Sunday Fulham Stuff (11/02/18)...

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Results

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

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Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović believed his side created enough chances to win the game, but that they just weren't able to find that one clinical moment as Fulham and Bolton split the points on a wintry evening in the Northwest.

Fulham took the lead in the fourth minute through Matt Targett's first ever professional goal, but Adam Le Fondre's dipping 61st-minute equaliser ensured the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

When asked if he was disappointed or satisfied with a draw, Jokanović was noncommittal. "It's part of football," the Head Coach said. "We came here with the intention to win the game."

"We opened the game well," he continued. "We scored one goal, but we could have scored two.

"We dominated the game, especially in the first half. From one moment in the second half, they scored their goal, and then they played the game they wanted to play."

"You cannot dominate for 90 minutes every game," Jokanović said, referring to his team's recent run of good form. "We didn't play a perfect game, but we still made enough chances to win the game.

"We created many chances and tried to find some sort of benefit with our substitutions. We tried to find Aboubakar Kamara and Aleksandar Mitrović with the ball.

"But in the end, we tried a lot of chances, but we couldn't score. That's it," Jokanović lamented.

"They scored a fantastic goal. We tried, but we just couldn't score a second goal."

Jokanović ended on an encouraging note. "At the end," he said, "we created enough chances in the first and the second halves to win the game.

"We got only point today, but we have be ready and keep going for the next game."




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/february/10/head-coach-reaction-bolton-wanderers

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Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Fulham

Le Fondre's last goal for Bolton was on the first day of the season

Adam Le Fondre's first goal in more than six months saw Bolton come from behind to draw with in-form Fulham.

Fulham, who had won their previous five league games, took the lead when Matt Targett headed in from close range.

Substitute Le Fondre volleyed in his first goal in 21 matches to put the hosts back on level terms.

Sammy Ameobi then had a goal ruled out for a foul before the visitors went close at the other end late on as Stefan Johansen hit the post.

The visitors, who are six points off the top two and remain in fifth place, had been leading for almost an hour after Targett, who is on loan from Southampton, opened the scoring with his first ever league goal after just four minutes.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side could have doubled their advantage soon after when Rui Fonte was denied when one-on-one with Wanderers keeper Ben Alnwick.

Aboubakar Kamara had a chance to make it 2-0 after the break but he failed to turn in Johansen's cross from five yards and the hosts were level soon afterwards as Le Fondre volleyed past Marcus Bettinelli from the edge of the box.

Bolton, who are 19th in the table, thought they had taken the lead but Ameobi's effort was ruled out for a foul on Bettinelli.

Bolton manager Phil Parkinson:

"I was disappointed with the way we started. We were a bit lacklustre and got punished.

"After that thought it was a very good performance, we grew into the game and I am pleased we went toe to toe with the in-form team in the league.

"Adam doesn't want to be known as just a good sub, but it is important if he is on the bench that he comes off and makes an impact like he did."

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic told BBC Radio London:

"You cannot be completely happy after a result like today. We came here with the mentality and desire to win the game but didn't do it.

"We tried and we pushed at the end. We are disappointed but we must be strong adults and accept this situation.

"We have 15 finals in front of us and have to be ready for all these games."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42927217

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Report: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Fulham

Adam Le Fondre's sublime half-volley earned Wanderers a deserved draw against promotion-chasing Fulham at Macron Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors drew first blood inside five minutes, with Matt Targett's close-range header eluding Ben Alnwick in the Bolton goal.

But Wanderers were back level just after the hour mark, with Le Fondre's sublime half-volley from 18 yards giving Marcus Bettinelli absolutely no chance whatsoever.

And despite their best efforts to take all three points, they had to settle for just the one come full time.

TEAM NEWS

Wanderers made one change to the starting XI who turned out against Bristol City last time out, with Zach Clough coming into the fray in place of Tyler Walker.

FIRST HALF

The game got underway in torrid conditions at Macron Stadium, with the visitors putting Bolton under pressure from the off.

And they were rewarded inside five minutes as Lucas Piazon headed the ball across goal, with Targett finding the net from close range with Ben Alnwick unable to keep his header out.

It was almost two three minutes later as Rui Fonte dispossessed David Wheater who was attempting to deal with a ball deep into Bolton's territory, but Alnwick came to the rescue for Wanderers with his foot keeping the forward's effort out.

