Sunday Fulham Stuff (23/09/18)...

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Results

Saturday
Fulham	1 - 1	Watford
Burnley	4 - 0	Bournemouth
Cardiff	0 - 5	Man City
Crystal Palace	0 - 0	Newcastle
Leicester	3 - 1	Huddersfield
Liverpool	3 - 0	Southampton
Man Utd	1 - 1	Wolves
Brighton	1 - 2	Spurs

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Fulham 1-1 Watford

Watford had to settle for a draw at Fulham after Aleksandar Mitrovic struck late on to earn the hosts a point.

The Hornets punished a poor start by Fulham as Andre Gray sidefooted home inside 90 seconds and the visitors, who won their first four Premier League games of the season, dominated the first half.

Gray was denied by Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli either side of the break and Watford paid for their wasted chances as an improved second-half performance by the hosts saw them draw level through Mitrovic's equaliser on 78 minutes.

The Serb twice went close to claiming a late winner for the Cottagers, including a header against the crossbar, although that would have been hard on Watford, who had looked well on course to return to winning ways after losing to Manchester United last Saturday.

Despite Fulham missing out on only their second league win since returning to the top flight, their coach Slavisa Jokanovic will be encouraged by the way his side tightened up after the break.

Fulham defence in disarray


Alfie Mawson was booked for this foul on Roberto Pereyra before he and Kevin McDonald were substituted at half-time

Jokanovic, who left Watford shortly after leading them into the Premier League in 2015, has named a different back four for each game this season and it showed as their defence was again in disarray in the first half.

The Cottagers have the worst defensive record in the league and for the second week running they conceded inside two minutes, wasting four chances to clear following a tame throw-in.

Watford defender Christian Kabasele also enjoyed a free run at Jose Holebas' corner, with his header blocked by Ryan Sessegnon, before Alfie Mawson endured a miserable first half.

The summer signing from Swansea misjudged two headers, gifting chances to Gray and Roberto Pereyra, before being booked and surviving a penalty appeal for a clumsy sliding challenge on Will Hughes. Jokanovic put Mawson out of his misery by making a double substitution at half-time.

Fulham's only chance of the first half saw Luciano Vietto test Ben Foster on the counter-attack before curling the rebound wide.

Top scorer Mitrovic then came to the fore, heading over from an Andre Schurrle cross before tapping in from Vietto's square ball to claim his fifth goal of the season.

Had his late shot beaten Foster, or his header from the resulting corner dropped a few inches lower, it would have given Fulham a victory they did not deserve.

Consistency key for Watford


Mitrovic's equaliser means Fulham have lost just one of their past 19 home league games, including play-offs (won 14, drawn four)

Despite seeing their surprise 100% start ended by Manchester United, Watford coach Javi Gracia named an unchanged team, and in doing so the Hornets became just the fifth team to name the same starting XI for their first six games of a Premier League season (after Leeds 1992-93, Tottenham 1994-95, Liverpool 1996-97 and Aston Villa 2008-09).

The visiting fans were hoping to see their side bounce back from defeat by Manchester United and show that their positive start was not just a matter of catching their early-season opponents flat-footed - and Watford were soon in their stride.

After some poor defending by Fulham, Hughes pounced on the loose ball on the edge of the box and played in Gray to slot into the bottom corner for his third goal of the season.

Organised at the back and comfortable on the ball in midfield, they also had the outlet of in-form strike pair Gray and Troy Deeney, who held the ball up for their supporting team-mates as well as proving a constant menace to Fulham centre-halves Mawson and Calum Chambers.

Another Gray effort looped behind off Bettinelli after the striker latched on to Mawson's poor header, and Pereyra curled a shot wide before Gray's second-half shot was saved by Bettinelli.

Even after the equaliser, Watford substitute Isaac Success was denied by Bettinelli, and when Mitrovic twice went close at the death, it was the only time the Hornets defence was struggling.

Overall, they were a well-drilled unit and if Gracia has the luxury of keeping a settled side, they should be confident of improving on last season's 14th-place finish.

Man of the match - Will Hughes (Watford)


Hughes showed energy and enterprise in midfield, making 25 passes, having a strong penalty appeal turned down and creating two chances - including Gray's goal - before being replaced on 70 minutes

'We couldn't control Deeney' - what they said

Fulham coach Slavisa Jokanovic: "I believe we deserved a point. We started the game sloppily and conceded a goal easily. We were a little confused and didn't find our game. Troy Deeney caused us many damages and we didn't find a way to control him.

"They could have scored more but in the second 45 minutes we moved some players. The team showed a different approach and started to move the ball better. I believe the result is fair and we must keep going forward.

"Mitrovic played well. It wouldn't be easy against the Watford centre-backs but he found the chance to score the goal. He must keep going and he is an important player for us."

Watford coach Javi Gracia: "After we scored in the first minutes and after a good first half, all of us thought we would be able to get three points. At the end of the game they scored.

