Sunday Fulham Stuff (08/04/18)...

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Results

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

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Sheffield Utd 0-1 Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic joined Fulham on loan from Newcastle in January

Fulham narrowed the gap on second-placed Cardiff to two points as Aleksandar Mitrovic's goal earned them a crucial win at Sheffield Wednesday.

The Serbia striker fired in his ninth goal in nine games late on to stretch Fulham's unbeaten run to 19 matches.

Fulham looked set to be frustrated despite dominating the game, with Ryan Sessegnon hitting the bar and Mitrovic and Stefan Johansen also going close.

But Mitrovic smashed in Sessegnon's cross for their seventh win in eight.

Fulham may still have to settle for a Championship play-off place with the Bluebirds having a game in hand, but three of their remaining five fixtures are against teams battling relegation.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side host Reading on Tuesday, before finishing the campaign against Sunderland at Craven Cottage and Birmingham City away.

In between, they have matches against London rivals Brentford and Millwall.

Fulham were good value for their victory, missing numerous chances before Mitrovic's strike - although Wednesday almost snatched an unlikely equaliser in stoppage time when Fernando Forestieri shot over.

The Owls failed to have a shot on target and look destined for a mid-table finish.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43602110

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Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović believed his side "showed quality" to beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 away at Hillsborough.

An 82nd-minute Aleksandar Mitrović goal was enough to secure all three points for the Whites in a pivotal clash as the end of the season rounds into view.

"We must be satisfied with our performance," the Fulham Head Coach said. "We showed quality and we showed that we can compete as well. It was a complete game. I believe we deserved these three points."

Reflecting on the two halves, Jokanović noted that the Whites "Played well and showed quality and patience.

"We had to," he continued, "because in the first half we didn't move with enough pace. The pitch played a little slow, and we weren't fast enough [to compensate.]

"But in the second half we raised our game. We were more clinical. Today, in the end, we knew how to manage the end of the game and we got a positive result."

Still, Jokanović did not want his side to rest on their laurels. "We must be ready first thing tomorrow morning to start preparing for the Reading game," he said. 

"Even though we are satisfied, we don't have the time to enjoy it too much because we have to get ready for the next game."

When asked about whether this result means Fulham can start looking towards the automatic promotion places, the Head Coach was sanguine: "We've never been second yet this season, so maybe now Cardiff will feel some pressure on them

"We are trying to do something, but it's actually so faraway. Right now there's a two-point difference between us and Cardiff has a game in hand.

"We are completely relaxed. We can try to surprise them, but if they don't give us a push, then it won't be possible.

"We can't be under pressure because we're not in second place. We can win something, they can lose something. This is actually the situation. I can't add anything more."

In the end, Jokanović reiterated that he is solely focusing on the next match. "The only thing I can control is the Reading game," he said. "I expect my team will be refreshed and motivated enough to put in a good performance.

"We're going to get ready for Reading and try to win those three points."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/april/07/head-coach-reaction

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Football League: Fulham keep up promotion pressure, Grigg's on fire

• Mitrovic keeps pressure on Cardiff, Villa crash at Norwich
• Grigg scores hat-trick for Wigan, Graham keeps Blackburn on top


Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring Fulham's goal with Ryan Sessegnon. Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action Images

    Fulham ratcheted up the pressure on second-placed Cardiff in the race for automatic promotion with a late-coming win at Sheffield Wednesday. Their 1-0 victory came via the now habitual route of an intervention from Ryan Sessegnon setting up a strike from Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored his ninth goal in nine games.

    In Saturday's earlier kick-off, Aston Villa's hopes of automatic promotion from the Championship suffered a potentially fatal blow in a 3-1 defeat by Norwich. Goals from Josh Murphy, Dennis Srbeny and James Maddison against Jack Grealish's single strike for Villa ended Steve Bruce's team's hopes of capitalising on Cardiff's 1-0 loss to Wolves on Friday.

    Despite Millwall's charge continuing with an eighth win in 10 matches that saw them leapfrog Bristol City with a 2-0 win, they were unable to crash the top six due to wins from Middlesbrough in sixth and Derby in fifth.

    Championship top scorer Matej Vydra grabbed a 20th of the season in Derby's 3-0 rout of Bolton, while Boro brushed aside Nottingham Forest and former manager Aitor Karanka, with a 2-0 win.

    Barnsley gave their survival chances a huge boost with a 3-2 over South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United at Oakwell, with Tom Bradshaw grabbing the winner after Oli McBurnie had brought Barnsley level at 2-2. Blades, in danger of dropping off the pace in chasing for a play-off place, had gone 2-1 up after goals from John Fleck and Leon Clarke had followed Gary Gardner's opener. Blades ended Saturday four points behind Middlesbrough.

    The Tykes stayed in the bottom three but closed the gap on Bolton, while Birmingham had to satisfy themselves with a 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Burton with a late header from Lukas Jutkiewicz cancelling out Lloyd Dyer's opener.

    Sunderland failed to hang on to the lead they had taken through Paddy McNair at Leeds, when Pablo Hernández curled in the equaliser. Chris Coleman's team stayed level on points with Burton, and seven points from safety.

    Paul Clements collected the second win of his three games so far in charge of Reading with a 1-0 defeat of Preston, courtesy of a Modou Barrow goal.



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/07/football-league-barnsley-boost-survival-hopes-norwich-beat-aston-villa

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Sheffield Wednesday 0 Fulham 1: Goalkeeper was our best player - Luhukay

Sheffield Wednesday's mini-revival was cut short by the Championship's form team as the game's only real Premier League-calibre players connected to keep alive Fulham's automatic promotion hopes.