Wanderers were having to bide their time in terms of creating their own opportunities, with Fulham ruling in possession, although the Whites were keeping them confined to the middle third of the pitch for the most part.

With 18 minutes on the clock however, the Trotters tested Marcus Bettinelli for the first time, with the shot-stopper's fingers tipping a goalbound Zach Clough effort over the crossbar with Macron Stadium already rising to its collective feet.

The chance certainly rejuvenated the home side too, with Sammy Ameobi proving himself a handful in the minutes that followed as Bolton went in search of a leveller.

A succession of Fulham injuries meanwhile saw the flow of the game stunted, with Wanderers unable to find their groove as the visitors dropped like flies.

Clough enjoyed another chance to pull Bolton back onto level terms shortly after the half hour mark as, following good work from Ameobi to pluck the ball out of the air and lay it off for the advancing forward, our No.40 was denied by a smart Bettinelli save from 12 yards.

Wanderers' confidence was growing with each passing attack, and although the Fulham 'keeper wasn't having too much to deal with in terms of goalmouth action, the Cottagers were visibly panicking as they looked to clear the ball away from danger.

Following a period of Bolton pressure as the half drew to its conclusion, the visitors almost snatched a second on the stroke of half time, only for Beevers to block Ryan Sessegnon's effort from a tight angle to ensure that it was just the one goal advantage for Fulham at the break.

SECOND HALF

With no changes for either side at the break, proceedings got back underway and it was Wanderers who looked liveliest early on.

The visitors didn't waste much time however in making a double substitution, with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Aboubakar Kamara entering the fray as the Cottagers looked to put the game beyond Bolton.

And the latter almost made the perfect introduction, only to put his effort wide of the mark with just Alnwick to beat.

Wanderers were soon back on the attack though, with some neat build-up play seeing the home faithful respond in kind with their vocal backing.

Just before the hour mark, Phil Parkinson made his first changes of the game with Filipe Morais replacing Little and Adam Le Fondre taking the place of Clough.

And Le Fondre made his mark just a matter of minutes later, with his sublime angled half-volley from the edge of the box giving Bettinelli absolutely no chance as he drew Bolton level and sent the home faithful into raptures.

Wanderers were hungry for more, and with Fulham on the ropes, they poured forward in search of a second and saw Le Fondre come close again, with his shot deflecting off a Cottagers shirt and being palmed away by Bettinelli.

The Whites were knocking, and Josh Vela saw a golden opportunity – following good hold-up play by Le Fondre – fly narrowly over the crossbar from 20 yards.

They even had the ball in the back of the net with 18 minutes remaining, but the whistle had been long blown for a foul by Ameobi on the keeper before he poked an effort home.

Fulham weren't for lying down however, with Wheater required to dispossess Kamara inside the six yard box just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Wanderers continued to press themselves, Ameobi making inroads and shrugging off a couple of challenges before firing just wide of the upright with seven minutes left.

Mitrovic came close for Fulham meanwhile, seeing a snapshot from the edge of the area whisk past the post with Alnwick stranded.

They looked set to snatch the victory too with just two minutes left as Stefan Johansen mazed into the box, but his eventual effort was the wrong side of the near post to Bolton's relief.

And with four minutes indicated at the end of the 90, both teams were throwing everything forward as the clash swung to and fro.

But come full time, the spoils were shared at Macron Stadium.




https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2018/february/report-bolton-wanderers-v-fulham/

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Bolton 1-1 Fulham: Player ratings as Adam Le Fondre's wonder strike cancels out Matt Targett's effort

The Southampton loanee got his first goal for the club it was cancelled out by a thunderous Le Fondre effort - here's how we rated the players

A first goal in Fulham colours for Matt Targett was cancelled out by a magnificent Adam Le Fondre effort as the Whites drew 1-1 with Bolton.

Slavisa Jokanovic named an unchanged team to face Bolton this afternoon, with skipper Tom Cairney returning to the squad after missing the last two games through injury.

It was a fantastic start for the away side when Ryan Sessegnon's cross found Lucas Piazon, who cushioned his header for Targett in the middle of the box to nod home after five minutes.

But Bolton equalised in the second half through Le Fondre, when he let the ball bounce and unleashed a sensational strike into the top corner, giving Marcus Bettinelli no chance.

Here's how we rated the side:

Bettinelli 6: Made two decent saves to keep Fulham ahead in the first half. Could do nothing to stop a stunning strike from Adam Le Fondre.

