder of the season.

Nigel Clough was forced into two changes for the trip to the in-form Cottagers, both due to injury. With Will Miller picking up a season ending knee injury last time out against QPR the timely signing of West Ham youngster Samuelsen cushioned the blow of losing the improving former Spurs youngster. 20-year-old Samuelsen, a full Norwegian international slotted straight in on the right hand side of midfield for a full Brewers debut having only joined up with the club on Wednesday. Ben Turner wasa the other absentee having picked up a calf injury in training on Friday. His absence meant that John Brayford dropped into the trio of central defenders with Lucas Akins asked to slot in as the right sided wing back. That enabled Marvin Sordell to return as the lone striker. The substitutes bench also saw the return of Luke Varney, Matty Palmer and Matty Lund to the squad.

In tricky conditions after plenty of pre match rain it was Fulham who tried to get their slick passing game going early on with Fonte denied by an early offside flag. Albion also allowed a couple of crosses in from wide that they had to defend stoutly early on as the home side looked tro continue their five game unbeaten run. Burton's cause was not helped by an early booking for Luke Murphy, the midfielder sliding in on his Fulham counterpart, Oliver Norwood, on the wet surface to earn the ire of referee James Linington.

After threatening several times without finding the final ball needed to break through it was the Cottagers who picked their way through the Burton rearguard on 17 minutes. A loose ball forward from Murphy was intercepted by Norwood and immediately slid through for the run of Piazon. The on-loan Chelsea man darted into the box before squaring the ball for Fonte who had tracked his run and the former Arsenal youngster had the simple task of steering the ball into the empty net.

It was almost two for Fulham on 22 minutes. The home side countered at pace from a free kick delivered in by Samuelsen and before they knew it the ball was quickly switched upfield and to the left for Sessegnon to run unchallenged into the box. Fortunately for Albion Stephen Bywater stood tall and beat away a fizzing shot that was rising and heading towards the top corner of the Albion net.

Piazon was close to a goal for himself on 27 minutes as Fulham patiently worked the ball around the edge of the Burton box. When the final delivery came across to the Brazilian he could not quite sort his feet out quickly enough to get a shot away and Tom Flanagan was able to clear his lines and relieve the pressure for a brief moment.

Right back Ryan Fredericks twice spurned good opportunities to extend the Fulham lead ghosting into space inside the box ands drilling rising drives over the top from good positions but his role was to be more of a provider than a scorer as the first half wore on.

Albion's first real shot in anger came on 32 minutes when Tom Naylor closed down well in midfield and got the ball forward to Sordell on the edge of the area. The Albion striker managed to wriggle and work room for a shot but his effort slid just wide of Marcus Bettinelli's right hand post.

Two minutes later and Albion found themselves further behind as Fulham struck with devastating effect. Fredericks was again the outlet down the right to run at the Burton defence. The full back knew exactly where he wanted to deliver the ball and after a dummy from Norwood it was Piazon who sweetly curled home with a first time shot from fifteen yards that left Bywater, even at full stretch, unable to get anywhere near it.

Two quickly became three and again it was Fredericks providing the ammunition. The former Spurs academy product was again afforded all the time in the world to look up and decide where to put it, this time FONTE his target and the Portuguese striker got the better of John Brayford in the air allowing him to slam home the loose ball as it dropped kindly for him inside the six yard box. It was the culmination of a disastrous spell for the Albion defence who were being left reeling by the movement and fluidity of the Fulham forward line.

The half time whistle, when it came, was a blessing for Albion who at least had the chance to regroup after being ran ragged for long spells of the first forty five minutes.

Half time: Fulham 3-0 Burton Albion

Fortunately for Albion the second half began at a slightly more sedate pace than the first half ended and there was something of a chance to regroup a little with Fulham seemingly a little more content to play with more patience and look for the right opportunities to break forward and punish Clough's men.

Albion at last began to enjoy spells of possession, something they lacked in the first half and they were at least able to string some passes together. When Naylor found space to lift a ball over the Fulham defence Dyer was able to run through forcing Bettinelli to rush off his line and head clear outside his area. The clearest chance yet for the Brewers to get themselves on the scoresheet fell to Flanagan on the hour mark. Samuelsen delivered a teasing centre that was flicked on by Dyer in the centre, the ball landing nicely in the path of Albion's left wing back who could not keep his shot down from around twelve yards out.

Both sides quickly made a change in midfield, Albion taking off Murphy and replacing him with Jamie Allen whilst the hosts were able to call on highly rated Tom Cairney, subject of interest from the Premier League, to replace Norwood.

With a little over twenty minutes remaining a second change for Albion was forthcoming. Brayford was the man to make way and Hope Akpan was sent on to add more fresh legs in midfield. As a result Naylor dropped into the back line to enable Albion to retain their shape.