Lightning-quick full-back Ryan Sessegnon and Aleksandar Mitrovic combined nine minutes from time to pull Fulham to within two points of second-placed Cardiff as they extended their unbeaten run to 20 matches.

Sessegnon, who is being monitored by a host of Premier League clubs, was released down the left as he had been frequently throughout the game but this time his cross was pinpoint and Mitrovic - on loan from Newcastle - made it nine goals in nine games from six yards out.

It was the least Fulham deserved from a controlled performance. They could have had more were it not for the performance of Owls goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith who saved from Sheyi Ojo, Stefan Johansen and Neeskens Kebano. Sessegnon also clipped the top of the cross bar with a looping header.

Wednesday came into the game on the back of an encouraging run of three wins and a draw from their previous four games which had seen them allay any fears their injury-hit campaign would end in a battle against relegation.

But apart from some neat build-up play they could not create any clear-cut chances.

Tom Lees had described the fixture as a god baramoter of where the Owls are and on this evidence they remain some way off challenging at the top end of the Championship.

They did lose Barry Bannan to injury after 30 minutes but Owls fans were heartened to see a 15-minute cameo by Fernando Forestieri, who has missed much of the season through injury.

Forestieri could have equalised in stoppage time but blazed over.

Wednesday manager Jos Luhukay said:
"From the result it's disappointing, but I think in the first half we've come to some situations that we've created some chances, although coming to the last ball it was not always in the right direction.

"In the second half, no control, we were only defending, and Fulham were a lot stronger than we were, they had more chances aside from their goal, they could have scored three or four times.

"(Goalkeeper) Joe Wildsmith was the best player in our team, that says enough about our team. We lost the game against a very strong team. I have analysed Fulham, they are very intense and in the second half I see why this team is challenging for the top two positions.

"In the second half we were losing the ball and Fulham were pressing us directly and we could not come out. It was also not our strikers' day, they couldn't get on the ball and when they did it was not on dangerous areas.

"It was just working, fighting, defending and when we did have the ball we couldn't play football."



Read more at: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-0-fulham-1-goalkeeper-was-our-best-player-luhukay-1-9103510

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Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Fulham PLAYER RATINGS: Mitrovic nets as the unbeaten run extends to 19

Another Mitrovic goal gave Fulham all three points as they cut the gap to Cardiff City to just two points in second

Another Aleksandar Mitrovic goal gave Fulham all three points at Hillsborough to cut the gap to Cardiff City in second to just two points.

Sheyi Ojo, who was brought back into the starting XI by Slavisa Jokanovic, thought he had given the side an 11th minute lead when he poked home Kevin McDonald's cross - but the assistant referee ruled it out for offside.

Ryan Sessegnon hit the bar after Mitrovic's flick up to the youngster in the six-yard box as Fulham continued to put pressure on the Wednesday defence in the first half.

Fulham struggled to find their rhythm in the second half as the home side pressed, and they probably should've taken the lead when Frederico Venancio popped up at the back post, but he fluffed his lines at the key moment.

However, it was Mitrovic who netted the goal for Fulham when he got on the end of Sessegnon's cross to send the fans behind that goal into raptures.

Here's how we rated the side:

Bettinelli 7: Nothing to do in the first half. Was alert and off his line quick when he needed to be in the second half.

Fredericks 7: Attacked well but his standout in the first 45 was a covering challenge on the far side on the pitch to deny a Wednesday break.

Odoi 7: Fantastic in the air against the biggest man on the pitch. Another good performance at centre back for the Belgian.

Ream 8: Solid showing in the first 45 once again - consistent performances.

Targett 7: Another good performance down the left from the loan man. Allowed Sessegnon to attack while holding down the forst at left back.

Cairney 8: Controlled the tempo of the game from the heart of midfield. Tried to unlock the Wednesday defensive door and has a good game.

McDonald 7: Did his defensive duty very well, slotting into the middle of the two centre halves to make it a back five when Wednesday attacked.

Johansen 6: Not the best of games from Johansen today, who didn't impact proceedings as much as he usually does.

Sessegnon 8: Threatened down the left numerous times and was unlucky his header cannoned off the bar. Lovely ball into the box for Mitrovic to score.

Ojo 6: Directness caused a problem in the first half. Struggled in the second 45 to have an impact, with his shooting gradually getting worse as the game wore on.

Mitrovic 7: Had a header saved by a brilliant save, but not a great game from Mitrovic this afternnon. Great finish to give the side the lead.

Subs -

Ayite 6: Didn't have too much impact on the side before having to come back off as a result of injury.

Kebano 7: Immediate impact on proceedings after his ball played in Johansen. Ability on the ball really caused Wednesday problems, drawing a number of fouls.



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/sheffield-wednesday-0-1-fulham-14503023

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Aleksandar Mitrovic drops massive hint as he opens up about his future at NUFC & Fulham



NUFC loanee Aleksandar Mitrovic has dropped the biggest hint yet ahead of his potential NUFC exit this summer, admitting that he'd love to stay at Fulham – stating his agent will be working on completing a permanent move to Craven Cottage in the coming months.

Since leaving on loan on deadline day, the 23-year-old has scored a stunning 8 goals in 11 games, seeing him win the Championship's player of the month award for March this week.

He's clearly feeling loved and appreciated, but has also admitted (once again) that he's playing in a system that suits him so much better than the one deployed by Benitez at Newcastle.