"We played much better in the first half when we had to kill the game and score another goal. We had the chances to do it. In the second they changed their shape and we tried to keep the high press and we suffered a bit.

"We tried to keep the same level of intensity and ambition. The players feel really bad. They are hungry, they want to win and have made a very big effort today. They played really well in the first half. That is what we want to keep for the rest of the season."

Mitrovic on fire - the stats

    This was Fulham's 500th match in the Premier League, making them the 15th team to reach the milestone.
    Watford are without a win on their past nine Premier League visits to London, their draw against Fulham coming after eight consecutive defeats.
    Gray's goal, timed at one minute 27 seconds, was the quickest in the Premier League since 10 March 2018 (Kenedy for Newcastle v Southampton, 1:03).
    Gray's goal (1:27) was also Watford's second quickest in the Premier League after Etienne Capoue against Leicester in November 2016 (32 seconds).
    Since his debut for Fulham in February 2018, Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored 17 goals in English league football, more than any other player.

What's next?

Fulham make the short trip to Millwall in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday (19:45 BST) before returning to Premier League action at Everton next Saturday (15:00).

Watford have another two London derbies over the next week, at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday (20:00) - with the game to be played at Milton Keynes - and at Arsenal in the league on Saturday (15:00).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45530714

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Head Coach Reaction

Considering Fulham's start to the match, Slaviša Jokanović was pleased to claim a point on Saturday afternoon.

There was a sense of déjà vu when we found ourselves 1-0 down after two minutes, but a strong response from the Whites in the second half earned a deserved draw.

"We started really sloppy and soft, and gave them so much space to do damage," Jokanović said in his post-match press conference.

"We encouraged ourselves and in the second half we showed we can move the football, showed attitude and showed character.

"In the end, we must be satisfied with a point today, and push forward, be brave and improve.

"There's a huge gap for improvement. We must be available to work hard and improve. To start the game the way we started today, or how we started against [Manchester] City, it's not easy to survive this situation.

"We must be focused, concentrate - this is the Premier League, the most competitive league in the world. These mistakes and sloppy starts can make it complicated to fix.

"We must be available to work. We must be available to step up. I need my players to be brave and confident.

"We must be satisfied with one point, but I'm not completely satisfied with our 90 minutes. The satisfaction comes from the second-half. There's space for improvement, as the gap is huge.

"It's my sixth game with 12 new players. Today's situation is better than yesterday, and tomorrow will be better than today. We are in some kind of process and the players are gelling."

Aleksandar Mitrović scored his fifth goal of the season to equalise for Fulham, and it would have been even better for the striker had it not been for a combination of Ben Foster and the crossbar.

"He's great, he played well," Jokanović stated. "It wasn't easy for him, fighting against two Watford centre-backs, [but] he's strong.

"He didn't find the space for many chances, but in the end he had two chances and scored one and hit the crossbar.

"He did his job and we're satisfied with his level. He's a brave man and I know he's never really satisfied."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/september/22/head-coach-reaction-watford

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Fulham 1 Watford 1: Aleksandar Mitrovic rescues Premier League point

The best and worst of Slavisa Kokanovic's Fulham side were laid bare at Craven Cottage as Aleksandar Mitrovic's fifth goal of the season earned a point against Watford.

Andre Gray had the high-flying Hornets ahead with the club's second fastest goal in their Premier League history and they were seemingly cruising to a fifth win of the season until the Serbian struck late on.

Watford put five past Fulham the last time they were here, back in December 2014 as Slavisa Jokanovic was leading the Hertfordshire side back to the Premier League, and those in the home crowd at Craven Cottage would have feared something similar after just 90 seconds.

Now in the home dugout, Jokanovic is yet to name the same back four in consecutive games yet this season, and it shows.

The hosts were in a mess when first Jean-Michael Seri and then Alfie Mawson failed to deal with Jose Holebas' long throw, before the ball was allowed to drop at the feet of Will Hughes. The Englishman continued his fine start to the season by rolling the ball left to Gray who, with ample space and time fired past Marcus Bettinelli.

The Fulham keeper was dismissed after just 18 minutes in that meeting four years ago, but proved crucial in keeping the visitors at bay just a minute earlier this time around as, in attempting to deal with a long ball, Mawson nodded nicely down to set Gray through one-on-one, only for the No.1 to force his effort wide.

There was no real reaction to the goal from the hosts. Jokanovic's side looked neat going forward but far from it at the back as the visitors cut through midfield with alarming regularity and ease on the break, as Troy Deeney continued to bully Mawson and Calum Chambers.

They had their spells, with Seri doing well to keep the ball moving in midfield, but things just weren't moving fast enough to ruffle the Watford rearguard.

By half-time, Jokanovic had seen enough. Mawson and captain Kevin McDonald were both hooked with Denis Odoi and Floyd Ayite replacing them at the break, and the hosts were almost level minutes later.

Andriy Schurrle, the most threatening of any player in white all afternoon, drove down the right hand side and, having almost reached the byline, swung a pinpoint ball onto the head of Mitrovic, the only Fulham man in the Watford box, who could only guide it just over the bar.