Fulham finally found a fourth goal on 73 minutes and it was almost an apologetic goal from SESSEGNON. Fredericks it was who once again provided the initial thrust for the goal with a sprint with the ball down the right and when Stefan Johansen's shot was blocked by a combination of Buxton and Naylor the talented teenager reacted quickest to sweep home the loose ball from close range.

Samuelsen picked up a yellow card in fouling Fulham skipper Kevin McDonald as frustration began to creep in for the Brewers and after the newcomer had been replaced by Joe Sbarra Fulham strode forward and scored again. It was almost a repeat of the previous goal as the ball pinballed around the Burton box coming out to Johansen who again saw his shot blocked and the ball once more falling perfectly for Sessegnon to fire home.

Fulham had rediscovered their thirst for goals and only a superb reacytion stop from Bywater prevented substitute Aboubakar Kamara firing home on 82 minutes after slipping through the Burton rearguard on the edge of the area.

The rout was complete on 88 minutes as Fulham raided at pace again and it was the substitutes, Cairney and Kamara who combined, Cairney sending the lastter away to outpace Naylor and calmly lob over Bywater from the edge of the box.




https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/2018/january2/match-report-for-fulham-vs-burton-albion-on-20-jan-18/

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Fulham 6-0 Burton Albion

Fulham put on a stunning attacking display as they overwhelmed Burton Albion at Craven Cottage, as the Whites romped to a 6-0 victory on a damp, drizzly afternoon in SW6.

Fulham put on a stunning attacking display as they overwhelmed Burton Albion at Craven Cottage, as the Whites romped to a 6-0 victory on a damp, drizzly afternoon in SW6.

A first-half brace from Rui Fonte, a second-half brace from Ryan Sessegnon, and goals either side of half-time from Lucas Piazon and Aboubakar Kamara ensured that the Whites ran out comfortable victors. It was a scoreline that accurately reflected their total dominance on the day.

Slaviša Jokanović made two changes to the line-up that won away in Teesside, drafting Tomas Kalas in to resume his partnership in the centre of defence with Tim Ream and bringing Fonte in to lead the line, as Sheyi Ojo was unable to suit up because of a slight knock. These changes meant Denis Odoi slid over to left back, which pushed Sessegnon further up the wing.

There was a youthful, sprightly atmosphere before kick-off as the Hammersmith End was filled with young Fulham fans taking advantage of 'Kids for a Quid' day at the Cottage. Both sets of supporters impeccably observed the minute's applause for the late Cyril Regis that began the match.

It was a bitty, attritional start. Burton sought to clog the midfield with as many bodies as possible in order to prevent the Whites from establishing any type of attacking rhythm. Fouling early and often also seemed to a part of the Brewers' plans, and Luke Murphy received a yellow card in the sixth minute for sliding in late on Oliver Norwood.

But Fulham sidestepped the physical battle by playing long diagonals to Sessegnon and Piazon on the flanks. Several times during the opening exchanges low crosses looking for Fonte came in from those two, but Burton managed to hack clear each time.

In the 18th minute Fulham sliced their way through the Brewers' defence for the opener, in a slick passing move most sides would have been powerless to prevent.

Norwood played a neat ball into Piazon who—with one touch—accelerated past the entire Burton Albion backline to go through clean on goal. Just as he shaped up to shoot, he unselfishly squared the ball to Fonte, who tapped into an empty net to put the Whites 1-0 up at home.

Four minutes later Fulham nearly had a second. A headed clearance from Ream fell to Piazon, who arced a lovely ball into the path of a sprinting Sessegnon. The teenager let fly, but Stephen Bywater was able to get two hands to the stinging drive. But it was clear Fulham were not content with only one goal, as they constantly hurtled themselves forward to find another.

In the 27th minute, Sessegnon again cut in to drill the ball low and hard across the Burton Albion box. It was inches behind Fonte and Stefan Johansen, and when it fell to Piazon, the Brazilian was agonisingly unable to control it in time to get a shot off.

Three minutes later it was Ryan Fredericks' turn to have a pop, but the right-back's shot rocketed over the bar.

Fulham were like a wave, crashing again and again on the shores of the Burton defence. They would retreat a little, only to come roaring back stronger, with more pace and more power. It was magnetic to watch, and, in the first half, the Brewers' back five genuinely did start to resemble a soggy and battered coastline, as solid as sand.

In the 34th minute Fulham found the second goal they so richly deserved. It was Piazon's turn to score, after he provided the pass for the first. Fredericks' centre in from the right found Piazon, who calmly and delightfully stroked the ball into the bottom-right corner for his first goal since returning from injury. It seemed to mean the world to him, as the Brazilian emphatically pointed towards the heavens after he scored.

Four minutes later the Whites found a third goal, with Fonte notching his second of the day. Fredericks again was the genesis of the attack; it was his ball that deflected to the Portuguese striker in the box. Fonte still had some work to do however, and he did it ever so well—muscling past a Burton defender before depositing the ball into the back of the net with unhurried grace. 3-0 to the Whites in the 38th minute.

