Monday Fulham Stuff (27/08/18)...

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Results

Sunday
Watford	2 - 1	Crystal Palace
Fulham	4 - 2	Burnley
Newcastle	1 - 2	Chelsea
Saturday
Wolves	1 - 1	Man City
Arsenal	3 - 1	West Ham
Bournemouth	2 - 2	Everton
Huddersfield	0 - 0	Cardiff
Southampton	1 - 2	Leicester
Liverpool	1 - 0	Brighton

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Fulham 4-2 Burnley

Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored three goals in three Premier League games since his summer move from Newcastle United

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic praised his team's "brave" performance as Fulham secured their first victory since returning to the Premier League in an eventful match against Burnley.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice for the hosts as they recovered from losing their first two matches to leave their opponents without a league win this season.

"We scored four goals and showed we could be a brave, attacking team," Jokanovic said. "It's an important step for us and we are satisfied with many things."

Jean Michael Seri, signed from Nice in July, gave Jokanovic's men the perfect start by firing a wonderful 25-yard strike into the top-right corner of Joe Hart's goal after just four minutes.

Burnley drew level in the 10th minute as Jeff Hendrick converted at the second attempt after good work from Aaron Lennon down the right flank, but a cleverly worked corner allowed Mitrovic to head the home side back in front on 36 minutes, as Tom Cairney's perfectly weighted cross from the edge of the area found the alert Serb.

Seeking another quick response, the Clarets were caught on the break two minutes later, as Mitrovic beat Stephen Ward in the air to glance beyond Hart - though the visitors were able to half their deficit before the break through James Tarkowski.

Mitrovic missed numerous chances to complete his hat-trick in a much quieter second half and agonisingly struck the post before Schurrle converted the rebound to add Fulham's fourth with seven minutes remaining.

"We are improving, definitely. We know a huge job is ahead of us and we must keep going," added Jokanovic.

"This is most competitive league in the world and this is not going to be an easy job for us."

Lift-off for Fulham

With the knowledge that their opponents have been stretched by European engagements, the Cottagers seized their opportunity to kick-start their season in style with a first Premier League victory since April 2014.

After two defeats, Jokanovic's attempts to gel Fulham's new and old saw him hand a first start to Atletico Madrid loanee Luciano Vietto in a side consisting of seven summer additions.

They began with purpose, taking the game to slow-starting Burnley and Seri's superb strike set the tone as Fulham demonstrated quality across their side - with the Ivorian himself at the heart of the hosts' good play.

Fulham enjoyed more than two-thirds of the possession in the first half and both Schurrle and the lively Timothy Fosu-Mensah had attempts that, though unable to trouble Hart, offered warnings to Burnley.

But Mitrovic, now with three goals in as many Premier League games since signing permanently from Newcastle, looks as if he will be vital for Jokanovic's side, proving a constant nuisance to Tarkowski and Ben Mee - though he should have added even more to his tally.

Fulham's heavy investment in high-quality players over the close season - a reported £100m across 12 additions - suggests that, although survival is an obvious priority, continuing to play positively is also high on the agenda.

They demonstrated their ability to do so here very effectively.

"It's an important step for us. We showed it is possible and we are satisfied with many things," Jokanovic said.

"We know after the first two defeats it's not easy for us to find the right way. There is room for improvement and we need to push harder on the training ground."

Burnley's tough start continues

Following a 3-1 loss to Watford last weekend, Burnley's midweek Europa League play-off defeat by Olympiakos in Greece by the same score raised further questions over the Clarets' capacity to successfully balance European and domestic competition.

They extended their winless run in the league to eight matches with defeat at Fulham, and have now conceded 10 goals in their past three in all competitions despite surrendering just four in six previous to that.

Sean Dyche reverted to the same side that had contested Burnley's opening two Premier League fixtures, a total of six changes from Thursday night, but the Clarets conceded early for a second league game on the bounce.

There has been plenty made of Burnley's busy schedule, but they now face an uphill task if they are to reach the Europa League group stages, and exiting that competition will only increase pressure on their league performances.

"It's about working hard as well as smart," said Dyche.

"The players have been peppered with messages of 'it's too much being in the Europa League'. You can't make excuses because everyone wanted that challenge at the club."

Once again Dyche's men showed spirit to respond positively to going behind, pulling back to 3-2 just before half-time when Tarkowski converted from close range.

But spirit was far from enough to deny a lively Fulham side, who peppered Hart's goal in the closing stages as the Clarets saw their winless record away to promoted sides extend to 10 games.

Man of the match - Aleksandar Mitrovic

The Serb should have had a hat-trick and caused problems throughout for Burnley's back line, demonstrating just how important he will be for his side this season.

'We can't make excuses' - what they said

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic: "It was a tough game. Every goal is a nice goal and a great feeling but the most important thing is we grab the three points and give the fans a nice afternoon.

"We have so many new players. They came from different leagues and some don't speak English but this is the best league, we want to stay with the best and we will work hard to do that.

"No matter what we do, we will stick to our system and that will give us more confidence to stay in this league."

Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "Fulham had a good season last season but they have added some quality. It was a fair shift of money. But I thought they were the better side overall. They had the best player on the pitch in Mitrovic.

"Things aren't going our way with injuries. We didn't get as many in in the market as we'd like to help us across two competitions. We have to concentrate on what's in front of us and that's the next game."

Mitrovic fares well against Hart - the stats

    Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored 15 league goals since his Fulham debut in February - and only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah can match that total in that time across the top four tiers of English football.
    Four of Mitrovic's 13 Premier League goals have been scored against Joe Hart, having also scored for Newcastle in October 2015 against Manchester City and West Ham.
    Burnley goalkeeper Hart has conceded at least three goals in five of the past past six Premier League games he has played in the month of August, conceding 17 in total.
    Since a run of five consecutive Premier League wins between March and April, Burnley have collected just three points from three draws in eight league games.
    After failing to score with any of his first 24 shots in the Premier League, Burnley defender James Tarkowski has scored with two of his last three in the competition.

What's next?

Fulham host Exeter City in the League Cup on Tuesday (19:45 BST), followed by a trip to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Burnley host Olympiakos in the second leg of their Europa League play-off on Thursday (19:45 BST) before Manchester United visit Turf Moor in the Premier League on Sunday (16:00 BST).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45237327

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Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was delighted to see his Fulham team get off the mark in the Premier League, but would have liked it to have been slightly more routine.

After five first half goals saw the Whites edge things 3-2, the crucial fourth threatened to not arrive despite numerous attempts, although Andre Schürrle finally provided some daylight with his 83rd minute finish.

"We played well today," Jokanović stated. "We must work hard daily at the training ground and look for our best performance.