It was the Serbian who continued to toil seemingly alone against the rigid Watford defence.


Fulham still with just one win this season. (Getty Images)

His desire, though, was finally matched by Luciano Vietto with just over ten minutes to go as the forward, on loan from Atletico Madrid, got the better of Daryl Janmaat in the penalty area and drilled a cross to the edge of the six yard box where, eventually, Mitrovic got the best of Foster.

Having battled doggedly to get back level, another defensive mix-up almost cost the hosts as Chambers dawdled on the ball to let in Deeney, who scored a hat-trick the last time he was here, however the Watford captain could not find substitute Isaac Success as Odoi hooked the ball clear to collective relief.

The challenge could have proved even more valuable when, up the other end, having forced a corner from Foster with a well struck effort, Mitrovic clattered the bar with a header.

Fulham worked hard for a point which, in truth, flattered their disjointed performance. Gracia will be frustrated with his side's inability to take advantage of such a strong start here on the banks of the Thames, but overall there should be little concern over their performance.

For Jokanovic there remains plenty to settle on. Having chopped and changed once more he must be no closer to knowing his best starting XI ahead of a run which, after a League Cup London derby against Millwall, brings Premier League clashes against Everton and Arsenal.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-1-watford-aleksandar-mitrovic-rescues-premier-league-point-a3943016.html

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Fulham 1-1 Watford: Aleksandar Mitrovic cancels out Andre Gray's early opener to ensure high-flying Hornets drop points in successive league games

    Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a late equaliser for Fulham as they claimed a point against high-flying Watford
    Andre Gray opened the scoring inside two minutes after the striker finished well into the bottom corner
    Mitrovic ensured the newly-promoted side took a point though as he produced a delicate close range finish
    The Hornets came into the game with four wins from five matches in the new Premier League season

Etienne Capoue fell to the floor when the final whistle sounded at Craven Cottage. The Watford midfielder dropped to his knees and let the injustice of football sink in for a few moments.

Then he pounded the turf once in frustration, got up and looked around. Daryl Janmaat was on the ground, too, not knowing where to look, but knowing he was at fault, knowing his team had thrown victory away.

Great expectations do that to you. Winning your first four games of the season do that to you. Desperately wanting to regain the momentum that was interrupted by defeat to Manchester United last week does that to you. Outplaying your opponent for 90 per cent of the game and then making one mistake that costs you dearly does that to you, too.


Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a late equaliser for Fulham as they ensured high-flying Watford dropped points once again


The imposing Serbian striker ensured the newly-promoted side took a point as he produced a delicate close range finish


It continues Mitrovic's impressive goal-scoring record and hands Fulham a timely boost on their Premier League return


Watford had led just two minutes into the game with striker Andre Gray putting them in control at Craven Cottage


Gray latched onto the ball after midfielder Will Hughes slid the striker in on goal and he slotted into the corner


It was Watford's second quickest goal in the Premier League after Etienne Capoue against Leicester in November 2016

PLAYER RATINGS, LEAGUE TABLE AND MATCH ZONE



Fulham: Bettinelli 6; Fosu-Mensah 5.5, Chambers 6, Mawson 4 (Odoi 46, 6), Sessegnon 6; Seri 5, McDonald 5 (Ayite 46, 6), Johansen 5.5 (Zambo Anguissa 64, 6); Vietto 6, Mitrovic 6, Schurrle 7

Subs not used: Le Marchand, Christie, Sergio Rico, Kamara

Goal: Mitrovic 78

Bookings: Fosu-Mensah, Mawson

Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic

Watford: Foster 6.5; Janmaat 5.5, Cathcart 6, Kabasele 6, Holebas 6; Hughes 6.5 (Femenia 70, 6), Capoue 7.5, Doucoure 8, Pereyra 6; Deeney 7, Gray 7.5 (Success 79, 7).

Subs not used: Gomes, Mariappa, Masina, Chalobah

Goal: Gray 2

Booking: Holebas

Manager: Javi Gracia

Referee: Martin Atkinson 7

Man of the Match: Doucoure

Attendance: 23,418

That was Watford's story in the pouring rain by the Thames. For the majority of this match, they looked every inch the team whose start this season has surprised everybody. They oozed class. They made Fulham look like naifs in the Premier League. They looked as if they were about to cruise to a fifth victory in six games and go back to a share of the lead at the top of the table.

In Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucoure, they had the best two players on the pitch. In attack, Troy Deeney played like a man who was intent on continuing to make a point to England boss Gareth Southgate, whose judgment in leaving him out of the national reckoning he had questioned.

To add to all that, Fulham should have been down to 10 men after 32 minutes when Timothy Fosu-Mensah lunged in studs-up on Deeney but escaped with a yellow card from referee Martin Atkinson. Deeney played on but left the ground in a medical boot after the match and said he is to have an x-ray.

'I may have a broken bone or two but we crack on,' Deeney said. 'I am a tough, ugly boy so it will be alright. Martin is a very good ref, but I thought on that occasion it could have been a red card.'