Here's what he's had to say in a revealing interview with the Sun today:

     "If there is any chance, I would love to come back here.
    "I would love to stay but we have to finish the season well first, to be where we want to be and then there's the World Cup.
    "My agent will be working on all that. But, yes, I have a manager here who wants me — although maybe it all depends if Slavisa goes to Real Madrid... "

http://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2018/04/07/aleksandar-mitrovic-drops-massive-hint-as-he-opens-up-about-his-future-at-nufc-fulham/

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Mitrovic gives Fulham vital victory at Hillsborough



Sheff Wed 0 Fulham 1

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 78th-minute goal continued Fulham's brilliant run and moved them to within just two points of second-placed Cardiff.

The on-loan Newcastle striker blasted home from close range after being found by Ryan Sessegnon's cross.

It was Mitrovic's ninth goal in as many games for the Whites, who are now unbeaten in 19 league matches.

Fulham hit the woodwork and had a goal disallowed during the first half at Hillsborough.

They thought they had gone ahead when Kevin McDonald's cross was nudged in by Sheyi Ojo, but the offside flag was raised.

And the home side had another let-off when Sessegnon's cross from Mitrovic's cross landed on top of the bar.

Ojo also had an effort saved by keeper Joe Wildsmith, who produced a stunning save to deny Mitrovic as Fulham continued to threaten before the interval.

They were enduring a frustrating second half before Mitrovic pounced in emphatic fashion.
Fulham: Bettinielli, Fredericks, Odoi, Ream, Targett, McDonald, Johansen, Cairney, Ojo (Ayite 62), Mitrovic, Sessegnon
Subs not used: Button, Kalas, Christie, Norwood, Kebano, Kamara.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/sheffield-wednesday-fulham-championship-report-070418

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Why Fulham star Mitrovic is proving to be a contender for Championship signing of the season

The Serbian scored against Sheffield Wednesday to add to his impressive tally

If Plan A had panned out, Aleksandar Mitrovic would have been nowhere near Fulham. In fact, if Plans B, C, D and possibly E came to fruition then he would have been playing his football somewhere else too.

Mitrovic hadn't started a league game for Newcastle since last season, so needed to get out, to go somewhere in order to play.

On transfer deadline day Mitrovic thought he was heading to Bordeaux, then a deal for a loan to Anderlecht was agreed, before that fell through and the prospect of joining Middlesbrough was raised instead.

It wasn't until gone 10pm that he Snapchatted Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic, who had enquired after him earlier in the day, to inform him that everything else was falling through. A very specific 'come and get me' plea, directed through a medium traditionally used by teenagers and people trying to understand teenagers.

At 11pm Fulham scrambled a doctor to give Mitrovic a medical, and by 11.45pm the papers had been signed.


Alexsandar Mitrovic celebrates after scoring against Bristol City for Fulham on February 21. (Image: Harry Trump/Getty Images)

"I chose Fulham because of the style, because of the coach," Mitrovic told the Times a few days after the chaos. "Fulham play the best football in the league, definitely. It is the best move for me, even better than Anderlecht probably."

The best move for the player, and certainly the best move for the club. Fulham's current run of brilliant form had started well before the scramble to sign Mitrovic, but even as they were winning games there was still the nagging feeling there was one thing they really lacked.

Not many score more goals than Fulham: only Wolves, in fact, have more than their 57 so far this season. But they are spread throughout the team, and a troublingly low percentage of those came from their strikers. Floyd Ayite has four, Rui Fonte three, and Aboubakar Kamara managed seven, although one does slightly wonder how.

Of course in some respects not relying on one player for goals is a positive, but Fulham's top-scorer this season is Ryan Sessegnon, who spent a decent chunk of the season at left-back. What they needed was a proper centre-forward, what Antonio Conte calls a "reference point" to really capitalise on their strong form.

Mitrovic is providing that and more. Twelve starts, 11 goals, but perhaps more than that there's an aura about him that must be particularly comforting for Jokvanovic and Fulham fans in general.

This is a team who have struggled for a reliable striker really since Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele left. Chris Martin filled in on loan last season, and a fair amount of money was spent last summer (Fonte and Kamara cost around £13million) looking for a solution, with no definitive answer reached.


Moussa Dembele shoots at goal but sees his effort denied by Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Jason Steele. (Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Indeed, Fulham's history with big, high-profile strikers has been patchy, at best. Pavel Pogrebnyak, the curious case of Kostas Mitroglou, even going way back to Steve Marlet: this is not a position that has often served them well. It's only been a few games so due caution must be expressed, but already it doesn't feel like Mitrovic will go down the same route.

There was something about the way he took his second goal for the club, in the 2-0 win over Wolves in February that didn't feel anything close to a shock, that screamed 'proper striker.'

The ball reached him with about 40 yards and a whole Wolves defence between him and the goal. But there was no hesitation, no dithering and no brief consideration of other options: Mitrovic rolled his marker, created enough space for a shot and put his foot through the ball.

Into the bottom corner it went, the minimum of fuss expended, a few seconds of skill and controlled aggression that displayed a man who knows exactly what he's doing.

"I don't think about Rafa, about Newcastle," he said after the game, as reported by Get West London. "My only target is to help Fulham to get promoted."

The big Serb has always been an entertaining player to watch from a neutral's perspective, even if those who have managed him might occasionally disagree.

But assuming he can take just enough edge off the sort of aggressive instincts that got him booked 22 seconds into his Newcastle debut (and in fairness he hasn't seen a yellow card in over a year) then he could become the signing of the season.

