Wednesday Fulham Stuff (25/04/18)...

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Results

Tuesday
Derby	3 - 1	Cardiff
Nottm Forest	3 - 0	Barnsley

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'It was stupid, I'm sorry': Football-mad teen apologises after trolling Ryan Sessegnon's girlfriend at PFA Awards

The Fulham star's girlfriend Lacie Southion, 17, was mocked on social media after they appeared together at the PFA awards on Sunday

The football fan who trolled Ryan Sessegnon's girlfriend has apologised after directing vile abuse at the 17-year-old.

Sessegnon's young partner Lacie Southion as mocked on social media after they appeared together at the PFA awards on Sunday.

A picture of them attending the awards was mercilessly ridiculed on social media.

The England under 21 winger was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year gong alongside Harry Kane, Ederson, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling and winner Leroy Sane.

Among the tweets, the Fulham star's partner branded a "rescued beach whale" by football-mad Dan Paxton, also 17.

Paxton has now issued an apology for the awful tweet - and insists he only joined in after seeing others mock Lacie.

"I was just messing around, it was a bit silly and I deleted it. It was nothing malicious and I'm sorry," he told the Mail.


Sessegnon with his girlfriend (Image: PA)

"It really was a stupid thing to do. I am sorry to anyone who was offended.

"I'll be careful about what I tweet in future. I deleted it with one click of a button and it's gone."

However this morning the Birmingham City-supporting teen was getting some abuse of his own - especially from Fulham fans.

Despite Sessegnon being the first ever player outside the Premier League to be up for the prize, that didn't stop critics finding something to slam the couple about.

But the vile tweeters decided to send torrents of disgusting abuse towards Lacie.


Sessegnon after winning the award (Image: PA)

Lacie, who is also 17, arrived locked arms with her beau but trolls took aim at her.

Phillip tweeted: "I'd be very embarrassed if that was my GF tbh..."

One troll said: "Someone's had too many of the pre-ceremony snacks."

Another wrote: "Tell the missus she has to go gym if she wants to be seen at awards shows together."


Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon celebrates after the Sky Bet Championship match at the New Den (Image: PA)

But thankfully people also rallied to her defence on social media following the cruel taunts.

Maxine Thurston wrote: "As a Fulham fan, I'm ashamed to read a lot of these responses. She's a beautiful, normal, almost certainly grounded and kind person if she's with @RyanSessegnon and you are all going to ruin her shine.

"Go away and talk about something shallow to people like you. We aren't."

Other Twitter users came to Southion and Sessegnon's defence.

Jftbl said: "Stop being low and mocking her."

And @Energetic Oxlade hit out: "Don't you have anything else to do other than make fun out of someone's girlfriend?"

Sessegnon, who turns 18 next month, scooped the Championship Player of the Year and EFL Young Player of the Year prizes.

One user posted: "Fantastic footballer, gorgeous girlfriend, talented man, big future ahead."

Another added: "People are low lives. Don't you have anything else to do other than make fun out of someone's girlfriend?"



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/it-really-stupid-thing-do-12416721

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Gareth Southgate's comments may serve as encouragement for Ryan Sessegnon to pursue Tottenham Hotspur move

Tottenham Hotspur have been heavily linked with Ryan Sessegnon, with Mauricio Pochettino thought to be a big fan.

England boss Gareth Southgate's comments to the Express and Star may just encourage Ryan Sessegnon to pursue a move to Tottenham Hotspur, if Fulham fail to earn promotion this season.

Fulham look likely to be competing in the play offs this term, with Cardiff City currently in a commanding position to earn automatic promotion.

And if the Cottagers fail to earn promotion then Sessegnon is sure to be in demand.

The 17-year-old has been a revelation in the Championship this season, with Spurs said to be very interested by the Telegraph.

Fulham are said to be demanding £50 million for Sessegnon, which is a sizeable fee for a club like Tottenham to pay.

However, Sessegnon looks as if he could be a brilliant investment, and Southgate's comments should make a move to the Premier League appear more.

Southgate has suggested that he won't pick players who are plying their trade in the Championship for England.