The message that nothing had changed despite that first defeat to United was underlined when Watford boss Javi Gracia named an unchanged team from the eleven that started against Jose Mourinho's side.

In fact, it was the same team that had started every Watford league game this season. They are only the fifth club in Premier League history to name the same team in their opening six matches.

The faith in continuity paid off immediately. Watford have gained something of a reputation as slow starters but only 90 seconds had gone when a scramble on the edge of the Fulham box fell to Hughes.

The situation cried out for a moment of calm amid the falling rain and Hughes provided it. He rolled the ball wide to Andre Gray who slid it past Marcus Bettinelli.

Craven Cottage was stunned into silence. Fulham tried to rally and, prompted by the obvious class of Andre Schurrle, they showed flashes of competing.

It was Schurrle's turn and pass to Luciano Vietto that nearly dragged the home team back into the game. Vietto outstripped Daryl Janmaat but could not push his shot past Ben Foster and when the ball rebounded to him, he lifted his effort over the Watford goalkeeper but wide of the far post.

At the other end, though, Fulham were a shambles. They had a lucky escape when Alfie Mawson panicked under a long ball from Janmaat and tried to head the ball back to Bettinelli.


Luciano Vietto had a good chance to score an equaliser for Fulham but the Argentine striker fired straight at the goalkeeper


Watford were a threat from set pieces throughout the entire game and Christian Kabasele should have headed in a second


Timothy Fosu-Mensah was lucky to escape without a sending off after a rash tackle on Watford midfielder Roberto Pereyra


The Manchester United youngster, on loan at Fulham, was only given a yellow card by referee Martin Atkinson


Watford felt they should have had a penalty when Alfie Mawson looked to have chopped down Will Hughes inside the box


Fulham's Marcus Bettinelli saves a shot from Gray as the former Burnley striker came close to doubling his tally for the day

Gray anticipated that and intercepted it. It was a difficult ball to control but when it dropped, he hit it well and it took a superb save from Bettinelli to keep it out.

Watford looked dangerous every time they attacked. Poor Mawson was lucky not to concede a penalty nine minutes before the interval when he slid in to tackle on Will Hughes. He didn't get the ball but he didn't really get the man either and Martin Atkinson waved away the appeals for a spot kick.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic, the former Watford coach, reacted to his team's first half mauling by withdrawing Kevin McDonald, his skipper, as well as Mawson at the interval. 'I took off two players,' he said, 'but if I could have taken off four, I would have done.'

The Fulham changes stemmed the bleeding in their defence but did little to stop them giving the ball away with criminal abandon.


Watford's Ben Foster comes to claim the ball from a set piece as the Hornets deal with another attack from the home side


Etienne Capoue of Watford rides a tackle from Andre Schurrle of Fulham during the second half of action

But then, 11 minutes from time, Watford's failure to put the game out of reach came back to bite them. All it took was one error and Janmaat made it.

He allowed Vietto to force his way in front of him and get to the byline. Vietto crossed low and hard and Aleksandar Mitrovic, who had had a distinctly average game, got in front of his marker and turned the ball home from close range.

Fulham knew the goal was more than they deserved but they endeavoured to rub salt into Watford's wounds in the dying moments.

First, Foster pushed the ball round the post when Mitrovic tried to curl the ball around him and then, from the resulting corner, the Serb forward rose beautifully and crashed his header against the face of the bar.


Mitrovic had the chance to snatch all three points for Fulham but his header cannoned back off the cross bar



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6196239/Fulham-1-1-Watford-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-equaliser-hands-hosts-point.html

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Fulham 1-1 Watford REPORT: Aleksandar Mitrovic earns Cottagers a point as Hornets punished for lack of sting

Javi Gracia's side had the chances to put the game out of sight after Andre Gray's early goal and were duly punished by the Serbian hitman


Mitrovic celebrates his equaliser (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Aleksandar Mitrovic handed Fulham a share of the spoils as Watford were punished for their profligacy at Craven Cottage.

Andre Gray bagged his third of the season to put the Hornets in front in the opening 90 seconds, turning home from close range after dismal defending from the hosts.

And Javi Gracia's side, who had won four of their opening five games this term, should have put the game out of sight before half time.

But behind a Fulham defence with more holes than Swiss cheese, goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli somehow stood firm, making a number of fine saves, including a fine one-v-one stop to deny Gray.

Slavisa Jokanovic made a double change at half-time in a bid to get Fulham back into the game, and gradually they became more effective as an attacking force.

And 12 minutes from time, they Luciano Vietto's cross was flicked past Ben Foster by Mitrovic to hand the home side a point.

Hector Nunns' Player Ratings
ulham: (4-3-3): Bettinelli 7; Fosu-Mensah 5, Chambers 5, Mawson 4 (Odoi 46, 6), R Sessegnon 6; Seri 6, McDonald 5 (Ayite 46, 6), Johansen 6 (Anguissa 64, 6); Vietto 7, Mitrovic 6, Schurrle 6. Goal: Mitrovic 78. Booked: Mawson, Fosu-Mensah. Subs not used: Rico, Le Marchand, Christie, Kamara.