Not just for Fulham, but perhaps in the whole Championship. And to think it was a signing that nobody really thought of until the last hours of deadline day.

"It's a good feeling to be here. I think Fulham needs me and I need Fulham, we both need each other and I'm really happy."



https://www.football.london/championship/aleksandr-mitrovic-fulham-serbia-newcastle-14338185

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Fulham pile pressure on promotion rivals Cardiff with victory at Hillsborough

Aleksandar Mitrovic fired Fulham to a priceless three points as their automatic promotion hopes were boosted by a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Second-placed Cardiff lost to Wolves on Friday night and Fulham now sit just two points behind the Bluebirds in the Sky Bet Championship.
Mitrovic struck the only goal of the game in the 78th minute when he seized on good work from Ryan Sessegnon to break the deadlock.
Fulham thought they had taken a 10th-minute lead when Sheyi Ojo turned in Kevin McDonald's cross, only for the winger to be flagged offside.
Ojo was soon in again. He wriggled his way into the box and cut inside onto his left foot. However, his shot was not powerful enough to trouble Joe Wildsmith, who got down and held comfortably.
McDonald then took aim from just inside the penalty area, aiming towards the bottom corner, but Wildsmith got down well to push it away.
Half an hour in and Fulham full-back Matt Targett sent a great low ball across the face of goal towards Mitrovic, however the striker's touch was not enough to guide the ball on target, going narrowly wide of the post.
The Owls had carried little threat and were soon to be frustrated. After a throw-in, Daniel Pudil was sent free down the left and sent a low cross to Lucas Joao who finished with a cheeky backheel. However, Pudil had long since been flagged for offside.
Near the end of the first half, Fulham missed a golden opportunity to snatch the lead. Ryan Fredricks aimed a great looping cross into Mitrovic and the big Serbian rose the highest, aiming a powerful header on goal, only to be denied by a brilliant save by Wildsmith who turned the ball over the bar.
Just past the hour mark, Wednesday centre-half Frederico Venancio thought he had a golden chance to snatch the lead. A free-kick was nodded onto his feet five yards from goal, but Venancio scuffed the ball wide, his blushes saved by the offside flag.
At the other end another opportunity was wasted. Tom Cairney pulled the ball across to McDonald just inside the box but the midfielder skied his first-time effort.
Fulham finally took the lead through Mitrovic. Teenager Sessegnon burst into the box from the left and threaded a perfect ball across to Mitrovic who calmly slotted home his ninth goal of the season.
Fulham missed an opportunity for a second goal soon afterwards. A superb long ball from Targett found substitute Neeskens Kebano, however he guided the ball wide of the post.
Wednesday had one last chance deep into injury time when Pudil pulled the ball across to substitute Fernando Forestieri, however he could not keep his shot down.



http://www.espn.co.uk/football/report?gameId=483212

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Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic hits winner

Aleksandar Mitrovic fired Fulham to a priceless three points as their automatic promotion hopes were boosted by a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Second-placed Cardiff lost to Wolves on Friday night and Fulham now sit just two points behind the Bluebirds in the Sky Bet Championship.

Mitrovic struck the only goal of the game in the 78th minute when he seized on good work from Ryan Sessegnon to break the deadlock.

Fulham thought they had taken a 10th-minute lead when Sheyi Ojo turned in Kevin McDonald's cross, only for the winger to be flagged offside.

Ojo was soon in again. He wriggled his way into the box and cut inside onto his left foot. However, his shot was not powerful enough to trouble Joe Wildsmith, who got down and held comfortably.

Fulham thought they had taken a 10th-minute lead when Sheyi Ojo turned in Kevin McDonald's cross, only for the winger to be flagged offside.

Ojo was soon in again. He wriggled his way into the box and cut inside onto his left foot. However, his shot was not powerful enough to trouble Joe Wildsmith, who got down and held comfortably.

Fulham finally took the lead through Mitrovic. Teenager Sessegnon burst into the box from the left and threaded a perfect ball across to Mitrovic who calmly slotted home his ninth goal of the season.

Fulham missed an opportunity for a second goal soon afterwards. A superb long ball from Targett found substitute Neeskens Kebano, however he guided the ball wide of the post.

Wednesday had one last chance deep into injury time when Pudil pulled the ball across to substitute Fernando Forestieri, however he could not keep his shot down.

The managers

Jos Luhukay: "From the result it's disappointing, but I think in the first half we've come to some situations that we've created some chances, although coming to the last ball it was not always in the right direction.

"In the second half, no control, we were only defending, and Fulham were a lot stronger than we were, they had more chances aside from their goal, they could have scored three or four times."

Slavisa Jokanovic: "It's very important. It's a crucial moment in the Championship as we're in the last few games. We try to put the team ahead of us under pressure and it's important not to give up and keep going forward and be ready for the next step.

"We created many chances, we had 20 shots, our defensive line is working very well. We didn't give Wednesday any chances to score goals. At the end of the game they had one situation which was dangerous for us. We're in a good moment, we trust each other and it is a very good moment for us. It's important for us to relax, rest and try to prepare for the match against Reading."



http://www.skysports.com/football/sheff-wed-vs-fulham/375110

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Fulham close in on Championship top two, Aston Villa stumble


PA Images

Aleksandar Mitrovic continued his remarkable goal scoring form as Fulham edged Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at Hillsborough to move within two points of the top two in the Championship.