"I think there are different levels you have to keep knocking down as a player if you want to be selected to play for England," the England boss said.

"How do you perform week-in, week-out for your club is one. But then how do you perform against the top-six clubs and in big matches.

"It's important to look at that because that is the level we have to perform. You have to look at mentality whether they can stand up and perform in those games as well as physically.

"In the Championship, you are not quite getting the same test every week.

"The speed of the game is different, the athleticism is different. The technical level is just a little bit below compared to the top half of the Premier League."

The comments could make a move to the Premier League even more appealing for Sessegnon, if he has international ambitions, and that should be music to the ears of Spurs.

Tottenham would have to beat off a lot of competition for the wonder kid's signature this summer, if they are to get a deal over the line, but Southgate's comments may just make a move to the top level more important for Sessegnon, if Fulham aren't promoted.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/04/24/gareth-southgates-comments-may-serve-as-encouragement-for-ryan-s/

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Sunderland on General Sale

Be there for Fulham's final home game of the 2017/18 regular season when the Whites take on Sunderland on Friday 27th April, kick-off 7:45pm.

Junior tickets are just £5 in all areas of the ground for this game, with adult tickets from £35.

Tickets are now available on General Sale, so why not guarantee your seat at Craven Cottage today join our push for promotion!

Fans can buy online, by telephone on 0203 871 0810 (opt 2) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

COYW!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/april/24/sunderland-tickets

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'Nothing changes, nothing gets done' - Cyrus Christie responds as he is subjected to more vile racist abuse


Cyrus Christie

Ireland international Cyrus Christie has been subjected to a series of vile, racist tweets once again on social media.

Last November, the full back was forced to make a complaint to gardai following racist abuse he suffered after Ireland's World Cup play-off defeat to Denmark.

At that time, Christie was subjected to abuse which left him in tears and gardai contacted Twitter as part of the investigation.

Christie has taken to Twitter to reveal that the disgusting abuse continues and has yet to be addressed.

Ireland international Cyrus Christie has been subjected to a series of vile, racist tweets once again on social media.

Last November, the full back was forced to make a complaint to gardai following racist abuse he suffered after Ireland's World Cup play-off defeat to Denmark.

At that time, Christie was subjected to abuse which left him in tears and gardai contacted Twitter as part of the investigation.

Christie has taken to Twitter to reveal that the disgusting abuse continues and has yet to be addressed.

"Thank you for Showing and passing on the messages to me . Sad to see people are still resorting to racist slander," said Christie when one Twitter user brought the vile tweets to his attention.

The Middlesbrough man followed this up by saying: "Nothing changes ....Nothing gets done," with images of the offensive tweets attached.

Ireland and Boro fans have been quick to show their support for Christie.



https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/other-soccer/nothing-changes-nothing-gets-done-cyrus-christie-responds-as-he-is-subjected-to-more-vile-racist-abuse-36838742.html

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Former Middlesbrough defender Cyrus Christie target of vile racist online abuse

The Irish full back has spoken out against racism before :: He has shared screenshots of vile abuse on Twitter

Vile racist abuse directed towards former Boro defender Cyrus Christie has been slammed.

The former Boro full back shared messages containing the atrocious abuse on Twitter this morning.

Show Racism the Red Card, set up to battle against prejudice in the game, condemned the messages, which use inflammatory racist language.

Acknowledging one Twitter user who brought the tweets to his attention, Mr Christie tweeted: "Thank you for showing and passing on the messages to me.

"Sad to see people are still resorting to racist slander."

More screenshots filled with racist abuse were accompanied with another tweet from the footballer, which read: "Nothing changes... Nothing gets done."

One of the accounts which sent the abusive messages features a picture of Boro striker Britt Assombalonga as its profile picture, the other a photograph of on-loan midfielder Mo Basic.

Boro fans on social media were quick to condemn the messages and support the defender, who was a popular figure among fans before his January move to Fulham.

And Middlesbrough Football Club is known for its strong commitment to inclusion and diversity, and would be appalled and disgusted if the messages are proven to have been sent by a Boro fan.