Watford: (4-2-2-2): Foster 7; Janmaat 6, Cathcart 6, Kabasele 6, Holebas 6; Doucoure 6, Capoue 7; Hughes 7 (Femenia 69, 6), Pereyra 7 (Sema 89); Gray 7 (Success 79, 6), Deeney 7. Goal: Gray 2. Booked: Holebas. Subs not used: Gomes, Mariappa, Masina, Chalobah.

Man of the match: Troy Deeney (Watford) – Took the fight to Fulham and deserved to be on the winning side of this match.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-watford-match-report-mitrovic-13261661

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Aleksandar Mitrovic earns Fulham a point after nightmare start against Watford


Aleksandar Mitrovic continues his prolific start to the season with Fulham's equaliser Credit: Getty images

For a club in seemingly constant transition, Watford are looking remarkably settled. Here, for the sixth game in a row, Javi Gracia named the same starting XI and the former Malaga manager felt they deserved more than the point they got.

"I think we deserved a better result but they played well, they created chances and scored one goal and it's fair," said the Spaniard. "I think first half we played much better and it was our chance to win today."

Nevertheless, the draw keeps Watford in nosebleed territory as they showed no signs of bruised morale following last week's defeat by Manchester United. They led after just 87 seconds when Andre Gray capitalised on fatal hesitation from the league's most generous defence and slid home from Will Hughes's excellent pass.

Watford were rampant in the first half and should have had a much greater advantage with Gray and Christian Kabasele both missing excellent chances. Fulham were rattled and were lucky not to have Timothy Fosu-Mensah dismissed for an ugly lunge on Troy Deeney. Slavisa Jokanovic rang the changes at half-time, hauling off Alfie Mawson and Kevin McDonald and Fulham improved greatly.

"I make two changes; if I'd had the opportunity I would have made four. No player was at a good enough level," said the Fulham manager.

Aleksandar Mitrovic headed narrowly over from Andre Schurrle's cross and Ryan Sessegnon began to threaten on the opposite flank as he adopted a more offensive mindset. Finally their intensity was rewarded as Watford were harried out of possession and Jean Michael Seri fed Luciano Vietto, who slid the ball across the six-yard box for Mitrovic to cleverly poke home.

Isaac Success replaced Gray for the final 10 minutes and the Nigerian's impact was impressive. He almost scored after cutting in from the left but was foiled by a low save from Marcus Bettinelli. Fulham also sensed more points might be on offer and Mitrovic twice went close to winning the game.

Jokanovic can be pleased with Fulham's spirit, if not their quality. Following an outlay of more than £100 million this summer, the Serbian is still searching for his strongest side.



https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/09/22/aleksandar-mitrovic-earns-fulham-point-nightmare-start-against/

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Fulham player ratings: Mitrovic's fifth goal of the season grabs a point against Watford

Aleksandar Mitrovic's fifth goal of the season saw Fulham take a point in a game where they blew hot and cold

Fulham grabbed a point off Watford thanks to another Aleksandar Mitrovic goal - but it was a game where the home side blew hot and cold.

It was another early blow for Fulham when Andre Gray capitalised on some poor defending in the opening two minutes to slide the ball past Marcus Bettinelli and open the scoring.

The home side's best chance of the half came through Luciano Vietto, who was played through on goal but the Argentine struck his effort directly at the onrushing Ben Foster.

The first half was a poor performance - Fulham struggled with the physicality of Watford and had no shape whatsoever to their side at times, with the game resembling a schoolground kick about at points.

Slavisa Jokanovic switched things around at half time, bringing on Denis Odoi and Floyd Ayite and switching Jean-Michael Seri and Stefan Johansen to sit deeper to cut out the space that Watford were exploiting in the first half.

It had an effect - Fulham got on the ball and created more but still struggled to test Foster, with Gray stinging the palms of Bettinelli down the other end.

And the home side got their reward for a dominant second half when Mitrovic latched onto Vietto's cross to tuck it home with 12 minutes left in the game.

Here's how we rated the side:

Marcus Bettinelli - 7

A strong performance from the keeper who was commanding of his area and made some important saves. Largely a spectator in the second half.

Ryan Sessegnon - 5

Positioning was all over the place for Watford's first goal. Struggled with the left flank as Watford look to double up on the ylungster.

Calum Chambers - 4

Looked really uncomfortable on the left side of the centre back partnership in the first half. Did better in the second half but Fulham's positional play was all over the place and he looked prone to a mistake.

Alfie Mawson - 4

Gave the ball away too easily at times and struggled with the physical presence of Deeney up top. Was hauled off at half time for Odoi.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah - 6

Took a while to get into the game but started to cause problems down the flank as the first half wore on. Had a very hot and cold game.