The Cottagers had an opening after Cardiff suffered a dramatic defeat to leaders Wolves on Friday night and Mitrovic made sure they took advantage with his 11th goal in 10 games 12 minutes from time.

Cardiff have a game in hand but next face a trip to fourth-placed Aston Villa, whose automatic promotion hopes are hanging by a thread after they lost 3-1 at Norwich.

The impressive Josh Murphy put the Canaries ahead with a superb strike in first-half stoppage time and they wrapped up the victory thanks to goals from Dennis Srbeny and James Maddison either side of Jack Grealish's effort.

Barnsley boosted their survival chances as they came back to secure a 3-2 win over South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United, who are now four points off the top six.

Gary Gardner put the Reds in front with his first goal for the club but John Fleck and Leon Clarke netted after half-time to turn the game on its head.

Oliver McBurnie brought Barnsley level and Tom Bradshaw's header two minutes from time earned the hosts three crucial points.

Millwall's charge for a playoff spot continued as they beat Bristol City 2-0 at the Den to dent the Robins' top-six aspirations.

Goals in either half from Jed Wallace and Steve Morison were enough to stretch the Lions' unbeaten run to 15 games.

Derby and Middlesbrough kept Millwall at arm's length with victories over Bolton and Nottingham Forest respectively.

Alex Pearce, Matej Vydra and Tom Lawrence gave Derby a 3-0 win that leaves Bolton looking over their shoulder in their fight to avoid the drop, while Daniel Ayala and Stewart Downing ensured that Forest boss Aitor Karanka suffered a 2-0 defeat on his return to Boro.

Bolton's position just above the bottom three would have been more perilous had the bottom two, Sunderland and Burton, not surrendered leads.

Pablo Hernandez earned Leeds -- who finished with 10 men following Gaetano Berardi's late red card -- a 1-1 draw after Sunderland had gone ahead through Paddy McNair.

Burton were denied all three points after Lukas Jutkiewicz's late goal for Birmingham cancelled out Lloyd Dyer's opener.

Mo Barrow scored the only goal as relegation-threatened Reading inflicted a third straight defeat on playoff chasing Preston.

Hull took a huge stride towards survival themselves as they hammered QPR 4-0 with Harry Wilson, Alex Smithies (own goal), Kamil Grosicki and Abel Hernandez all finding the net. Nedum Onuoha rounded off a miserable afternoon for the visitors when he was sent off in stoppage time.

Neal Maupay's penalty was enough to give Brentford victory over Ipswich at Griffin Park.



http://www.espn.co.uk/football/english-league-championship/story/3446892/fulham-close-in-on-championship-top-twoaston-villa-stumble

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Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Fulham: Slavisa Jokanovic's side move to within two points of second place thanks to late Aleksandar Mitrovic goal

    Fulham found a late winner on Saturday to close gap on Cardiff to just two points
    The match-winner was Aleksandar Mitrovic with ninth goal in last nine games
    Slavisa Jokanovic's side are now unbeaten in 19 matches, winning 15
    It was a hard earned and well deserved victory against a disciplined Wednesday

As much as a team can stroll to a victory that is also hard earned, Fulham did that here.

It was ominous. An afternoon of frustration beckoned as they failed to convert their dominance into another win.

But Fulham had enough poise and self-belief to ensure that an opportunity to close to within two points of second-placed Cardiff was not wasted in the end.


Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic scores his side's first goal of the game to secure 1-0 victory


Mitrovic celebrates after scoring his side's first goal and winner against Sheffield Wednesday


Mitrovic broke the deadlock in the 78th minute to move Fulham to within two points of second


Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon (right) and Sheffield Wednesday's Jack Hunt battle for the ball


Sheffield Wednesday's Joey Pelupessy (left) and Fulham's Sessegnon challenge for the ball

The 15th victory of a 19 match unbeaten run duly arrived from the most probable of sources - Ryan Sessegnon and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Their deadly alliance contrived Mitrovic's ninth goal in as many games 12 minutes from time - and there was no way back for a dogged Wednesday whose keeper Joe Wildsmith prevented a heavier loss.

With Cardiff and Aston Villa having lost, manager Slavisa Jokanovic applied more pressure post-match.

Referring to Cardiff, he said: 'We cannot catch them; they can give us something.'

There is no margin for error for Neil Warnock's side despite their one game advantage.

'The win was very important and a crucial moment,' said Jokanovic. 'We are completely relaxed.

'We have never been second and this is some kind of bonus for us.'


Sessegnon celebrates the 1-0 win at Hillsborough after the final whistle on Saturday afternoon


Fulham's Ryan Fredericks (left) and Sheffield Wednesday's Atdhe Nuhiu battle for the ball

A third successive clean sheet was another ominous sign and Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay conceded: 'Fulham were better. They could have scored three or four more.'

Wednesday did well to stay in the game for so long. Finally, they were unhinged by the brilliance of Sessegnon and a prolific marksman borrowed from the Premier League.

Mitrovic, on loan from Newcastle, surged forward to blast home right in front of the posts after a surging run and cross from Sessegnon.

He had earlier forced the best of Wildsmith's saves with a point blank header.

'Fulham showed why they are fighting for the top two,' said Luhukay. 'They are very good.'

Unbeaten since a shock reverse at Sunderland four months ago, it is hard to envisage another defeat this season.


Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith deflects a shot past his goal during the match



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5589501/Sheffield-Wednesday-0-1-Fulham-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-scores-late-on.html#ixzz5C3twUUrP
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Games of interest for 10/04
Another mid-week games sees the whites take on last seasons play-off rivals Reading.