Fredericks 5: A few speedy runs forward but with no end product in the first period. Didn't have much of an impact on proceedings in the second.

Sessegnon 5: Good cross for the first goal and looked like the outlet for the home side. A few poor bits of decision making in terms of ball selection but not a bad game

McDonald 6: There's only so many ways you can describe McDonald's performances - this was another solid show.

Johansen 5: Looked a little off the boil this week but tried to get the side going in the middle. Didn't do too much in the second half.

Fonte 6: Made some good runs and did well to win the ball back for his chance, but he should've scored. Replaced by Mitrovic as the game became more physical.

Ream 7: Solid outing at his former home from the American but him and Kalas looked suspect to the long ball forward once again.

Norwood 6: Dictated tempo but there was no real cutting edge in the final ball. Was replaced by Cairney after Fulham struggled to get a foothold in the second half.

Piazon 6: Nice cushioned header back to Targett for his goal but tried too many flicks in the middle. Was replaced by Kamara after 51 minutes.

Targett 6: Good positioning to score the opener and had a fairly solid game defensively.

Kalas 7: A solid and commanding display from the centre half but was suspect to dealing with the long balls forward.

Subs -

Mitrovic 5: Had an immediate impact and nearly put Kamara in with his first touch of the ball. Held the ball up a few times but rarely troubled.

Kamara 6: Missed a sitter with his first touch but did cause the Bolton back line a problem with his pace.

Cairney 6: Looked to try and get Fulham moving but didn't have any real impact on proceedings.




https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/bolton-1-1-fulham-player-14272421

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Fulham have to settle for point at Bolton

Bolton 1 Fulham 1

Matt Targett scored his first Fulham goal but they were unable to hang on for the three points.

Targett headed in from close range after Lucas Piazon had headed Ryan Sessegnon's cross towards the on-loan defender.

Matt Targett heads home from close range after Sessegnon's cross is nodded back across goal by Piazon.

Aboubakar Kamara missed a great chance for Fulham when he sliced wide of the target soon after coming on as a substitute.

It proved to be a costly miss, with Bolton substitute Adam Le Fondre then equalising with a cracking 25-yard volley a couple of minutes after coming on.

The visitors then had to withstand a spell of pressure.

Sammy Ameobi had a goal disallowed after being adjudged to have fouled Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli, and Le Fondre went close to scoring a second.

Fulham: Bettinelli, Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Targett, McDonald, Norwood (Cairney 74), Johansen, Piazon (Kamara 51), Fonte (Mitrovic 51), Sessegnon.
Subs not used: Button, Odoi, Christie, Ayite.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-denied-victory-le-fondre-strike

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Everything Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic said after the 1-1 draw with Bolton

Here's everything Jokanovic said in his short post-match press conference at the Macron

Here's everything that Slavisa Jokanovic had to say after the 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers.
Disappointed with draw or pleased?

"It's part of football, we came here with the intention of winning the game and we opened the game well, after the first goal we could score a second.

"We dominated the game, especially in the first half and we find many situations where they took the risk and played at the back, two against two or three on three, we didn't exploit this space and didn't score the goal.

"In one moment in the second half bring us in this game - they played what they wanted to play with the aerial challenge and the long ball.

"We lost a little bit of the possession and at the end we created enough chances to win the game.

"I had Rui Fonte one against one, Aboubakar Kamara one against one, and Mitrovic too, we didn't scored today.

"We won only one point, but we keep going and be ready for next step."

Seemed to lose rhythm after first 15 minutes?

"Part of the football game, you cannot dominate 90 minutes.

"At the end, in my opinion, we didn't play some perfect game but made enough to win this game.

"We created many chances, we tried with two subs to find a benefit in the spaces that we expected we would find and Aboubakar ran well.

"A few times, we found with Mitrovic to be the target man and try connect with him too, we lost some possession of the ball but created chances what we tried to do.

"We didn't score, they scored a fantastic goal - it was fantastic and at the end they deserved to score the goal, we didn't score a second.

"We took some risks at the end and they try to take half chances and they can score like us too."




https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everything-fulham-boss-slavisa-jokanovic-14273443

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Le Fondre punishes flaky Fulham's failure to finish
by Dan on February 10, 2018

A sensational strike from Adam Le Fondre punished Fulham's failure to finish a hatful of chances as the Whites' winning run ended in a 1-1 draw at Bolton Wanderers this afternoon.