International footballer Christie has spoken out against racism before , after suffering vile abuse during the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play off exit last year.

"The police were on but whether something will get done or not I don't know, that's just the way it is,' Christie told the Daily Mail in March.

"A lot of the time when stuff like this happens, nothing really gets done. I think that's why a lot of people don't speak out when it does happen."

Ged Grebby, the chief executive of Show Racism the Red Card, said: "Cyrus has suffered abuse before and has been brave enough to speak out about it.

"We would commend him for doing that again, and we will support him as much as possible."

Mr Grebby said there is a long tradition of working alongside MFC, with Viv Anderson and Curtis Fleming among the very first footballers to support the charity when it launched in 1996.

"Tony Pulis is a current patron of ours, and I'm sure the club will take strong action against any fans who are involved in racism," continued Mr Grebby.



https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/former-middlesbrough-defender-cyrus-christie-14569219

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2 current Fulham players likely to never put on the shirt again – Agreed?

With the end of the season drawing nearer, it looks like the race for the second automatic spot is going to go right down to the wire.

Wolves have already claimed the Championship title after running away with the league but there is still all to play for in the race for second place.

Cardiff City are in pole position to clinch a return to the Premier League as they lead Fulham by one point and they can extend their lead to four points with a victory tonight against Derby County.

But Slavisa Jokanovic's men are in top form and will push the Bluebirds all the way.

After a slow start, Fulham have been excellent in the second half of the season and they will fancy their chances in the play-offs too if they have to take that route.

Once the season is over, whether they win promotion or not, Jokanovic is likely to wield the axe on a few players.

Here are two Fulham players who you expect will not ever wear the shirt again.




David Button

David Button has been replaced by Marcus Bettinelli as Fulham's first choice stopper and it does not look like he has a route back.

The former Brentford man has been costly for Fulham on occasions this year and Fulham fans would not mind seeing him sold.

Whether they go up or stay down, you can expect Fulham to sign a new goalkeeper to rival Bettinelli, meaning that Button could be on his way out of Craven Cottage.



Ibrahima Cisse

Things have not worked out for Ibrahima Cisse since his summer switch from Standard Liege.

The Belgian has played just six matches for the Cottagers in the league this season and only two of those have been starts.

It is in the interest of all parties for the 23-year-old to be sold this summer.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/2-current-fulham-players-likely-to-never-put-on-the-shirt-again-agreed/

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This is how well tickets are selling for Birmingham City's season finale against Fulham

BCFC welcome the Cottagers to St Andrew's on the final weekend of the season

Birmingham City are heading towards a sell-out for the final match of the season against Fulham.

With two matches to play, Blues are five points ahead of 22nd placed Barnsley - who have a game in hand - and three ahead of 21st side Bolton Wanderers.

Though Garry Monk would dare suggest it, the win over Sheffield United has at least served to offer Blues some much needed breathing space between themselves and the dreaded relegation places.

So much so, that the victory over the Blades saw their own odds with the bookmakers to drop into League One rocket over the weekend to 14/1.

Monk will rightly have his players focused on the trip to QPR this weekend, and then the welcoming of the high flying Cottagers who haven't lost a league match since September.

It has the makings of a day in which Bluenoses will be turning out in their numbers, too - and hopefully one that is nowhere near as dramatic as the final days of 2014 and 2017!

Blues welcome Slavisa Jokanovic's men on Sunday, May 6, a side who remain hopeful of pipping Cardiff City to the second automatic promotion place.

There could be a capacity crowd, too, with the Tilton Road End already sold out and ticket sales in other parts of the crowd moving along nicely.

Blues' ticketing manager Aamir Javaid tweeted: "The feeling when you find out that the Tilton is now fully sold out for the Fulham game!

"How long before the Kop sells out? Great support Bluenoses!

"Can we sell it out for @GarryMonk and the boys in Royal Blue? #KRO #GreatFans #BCFC

"Kop blocks limited. Block 38 open. Block 39 open. Block 40 open.