James Linington's half-time whistle provided the relief the Brewers so desperately needed, and both sides walked into their dressing rooms preparing for two wholly different team talks.

Nigel Clough must have preached solidity, as the Brewers started the second half how they wish they could have ended the first. They were stodgy, organised, and compact—significantly slowing down the tempo of the game.

And it was Burton actually who had the first half-chance of the second period, when Tom Naylor's long ball almost put Lloyd Dyer in one-on-one with Marcus Bettinelli in the 60th minute. But the Fulham goalkeeper read it extremely well, and bravely scampered off his line to leap through the air and head it clear.

In the 64th minute both gaffers made their first substitutions of the match. Clough replaced Murphy with Jamie Allen. Jokanović took off Norwood and brought Tom Cairney on, giving the skipper 30 minutes of action on his birthday.

Then, in the 70th minute, Clough made another substitution, hoping to introduce an attacking spark to his side by bringing Hope Akpan on in place of John Brayford.

But it was Fulham who remained the more attacking team, and the home side soon scored their fourth when Sessegnon capped an assured performance with the first of his goals in the 72nd minute.

It was a goal that came out of perseverance more than anything else, as the 17-year old refused to give up on the play even as Johansen's shot was charged down. The ball ricocheted to Sessegnon and the teenager's hard work was rewarded with an easy shot on target, which he duly converted.

But Sessegnon wasn't finished. In the 79th minute, he scored Fulham's fifth and the second of his rapid-fire brace. It was that same combination again—a deflected Johansen shot that filtered through to Sessegnon, and once again the teenager showed immaculate composure to nonchalantly place the ball in the back of the net in front of the Putney End.

In between the two Sessegnon goals, Jokanović brought Fonte off to raucous applause and replaced him with Kamara in the 75th minute. And Clough made a substitution of his own, immediately hauling off Martin Samuelsen after the loanee received a yellow card, and bringing Joe Sbarra on in his place.

Jokanović then made his final change in the 81st minute, swapping Piazon for Luca De La Torre.

And Fulham were still not finished. Kamara got in on the action in the 88th minute, making it 6-0 with an absolutely audacious lob. Cairney played the Frenchman through, and the big striker didn't disappoint, scoring the prettiest goal on what was a night of great goals.
In the 90th Kevin McDonald tried to score from halfway when he noticed Bywater a few yards off his line. But that was to prove a bridge too far, even on a night like tonight. But in the end, who could blame him? It was a match where everything seemed to go right for the Whites, and they put on a brilliant show for the home crowd, one that could only leave them wishing for an encore week after week.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/first-team/2017_2018/league/home/burton-albion

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 6-0 Burton Albion

An irresistible first-half display from Fulham laid the foundation for a dominant 6-0 victory over Burton Albion at Craven Cottage.
Rui Fonte scored twice as Slavisa Jokanovic's side gained a sixth successive home league victory and maintained their hopes not simply of a play-off place, but even automatic promotion.
Ryan Sessegnon collected his own brace of goals in the second half, with Lucas Piazon and Aboubakar Kamara also scoring in a demonstration of Fulham's attacking prowess.
Apart from a Luke Murphy booking, collected for scything down Oliver Norwood from behind, the opening 17 minutes were notable only for a succession of low crosses which, without exception, found the boot of a Burton defender.
Having attempted to go around the side of the visitors' defence, Fulham's first incisive pass through it brought them the opening goal. Norwood supplied it, setting free Piazon, who unselfishly squared for Fonte to sidefoot into an empty net.
It might have been 2-0 four minutes later. Sprinting forward following a Burton free-kick, Piazon curled a delightful ball into the path of Sessegnon whose fierce drive was beaten away by visiting keeper Stephen Bywater.
Fulham's recent surge towards the Championship play-offs - they have now collected 16 points from their last possible 18 - has finally dispelled the doubts that characterised their stuttering autumn.
That included a 2-1 defeat at Burton in September, a result that never looked like being repeated here.
Had it not been for Ryan Fredericks trying to strike his shot too hard on the half-hour following more adventurous work down the left by Sessegnon, the hosts would have added to their lead.
Instead, Marvin Sordell went close for Burton with an opportunistic shot that flashed across the Fulahm six-yard box.
Mindful of his earlier wastefulness, Fredericks atoned in splendid fashion after 34 minutes, taking on Kyle McFadzean on the outside before intelligently pulling a low cross back to Piazon who swept home with ease.
The game was over as a contest three minutes later. Again, Fredericks provided the cross after being set free by another Norwood pass. This time it was met by Fonte whose header cannoned into the back of John Brayford and dropped for the Portugal striker to steer home the loose ball.
Fonte went close to securing his hat-trick with another blocked header just before half-time.
Perhaps understandably, the intensity left the game for 20 minutes after the interval.
The sides held station until the 72nd minute when Fredericks galloped forward again and this time picked out Stefan Johansen in the penalty area. Johansen's shot was partially blocked but ran through for Sessegnon to slot home from six yards.
Fulham's fifth goal 11 minutes from time was a near carbon copy. Johansen saw another effort cannon off a Burton leg and into the path of Sessegnon for another simple finish.
Substitute Kamara then saw his shot blocked by the legs of Bywater. However, the striker made amends for that miss in the 88th minute, racing on to a long ball before lifting his shot over the keeper.