19 games unbeaten, what a run thats taken us to within 2 points of Cardiff and 2nd place! GAME ON

other games of interest include...

TUESDAY 10TH APRIL

Aston Villa v Cardiff

Bolton v Millwall

Bristol City v Birmingham

Preston NE v Leeds

Sheffield Utd v Middlesborough

Wolves v Derby



COYWs



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=140

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham victory 'a crucial moment' in promotion race – Jokanovic

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic believes his team's win at Sheffield Wednesday was a "crucial moment" in the race for promotion to the Premier League.

The Whites closed to just two points behind second-placed Cardiff by beating Wednesday 1-0 thanks to Aleksandar Mitrovic's goal.

The first half was a frustrating affair, with both sides having goals disallowed for offside, and the second period began in much the same vein with defences on top.

The deadlock was broken in the 78th minute through Mitrovic. Ryan Sessegnon burst into the box from the left and threaded a perfect ball across to Mitrovic who calmly slotted home his ninth goal of the season.

Jokanovic said: "It's very important. It's a crucial moment in the Championship as we're in the last few games.

We try to put the team ahead of us under pressure and it's important not to give up and keep going forward and be ready for the next step.

"We created many chances, we had 20 shots, our defensive line is working very well.

"We didn't give Wednesday any chances to score goals. At the end of the game they had one situation which was dangerous for us.

"We're in a good moment, we trust each other and it is a very good moment for us."



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-boss-says-win-sheffield-wednesday-crucial-moment-pursuit-cardiff

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanovic not thinking about catching Cardiff despite Fulham cutting gap to two points

The gap is just two points after Fulham beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 thanks to an Aleksandar Mitrovic goal

Slavisa Jokanovic isn't thinking about catching Cardiff City in second – despite cutting the gap to two points this afternoon.

Another Aleksandar Mitrovic goal meant that the side made it 19 games unbeaten with victory over Sheffield Wednesday, meaning they made up space on the Bluebirds after they lost 1-0 to Wolves on Friday night.

Neil Warnock's side still have a game in hand on Fulham, but the relentless machine that is the Cottagers is showing no signs of slowing down as they prepare to face Reading on Tuesday in a re-run of last season's play-off semi final.

Despite the positive results, Jokanovic insists he's not thinking about catching Cardiff, but thinks the Welsh side must be feeling some pressure with Fulham breathing down their necks.


(Image: Tim Goode/PA Wire)

He said: "I am not thinking about catching them, I am thinking about Reading.

"We cannot catch them, they can give us something and if they do we are going to try do our job.

"Without any collaboration from the Cardiff side, it's impossible for us and what I try to explain, I never tested my team in the position of second in the Championship.

"We are going to try it, first 40 laps we are so far off this position, now we are closer but it doesn't depend on us.

"Without them pushing us, it's impossible and they must feel some pressure from our side."



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jokanovic-not-thinking-catching-cardiff-14504305

[WhiteJC]

Mitrovic puts Fulham within touching distance of second
by Dan on April 7, 2018

For so long, it seemed as though Fulham would prove unable to capitalise on Cardiff City's untimely slip up last night. Sheffield Wednesday defended with determination and diligence but ultimately couldn't prevent Aleksandar Mitrovic from grabbing his ninth goal in as many games to settle a nervy contest at Hillsborough. The Serbian's strike extended Fulham's unbelievable unbeaten run to nineteen games and, crucially, cut the gap to second place to just two points.

Mitrovic's influence since moving to Craven Cottage on loan from Newcastle in January has been significant. Previously, Fulham played plenty of pretty football but lacked potency in the opposition's penalty area – now they have a deadly poacher who could fire them back to the top flight. He clinically converted Ryan Sessegnon's clever cross to break Wednesday's brave resistance twelve minutes from time.

Owls' boss Jos Luhukay was honest to admit afterwards that Fulham's flowing football could have been rewarded with three or four goals. Slavisa Jokanovic's side were ambitious from the outset and could have taken the lead inside twelve minutes but Sheyi Ojo strayed offside before turning in Kevin McDonald's cross. It was as good as a frustrating afternoon got for the Liverpool loanee.

The visitors then produced a sublime bit of one-touch passing that culminated with Sessegnon and Mitrovic combining on the edge of the box. The teenager instinctively headed the Serbian's lay-off towards goal but his looping header rattled the crossbar.

Wednesday's attempts at striking up a rhythm in response were undermined by Barry Bannan limping off injured, but an increasingly animated Jokanovic would have been frustrated that McDonald and Ojo shot straight at Joe Wildsmith from promising positions.

The home side looked most threatening from set pieces, where defender Daniel Pudil planted a free header over, although a fierce drive from Adam Reach was bravely blocked at source by the outstanding Tim Ream. Fulham could have taken the lead in first half stoppage time but Wildsmith superbly clawed away Mitrovic's bullet header from a Ryan Fredericks cross.

Wednesday emerged after the interval with more adventure and full back Jack Hunt pushed Fulham back with an enterprising run. His low cross flashed right across the face of goal and then Reach narrowly failed to get a telling touch on Jacob Butterfield's dangerous ball in.

Mitrovic, who was becoming more of a threat after looking isolated at times before the break, headed over from a corner as Fulham cranked up the pressure. The Whites should have gone ahead shortly afterwards but McDonald lashed wastefully wide after being teed up by Tom Cairney.