"Tickets are selling fast Bluenoses so book now to avoid missing out! Fantastic support from our fans #KRO #BCFC #LOYAL"

Spotted: A Peaky Blinder

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight paid a visit to his beloved Blues at the weekend to witness a 2-1 win over Sheffield United at St Andrew's.

The Birmingham born director and screenwriter is a famous Bluenose and was spotted in the crowd by the club's official photographer Roy Smiljanic.

Roy tweeted the pictures of Knight and his friends going through the emotions as Blues notched up a vital win over the Blades.

Knight even wore a trademark Peaky Blinders cap for the game.

He recently took to the big screen at St Andrew's when the two sides met at the ground, conveniently on the eve of the latest Peaky Blinder series.

Peaky Blinders has become one of the most anticipated shows on the TV calendar - and that's definitely one thing Blues and Villa fans can agree on.

In the message, Steven who was born in Birmingham and a huge Blues fan, said: "Hello St Andrews! This is Steven Knight creator of Peaky Blinders. Just to say the boys are back! Pride of Birmingham. May the best team win."



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-well-tickets-selling-birmingham-14571303

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Macca: A Class Above

Kevin McDonald expressed his pride as Fulham extended the unbeaten run to 22 matches in style against Millwall on Friday night.

The Lions hadn't lost in 17 themselves and so represented a very difficult test at the Den, but McDonald and his teammates put in a phenomenal display – especially after the restart – to secure a 3-0 win.

"We've had a lot of good performances, especially in this run we've been on, but in that second half I think we were a class above at times," he admitted.

"First half they had a good few chances with the way they play, respect to them, but once we got the ball down and passed it we were well ahead of them and well worth our victory.

"There's no hiding that we've had a fantastic run. On that run we've had a couple of lucky games here and there, and that's what you need. Everyone is pulling together in the right direction.

"It's all about hard work in this league and the Manager keeps on top of us every day, and fair play to him for keeping us going. It's a long stretch and we've been consistently good for a while now.

"As long as win our games, that's the main thing, we can't do any more. If we get automatically promoted then fantastic, if not then we'll be ready to go in the Play-Offs."

Fulham made more than twice as many passes as our hosts on Friday, and McDonald praised Slaviša Jokanović's commitment to his style of play which has proven so fruitful of late.

"If you see the Manager's reactions on the side, he's not happy when we bang the ball long!" Macca stated. "He's on at us every day to try and play, play, play.

"Even if they press us, he wants us to play the whole time. If we give the ball away he's the first to hold his hands up and say it was his mistake.

"He's drilled into us the way he wants us to play and we've followed it, and right now it's working well."

Make sure you're at the Cottage this Friday to watch the boys try and make it an entire half-season unbeaten when we host Sunderland.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/april/24/kevin-mcdonald-a-class-above

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Millwall icon banned – as Fulham star off the hook

TIM Cahill has been banned for three games for an incident involving Ryan Fredericks in Millwall's 3-0 defeat to Fulham last Friday.

Referee Andre Marriner and his officials missed the apparent elbow by Cahill on the Cottagers full-back, but Cahill was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.

Cahill, 38, will miss Millwall's final two games of the season against Middlesbrough and Aston Villa and, if the Lions finish in the top six, the first leg of the play-off semi-final.

Moments after Cahill and Fredericks clashed, Aleksandar Mitrovic appeared to take his own retribution when he swung an elbow at the Millwall player. The FA did look at that incident, but the Fulham striker has not been punished.

Millwall have accepted the charge against Cahill.



https://www.newsatden.co.uk/67009-millwall-icon-banned-as-fulham-star-let-off-the-hook.html

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How much Cardiff City, Fulham Leeds United and other Championship clubs have spent this season

The figures are out...

The EFL Championship is one of the most tightly contested leagues in the world. But does spending guarantee success?

The three teams who dropped down from the Premier League last season are all in the top six teams whose squad costs the most. But only, one of those sides has a chance of returning to the top flight.

Middlesbrough currently sit in five spot and have a squad cost of £62.7million. Boro made two of the five most expensive Championship transfers this season but despite having the joint second highest squad cost they haven't run away with the league.