Jean-Michael Seri -7

Got on the ball and looked decent, making some good tackles on the edge of the area while moving the ball nicely to get the side moving forward.

Kevin McDonald - 4

Struggled to plug the gap between the defence and the midfield and left his defence way too open to Watford's attackers. Was subbed at half time.

Stefan Johansen - 5

Poor performance from Johansen who struggled with the intensity of the game. Better second half performance from the Norwegian but was subbed on the 63rd minute mark.

Luciano Vietto - 7

Looked decent going forward, especially on the counter attack. Saw a lot of the ball in the second half and looked the likeliest to make something happen up front.

Andre Schurrle - 7

Decent game from the German, who looked good out on the left wing when in possession of the ball. Moved to the top of a diamond in the second half and did alright.

Aleksandar Mitrovic - 7

Was a physical presence up top but Fulham looked to him too much and have him no support to win the second ball. Got his goal which was deserved from his performance.
Substitutes

Denis Odoi - 7

Added some solidity to the defence when he came on at half time and dealt with Deeney reasonably well, despite his size.

Floyd Ayite - 6

Did fairly well after coming on, saw lots of the ball and while a few touches were loose, he had a decent game.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - 6

Was caught in possession in a dangerous area almost immediately, which nearly proved costly as Deeney powered through on goal.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-player-ratings-mitrovics-fifth-15186462

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Mitrovic stars in Fulham fightback

Serb scores second-half equaliser in 1-1 draw with Watford at Craven Cottage

Aleksandar Mitrovic starred as Fulham came from behind to draw 1-1 with Watford.

Andre Gray opened the scoring after 87 seconds when Will Hughes teed up the Watford striker to fire past Marcus Bettinelli.

Watford could have doubled their lead when Gray pounced on Alfie Mawson's poor backpass but a fine block from Bettinelli kept the score at 1-0.

Fulham were brighter in the second half, with Mitrovic their main threat. After heading an Andre Schurrle cross over, the Serb equalised on 78 minutes.

Mitrovic's fifth goal of the season came as he turned in Luciano Vietto's cross and the forward almost got a late winner, his 90th-minute header hitting the bar.

Watford stay fourth on 13 points, while Fulham are 15th with five points.

See: Fulham report | Watford report
Next fixtures

Fulham: 29 Sep v Everton (A)
Watford: 29 Sep v Arsenal (A)



https://www.premierleague.com/news/856573

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Fulham 1-1 Watford: Aleksandar Mitrovic rescues point for hosts
Report and highlights as Fulham and Watford share spoils at Craven Cottage

Aleksandar Mitrovic's late strike rescued a point for Fulham as they drew 1-1 with Watford at Craven Cottage.

Andre Gray gave Watford the lead after just one minute and 27 seconds - the club's second-fastest goal in Premier League history - with his third league goal of the season.

However, Mitrovic equalised for the home team with just 12 minutes to go, the forward's 17th goal since joining the club - initially on loan from Newcastle United - in January, more than any other player in England's top four leagues.


Player ratings

Fulham: Bettinelli (6), Sessegnon (6), Chambers (5), Fosu-Mensah (5), Mawson (4), McDonald (5), Johansen (5), Schurrle (7), Seri (6), Mitrovic (8), Vietto (6)

Subs: Odoi (6), Anguissa (6), Ayite (6)

Watford: Foster (7), Janmaat (6), Cathcart (6), Holebas (6), Kabasele (7), Doucoure (7), Capoue (7), Hughes (7), Pereyra (6), Deeney (7), Gray (7)

Subs: Femenia (6), Sema (6), Success (6)

Man of the match: Aleksandar Mitrovic

As a result, Watford remain in the top four as their impressive start to the new campaign continues, while Fulham stay 15th in the table

Fans were still streaming into a rain-soaked Craven Cottage when the Hornets opened the scoring with the first attack of the game, although it is a goal the Fulham defence will not want to see again.

Firstly, captain Kevin McDonald failed to deal with a simple throw-in, before Gray bullied Jean Michael Seri out of the way, allowing Will Hughes to slip the striker through on goal.

And Gray made no mistake with a composed finish for his fourth goal in his last three matches against Fulham.

The home side were lucky to go in at the break only one goal down after Christian Kabasele and Gray spurned presentable openings, while it could have been even worse had referee Martin Atkinson sent off Timothy Fosu-Mensah for a studs-up tackle on Troy Deeney just past the half-hour mark.

So it was no real surprise when Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic replaced Alfie Mawson and McDonald with Denis Odoi and Floyd Ayite at half-time, especially given the former's shaky first-half display.

The double change did manage to slow down Watford's attacking momentum after the interval, but the hosts initially still struggled to create many clear-cut chances.

One of those fell to the man Fulham would have wanted, in-form forward Mitrovic, only for the Serb to head Andre Schurrle's inviting right-wing cross over the bar five minutes into the second period.
Team news

Fulham made two changes from their defeat at Man City, with Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Callum Chambers coming in for Denis Odoi and Cyrus Christie at the back, with that duo dropping to the bench.