"We played bravely, we showed ambition to score the goals, we showed ambition to push forward and look for a second and third and fourth.

"This fourth goal, from my point of view, arrived a little bit late for us. Between the third and fourth we had many chances to finish the game off, but fortunately we scored the goal and killed the game."

Fulham played with the attacking swagger that won so many admirers last season, with Burnley struggling to cope at times with the relentless waves of pressure.

And Jokanović admitted that the manner of the win will only benefit his team.

"This performance and this victory is a big boost for us in this moment," he said. "We can be satisfied with our performance today.

"I don't want to think about negative things now, but we know there is a lot of room ahead of us for improvement. We must keep going, work hard at the training ground, and be available to find our best way to win games.

"I made five changes this afternoon. These 11 players I chose today performed really well. We must immediately show a desire to work hard and push all together to try and be at our highest level for the next game.

"I try to find the best solution to win the game. Sometimes the plan works, sometimes it doesn't work.

"We are not kids, this is the highest level of professional football. We must show humility, push hard and fight.

"This kind of performances encourages me, my team, the people in the stands."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/august/26/head-coach-reaction-burnley

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Cottage Talk Full Time - Fulham vs. Burnley
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.


Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

In this episode, we shared our "initial reactions" to Fulham beating Burnley 4-2 at Craven Cottage. Co-host Emilio Di Nello was at the match, and he shared his view on the game shortly after it ended.

Just a reminder that, Cottage Talk Full Time, will be recorded after each match, and this will be followed up by the Cottage Talk Post Match Show which will be recorded the next day.

you can listen to the podcast here...
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cottagetalk/2018/08/26/cottage-talk-full-time--fulham-vs-burnley

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The Opposition: Fulham

An in-depth look at City's Premier League opposition

City travel to the capital to face Premier League side Fulham at Craven Cottage in the second-round of the Carabao Cup this Tuesday.

Here is all you need to know about Fulham ahead of the clash...

Brief history:

    Founded: 2004
    Stadium: Craven Cottage
    Nickname: The Lilywhites, The Cottagers, The Whites

Fulham were founded in 1879 and are the oldest-established football team from London to have played in the Premier League.

The club has spent 25 seasons in English football's top division, the majority of these in two spells during the 1960s and 2000s.

Fulham have never won a major honour, although they have reached two major finals: in 1975, as a Second Division team, they contested the FA Cup Final for the only time in their history, losing 2–0 to West Ham United, and in 2010 they reached the final of the UEFA Europa League, which they contested with Atlético Madrid in Hamburg, losing 2–1 after extra time.

The Manager:
Slaviša Jokanović

Slaviša took charge of Fulham in December 2015 as head coach. After avoiding relegation by 11 points, he achieved his target of a top six position for his first full season at Craven Cottage.

Jokanović led Fulham to promotion back to the Premier League last season by beating Aston Villa 1-0 at Wembley Stadium in May.

The Ground:

Name: Craven Cottage
Capacity: 25,700
Year opened: 1896
Address: Craven Cottage, Stevenage Rd, Fulham, London SW6 6HH



Craven Cottage has been Fulham's home since 1896 and is located next to Bishop's Park on the banks of the River Thames. The ground has a current capacity of 25,700 and is all-seated. The record attendance is 49,335, for a game against Millwall, 8 October 1938.

Fulham now regularly sells out its matches and has gained approval to redevelop the Riverside Stand. The new design will bring the capacity of Craven Cottage up to 30,000 and bring landmark improvements for both the Club and the local community.

Enhanced stadium facilities, floodlighting and an iconic design will ensure that Craven Cottage continues to provide a top class venue for many years to come.

Ones to Watch:

Aleksandar Mitrović 
Mitrović joined Fulham from Newcastle United on a permanent deal in July 2018, after spending the second-half of the 2017/18 season on-loan at Fulham and hugely contributing as the team gained promotion to the Premier League.

A fan favourite, the striker found the back of the net 12 times in just 17 starts to help the team reach the play-off final.

Ryan Sessegnon
A left-sided defender/midfielder with attacking instincts, Ryan rose through the ranks quickly, and was a regular in the under-18 side in 2015/16, despite being just 15 years of age.

Quickly making a name for himself in the first-team, Ryan ended the 2017/18 season as Fulham's top scorer, with 16 strikes in all competitions.

Recent form guide:

Fulham have found life back in the Premier League challenging, losing their first two matches against Crystal Palace (2-0) and Spurs (3-1) they host Burnley this Saturday, looking to pick up their first points of the season.

2017/18 Season In Review:

    Position: 3rd (Promoted through play-offs)
    Average Attendance: 19,896
    Top Scorer: Ryan Sessegnon - 16

A season to remember for Fulham fans as the lilywhites gained promotion to the grandest stage at Wembley Stadium, defeating Aston Villa 1-0 in what is dubbed the 'richest match in football'.

Fulham went a massive 23 matches unbeaten, which saw them soar up the Championship, setting up a final day which gave them the chance of snatching second place and automatic promotion from Cardiff City, however, a 3-1 defeat meant they had to go through the play-offs.

Previous Meetings:

The most recent meeting between the two sides took place at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day in 1996. The match, attended by 7,892 ended in a 1-1 draw in Division 3.

The Grecians last win over Fulham came December 16, 1995 with a 2-1 victory over the Lilywhites in front of 4420 fans.

Head to Head:

    Exeter City wins: 9
    Draws: 6
    Fulham wins: 12

Ticket news:

Tickets are still on sale for the match, and are also available on the day. Click here for the full details.



https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2018/august/oppfulham/

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Fulham 4-2 Burnley: Aleksandar Mitrovic hits brace as Slavisa Jokanovic's side secure first win of the season in entertaining encounter at Craven Cottage

    Aleksandar Mitrovic scored two headers as Fulham beat Burnley in an entertaining game on Sunday
    Jean Michael Seri opened the scoring for the hosts before Jeff Hendrick equalised a few minutes later
    James Tarkowski pulled a goal back following Mitrovic's brace as Burnley looked to get back into the game
    Andre Schurrle made sure of Fulham's victory late on as he scored after Mitrovic's effort had hit the post

Watching Aleksandar Mitrovic battle with the big boys of Burnley, you got the sense these are the games he circles on his calendar at the start of the season.

Forget your trips to Manchester United or Liverpool. These are the matches that matter to Mitrovic, the ones where the born bruiser can do what he does best.

From the first minute to the last, Mitrovic had Sean Dyche's Burnley on a string, scoring twice and inspiring Fulham to their first Premier League win in 1,597 days.