The other two relegated sides make it even more apparent that money doesn't guarantee results. Hull City are currently 18th and Sunderland 24th, both have had seasons to regret despite have squad costs of £62.7m and £40.6m respectively. Sunderland are set to be relegated to League One despite having the sixth most expensive team.

High flyers Cardiff and Millwall are defying the odds with both teams experiencing fantastic seasons despite limited budgets.

The Bluebirds are currently second and are going toe to toe with Fulham for the title.

Millwall's performance is even more extraordinary. The Lions have the second lowest squad cost in the Championship failing to even break into seven figures (£800,000), yet they're now sixth.

Bristol City can consider themselves over achievers as well with the Robins having only the 13th most expensive squad, yet they've been holding their own against the teams at the top of the table all season.

Below you will find a list of the Championship teams in order of squad cost from highest to lowest.

Aston Villa

Squad Cost: £67.8m

League Position: 4

2017/18 record signing: Glenn Whelan from Stoke City for £2m

Hull City

Squad Cost: £62.7m

League Position: 18

2017/18 record signing: Eight players for undisclosed fees

Middlesbrough

Squad Cost: £62.7m

League Position: 6

2017/18 record signing: Britt Assombalonga from Nottingham Forest for £15m

Wolves

Squad Cost: £41.1m

League Position: 1

Derby County

Squad Cost: £41.1m

League Position: 5

2017/18 record signing: Tom Lawrence from Leicester City for £4.95m

Sunderland

Squad Cost: £40.6m

League Position: 23

2017/18 record signing: James Vaughan from Bury and Jason Steele from Blackburn Rovers for £500k

Fulham

Squad Cost: £37.4m

League Position: 3

2017/18 record signing: Rui Fonte from Braga for £8.3m

Norwich City

Squad Cost: £36.8m

League Position: 14

2017/18 record signing: 11 players for undisclosed fees

Sheffield Wednesday

Squad Cost: £35.5m

League Position: 16

2017/18 record signing: Jordan Rhodes from Middlesbrough for £10m

Leeds United

Squad Cost: £29.9m

League Position: 13

2017/18 record signing: Adam Forshaw from Middlesbrough for £4.5m

QPR

Squad Cost: £26.1m

League Position: 15

2017/18 record signing: Three players for undisclosed fees

Reading

Squad Cost: £23m

League Position: 19

2017/18 record signing: Sone Aluko from Fulham for £7.2m

Bristol City

Squad Cost: £19.5m

League Position: 7

2017/18 record signing: Famara Diédhiou from Angers for £5.3m

Birmingham City

Squad Cost: £19.2m

League Position: 21

2017/18 record signing: Six players for undisclosed fees

Cardiff City

Squad Cost: £18.6m

League Position: 2

2017/18 record signing: Gary Madine from Bolton Wanderers for £6m

Brentford

Squad Cost: £16.4m

League Position: 11

2017/18 record signing: Nine players for undisclosed fees

Nottingham Forest

Squad Cost: £7m

League Position: 17

2017/18 record signing: Six players for undisclosed fees

Barnsley

Squad Cost: £6m

League Position: 22

2017/18 record signing: Cameron McGeehan from Luton Town for £990k

Sheffield United

Squad Cost: £5.9m

League Position: 9

2017/18 record signing: Richard Stearman from Fulham for £961k

Ipswich Town

Squad Cost: £4.2m

League Position: 12

2017/18 record signing: Five players for undisclosed fees

Bolton Wanderers

Squad Cost: £2.5m

League Position: 20

2017/18 record signing: Aaron Wilbraham from Bristol City and Craig Noone for undisclosed fees

Preston North End

Squad Cost: £2.1m

League Position: 10

2017/18 record signing: Declan Rudd from Norwich City for £966k

Millwall

Squad Cost: £800,000

League Position: 8

2017/18 record signing: Four players for undisclosed fees

Burton Albion

Squad Cost: £500,000

League Position: 24

2017/18 record signing: Three players for undisclosed fees

Figures from the Daily Mail.