The former Reading forward, a regular scourge of Fulham in the past, answered Phil Parkinson's call in the grandest of manners just minutes after stepping off the bench at the Macron Stadium. Marcus Bettinelli stood absolutely no chance with a dipping half volley from the left wing, which flew into the far corner at pace. It was some way for Le Fondre to score his first goal since the season's opening day.

Until Le Fondre's wonder goal arrived from nowhere, Fulham looked in complete command. Slavisa Jokanovic's paid the penalty for failing to build on Matt Targett's fifth minute opener. The left back headed home Lucas Piazon's flick from a Ryan Sessegnon cross to get off the mark for the Cottagers but Fulham passed up several opportunities to put the game beyond Bolton.

The clearest of those came two minutes later when Rui Fonte robbed David Wheater and raced clear but placed a tame shot too close to Ben Alnwick. Fulham played plenty of pretty football but couldn't extend their lead before the break with Sessegnon's snapshot bravely blocked by Mark Beevers.

Bolton's best openings came courtesy of their little and large strike partnership: Zac Clough and Sammy Ameobi. Clough forced Bettinelli to tip over a rising drive and then perhaps should have then better than shooting at the Fulham goalkeeper when the former Newcastle forward played him in.

Jokanovic opted to add more attacking options after the break, introducing Aleksandar Mitrovic and Aboubakar Kamara. The Serbian's double change almost had the desired effect but the Frenchman sidefooted wide from close range after a flowing Fulham move moments after coming on.

In a frustrating second period, Fulham had to weather some serious home pressure after Le Fondre's stunning intervention. He almost made it two with a deflected drive that Bettinelli did well to parry and then turned provider for Josh Vela, whose long-range effort just cleared the crossbar.

The Whites applied concerted pressure of their own to Alnwick's goal late but failed to work the Wanderers goalkeeper enough. Mitrovic, who still lacked sharpness, sent a shot on the turn agonisingly wide and Wheater smothered a Kamara shot at source.

The visitors' best chance arrived two minutes from time. Stefan Johansen's superb run took him from the right wing to a shooting position six yards out but he shot into the side netting from the acutest of angles with three team mates waiting for a tap in. Fulham will have to rediscover their finishing instincts ahead of Aston Villa's visit to Craven Cottage next weekend.

BOLTON WANDERERS (4-4-2): Alnwick; Little (Morais 59), Dervite, Wheater, Beevers; Henry, Derik, Robinson, Vela; Ameobi (Walker 89), Clough (Le Fondre 59). Subs (not used): Howard, Burke, Flanagan, A. Taylor.

BOOKED: Little, Henry.

GOAL: Le Fondre (61).

FULHAM (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, Targett, Kalas, Ream; McDonald, Norwood (Cairney 74), Johansen; Piazon (Kamara 51), R. Sessegnon, Fonte (Mitrovic 51). Subs (not used): Button, Odoi, Christie, Ayite.

BOOKED: Johansen.

GOAL: Targett (5).

REFEREE: Robert Jones

ATTENDANCE: 14,386



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/02/le-fondre-punishes-flaky-fulhams-failure-to-finish/

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Jokanovic left frustrated by Fulham's finishing
by alandrewett on February 10, 2018

Slavisa Jokanovic was left frustrated by Fulham's failure to convert the chances that could have extended their winning run to seven games but struck a philosophical note after the Whites' 1-1 draw at Bolton.

Matt Targett gave Fulham the perfect start inside five minutes at the Macron Stadium – heading in his first goal for the club since signing from Southampton on loan, but Fulham were denied all three points by a world class equaliser from Adam Le Fondre.

Jokanovic told his post-match press conference:

    It's part of football. We came here with the intention to win the game. We opened the game well. We scored one goal, but we could have scored two.

    We dominated the game, especially in the first half. From one moment in the second half, they scored their goal, and then they played the game they wanted to play.

Jokanovic was disappointed that Fulham failed to continue their winning run – but felt there were positives to take from the contest.

    You cannot dominate for 90 minutes every game. We didn't play a perfect game, but we still made enough chances to win the game.

    We created many chances and tried to find some sort of benefit with our substitutions. We tried to find Aboubakar Kamara and Aleksandar Mitrovic with the ball. But in the end, we tried a lot of chances, but we couldn't score. That's it.

    At the end, we created enough chances in the first and the second halves to win the game. We got only point today, but we have be ready and keep going for the next game.




http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/02/jokanovic-left-frustrated-by-fulhams-finishing/