http://www.espnfc.co.uk/report?gameId=483368

[WhiteJC]

 
Amazing player ratings as Fulham outclass Burton Albion 6-0 at Craven Cottage

Rui Fonte and a number of others were imperious in a dominant victory

That quite possibly could have been Fulham's best performance of the season.

It was absolutely electric and the Cottagers declared themselves firmly in the promotion race.

Rui Fonte's goals either side of a fine Lucas Piazon finish put together a near perfect first half for the home side and they were worth every bit of their 3-0 lead.

The wave of goals slowed as the second half started but Ryan Sessegnon had other ideas. Two goals from close range and an Aboubakar Kamara's perfect lob rounded off an incredible Fulham display.

Fulham put the Championship on notice.


(Image: Paul Burgman)

Marcus Bettinelli 7

In all honesty he didn't have much to do today. His distribution was great and he saved well when required. Hard to fault but didn't have to stand out today.
Ryan Fredericks 9

After performances like today you can see why he has been linked to Premier League clubs. Outstanding. Brought tremendous width to the Fulham attack and was rarely needed in defence. Burton left him free time after time and the full-back more than obliged with his contribution, having a hand in most goals.
Tomas Kalas 7

Calm and unhurried performance but in truth was rarely troubled. Utilised along with his Tim Ream as the building blocks of most attacks.
Tim Ream 8

Really flowing with confidence after a solid effort against Middlesbrough. A misplaced pass aside, hard to fault the American who was strong in the air. Wasn't afraid to bring the ball forward and looked a class act because of it.
Denis Odoi 8

Perhaps the only player that improved in the second half as Burton often tried to attack down the right. Looked refreshingly good going forward thanks to some great interplay with Sessegnon.
Oliver Norwood 8

Held his nerve for the penalty against Middlesbrough and more than filled Tom Cairney's shoes this afternoon. A shame to see him go off so early but he repeatedly released Fredericks and was the pick of the midfield.
Kevin McDonald 7

Set the tone for work rate while building play beautifully with his midfield compatriots.
Stefan Johansen 7

You almost don't notice him but was crucial in Fulham's metronomic passing. Simply, good to watch and took control when Norwood left the field in the second half.
Lucas Piazon 8

Full of the class you expect from a Chelsea youngster. Selling dummies, a calm collected finish. His movement really opened the game up for Ryan Fredericks and a crucial part of the front three.
Rui Fonte 9

That's a response to those saying Fulham need a striker. Full of technical ability and two composed finishes after some lovely build up play from the Cottagers. What stood out most was his battling display where he showed the characteristics of a traditional number 9 despite size. Only a quieter second half and substitution prevented a 10.
Ryan Sessegnon 9

As always lively and threatening and consequently stopped Lucas Akins from being able to attack much at all. Didn't look like he'd be the main man today and then decided to become a striker. Ruthless from the winger to grab two scrappy goals on the six-yard line.

Substitutes: Tom Cairney-7,Aboubakar Kamara-8, Luca de la Torre-not enough time to impress.




https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/amazing-player-ratings-fulham-outclass-14181994

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham fans urge club to sign Ryan Sessegnon now after latest display

Reported Tottenham Hotspur target Ryan Sessegnon scored twice as Fulham thrashed Burton Albion 6-0 at Craven Cottage on Saturday, and Spurs fans have urged their club to sign him now.

The Mirror reported earlier this month that the north London outfit are willing to pay £25m to sign the 17-year-old left-side player, who can play as a full-back or as a winger, this month, but the Championship outfit are refusing to sell.

The teenager now has nine goals and four assists in 28 league matches this season, and he will continue to attract admiring glances from a number of top flight clubs, with Manchester United also said to be keen on the England U19 international.

Tottenham supporters were quick to have their say on Sessegnon's latest display via social media, and while one said "need to hurry up and sign him before it's too late", another said "get it done and loan him back to Fulham until summer".



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/tottenham/tottenham-fans-urge-club-to-sign-ryan-sessegnon-now-after-latest-display

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 6 - 0 Burton Albion - report: rampant hosts inflict Brewers' heaviest Championship defeat in style

The Brewers drop to the bottom of the Championship table

Burton Albion's heaviest ever defeat in the Championship ensured their impressive run on the road came crashing to a halt at Craven Cottage with a 6-0 defeat to Fulham.