Watford, meanwhile, became the first Premier League team in a decade to name an unchanged side for the first six games of a season.

But with the clock ticking away, Fulham did get back on level terms and it was that man Mitrovic who was on hand to instinctively flick home Luciano Vietto's ball in from the left edge of the area.

And Mitrovic came within inches of winning the match in the last minute, only for Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster to tip his close-range header onto the bar as Jokanovic was denied a win against his former club.
What would VAR have changed?

The VAR would surely have increased Fosu-Mensah's yellow to a red after his dangerous first-half tackle on Deeney, but it is debatable if Watford's appeals for a penalty would have been given after Hughes went over under Mawson's challenge just past the half-hour mark.
Opta stats

    This was Fulham's 500th match in the Premier League; the 15th team to reach the milestone in the competition
    Fulham have lost just one of their last 19 home league games, including play-offs (W14 D4)
    Watford are without a win on their last nine Premier League visits to London, with their draw against Fulham coming after eight consecutive defeats
    Gray's strike for Watford, timed at one minute, 27 seconds was the quickest goal in the Premier League since March 10 2018 (Kenedy for Newcastle v Southampton, 1:03)

Notes for Southgate

Young full-back Ryan Sessegnon had a quiet game for the hosts, failing to provide an attacking outlet with few raids down the left. However, Will Hughes will have given the England boss another gentle reminder about his talents in the middle of the park with an assured and composed display, while Ben Foster would surely be part of the set-up had he not retired.
Man of the Match - Aleksandar Mitrovic

The powerful forward was the main reason why his side managed to rescue a point in this game after a buccaneering second-half display at the Cottage.

The Serbia international had already proved to be a handful for the Watford back line before half-time, but they were unable to deal with him after the interval.

The frontman almost headed the hosts level right at the start of the second period and having then equalised, he twice came close to winning the match, only to be denied by two fine Foster saves late on.

Pundit - Jamie Redknapp

"One individual brought his team back into the game, Aleksandar Mitrovic. One man that wanted to wrestle the domination back and batter the Watford centre halves.

"When the ball went up to him, he made it stick and brought others into the game. I thought he was the difference - not the tactical changes or the substitutions."

What's next?

Fulham travel to Millwall in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday evening and then play Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday September 29, with the game getting underway at 3pm.

Meanwhile, Watford take on Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night, before facing another north London side in Arsenal at the Emirates in the league next Saturday afternoon.



https://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-watford/390812

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Fulham 1 Watford 1: Mitrovic shines late to spoil Gray's day

Fulham conceded inside two minutes for a second game but rallied after the break to pick up a point against Watford at Craven Cottage.

Aleksandar Mitrovic cancelled out Andre Gray's early opener as Fulham fought back to draw 1-1 with Watford in the Premier League on Saturday.

Having lost their 100 per cent record with defeat to Manchester United last time out, the visitors appeared to be on course to return to winning ways after Gray found the net just 87 seconds into the early kick-off.

Watford were unfortunate not to lead by more during a dominant first-half performance, with referee Martin Atkinson waving away strong shouts for a penalty after Alfie Mawson's ill-timed sliding challenge on Will Hughes.

However, Fulham improved after the break, their consistent pressure eventually rewarded when Mitrovic flicked home his fifth goal of the season from Luciano Vietto's low cross.

For the second time in as many games Fulham conceded inside two minutes, Hughes ending a brief spell of pinball on the edge of the home side's penalty area by teeing up Gray with a square pass.

The striker slotted the ball low beyond Marcus Bettinelli on that occasion but was unable to beat the goalkeeper when presented with another one-on-one opportunity later in the half set up by Mawson's poorly judged header.

Fulham were also grateful to Ryan Sessegnon for inadvertently blocking Christian Kabasele's on-target header when facing the wrong way, while Watford were also aggrieved by Atkinson's decision to merely book Timothy Fosu-Mensah for an awful tackle on Troy Deeney.

Slavisa Jokanovic - up against the club he led to promotion in 2015, only to leave before taking charge in the top flight - saw an improved display from Fulham in the second half, eventually leading to an equaliser.

The talismanic Mitrovic made no mistake from close range when picked out by Vietto but was denied a winner at the death, Ben Foster acrobatically tipping the Serbia striker's header against the woodwork.



Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fulham-1-watford-1-mitrovic-shines-late-spoil-grays-day#RefVkotxlzYTuPd5.99

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Joint top-scorer Mitrovic continues prolific form to secure a point for Fulham
After Watford led inside the opening two minutes, Fulham had their in-form striker to thank for rescuing the game.

ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC CANCELLED out Andre Gray's early opener as Fulham fought back to draw 1-1 with Watford in the Premier League on Saturday.

Having lost their 100% record with defeat to Manchester United last time out, the visitors appeared to be on course to return to winning ways after Gray found the net just 87 seconds into the early kick-off.