Aleksandar Mitrovic was in inspired form for Fulham, with the striker hitting a brace in his side's victory against Burnley


Mitrovic is delighted as he celebrates scoring Fulham's second goal against Burnley at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon


Mitrovic steered the ball beyond the reach of Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart, with Fulham securing their first win of the season


The striker has been hugely impressive since he made the switch to Fulham, initially on loan, from Newcastle in January


Hart is unable to prevent Mitrovic from finding the net with an impressive header during the first half in rainy conditions


Mitrovic's excellent positioning made the attacker very difficult for Burnley's defence to deal with as he scored two goals

Supported superbly by Andre Schurrle and Jean Michael Seri, the home side's two other scorers, the 23-year-old ran Ben Mee and James Tarkowski ragged.

Finally, Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham are up and running, courtesy of their Serbian battler who some felt would not be able to cut it in the top flight.

'I didn't watch Mitro at Newcastle,' Jokanovic said. 'We believe he's a quality player. 'Some people are thinking he can only be a Championship player. No, he showed the quality for fighting in the highest level in England and in the world. He's a really important player. He's a young man, still only 23, and has huge room for improvement ahead.'


Summer signing Jean Michael Seri celebrates after his superb strike opened the scoring for Fulham in the early stages


Seri is congratulated by his team-mates, including Timothy Fosu-Mensah, after his effort put Fulham into the lead


Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli is a picture of delight following Seri's excellent early opening goal against Burnle

What Jokanovic found particularly satisfying was the way in which Fulham won. They looked like a cohesive team rather than a collection of individuals and did not compromise their short, sharp passing style of play.

At times, Burnley seemed to have adopted more of an 'ave it approach. It was not easy on the eye, their heavy legs were evident and the defending was very un-Dyche like.

They have now conceded 10 goals in three games and, thanks to their Europa League travels, this was their eighth competitive fixture of the season already.

That will take its toll on any team and given the size of their squad, the Thursday-to-Sunday schedule is clearly having an impact. As a result, Dyche made six changes to his side for this.

The slick surface suited Fulham more and within four minutes, they had the lead. Seri, the midfielder signed from Nice for £25million in the summer, was just short of 30 yards when he received the ball and shifted it to his right.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6100055/Fulham-4-2-Burnley-Mitrovic-hits-brace-Jokanovics-secure-win-season.html

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Fulham 4 Burnley 2: Aleksandar Mitrovic scores double as hosts seal first win of the season

Aleksandar Mitrović scored a brace as Fulham sealed their first Premier League win in over four years with a 4-2 victory over Burnley at Craven Cottage.

There were five goals in an action-packed first half, with three of those scored within the space of five minutes.

Fulham took the lead with just three minutes played through a stunning strike from summer signing Jean Michel Seri that flew into the top right-hand corner. The visitors quickly drew level however when Jeff Hendrick smashed the ball home at the second time of asking.

Carnage then ensued when Fulham forward Mitrovic scored two headers in the space of two minutes and seven seconds, before James Tarkowski scored his second goal in as many games to give Sean Dyche's men hope going into the interval.

Burnley were dealt a real blow early on in the first-half when Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson - their chief creater - was forced off with a hamstring problem.

And Andre Schurrle then deservedly sealed the points with just 10 minutes to play, firing home after Mitrovic saw a strike cannon back off the post.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-4-burnley-2-aleksandar-mitrovic-scores-double-as-hosts-seal-first-win-of-the-season-a3920651.html

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Mitrovic double gives Fulham first PL victory

Seri and Schurrle also strike as Cottagers get off the mark for 2018/19 with a 4-2 win against Burnley

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice as Fulham beat Burnley 4-2 for their first victory since returning to the Premier League.

A frantic first half began with Fulham taking the lead in the fourth minute, when Jean Michael Seri rifled a spectacular long-range effort beyond Joe Hart and into the top-right corner.

Jeff Hendrick equalised for Burnley six minutes later, finding the net at the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked by Denis Odoi.

Mitrovic scored twice in the space of three minutes near the end of the first half, heading in from crosses by Tom Cairney and Luciano Vietto.

Five minutes before the break, James Tarkowski scored following Ben Mee's header.

Andre Schurrle wrapped up Fulham's first points of the season, leaving Burnley on one point from three matches.



https://www.premierleague.com/news/834171

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Fulham player ratings vs Burnley: Mitrovic inspires Cottagers to first victory

A first three points of the season were on the cards at Craven Cottage as Fulham beat Burnley 4-2

Fulham got their first points of the Premier League campaign as they beat Burnley 4-2 at Craven Cottage.

They got off to the best possible start after just four minutes, when Jean-Michael Seri made some space for himself on the edge of the box, lashing the ball into the top corner.

But it was all square on the 10th minute mark when Maxime Le Marchand gave the ball away cheaply in the middle of the pitch - Burnley broke and Jeff Hendrick smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

The home side got themselves back in the lead after a really well worked corner found Tom Cairney on the edge, whose chipped ball to the back stick was nodded home by Aleksandar Mitrovic before he added his second and Fulham's third a minute later, heading past Joe Hart once again.

And Burnley got one back on the 40th minute mark when Fulham were unable to defend a corner, which James Tarkowski poked in at the back post

Andre Schurrle got his deserved goal when he pounced on the ball after it rebounded from the post, courtesy of Mitrovic's strike to wrap up the three points.

Here's how we rated the side.

Marcus Bettinelli - 6

Played almost as a sweeper at most times and looked determined to prove he could play with the ball at his feet. Came out to claim crosses well and had a good game.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah - 7

Made some good runs down the right but couldn't deliver the final ball in the first half. His runs caused Burnley's defence problems all game.


(Image: Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Denis Odoi - 6

Had a decent performance in the heart of defence and grew into the game more and more as the match progressed.

Maxime Le Marchand - 6

Was at fault for the Burnley goal when he gave away the ball cheaply in the middle of the park. Was outmuscled by Tarkowski for the second goal. Improved in the second half.

Joe Bryan - 6

Tried to attack down the wing but his delivery wasn't quite up to scratch. Did well defensively but has yet to offer teh attacking threat Fulham require from their full backs.

Kevin McDonald - 7

Was his usual self in the anchor role but Burnley found a lot of space between the midfield and the defence when breaking.

Tom Cairney - 7

Lovely chipped ball to find Mitrovic at the back post for Fulham's second goal. Wasn't at his usual best in the first half, producing a few sloppy passes but produced a fine performance in the second. Limped off with an injury with 13 left.

Jean-Michael Seri - 7

Scored a stunning goal after just four minutes. Put in some good tackles and looked to get the ball down and play.


(Image: Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Luciano Vietto - 7

Had a slow start to the game but he did very well to put in a lovely ball for Mitrovic's second goal. Grew into the match and was a livewire during the second half.