The Brewers struggled to live with their opponents' pace of passing and movement from the moment Rui Fonte tapped them into an 18th-minute lead.

Fonte would add a second and Lucas Piazon would also find the net to all-but end the game as a contest before the break, before a Ryan Sessegnon double and Aboubakar Kamara's late chip completed the rout.

With results elsewhere largely going against the Brewers, it means Burton ended a tumultous afternoon at the foot of the table.


Rui Fonte of Fulham celebrates opening the scoring against Burton Albion (Image: Rob Sambles/Epic Action Imagery)

Nigel Clough's two changes at Craven Cottage were enforced ones.

New signing Martin Samuelsen came in for Will Miller on the right flank following the news he will be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Ben Turner was an absentee after sustaining a calf problem in training on Friday.

That saw Marvin Sordell come into the starting XI up front, with Lucas Akins moving to right-wing-back and John Brayford into central defence.

Debutant Samuelsen showed some bright flashes in the opening 15 minutes as Albion began in solid fashion, without managing to capitalise on some pressure upfield.


Martin Samuelsen in action on his Burton Albion debut against Fulham (Image: Rob Sambles/Epic Action Imagery)

But that foundation would crumble from the 18th minute onwards.

Fulham's opener came about through a rare Luke Murphy error. The Leeds United loanee gave possession away in midfield, and Oliver Norwood was quick to slide Lucas Piazon through a gap and in on goal.

He was unselfish in squaring for the supporting Fonte, presenting Fonte with the easiest of finishes.

Right-back Ryan Fredericks twice came close shortly afterwards, blazing over the bar from good positions to the right of goal.


Marvin Sordell of Burton Albion (Image: Rob Sambles/Epic Action Imagery)

His role would come, though, providing two assists in quick succession.

The first was a cutback for Piazon, who went from supplier to scorer with a well-taken, first-time finish to the left of Stephen Bywater.

And four minutes later, a Fredericks cross was met by the onrushing Fonte, who burst through Brayford and Jake Buxton to finish at the second attempt from close range.

Albion were more resilient at the start the second half as Fulham became more patient in their build-up.

om Flanagan had the chance to reduce the arrears on the hour mark when Samuelsen's right-wing cross was flicked on by Sordell, only for the left-back to volley over at the back post.

In truth, though, barring some good attacking runs from Samuelsen and a couple of clever passes from Naylor that nearly set Dyer away, Burton rarely looked like threatening anything of a comeback.

Instead, it was the in-form Cottagers who struck again, Sessegnon switched on to tuck a close-range effort home.

Late substitutions did little to staunch the flow from Burton's perspective.


Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham scores his first goal of a brace against Burton Albion (Image: Rob Sambles/Epic Action Imagery)

Sessegnon was on hand to make it 5-0 with his second, a virtual carbon copy as Johansen's shot was blocked and skidded to him to slot past Bywater.

The Albion keeper made a smart save to deny Kamara moments later, only to see the substitute chip a clever sixth over him late on to land the final blow.

It was a sobering afternoon for Clough's men, and an emphatic way to see their three-game winning run on the road end.

A 10-day break before the January 30 clash with Reading at the Pirelli Stadium will surely be welcomed after this.



https://www.burtonmail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-6-0-burton-albion-1094861

[WhiteJC]

 
Fantastic Fulham hit Burton for six

Rui Fonte and Ryan Sessegnon both scored twice as Fulham recorded their biggest league win for more than six years.

The Whites went in front on 18 minutes when Oliver Norwood sent Lucas Piazon clear and he squared for Fonte to tap in.

Piazon himself doubled the lead, curling in from inside the box after latching on to Ryan Fredericks' low cross.

And it was 3-0 before the break as Fonte nodded down before bundling in from close range.

The Whites then scored three more times in the final 18 minutes to match the 6-0 win over QPR in October 2011.

Sessegnon profited from blocked shots inside the box for both the fourth and fifth goals before Aboubakar Kamara chipped the goalkeeper to round off the victory.




http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fantastic-fulham-hit-burton-six

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 6-0 Burton: Slavisa Jokanovic's side blow Brewers away

An irresistible first-half display from Fulham laid the foundation for a dominant 6-0 victory over Burton Albion at Craven Cottage.

Rui Fonte scored twice as Slavisa Jokanovic's side gained a sixth successive home league victory and maintained their hopes not simply of a play-off place, but even automatic promotion.

Ryan Sessegnon collected his own brace of goals in the second half, with Lucas Piazon and Aboubakar Kamara also scoring in a demonstration of Fulham's attacking prowess.

Apart from a Luke Murphy booking, collected for scything down Oliver Norwood from behind, the opening 17 minutes were notable only for a succession of low crosses which, without exception, found the boot of a Burton defender.

Having attempted to go around the side of the visitors' defence, Fulham's first incisive pass through it brought them the opening goal. Norwood supplied it, setting free Piazon, who unselfishly squared for Fonte to sidefoot into an empty net.