The visitors were laying siege to the Wednesday goal by now. Wildsmith did superbly to thwart Stefan Johansen at his near post and the lively Neeskens Kebano could have scored twice within ten minutes of replacing Floyd Ayite, whose own substitute appearance was cruelly curtailed by injury.

Fulham finally broke the deadlock with twelve minutes left. Sessegnon surged into space behind the Wednesday defence down the left and calmly sent a low cross along the six-yard line, which Mitrovic effortlessly into the roof of the net.

Wednesday kept pressing for an equaliser, but the closest they came was when a long range effort from Marco Mathias flew wide of Marcus Bettinelli's goal.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (3-5-2): Wildsmith; Pudil, Lees, Venancio; Hunt, G. Boyd (Mathias 86), Pelupessy, Bannan (Butterfield 31), Reach; Nuhiu, Joao (Forestieri 76). Subs (not used): Jones, Dawson, Thorniley, Rhodes.

BOOKED: Pudil, Butterfield.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, Targett, Odoi, Ream; McDonald, Johansen, Cairney; Ojo (Ayite 62, Kebano 72), R. Sessegnon, Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Button, Kalas, Christie, Norwood, Kamara.

GOAL: Mitrovic (78)

REFEREE: Steve Martin (Staffordshire).

ATTENDANCE: 26,653.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/04/mitrovic-puts-fulham-within-touching-distance-of-second/

[WhiteJC]

Jokanovic: 'It was a complete performance'
by Dan on April 7, 2018

Slavisa Jokanovic hailed Fulham's vital away win at Sheffield Wednesday as 'a complete performance'.

The Londoners cut the gap to second placed Cardiff City to just two points after Aleksandar Mitrovic scored the only goal of the game at Hillsborough. The Serbian head coach praised his side's display as first class and applauded Fulham's game management during his pre-match press conference.

    We must be satisfied with our performance. We showed quality and we showed that we can compete as well. It was a complete game. I believe we deserved all three points.

    We played well and showed quality and patience. We had to because in the first half we didn't move with enough pace. The pitch played a little slow and we weren't fast enough. But in the second half, we raised our game. We were more clinical. In the end, we knew how to manage the end of the game and we got a positive result.

Jokanovic isn't getting carried away, despite the developments of the past 24 hours, and is demanding that he is side are fully focused on Tuesday's return to Craven Cottage against Reading.

    We must be ready first thing tomorrow morning to start preparing for the Reading game. Even though we are satisfied, we don't have time to enjoy it too much because we have to be ready for the next game.

The Fulham boss also asserted that his side have little pressure on them as they attempt to chase down Cardiff.

    We've never been second yet this season, so maybe now Cardiff will feel some pressure on them. We are trying to do something, but it's actually so far away. Right now there is a two point difference between us and Cardiff have a game in hand.

    We are completely relaxed. We can try to surprise them, but if they don't give us a push, then it won't be possible. We can't be under pressure because we are not in second place. We can win something, they can lose something. This is actually the situation. I can't add any more.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/04/jokanovic-it-was-a-complete-performance/

[WhiteJC]

Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Fulham: Player ratings
by Dan on April 8, 2018

Marks out of ten for Slavisa Jokanovic's side after the Whites earned a vital victory at Hillsborough ...

Marcus Bettinelli: Almost a reprise of Bettinelli's Tuesday night against Leeds United. The Fulham goalkeeper was largely untroubled for much of the first half, although one misplaced pass out from the back nearly placed his team in jeopardy, but was busier after the break. There wasn't a magnificent save to be made this time, but his positioning and anticipation of through balls plus the way he scampered off his line was critical as Sheffield Wednesday sought to apply pressure towards the end of the contest. 7

Ryan Fredericks: The attacking full-back seemed a little shy of taking on his man for much of the first half, instead preferring to make supporting runs for Sheyi Ojo. It was telling that Fulham's best moment of the first 45 minutes came when he got behind the Wednesday back line and floated over a cross for Aleksandar Mitrovic, which drew a fine save from Joe Wildsmith. Much more prominent in the Owls' territory in the second half, but his most telling contribution came when he sprinted seventy yards to make a timely challenge in the left back area after a swift Wednesday break. 7

Matt Targett: Another mature showing from the Southampton loanee. Continually looked to bring the ball out from left back – but gave Ryan Sessegnon the licence to gallop beyond him, as he has done to such good effect since January, with a disciplined defensive performance. Made one mistake by being robbed as he tried a Cryuff turn on the halfway line, but his adventure might that Wednesday got no benefit from operating with wing-backs. 7

Denis Odoi: The Belgian utility man turned in another excellent performance at centre half to reward Slavisa Jokanovic's faith in him. Did brilliantly in the air against the man mountain that is Atdhe Nuhiu – winning far more than his fair share of headers and working hard to nullify the Kosovar forward's influence. Assured in possession and trusted to begin plenty of Fulham atacks from the heart of defence – Odoi's outstanding form means that Tomas Kalas will have to wait to make a return to the first-team. 7

Tim Ream: The American centre half was in imperious form once again this afternoon. He radiated confidence from the outset and pushed the dangerous Lucas Joao largely to the periphery both by giving the Portuguese striker very little sight of goal but also by reading the game so superbly. It was that innate ability to sense danger that saw Ream throw himself into front of a goalbound shot from Adam Reach in the first half – and Ream's display didn't dip after the break either. 8