Andre Schurrle - 8

Enjoyed a good first half and looked the liveliest of Fulham's forwards. Caused Burnley problems cutting inside onto his right all game. Got the goal that his performance deserved.

Aleksandar Mitrovic - 9

Demonstrated good strength throughout the game and he used that to nod in the second goal. A really good all round display from Mitrovic.


(Image: Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Substitutes

Calum Chambers - 5

Slotted into the centre back role and sured up the defence as Fulham looked to see out the game.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - 5

Came on for Cairney and added some strength into the midfield with ten odd minutes remaining.

Ryan Sessegnon - 5

No time to affect proceedings.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-player-ratings-vs-burnley-15075748

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Full-time: Fulham 4 Burnley 2

Before defeat against Watford the Clarets had only conceded three or more goals in a single game six times in 76 competitive appearances.

Burnley have been famously impermeable under Sean Dyche's reign, conceding 39 goals in 38 Premier League games last season, and a clean sheet against Southampton at St Mary's on the opening weekend suggested they'd be hard to breach once more.

However, starting with the Hornets, they've now leaked three or more goals in three successive outings as Fulham eclipsed the goalscoring exploits of Olympiakos, who saw off the Clarets in the Europa League play-off midweek. It's frighteningly uncharacteristic for a side who had barely allowed their opponents three shots on target in recent times, nevermind three goals. And, whether it's down to fatigue from Europa League involvement, or simply an abnormal phase, Burnley are conceding goals in the embryonic stages of halves and, on occasions, two in alarmingly quick succession.

Watford netted as early as the third minute at Turf Moor, and again in the 48th and 51st minutes, while Olympiakos restored their lead at the Karaiskakis Stadium just three minutes in to the second half. Those bad habits stretched in to the game at Craven Cottage when Jean Michael Seri opened the scoring in the fourth minute while striker Aleksandar Mitrovic netted a quickfire double before the interval. It was far from the ideal start when Ivorian Seri, signed from Nice for £25m in the summer, opened his account for last term's Championship play-off winners.

The 27-year-old's touch from Luciano Vietto's first assist of the fixture took his away from Jeff Hendrick on the edge of the penalty and his finish was a peach, driving the ball in to the top corner. However, the Clarets are also renowned for their character, endeavour and 'never say die' attitude under Dyche and, surely enough, they restored parity just seven minutes later. Hendrick's initial attempt from Aaron Lennon's breakaway and cross was blocked by Denis Odoi but the Republic of Ireland international jumped on the pieces to fire the ball in to the roof of the net. Andre Schurrle, who owns a World Cup winners medal, was another new addition for the Cottagers, joining on loan from Borussia Dortmund, posed a constant threat when cutting infield from both flanks and it took a strong hand from Joe Hart to keep his right-footing strike from creeping in at the near post.

Hart would deny Fosu-Mensah moments later, this time with a more routine stop, but the England international was caught out when the home side restored their lead in the 36th minute. Tom Cairney's looping cross caused major issues as it span away and dropped beyond Hart and James Tarkowski and Mitrovic, stood on the far post, simply helped the ball over the line with his head. That single goal deficit quickly became two when Mitrovic, who scored for Serbia during the World Cup in Russia, time his run to perfection, getting beyond Ben Mee and ahead of Stephen Ward to meet Vietto's cross, before powering a header past Hart. Again, the visitors displayed that grit and determination to dig in and get themselves back in to the game. The club's central defensive duo combined from substitute Charlie Taylor's corner as Mee headed in to Tarkowski and the latter, level with Maxime Fosu-Mensah, turned the ball home to make it 3-2 before half-time.

After Schurrle threatened again, bending an effort on to the crossbar when once again cutting inside from the angle of the area, the game opened up even more as Dyche looked to salvage a point, introducing both Sam Vokes and Ashley Barnes. But the more Burnley pressed, the more Fulham found holes to break in to. It was a case of close, but no cigar, for Mitrovic in search of his hat-trick when, on the slide, he couldn't quite get a toe to Timothy Fosu-Mensah's driven cross. Hart then denied Schurrle with his legs when the hosts had two men spare when Mitrovic held the ball up and released at the perfect time. Since Dyche took over in 2012, only once has a Burnley game in the Premier League produced six goals. Well, you can now add their latest defeat to the 3-3 draw against Newcastle United at St James's Park on New Year's Day in 2015. Hart, with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate watching from the stands, made a stunning save to flick Mitrovic's effort on to the upright but Schurrle capped an impressive display when collecting the rebound and firing the ball inside the near post.



Read more at: https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/clarets/full-time-fulham-4-burnley-2-1-9320890

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Summer signings pay off for Fulham in 4-2 win vs Burnley

LONDON (AP) — When Jean Michael Seri spectacularly fired in his first Premier League goal for Fulham, he surprised more than just the fans watching at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

"He surprised all of us," said Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic after his reported 25 million pound ($32 million) signing struck after only four minutes in a 4-2 win against Burnley. "We expected he would make some assists but not score such a fantastic goal."

The long-range effort from outside the area left Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart clutching at thin air and triggered a breathless first half. Jeff Hendrick hit back for the visitors before a double from Aleksandar Mitrovic and a tap-in for James Tarkowski made it 3-2 to Fulham at the break.

But it was Seri who stole the show, winning the ball back in midfield, dropping deep to pick up possession and controlling the tempo of the game.

"He is well suited to our style," said Jokanovic. "He has interpreted how we want to play football, and he is one of the guys who is really comfortable in possession of the ball.

"With him we want to attack in behind the defense, we don't only want to play inbetween the lines, but sometimes attack the defenders, and he is the guy who can deliver those passes."

Seri was ably assisted by a front three of fellow signings. Mitrovic, who was on loan at the club last season but only joined permanently in the transfer window, worked relentlessly up front and earned his goals. Luciano Vietto impressed in his first start for the club and another loan signing, Andre Schuerrle, sealed the win late on.

Fulham has invested heavily in its playing squad, only to start without a point from two games before its first league win on Sunday.

After Seri and Hendrick had scored inside the opening 10 minutes, it was Mitrovic who turned the game with two quick goals. First, he headed in from close range in the 36th after a clever corner-kick routine, and then converted a deft chip from Vietto, a loan signing from Atletico Madrid, in the 38th. The double took Mitrovic's tally for the season to three as he begins to justify a reported fee of $28.9 million.

Fulham was comfortable with a two-goal lead only for four minutes, however. From a corner Ben Mee rose highest to head into the path of his central defensive partner Tarkowski, who tapped in for his second goal of the season.