It might have been 2-0 four minutes later. Sprinting forward following a Burton free-kick, Piazon curled a delightful ball into the path of Sessegnon whose fierce drive was beaten away by visiting 'keeper Stephen Bywater.

Fulham's recent surge towards the Championship play-offs - they have now collected 16 points from their last possible 18 - has finally dispelled the doubts that characterised their stuttering autumn. That included a 2-1 defeat at Burton in September, a result that never looked like being repeated here.

Had it not been for Ryan Fredericks trying to strike his shot too hard on the half-hour following more adventurous work down the left by Sessegnon, the hosts would have added to their lead. Instead, Marvin Sordell went close for Burton with an opportunistic shot that flashed across the Fulham six-yard box.

Mindful of his earlier wastefulness, Fredericks atoned in splendid fashion after 34 minutes, taking on Kyle McFadzean on the outside before intelligently pulling a low cross back to Piazon who swept home with ease.

The game was over as a contest three minutes later. Again, Fredericks provided the cross after being set free by another Norwood pass. This time it was met by Fonte, whose header cannoned into the back of John Brayford and dropped for the Portugal striker to steer home the loose ball. Fonte went close to securing his hat-trick with another blocked header just before half-time.

Perhaps understandably, the intensity left the game for 20 minutes after the interval. The sides held station until the 72nd minute when Fredericks galloped forward again and this time picked out Stefan Johansen in the penalty area. Johansen's shot was partially blocked but ran through for Sessegnon to slot home from six yards.

Fulham's fifth goal 11 minutes from time was a near carbon copy. Johansen saw another effort cannon off a Burton leg and into the path of Sessegnon for another simple finish.

Substitute Kamara then saw his shot blocked by the legs of Bywater. However, the striker made amends for that miss in the 88th minute, racing on to a long ball before lifting his shot over the 'keeper.

The managers
Slavisa Jokanovic: "Lucas played very well today. It's great for his confidence after a long injury. He has been part of our improvement in the last few games. He scored a goal, he feels happy in himself and from finding some end product from his work. And he will get better in the future.

"It's great news for Rui to score two goals today. We expect some games where we won't find as much space behind the defensive line and Rui can help us with his movement. It's great for his confidence. He is working well daily and trying to prove himself."

Nigel Clough: "When you go 1-0 down early, the priority is not to get an equaliser, it's not to concede again. We had 75 minutes to get a goal, so don't concede the second goal and don't concede the third.

"We were working our way into the game and the only difference between today and previous away games is that we didn't make mistakes in those like we did today."



http://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-burton-alb/374946

[WhiteJC]

 
MANAGER'S VERDICT: FULHAM

BREWERS boss Nigel Clough said it was a 'tough day' for Burton Albion as they we're comfortably beaten 6-0 by Fulham at Craven Cottage.

A brace of first half goals from Rui Fonte sandwiched a smart finish from Lucas Piazon and in the second half it was the turn of Ryan Sessegnon to score twice before substitute Aboubakar Kamara finished things off late on with a well taken lobbed finish.

"It was a tough day for us today," said Clough. "They're so good and so much better than us. We can't cope with the quality that they've got. It sounds silly but three of their goals were ricochets and deflections that dropped for them but with the quality of players they have all over the pitch you need everything to go in your favour.

"We gave the first one away after 15 minutes and the game plan is out of the window. We go chasing the game and get picked off twice more before half time."

Clough says he was particularly disappointed by Fulham's first and second goals, but admits him team were well in the game before the first.

He said: "The ones that we're most disappointed with is the first and the second one - they're the main ones, especially the timing of the first goal.

"We were settling in to the game and we were OK but then we play a ball in to the midfield and we give it away. We keep saying 'if you give the ball away in the middle of the park like that then teams are going to punish you' just like QPR did last week."

The home side had 68% of ball possession with a 90% passing accuracy which was too much for Nigel Clough's men to deal with.

He said: "I think with Fulham you can be cut open by one, two, three, four passes, whatever because they're so good. Whatever it dictates in the build-up they will use it.

"The 6th goal shouldn't have got through, just one guy running clear. It's very difficult when you're a player and you're 5-0 down in that situation."



https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/2018/january2/2001-verdict/

[WhiteJC]

 
Nottingham Forest Tickets

Fulham return to Craven Cottage on Saturday 3rd February for the visit of Nottingham Forest (kick-off 3pm).

Following a resounding victory over Burton Albion, the Whites will be looking to keep their winning run in SW6 going, in two weeks time.

Tickets are available for supporters to purchase on General Sale and start from £25 for adults and £15 for juniors.

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



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/january/20/next-at-the-cottage

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 6-0 Burton Albion: We can beat anyone and the Slavalution continues - fan reaction

The Cottagers put in a commanding display to win 6-0 and social media was pretty happy with the result

What a game, what a display, what a Fulham performance.