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/championship-spending-fulham-derby-cardiff-1428254

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What Cardiff City's defeat at Derby County means for the Bluebirds, Fulham and Aston Villa in the battle for promotion

Here's what the result at Pride Park means for the promotion race

Cardiff City failed to extend their advantage over promotion rivals Fulham as they were beaten 3-1 by Derby County at Pride Park.

The Bluebirds went ahead in the 28th minute as Calulm Paterson unleashed an unstoppable volley beyond Scott Carson.

But a second half brace from former Bluebird Cameron Jerome as well as a strike from substitute Matej Vydra earned Gary Rowett's men all three points.

It means Cardiff remain just one point clear of Fulham with two matches left to play, although their destiny still remains in their own hands.

Neil Warnock's side could still clinch promotion into the promised land of the Premier League this weekend if they beat Hull City at the KCOM Stadium and Sunderland overcome Fulham at Craven Cottage on Friday.

But regardless of what the Cottagers do, Cardiff will claim runner-up spot if they claim wins in their games against Hull and Reading.

The Bluebirds' defeat means Aston Villa can still mathematically reach the top two, although they would be relying on Fulham and Cardiff to drop points in their final two games.

Remaining fixtures

Cardiff City: Hull City (A), Reading (H)

Fulham: Sunderland (H), Birmingham City (A)

Aston Villa: Derby County (H), Millwall (A)



https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-derby-neil-warnock-14572588

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Derby County 3-1 Cardiff City

Jamie Ward was making only his second start and third appearance for Cardiff since joining on loan in January

Derby County moved back into the play-off places after coming from behind to beat Cardiff City 3-1 at Pride Park.

Cardiff led 1-0 at the break through Callum Paterson's right-footed volley after 30 minutes following a Joe Bennett cross from the left.

But it was former Cardiff City striker Cameron Jerome who made the game's telling impact, scoring either side of Matej Vydra's 20th goal of the season.

Cardiff stay second, one point ahead of Fulham, while Derby move back to sixth.

A win for Warnock's Cardiff would have seen them needing just one win from their final two matches to clinch promotion, but instead they will have to beat Hull and Reading if third-place Fulham pick up maximum points.

For Derby, their play-off hopes are back in their hands after leapfrogging Millwall in to sixth.

Gary Rowett's side still face the difficult task of travelling to fourth-placed Aston Villa on Saturday, but they will have enjoyed getting back to winning ways.

Cardiff's uncharacteristic defensive mishaps

Cardiff had only conceded three goals in a match once this season before Tuesday's game

The first big chance of the game fell to Welsh international, and former Cardiff forward, Tom Lawrence but Neil Etheridge was quick off his line to deny him.

Minutes later, Cardiff felt aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty after Bradley Johnson appeared to move his arm towards the ball in the 18-yard box.

Derby looked dangerous on the break throughout the first half but, as has been the case all season, Cardiff caused their opposition trouble with very little possession.

And it was Warnock's side who opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, Paterson's right-foot volley beating Scott Carson at the near post.

Bennett's floated cross from the left-hand side went over the heads of a rising Gary Madine and Martin Olsson, leaving Paterson alone to give the Bluebirds the lead.

Callum Paterson joined Cardiff as a right-back but has been used in a more forward role this term

Neil Etheridge was on hand once again to deny an on-rushing Andreas Weimann before Joe Ralls blazed over for Cardiff from 20 yards with the last kick of the first half.

Neither manager opted to make a change at half-time, and it was Derby who came out of the dressing rooms on the front foot.

A sloppy challenge from Bruno Ecuele Manga gave Lawrence a shooting opportunity from a free-kick after 50 minutes but his effort was blocked by a sizeable Cardiff wall.

Despite the lack of clear-cut opportunities early in the second half, the intensity on the pitch was cranked up a notch or two, Sol Bamba and Cameron Jerome exchanging words on more than one occasion.

Rowett introduced the Championship's top goalscorer Matej Vydra on the hour mark as Derby's search for an equaliser intensified but the final ball escaped the home side when they needed it.

For all the pressure Cardiff absorbed, the best chance of the second half fell the way of the visitors.