But the second-half onslaught never came and Fulham created all the best chances after the break, finally sealing the win when Schuerrle fired home following a fine Hart save to deny Mitrovic his hat trick.

It was a triumph for Fulham's much-debated transfer policy, and even Burnley boss Sean Dyche was impressed.

"If you question how they've spent 100 million pounds, and what's come with it, and how it works, I thought that was a pretty good example today," he said.

Burnley remains without a league win after three games.



https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/summer-signings-pay-off-for-fulham-in-4-2-win-vs-burnley-082618

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Fulham 4 Burnley 2: Mitrovic brace helps Cottagers get off the mark

Aleksandar Mitrovic netted twice as Fulham opened their Premier League account for the 2018-19 season at the expense of Burnley.

Jean Michael Seri and Andre Schurrle both scored their first goals as Fulham got off the mark on their return to the Premier League with a 4-2 win over Burnley.

Aleksandar Mitrovic also netted a three-minute brace for Slavisa Jokanovic's side, who confidently shrugged off the disappointment of successive defeats back in the top flight to pick up all three welcome points.

Jeff Hendrick struck six minutes after Seri's spectacular early opener and a close-range James Tarkowski finish late in a five-goal first half gave Burnley hope they could yet add to the lone point they have managed in a sluggish start to the new season.

But Mitrovic scored twice with his head in between Burnley's goals and a deserved late strike for Schurrle left Sean Dyche – who knows his side are teetering on the edge of Europa League elimination after a first-leg defeat at Olympiacos on Thursday - with mounting problems to solve.

An entertaining first half began with Seri lashing a rising 25-yard drive beyond Joe Hart in the fourth minute, only for Hendrick to hastily respond by capping off a counter-attack at the second attempt.

Burnley are not the defensive force of last season, though, and were unable to stop Fulham scoring twice from crosses in quick succession, Mitrovic proving a menace with commanding headers past Hart.

The Clarets did battle back into the contest when Ben Mee rose to meet a corner that led to Tarkowski turning home amid suspicion of offside four minutes prior to the interval.

Fulham responded to the challenge by continuing to control possession after the break and Schurrle, denied earlier by the crossbar, eventually got his reward in the 83rd minute, the Germany international drilling home the rebound from Mitrovic's initial attempt to seal the result.

What it means: European exit may be best

It will be intriguing to see how Dyche approaches the second leg of the Europa League play-off tie against Olympiacos, with a 3-1 loss on the road making qualification for the group stage an unlikely prospect.

The need to rotate appears to have already come at the cost of Premier League points, and defeat on home soil this Thursday may be more readily accepted than at any other juncture.

Pat on the back: Seri a shining star

A big-name signing during a busy transfer window, Seri illustrated the ability that once captured Barcelona's attention with an all-round performance of immense quality. His spectacular goal set the tone for 90 minutes of classy touches and limitless energy.

Boot up the backside: Burnley's defence

Though more assured after the interval, the Clarets endured a disastrous first half that left them chasing their tails. The imposing Mitrovic found space too easily for his twin headers, an indictment on the partnership between Mee and Tarkowski that provided such a solid foundation for the team's success in the league last season.

Key Opta stats:

What's next?

Fulham can maintain momentum at home to Exeter City in the EFL Cup before a weekend trip to Brighton and Hove Albion, while Burnley welcome Olympiacos and Manchester United to Turf Moor in the space of a difficult four days.
- Fulham registered their first win since winning the Championship play-off final in May against Aston Villa.- Since a run of five consecutive Premier League wins between March and April, Burnley have collected just three points in eight league games (P8 W0 D3 L5).- Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart has conceded at least three goals in five of his last six Premier League games in the month of August, conceding 17 goals in total.- Andre Schurrle scored his first Premier League goal for Fulham – his goal was the 11th shot he'd had in the match.- After failing to score with any of his first 24 shots in the Premier League, Burnley defender James Tarkowski has scored with two of his last three in the competition.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/fulham-v-burnley/report/78krll9p6jhbr2986sj53vbe2

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Fulham 4-2 Burnley REPORT: Aleksandar Mitrovic scores twice as Cottagers get first win following promotion

The Serbian talisman was too hot to handle for the Clarets defence in a six-goal thriller at Craven Cottage

Fulham are up and running in the Premier League after a six-goal thriller saw them defeat Burnley 4-2 at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice and put in a monstrous display as Slavisa Jovanovic's men claimed their first points in the top-flight after returning in the summer.

The Cottagers' wasted little time in taking the lead in a wide-open first half, with record signing Jean Michael-Seri thumping home a stunner from 25 yards after just four minutes.


Joe Hart is beaten by Seri's sensational strike (Image: REUTERS)



Seri takes the acclaim of Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Image: Getty Images Europe)

It looked as though the Clarets were set to suffer from a Europa League hangover, but Sean Dyche's men were level in the 10th minute.

Fulham's defence - which had conceded five times in their opening two games - was at sixes and sevens when Aaron Lennon teased a ball into the penalty area, and Jeff Hendrick took full advantage, poking home past Marcus Bettinelli.


Jeff Hendrick pokes home (Image: REUTERS)

The game settled down, with Fulham looking to dominate possession and the resolute Clarets - beaten in controversial circumstances in the Europa League by Olympiacos in midweek - looking organised and willing to play on the counter.

Then, chaos.

Mitrovic, the talismanic striker whose loan move in January proved so crucial as the west London side ran up the table and secured promotion through the playoffs, bagged a quickfire double to give Fulham a 3-1 lead, twice heading past Joe Hart after enticing deliveries from wide.

The 23-year-old, who joined permanently from Newcastle for an initial £22million in the summer, has scored 15 times for the club in 21 starts since making his debut in February.


Mitrovic heads home to make it 2-1 (Image: Getty Images Europe)


Tarkowski gets in to net and make it 3-2 (Image: 2018 Getty Images)

But James Tarkowski pulled one back for the Clarets four minutes before half-time, getting the final touch after Ben Mee had flicked on Stephen Ward's corner.

Nerves started to edge in among the home crowd during the second period as they failed to extend their lead.

And Burnley went close to making it 3-3, with Tarkovski almost getting his second.

Andre Schurrle forced Joe Hart into a fine sprawling save with 10 minutes remaining as the ex-England keeper kept the away side's hopes of a point alive.

But just three minutes later the German pounced, smashing home the rebound after Mitrovic - too hot to handle throughout - had thumped the post.