6-0.

This was perhaps Fulham's best display of the season, with the first half in particular being an overwhelming effort from the Cottagers.

Rui Fonte was on fire with his two goals, Ryan Sessegnon showed his usual trickery and class, Lucas Piazon deserved his goal, Aboubakar Kamara produced an incredible finish and Ryan Fredericks was a constant threat.

It's difficult to find words for how good Fulham were at points today. They simply looked a different level to Burton.

Social media found tried it's best to describe the win and it's hard to disagree with any of what was said.



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/fulham-6-0-burton-albion-14182382

[WhiteJC]

 
"What a player he's going to be' – Championship fans join Fulham fans in purring over performance of star performer



Fulham were rampant this afternoon as they took their attacking play to a new level and destroyed a hapless Burton Albion side at Craven Cottage, dispatching the visitors with ease to run out 6-0 winners.

One of the standout players for the Cottagers yet again was young star Ryan Sessegnon, who bagged his eighth and ninth goals of the season with another brace to further showcase his tremendous talent as the Premier League clubs begin to circle.

Sessegnon was a class above the rest of the players on the pitch and once again defied his age – he is still only 17 – to put in a showing of someone who has been plying their trade for years.

It is inevitable that Sessegnon will move on sooner or later, but tonight plenty of football fans have joined the Fulham contingent in having massive praise for the youngster, with many taking to social media to give their opinion on just how good they think Sessegnon can be.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/what-a-player-hes-going-to-be-championship-fans-join-fulham-fans-in-purring-over-performance-of-star-performer/

[WhiteJC]

 
Everything Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic said after the Cottagers' incredible 6-0 win over Burton Albion

The home side eased to victory and are in the fight for the Championship's top positions

Here is all of Slavisa Jokanovic's reaction.

Happy with result and performance today?

Yes it is good because we have extended our good run at home. This is our fifth league game what we have won.

First of all we won the game because we respected them and my team was focused and concentrated and played very good football. We especially played well in the first 45 minutes, we moved the ball fast, we created the chances for the goal.

The second time we more or less try to control the situation and score some goals. It is a great thing and we must keep going and be ready for the games ahead of us.

Most pleasing aspect?

My team was working well altogether. We respect them (Burton), they won their last three away games, we lost away against them and at the end we found a great solution to win the game.
Pleased for Rui Fonte and Lucas Piazon?


Rui Fonte scored twice in Fulham's win against Burton

Yes, we expect some games where we don't find so many spaces behind the defensive line and he can help us in these moments. It is great for his confidence, he is working really well and it is great news for him to score two goals today.

Lucas Piazon today played very well, it is great for his confidence too after a long injury. We know him from last season, we know him from the beginning of this season. He is part of our improvement in last few games and he deserves to score some goals. He can be happy to find some end product from his very hard work, then he completed a great game and can be better in the future.

First goal important

It is really important for us and this is is key to win the game. I don't need to talk today about our defensive mistake because we defended well with the ball and didn't give them any option and best way for this kind of situation is to score the goals.

For the first half we played good football, we moved the ball fast and scored the goals. We scored first and second and at the end everything started to be easier for the team and more difficult for the opponents.
Goals flying in now, what has changed?

It's simple, people need time for adaptation, people need time to understand what we want. We expected we were going to play better. Points from the beginning of the season are important too, and we are where we are. We are in the challenge and the fight for important position in the Championship and these last few games and today too encourage us to keep going and to push us to fight for the top positions in the Championship.



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everything-fulham-boss-slavisa-jokanovic-14182532

[WhiteJC]

Fonte fires as Fulham hit Burton for six
by Dan on January 20, 2018

Rui Fonte and Ryan Sessegnon bagged a pair of braces as Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham stretched their unbeaten run to seven Championship fixtures by brutally burying Burton Albion at Craven Cottage this afternoon. The much-maligned Portuguese forward, who had scored once in his first twelve appearances since his summer switch from Braga, seized his chance to shine and could have completed a first half hat-trick as the Whites made it a miserable hundredth game in charge for Burton boss Nigel Clough.

Fulham had made a fast start, taking the game to their visitors, but their initial forays were repelled by Burton's flat back five. The hosts' breakthrough arrived on eighteen minutes after Luke Murphy's loose pass was collected by Ollie Norwood and the Northern Ireland found birthday boy Lucas Piazon, whose clever first touch and acceleration carried him clear of the Burton defence in an instant. The Brazilian raced through on Stephen Bywater and unselfishly squared for Fonte to roll a simple finish into the unguarded net.

The goal galvanised the hosts and a second might have come four minutes later. Piazon spread the play beautifully for Sessegnon, whose rasping drive stung Bywater's hands, and the pair were to become increasingly influential as the afternoon went on. The Chelsea loanee lined up on the right of a fluid front three but darted inside leaving oceans of space for Ryan Fredericks to exploit on his excursions forward from right back, whilst Sessegnon crept into a number of threatening central positions from the left. The teenager created Fulham's next opening with a low cross that eluded Stefan Johansen and Fonte before Piazon was robbed before being able to strike at goal.