Kevin McDonald: The Scottish international was found regularly in advance of the play for much of the opening twenty minutes – and succeeded in unleashing a couple of rasping drives from range, only one of which ended up on target. This wasn't exactly the way Jokanovic had planned it – and soon McDonald was back to doing what he does best, picking the pockets of opposition midfielders and breaking up play with relish. He even dropped deeper to fill in as an addtional centre back. As Fulham went searching for a breakthrough, McDonald found himself further forward again – and, such is his influence, you wonder how this team would cope without him. 7

Tom Cairney: A peerless afternoon for the Fulham captain, who was afforded plenty of time and space to dictate proceedings from the centre of the Hillsborough pitch. No Wednesday player was able to get close enough to prevent the midfielder from orchestrating Fulham attack after Fulham attack and Cairney revelled in the responsibility of giving the visitors more forward momentum than they had managed in the first period. Might have had a couple of goals himself on another day. 9

Stefan Johansen: The Norwegian got through plenty of work at the heart of the Fulham midfield and broke into some very dangerous positions, but just couldn't find the quality in the final third to match all that endeavour. Worked exceptionally hard in the first period to prevent the home side from enjoying anything but spasmodic periods of possession and then found himself the focal point of several Fulham breaks after half time. Unlucky not to score just after the hour mark when Wildsmith got his angles right in charging off his line to block Johansen's shot. 7

Sheyi Ojo: This was an infuriating return to the first team for the Liverpool loanee, who Jokanovic had preferred over Floyd Ayite. Initially, Ojo looked like Fulham's best source of a goal with his pace and trickery presenting a real problem to George Boyd, but he couldn't pick the right option in the final third. His shooting was tame and it appeared as though both his stamina and match sharpness evaporated in the second half. 6

Ryan Sessegnon: Always a real threat to any side as the advanced left winger that Jokanovic wants his team to get the ball to without delay. He skipped into threatening areas from the outset, largely unshackled by Jack Hunt, and was extremely unfortunate not to open the scoring when he headed that Mitrovic hit towards goal. Was a willing runner throughout and got his reward with twelve minutes to play when he sprinted clear of two Wednesday men before putting in the perfect cross for Mitrovic. 7

Aleksandar Mitrovic: Today was an excellent demonstration of what Mitrovic brings to any side he plays for. The opposition's centre backs will know that they have been in a game long before the Serbian's finished, although Fulhajm didn't really get the ball into advanced areas often enough in the first 45 minutes. Feeding off scrapsn Mitrovic was denied by a brilliant keep of goalscoring from Wildsmith in stoppage time – and he huffed and puffed for the remainder of the afternoon, getting his goal when he swept home that delicious Sessegnon delivery with twelve minutes left. 8

Substitutes:

Floyd Ayite (on for Sheyi Ojo, 62): This was a substitution that made sense, with Ojo struggling to even beat his man with the regularity he had managed in the first half, but Ayite limped off after just ten minutes that forced him off the field in some discomfort. 6

Neeskens Kebano (on for Floyd Ayite, 72): Wasted no little time in making Jokanovic sit up and take notice of his first Fulham appearance since the end of January at Barnsley. Might have had a hat-trick had he mustered up the finishing touch, especially when he decided to try and chip Wildsmith when surely taking it around the Owls goalkeeper without have been a better option. 7



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/04/sheffield-wednesday-0-1-fulham-player-ratings/

[WhiteJC]

 
Targett delighted with 'massive' win
by Dan on April 8, 2018

Matt Targett was delighted that Fulham managed to capitalise on slip-ups from Cardiff City and Aston Villa with a narrow win at Sheffield Wednesday yesterday afternoon.

The Southampton loanee admitted that there was a good deal of extra pressure on Slavisa Jokanovic's side after second-placed Cardiff had been beaten by Wolves in a frenetic ending to the top-two clash in Wales on Friday night, but Fulham successfully cut the deficit to Neil Warnock's side to just two points thanks Aleksandar Mitrovic's winning goal twelve minutes from time. Targett told BBC London after the final whistle at Hillsborough:

    Obviously, with Cardiff losing last night and Villa losing in the early game, it was massive for us. It was a lot of pressure – every man was outstanding, but we're on a nineteen game unbeaten run so everyone is playing with confidence and its nice to see.

The 22 year-old hailed Fulham's patience as the visitors kept probing in front of a disciplined Sheffield Wednesday defence, even though the breakthrough looked unlikely at times.

    The pitch is a big pitch. We kept playing our game, moving the ball around – we knew they would tire at the end. I think we're one of the top sides [in the league this season] at scoring in the last fifteen minutes, so it is no coincidence that we've scored late. We keep doing what we've been doing, we don't change our style and we got the late goal.

The attacking left back was involved in the match's decisive moment, getting forward to slip a ball behind the Wednesday backline for Ryan Sessegnon to sprint onto and Mitrovic put away the low cross with little fuss.

    My job is to feed Sess and his job is to put it in for Mitro – and his job is to score. It's as simple as that! Obviously, if Sess keeps making the runs it is my job to find him and thankfully I've been doing that.

Targett emphasised that there is a real belief within the Fulham squad that Jokanovic's side can win promotion after going so close last year.

I'm very confident. We've got five games left, we've got to do the business our end, but we have got some top, top players. For me, they are Premier League standard.

Fulham face two big home games against Reading and Brentford over the next week that could do much to shape their destiny and Targett is hoping that the home comforts of Craven Cottage could come in handy.

    We've been good at the Cottage. We play with lots of confidence at the Cottage in front of our fans, so hopefully we can get six more points on the board.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/04/targett-delighted-with-massive-win/