Joe Ralls' burst into the box evaded Derby's defenders before he squared the ball to Madine, who could not make proper contact with the ball when six yards out.

Cameron Jerome played for Cardiff City between 2004 and 2006, scoring 24 goals in 73 appearances

But just as Cardiff were ruing their missed opportunity, Derby struck at the other end through former Cardiff striker Jerome.

Derby's January signing from Norwich used his strength to hold off the attentions of Sean Morrison before rolling the ball past a sliding Bennett and Etheridge to level the score.

The Rams continued to pile on the pressure, searching for their second of the game, which prompted Warnock to ring the changes.

The introduction of Kenneth Zohore and Anthony Pilkington gave Cardiff a foothold in the game for a matter of minutes but it was Derby who struck the hammer blow.

A cross looked to have been dealt with comfortably by Yanic Wildschut but the Norwich loanee took too long on the ball and was dispossessed by Andre Wisdom, who squared the ball for Vydra to power his effort past Etheridge from 12 yards out.

Wildschut had the chance to make amends for his error at the other end but he failed to hit the target from an acute angle after the ball fell kindly to him.

And the game was put to bed minutes later as Jerome once again got the better of the Cardiff defence following a Morrison mistake, and Etheridge could do nothing to stop the Derby striker netting his second of the night.

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock: "We are disappointed. I thought we should have won the game if we were anything like ourselves.

"Second half we have made defensive errors for every goal and that's not like us at all. We have to regroup now. It's not very often you see us make defensive errors like that.

"We will be sad tonight but that's life. Most clubs would swap positions with us, Derby included."

Derby County manager Gary Rowett: "I think when you look at the statistics in the divisions we have only come back once to win all season and most teams are exactly the same.

"We switched off once in the first half and we were behind and at that point it was deflating but the players stuck at it and second half I thought we were superb."

A weather-made grudge match

Derby posted a picture of their stadium on social media before March's match was postponed

Originally scheduled for 18 March, Cardiff failed to capitalise on their game in hand over promotion rivals Fulham and Aston Villa against Derby over a month later.

After the fixture's cancellation last month due to snow, Warnock labelled Derby's decision to call off the game "a disgrace", suggesting Rowett's side did not want to face a then in-form Cardiff outfit.

Derby boss Rowett responded to Warnock's comments, saying he "didn't actually realise he's also a qualified health and safety inspector".

After both managers had their say on the matter and the controversy surrounding the postponement appeared to have faded, a video surfaced of Cardiff captain Sean Morrison using offensive language aimed at Derby players.

Morrison apologised for the video which only added to the build-up to Tuesday night's fixture, despite Cardiff boss Warnock insisting there was no bad blood ahead of kick-off.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43574040

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Fulham handed huge Championship automatic promotion boost as Cardiff City lose at Derby



Fulham's hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League were boosted on Tuesday night as Championship rivals Cardiff City were beaten 3-1 at Derby.

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock blamed "Sunday League" errors for the defeat, which stalled his team's advance towards promotion.

Warnock saw his side concede three times in the second half as Derby won for only the third time in 14 games to return to the play-off places, while Fulham now sit just a point off of second-placed Cardiff with two matches remaining.

It had all been going to plan for Cardiff when Callum Paterson sent a swerving volley inside Scott Carson's near post in the 28th minute but the game changed after Gary Madine missed a great chance in the 64th minute.

Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge tried to keep the ball in instead of letting it go out for a goal kick and when Richard Keogh headed it back, Cameron Jerome held off a challenge to roll in a shot.

A dreadful mistake by Yanic Wildschut resulted in the second when he was robbed close to the byline by Andre Wisdom, who set up Matej Vydra to drive in his 21st goal of the season.

Another error, this time by skipper Sean Morrison, allowed Jerome to seal it in the 90th minute and Warnock admitted: "It's just unlike us.

"I thought it was a game we should have won. I'm disappointed in crucial decisions but that doesn't compensate for the disappointment of letting three Sunday League goals in.

"When you make elementary errors like we did for all three goals - Neil could have let it go out for a goal kick, (Aron) Gunnarsson slices it, there's that many mistakes in one goal and the second one was a forward doing the wrong thing."