Schurrle had the final say (Image: REUTERS)

FULHAM: Bettinelli; Fosu-Mensah, Odoi, Le Marchand, Bryan; Seri, McDonald, Cairney; Schurrle, Mitrovic, Vietto

SUBS USED: Chambers (Bryan 72'), Anguissa (Cairney 78')

BURNLEY: Hart; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Westwood, Cork; Lennon, Hendrick, Gudmundsson; Wood

SUBS USED: Taylor (Gudmundsson 19'), Vokes (Wood 66'), Barnes (Ward 66')



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-burnley-match-report-mitrovic-13141782

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Fulham 4-2 Burnley: Aleksandar Mitrovic double seals first Fulham win

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a quick first-half double as Fulham beat Burnley 4-2 to seal their first win of the Premier League season.

The Whites looked the better side from the outset after a thunderous strike from Jean Michael Seri inside three minutes, although Jeff Hendrick (10) got Burnley level not long after.

Two quickfire strikes from Mitrovic (36, 38) ultimately decided the game, but Burnley put the pressure on again when James Tarkowski tapped home in the 40th minute.

The second half saw just the one goal - a strike from Andre Schurrle (83) - as Fulham won their first league game of the season, while Burnley have now gone eight top-flight games without a win.

Player ratings

Fulham: Bettinelli (6), Fosu-Mensah (7), Odoi (6), Le Marchand (6), Bryan (7), Seri (7), McDonald (6), Cairney (7), Schurrle (8), Mitrovic (7), Vietto (7).

Subs used: Chambers (4), Anguissa (5), Sessegnon (n/a).

Burnley: Hart (6), Lowton (6), Tarkowski (7), Mee (7), Ward (6), Lennon (6), Cork (6), Gudmundsson (n/a), Westwood (6), Wood (4), Hendrick (6).

Subs used: Taylor (7), Vokes (4), Barnes (4).

Man of the match: Andre Schurrle.

In a goal-laden first half, it was Seri's opening strike in the third minute that was the pick of the strikes. Luciano Vietto laid the ball off to the midfielder and he hit his effort towards goal, which rifled into the top corner, scoring with his first-ever Premier League shot.

Seven minutes later and Hendrick got Burnley level. It was a great run down the field from Aaron Lennon, who picked out Hendrick on the left of the area. His initial effort was blocked by the knees of Denis Odoi before he scored the rebound on the angle.

The game looked to be meandering towards half-time when there was a flurry of goals. Mitrovic kicked things off in the 36th minute as Seri played a short corner to Tom Cairney at the top of the box. His curled cross towards the back post was then glanced home by Mitrovic.

Team news

Fulham made five changes, with Marcus Bettinelli, Kevin McDonald, Andre Schurrle, Luciano Vietto and Denis Odoi coming into the XI. Burnley made no changes to their Premier League XI, with five players retaining their places from midweek.

He added the second two minutes later as Fulham went on the break with Vietto again involved, whipping a superb ball into the area which Mitrovic again nodded home, this time more emphatically.

There was more to come, though, as Tarkowski pulled one back for Burnley with five minutes of the half to play. Charlie Taylor's corner was nodded back across the area by Ben Mee, allowing his fellow defender to tap home from point-blank range.

There were fewer goals in the second half, but Andre Schurrle rattled the crossbar in the 55th minute, rounding Tarkowski before taking aim. Mitrovic could have completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute, but could not convert Timothy Fosu-Mensah's fizzing cross, ending up in the back of the net himself.

After plenty of shots, Schurrle finally made the breakthrough in the 83th minute to round off the win. Mitrovic did well in the build-up, seeing his strike ping off the crossbar, but the rebound landed at the feet of the German who fired home.

Opta stats

    Since a run of five consecutive Premier League wins between March and April, Burnley have collected just three points in eight league games (P8 W0 D3 L5).
    Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored 15 league goals since his debut for the Whites in February - no player has more in the top four tiers of English football in that time (Mohamed Salah has also scored 15).
    Andre Schurrle scored his first Premier League goal for Fulham - his goal was the 11th shot he'd had in the match.
    Four of Aleksandar Mitrovic's 13 Premier League goals have been scored against Joe Hart (also with Newcastle in October 2015 against Manchester City and in August 2017 against West Ham).

Man of the match - Andre Schurrle

It was a superb performance from Schurrle, who is starting to find his feet again after some disappointing seasons back in Germany. He was pulling the strings in the middle of the park for the first half and got into the right-back position on a number of occasions to cover his team-mates.

His focus shifted in the second period and he was purely attack-minded, having a huge number of efforts, including one which pinged against the crossbar. He finally got his goal late on and it was much deserved. He will be a star for Fulham if he keeps the same level for much of the season.


Notes for Southgate

England manager Gareth Southgate was in attendance at Craven Cottage, with Joe Hart playing another 90 minutes although did not make many big saves. James Tarkowski scored for a second Premier League game in a row. For Fulham, Calum Chambers and Ryan Sessegnon made substitute appearances but did not do too much.

What's next?

Fulham take on Exeter in their midweek Carabao Cup fixture before facing Brighton on Saturday in the Premier League. Burnley play the second leg of their Europa League play-off tie against Olympiakos on Thursday before welcoming Manchester United to Turf Moor in the Premier League on Sunday.



http://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-burnley/390779

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Quickfire Aleksandar Mitrovic at the double for Fulham to stun Burnley


Aleksandar Mitrovic heads the ball past the Burnley goalkeeper, Joe Hart, to put his side 2-1 up at Craven Cottage. Photograph: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Getty Images

The thought will be anathema to most football romantics, but Burnley's hopes for the season may hinge on an honourable defeat. This reverse, against a Fulham side that could have scored twice as many, did not really fit the category; eyes at Turf Moor will now turn to the two-goal deficit they must overturn against Olympiakos on Thursday, though, and on current evidence a prolonging of their Thursday-to-Sunday regimen would put them at risk of serious trouble.

A relatively kind start to the campaign has now brought just one point and, not helped by some uncharacteristically shambolic defending, they were outmanoeuvred here by opponents whose passing and movement, led by the marvellous Jean Michaël Seri, was on a different level.

A year ago Seri thought he was about to join Barcelona from Nice. The move fell down amid a flurry of half-explanations and finger-pointing; the prospect of furthering his career at Fulham, struggling in the Championship's lower reaches at that point, would have seemed unpalatable but the signs are that he has found the platform to become a star.

Burnley could not keep up with him and that was more a mental issue than down to any physical gifts: Seri's recycling of possession, his ability to change the game's tempo with a single pass and his appreciation of the space around him combined to give him control of the midfield in an otherwise ragged, see-sawing affair that entertained throughout.

It helped that he packed a hammer blow to go with the masterful direction of traffic. Fulham had already started quickly when, just over three minutes in, Seri took possession from Luciano Vietto in the inside-left position. There was little on but, losing Jeff Hendrick in one movement, he set his sights and sent an achingly clean 25-yard drive arrowing into Joe Hart's top corner.