Fredericks then skied two efforts over the bar – including one when Piazon looked unselfishly for the full back when he could have gone for goal himself – but the pair were soon to combine beautifully for Fulham's second. Found by Norwood's searching pass, Fredericks breezed past Tom Flanagan and cut the ball back to the edge of the box. Burton's defenders bought a dummy from Johansen, whose step over created the extra seconds for Piazon to pick his spot from fourteen yards, for his first goal in five months after battling back from a horrendous leg break at Leeds.

Another Fredericks cross set up the third – seven minutes before half time – when the speed merchant's floated delivery found Fonte, who showed real physicality and persistence, to shrug off the attentions of John Brayford and Jake Buxton and prod home his second from point blank range after his header had been bravely blocked.

The second half felt a little anti-climatic after the electricity of those fifteen minutes before the break. Burton looked to restore some pride and Flanagan fired into the Hammersmith End after Martin Samuelson's centre had been nodded down to him by Sordell. Tom Naylor's through ball almost released Lloyd Dyer behind the Fulham back line but the underemployed Marcus Bettinelli averted the danger with a diving header.

Fulham's attacking instincts were reawakened by the introduction of Tom Cairney from the substitutes bench and the Whites found a fourth with another lovely move down the right. A low Fredericks cross came for Johansen and when the Norwegian's shot was blocked, Sessegnon stroked home authoritatively from close range – just as he had last season against the Brewers.

The seventeen year-old demonstrated his predatory finishing ability again when drove home an eighth goal in his last eleven outings when another deflected Johansen drive fell his way and Fulham weren't finished there. A hungry Aboubakar Kamara had already been foiled by Bywater, but the Albion keeper was beaten for the sixth time in the last minute. Cairney's defence-splitting pass sent the ex-Amiens forward clear on goal and Kamara produced the deftest of dinks to complete the rout.

At times Fulham's football was sublime – and hinted at a return to the mesmerising way in which they climbed into the top six with Championship winning form in the second half of last season. They will need to pass tougher tests then this to remain in the promotion picture but this was a scoreline that, echoing Norwood's words following last weekend's win at Middlesbrough, might just make the rest of the division pause for thought.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, Odoi, Kalas, Ream; McDonald, Norwood (Cairney 64), Johansen; Piazon (de la Torre 81), R. Sessegnon, Fonte (Kamara 75). Subs (not used): Button, S. Sessegnon, Djalo, Kebano.

GOALS: Fonte (18, 38), Piazon (34), R. Sessegnon (72, 79), Kamara (89).

BURTON ALBION (5-4-1): Bywater; Flanagan, Akins, Brayford (Akpan 70), Buxton, McFadzean; Samuelson (Sbarra 78), Naylor, Murphy (Allen 64), Dyer; Sordell. Subs (not used): Campbell, Lund, Palmer, Vardy.

BOOKED: Murphy, Samuelson.

REFEREE: Tim Robinson (West Sussex).

ATTENDANCE: 19,003



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/01/fonte-fires-as-fulham-hit-burton-for-six/

[WhiteJC]

Jokanovic hails Fonte and Piazon
by Dan on January 20, 2018

Slavisa Jokanovic praised the returning Rui Fonte and Lucas Piazon after the pair put in splendid performances as Fulham hit Burton for six at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The Serbian head coach was pleased that his side continued their excellent home on the banks of the River Thames and showed a real killer instinct to put the Brewers to the sword. He told his post-match press conference:

    It's good because we extended our good run at home. My team was focused and concentrated. We played a lot of good football, and at the end we played especially well. In the first 45 minutes we moved the ball quickly, and created chances to score goals. In the second 45 minutes we tried to control the situation and also score some goals.

Jokanovic was especially delighted for Fonte, who has endured a difficult start to life in the Championship after getting injured having broken his Fulham duck at Ipswich in August. The Portuguese striker grabbed two goals in a high quality performance – and the Whites' head coach indicated that he will have a significant role to play in the second half of the season:

    It's great news for Rui to score two goals today. We expect some games where we won't find as much space behind the defensive line and Rui can help us with his movement. It's great for his confidence. He is working well daily and trying to prove himself.

The Fulham boss reserved special praise for Lucas Piazon, who opened the scoring with a fine finish on his birthday, and has showed such determination to make an earlier than expected return from a serious injury for the second season running.

    Lucas played very well today. It's great for his confidence too, after being out for such a long time with an injury. He deserved to score a goal and to make himself happy, and it's the end product of a lot of really hard work that he put in that is now behind him. He played a great game but we expect he'll be even better in the future.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/01/jokanovic-hails-fonte-and-piazon/