Warnock had been critical when the fixture was called off last month because of snow but he joked: "I can't blame the weather for the goals we conceded, can I?

"But I think every club apart from Wolves would love to be in our situation, with 86 points, and it just shows how far we have come."

Derby climbed two points ahead of Millwall in the battle for the top six and manager Gary Rowett knew how important the result was.

"It's massive," he said. "I said to the players beforehand that we're not going to get a second chance because if we didn't win it's out of our hands.

"It's a massive boost for us at the moment because having been on the run we've been on, it's incredibly deflating and difficult to put your finger on exactly what it is that can make you go from only losing a couple of games in 22 to only winning a couple in 13.

"It's been really tough, probably the most difficult period of my six-year managerial career, but we retained belief and I thought tonight was probably as well as we've played. I thought we showed a lot of courage to get back."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-huge-championship-automatic-promotion-boost-cardiff-city-lose-derby-a3822726.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Birmingham City linked with Championship attacker as Fulham match heads for sell-out

The latest BCFC news and rumours from BirminghamLive

Heading for a sell-out

Birmingham City are heading towards a sell-out for the final match of the season against Fulham.

With two matches to play, Blues are five points ahead of 22nd placed Barnsley - who have a game in hand - and three ahead of 21st side Bolton Wanderers.

Though Garry Monk would dare suggest it, the win over Sheffield United has at least served to offer Blues some much needed breathing space between themselves and the dreaded relegation places.

So much so, that the victory over the Blades saw their own odds with the bookmakers to drop into League One rocket over the weekend to 14/1.

Monk will rightly have his players focused on the trip to QPR this weekend, and then the welcoming of the high flying Cottagers who haven't lost a league match since September.

It has the makings of a day in which Bluenoses will be turning out in their numbers, too - and hopefully one that is nowhere near as dramatic as the final days of 2014 and 2017!

Blues welcome Slavisa Jokanovic's men on Sunday, May 6, a side who remain hopeful of pipping Cardiff City to the second automatic promotion place.

There could be a capacity crowd, too, with the Tilton Road End already sold out and ticket sales in other parts of the crowd moving along nicely.

Blues' ticketing manager Aamir Javaid tweeted: "The feeling when you find out that the Tilton is now fully sold out for the Fulham game!

"How long before the Kop sells out? Great support Bluenoses!

"Can we sell it out for @GarryMonk and the boys in Royal Blue? #KRO #GreatFans #BCFC

"Kop blocks limited. Block 38 open. Block 39 open. Block 40 open.

"Tickets are selling fast Bluenoses so book now to avoid missing out! Fantastic support from our fans #KRO #BCFC #LOYAL"



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-linked-championship-attacker-14572931

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham could agree deal with Paris Saint-Germain or Barcelona for Player of the Year Sessegnon

According to Don Balon, Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has requested the Ligue 1 champions agree a deal for Fulham defender Ryan Sessegnon this summer.

Barcelona's interest could be stumbling block as the Catalans are lining up the £50m-rated star as a secondary option to Jordi Alba. Even Real Madrid are named as suitors in the report.

Sessegnon rose through the youth ranks to the Fulham first-team in 2016 and has gone on to make 77 appearances in all competitions, scoring and creating 32 goals.

The 17-year-old has been in fantastic form this season, contributing 21 goals in 44 Championship games for Fulham, while being named Championship Player of the Year. He could be on the move in the coming months, however.

Neymar has requested his signing for PSG, but Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is also monitoring his development. Real president Florentino Perez has a fleeting interest but it's unknown if Los Blancos are considering a bid.

PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid would have to pay a tidy sum for his signature, but given Sessegnon is the first player outside the Premier League to be nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, he clearly has a bright future.

His Fulham side are chasing promotion to the Premier League and are currently third in the Championship, one point of a top-two spot with two games remaining. If they went up this season, Sessegnon's value could further sky-rocket.

Stats from Transfermarkt



http://sportslens.com/psg-and-real-madrid-linked-with-fulhams-ryan-sessegnon/231175/