"He's great," said Slavisa Jokanovic, whose five changes from a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham had looked a gamble. "He scored a fantastic goal, he fits well for the style of how we want to play football and he's one of the guys who is important for our possession of the ball."

Fulham's control was jolted when Hendrick, finishing at the second attempt after they had been exposed by an Aaron Lennon-led counter, injected some life into Burnley's heavy legs. But Fulham regained their composure quickly enough and, by half-time, a sodden afternoon's other star turn had made his mark.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's two headers, the first from a tantalising Tom Cairney delivery that spun up beyond Hart and the second arising when Vietto was allowed a barely credible amount of time to cross, came within as many minutes of each other and were emphatically taken. The Serb led the line superbly throughout and would have been worth a hat-trick; James Tarkowski and Ben Mee never had the measure of him and Jokanovic was right in saying his performance disabused any notion that he is that common breed of nearly-man: too good for the second tier but not fit for the top flight.

"Some people thought he can only be a Championship player but no, he's showed his quality at the highest level," Jokanovic said. "He's a really important player for us, a young man who has huge room for improvement."

For all the fine work of those further forward, Fulham's defence falls into that latter bracket. They were undone again when Tarkowski, who looked offside, bundled in the game's fifth goal shortly before half‑time and will surely suffer anew when better attacking units exploit the gaps they leave. Burnley failed to provide any further examination of that theory after the interval, instead finding themselves pulled apart on the break.

André Schürrle, who had shot on sight all afternoon with wildly varying degrees of menace, eventually scored from his 11th attempt after Hart had tipped Mitrovic's effort on to an upright. Doubts eliminated, Fulham could bask in their first win of the season.

How Burnley need three points of their own, whether on a Sunday afternoon or not, to ensure those concerns about their schedule avoid self-fulfilling. "Players get barraged now with news stories and it's mostly negative about the Europa League and games and things like that," Sean Dyche said. "But that's the reality now: can we keep going in different competitions?" He might ask himself whether it really is worth finding out.



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/26/fulham-burnley-premier-league-match-report

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Fulham v Burnley player ratings

Fulham beat Burnley to secure their first win back in the Premier League. Here's how we rated each Whites player in the 4-2 victory at Craven Cottage, where Aleksandar Mitrovic netted twice and there were also goals for Jean Michael Seri and Andre Schurrle.

Marcus Bettinelli: 6

Given a warm reception at the Hammersmith End after being recalled in place of Fabri for his first start of the season. Beaten twice but not too troubled otherwise.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah: 7

A massive attacking presence for the Whites. At times seemed more of an out-and-out winger with his pace and eagerness to get forward.
Denis Odoi: 6

Back from suspension, Odoi almost managed to block Burnley's first goal and gave his usual tireless display at the heart of the defence.
Maxime Le Marchand: 6

Had a quieter afternoon than the scoreline suggests, with Burnley failing to stretch him too often. Another composed display.
Joe Bryan: 6

Managed to put in some dangerous crosses, and coped well with the pace of Aaron Lennon after the early Burnley goal, but still feeling his way.
Kevin McDonald: 6

Seemed to dovetail much better with John Michael Seri this week. Disciplined shift, seldom straying from his station in front of the defence.
Jean Michael Seri: 7

His first goal for the club was a beauty. But it is the no-nonsense, metronomic midfield work that will have pleased boss Slavisa Jokanovic even more. More evidence that the Whites have made a superb acquisition.
Andre Schurrle: 9

Industrious, pacey and always ambitious. An early left-foot fizzer as he cut in from the right was typical. Clipped the bar with another effort from distance and was denied a goal by Joe Hart's outstretched leg before his deserved reward. Lucky to avoid a red card for a high lunge, though.
Tom Cairney: 6

Seems to be finding his feet now. The confidence levels grew with the passing accuracy and an assist for Mitrovic's first goal will have done him the power of good. Hobbled off after tweaking his ankle.
Luciano Vietto: 6

Some stray passes suggested a little nervousness early on, but his assist gave Fulham their third goal and he had a hand in the opening goal too.
Aleksandar Mitrovic: 8

For once he did not totally dominate, as Ben Mee gave him a testing afternoon – and yet there he was bagging two more goals. A constant menace for the visitors.
Calum Chambers: 6

On for Joe Bryan for the final 20 minutes. Had a comfortable cameo.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-v-burnley-player-ratings

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Exeter City Tickets

Watch Carabao Cup action at Craven Cottage this Tuesday 28th August with tickets just £1 juniors & £10 adults.

Fulham take on Exeter City in Round Two of the competition, our first meeting with the Grecians since the 1996/97 season.

Get behind Slaviša Jokanović and the boys with tickets available now online, by phone on 0203 871 0810 (opt 1) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

Buy online

Fans are advised that everyone will be sent a paper ticket for this fixture, and all fans who have signed up for the Home Cup Scheme will have their accounts debited automatically.
All tickets are subject to availability. Terms & Conditions and booking fees apply.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/august/26/exeter-city-tickets

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Fulham grab first win of the season against worn out Burnley in goal-fest at Craven Cottage


Fulham celebrate their fourth goal Credit: Getty Images

Fulham are off and running in the Premier League, and for Slavisa Jokanovic the most satisfying part of this first win of the season will be that they did it their way. It was fast, it was flowing and, most of all, it was fun. It was frenetic at times, too, and they remain dangerously wobbly in defence, but not even the most miserly Fulham fan will be dwelling on the negatives here.

Four goals, including three in a thrilling first half, were the least Fulham deserved on the day they fully announced themselves to the Premier League. Two defeats in their opening two games had raised doubts over their extensive summer recruitment, when 12 players had been signed, but this was clear evidence that the new boys are beginning to settle.

There were first goals of the season for Andre Schurrle, excellent in attack, and for Jean Michael Seri, the most exciting of all those summer arrivals. Aleksandar Mitrovic struck a brace, too, and Luciano Vietto was relentless up front. In short, Fulham looked like a team, rather than a collection of individuals.

"We showed ambition to cause damage, we created many chances," said Jokanovic, who reserved special praise for the brilliant Mitrovic. The Serbian who impressed on loan here last season before moving permanently from Newcastle United in the summer. "His attitude is always fantastic, he is always available," Jokanovic said.

"He demonstrated this in the Championship last season and some people are thinking he can only be a Championship payer. No, he showed the quality for fighting in the highest level in England and in the world."

For all Fulham's joy, there will be just as much trepidation for Burnley, for whom the Europa League is proving unavoidably problematic. Defeat by Olympiakos in Greece on Thursday was by no means the ideal preparation for Sean Dyche's side, who have conceded 10 goals in their last three games. The defensive solidity of last season has been eroded by the demands of European football.

"We need to see beyond the constant noise of the Europa League, and too many games and all that stuff," Dyche said. "That does play its part in the players' minds. The players get a barrage of different news stories and mostly, I think it is fair to say, those have been negative about the Europa League and how many games we are playing. But it's the reality. That is the challenge."

Burnley's struggles could be seen in the anguished face of Joe Hart, who struggled at times under the gaze of Gareth Southgate in the stands. The England manager had arrived here hoping to see Ryan Sessegnon, but the Fulham teenager had been dropped to the bench in favour of Vietto as Jokanovic looked to sharpen his attack.

Vietto's impact was instant, as he set up the all-action Seri to score arguably the goal of the season so far. Receiving the ball 30 yards from goal, the £25m midfielder dropped a shoulder to create space before sending an old-fashioned thunderbolt into the top corner.

Fulham deserved their lead, but their commitment to passing football leaves them vulnerable. Maxime Le Marchand surrendered possession on the halfway line, allowing Aaron Lennon to scamper clear and set up Jeff Hendrick, who finished with his second attempt.

Undeterred by the error, Fulham continued to probe. From a corner, Tom Cairney whipped a cross into the six-yard box, where Mitrovic could hardly miss.

Hart barely had time to digest what had happened before he had been beaten for the third time. Again it was Mitrovic, darting in, out and back in again before glancing Vietto's cross into the net. "The best player on the pitch was Mitrovic," Dyche said. "He did everything that a good centre forward should do."

This was Fulham at their best, but they were again undone by their defensive incapabilities when James Tarkowski was allowed to bundle home a second goal for the visitors, albeit from what appeared to be an offside position, following a Burnley corner.

After the break, Schurrle struck the bar before Mitrovic went close with a sliding effort. A fourth was coming, and Schurrle tucked the ball into the corner after Mitrovic's shot had cannoned back of the post.

Fulham (4-3-3) Bettinelli 6 Fosu-Mensah 7 Odoi 6 Le Marchand 5 Bryan 6 Cairney 7 McDonald 7 Seri 8 Vietto 7 Mitrovic 9 Schurrle 8
Subs Chambers (Bryan 72), Anguissa (Cairney 78), Sessegnon (Schurrle 89)
Subs not used Fabri (g), Johansen, Christie, Kamara Booked: Bettinelli, Schurrle

Burnley (4-4-1-1) Wood 5 Hendrick 6 Gudmundsson 6 Westwood 5 Cork 6 Lennon 6 Ward 6 Mee 6 Tarkowski 5 Lowton 5 Hart 5
Subs Taylor (Gudmundsson 19), Vokes (Wood 66), Barnes (Ward 66)
Subs not used Heaton (g), Gibson, Bardsley, Long Booked: Tarkowski



https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/08/26/fulham-grab-first-win-season-against-worn-burnley-goal-fest/

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Mitrovic rebuffs language-barrier concerns after Burnley victory

Aleksandar Mitrovic played down concerns that a language barrier was causing discontent in the Fulham dressing room after scoring two goals in a 4-2 Premier League win against Burnley on Sunday.

Goalkeeping coach Jose Sambade Carreira is reported to have left the club this week, just two weeks into the season, with some outlets claiming his departure relates to goalkeepers Fabri and Sergio Rico struggling to settle and communicate with a predominantly English-speaking defence.

Following defeats in their opening two matches, Fulham promoted Marcus Bettinelli to a starting spot for the win against Burnley - the former England Under-21 international having previously been left out of the matchday squad for the Crystal Palace and Tottenham fixtures.

But while Mitrovic concedes there are members of the squad who have not yet mastered the local lingo, they share an ambition to make Fulham's return to the top flight a success.

"We have so many new players, they came from different leagues and some don't speak English but this is the best league, we want to stay with the best and we will work hard to do that," he said.

"No matter what we do, we will stick to our system and that will give us more confidence to stay in this league."

Jean Michael Seri and Andre Schurrle were also on target for Fulham in a Premier League thriller.

"It was a tough game. Burnley play really tough. [There were] a lot of goals but I enjoyed the three points," added Mitrovic.

"Every goal is a nice goal, great feeling, but the most important thing is we grab the three points and give the fans a nice afternoon."

Rico and Fabri were part of an extensive - and expensive - recruitment drive by Fulham during the transfer window, which saw the Craven Cottage club spend around £100million on players.

"I have no complaints about the result today because they were the better side," said Burnley boss Sean Dyche.

"Their centre forward [Mitrovic] was the best player on the pitch by a mile.

"We dropped below our standards, but they deserve credit because it looked like £100m well spent."



https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/mitrovic-rebuffs-language-barrier-concerns-after-burnley-victory

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Fulham take advantage of a tired Burnley side to pick up first win of the season


Fulham's Andre Schurrle (left) celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage

A FEAST of goals at Craven Cottage saw Fulham pick up their first win of the season today in a pulsating end-to-end affair.

Sean Dyche's Burnley arrived at Fulham after a tough Europa League away defeat in Athens against Olympiacos on Thursday night and seemed to be suffering a hangover in the opening minutes as Fulham took an early lead.

A fine move down the left involving Joe Bryan and Luchiano Vietto ended with Jean Michael Seri rifling into the top corner from 25 yards.

Fulham made five changes to the side that lost to Tottenham last time out, with Ryan Sessegnon relegated to the bench and long-term goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli back in the net. And their early season defensive frailty was on show when they let in an equaliser after 10 minutes.

A poor pass by Maxime Le Marchand on the halfway line saw Burnley break forward quickly, with Aaron Lennon finding Jeff Hendrick at the edge of the six-yard box and the Burnley striker scored with his second attempt.

Fulham retook the lead on 25 minutes with a corner straight from the training ground. Seri found Tom Cairney on the edge of the box who curled a cross to the far post where Aleksandar Mitrovic was waiting to head home.

Two minutes later and Mitrovic doubled Fulham's lead with a header from six yards out from Vietto's cross. Joe Hart had no chance as Burnley's defence fell asleep.

Burnley responded immediately with a corner move of their own, a goal that VAR may well have ruled out as James Tarkowski looked to be in an offside position when meeting Ben Mee's nod-down.

The second half was just as open, with both sides pushing for the crucial goal. Fulham had the better of the chances and wrapped up the game in the 83rd minute after superb play from Mitrovic on the right wing.

The Serbian international cut inside and saw his curling shot touched onto the post by Hart and on the rebound German World Cup winner Andre Schurrle scored the goal that his all-round play deserved.



https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/article/fulham-take-advantage-tired-burnley-side-pick-first-win-season