Watford were unfortunate not to lead by more during a dominant first-half performance, with referee Martin Atkinson waving away strong shouts for a penalty after Alfie Mawson's ill-timed sliding challenge on Will Hughes.

However, Fulham improved after the break, their consistent pressure eventually rewarded when Mitrovic flicked home his fifth goal of the season from Luciano Vietto's low cross.

For the second time in as many games Fulham conceded inside two minutes, Hughes ending a brief spell of pinball on the edge of the home side's penalty area by teeing up Gray with a square pass.

The striker slotted the ball low beyond Marcus Bettinelli on that occasion but was unable to beat the goalkeeper when presented with another one-on-one opportunity later in the half set up by Mawson's poorly judged header.

Fulham were also grateful to Ryan Sessegnon for inadvertently blocking Christian Kabasele's on-target header when facing the wrong way, while Watford were also aggrieved by Atkinson's decision to merely book Timothy Fosu-Mensah for an awful tackle on Troy Deeney.

Slavisa Jokanovic — up against the club he led to promotion in 2015, only to leave before taking charge in the top flight — saw an improved display from Fulham in the second half, eventually leading to an equaliser.

The talismanic Mitrovic made no mistake from close range when picked out by Vietto but was denied a winner at the death, Ben Foster acrobatically tipping the Serbia striker's header against the woodwork.



http://www.the42.ie/fulham-watford-premier-league-report-4249535-Sep2018/

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Aleksandar Mitrovic keeps up hot streak as Fulham and Watford share points

Keeping faith with the tried and tested has its merits, but following Javi Gracia's sixth successive identical Premier League team selection, Watford ended their lunchtime engagement looking weary and not a little battered.

They might even have conceded a last-minute winner when the Fulham goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic forced a save from Ben Foster and nodded the resultant corner against the crossbar.

In the relief of escaping a second successive defeat, Gracia's team were also left to rue a first half after which they might have been out of sight. Fulham should also have been down to 10 men; Timothy Fosu-Mensah's rash and high challenge on Troy Deeney did not receive the red card it deserved from Martin Atkinson.

Watford's captain now appears likely to be Gracia's first enforced change of the season, having left Craven Cottage with his right leg in a protective boot and revealed he will require an X-ray after Fosu-Mensah's 32nd-minute tackle.

"I may have a broken bone or two but we crack on," Deeney said. He had still completed the 90 minutes. "I am a tough, ugly boy so it will be all right."

Gracia was sporting, saying that he preferred to "respect the referee's decision" rather than rail against officialdom, while for his part, Fosu-Mensah later made a social media apology to Deeney and to fans for his first-half performance.

Fosu-Mensah was hardly alone in being guilty. Watford scored within 90 seconds of the kick-off when Andre Gray slotted home after Will Hughes had been the beneficiary of lax play from Jean Michaël Seri. Slavisa Jokanovic's reintroduction of Fosu-Mensah and Calum Chambers into his defence had paid whatever the opposite of instant dividends is.

With one win from their five previous matches, Jokanovic has struggled to blend a squad on which more than £100m has been lavished. His team conceded even earlier than last week, when it took Leroy Sané 97 seconds to score for Manchester City.

With £20m central defender Alfie Mawson enduring a crisis, Watford were presented with repeated chances to extend their lead. Mawson looked to have fouled Hughes, excellent in the first half, for a Watford penalty but Atkinson waved away claims.

The break gave Jokanovic opportunity to regroup and rethink. Two of his starting XI, Mawson and Kevin McDonald, were given the hook, as Denis Odoi and Floyd Ayité were introduced. "I made two changes," said Jokanovic "I would have made four if I could."

If Fulham are going to survive life back in the Premier League, their second half showed a route to security. Odoi and Ayité excelled and Seri was at last able to exert midfield influence, especially after the 64th-minute introduction of André-Frank Zambo Anguissa. Meanwhile, André Schürrle, Fulham's main attacking threat in the first half, presented constant problems for Watford.

The German was key to Mitrovic's equaliser, sending Luciano Vietto down the left before the striker bundled home from close range.

Having surrendered their 100% record by losing to Manchester United last week, and drawn here, fantastical talk of Watford being this season's Leicester 2015-2016 should now be set aside.

Jokanovic, who led the Hertfordshire club to promotion three years ago but never got to manage Watford in the Premier League, had looked to be receiving another lesson in top-flight football. Instead, the Serb's decisive changes and the attacking quality he can call on had Gracia's team rocking on their heels.

"We didn't change anything," said Gracia. "We kept on creating chances but we made a defensive mistake and they scored a goal. I am not disappointed with the result. I am happy with the work we have done today."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/22/fulham-watford-premier-league-report

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High-flying Watford held by Fulham

Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic hit the target again as they came from behind to earn a home Premier League draw against a Watford side left cursing too many missed first-half chances at Craven Cottage.
           
Watford's best start to a top-flight campaign had looked set to continue as Andre Gray's goal after 90 seconds, as he cashed in on poor Fulham defending, saw them take first-half command.
           
Javi Gracia's team, unchanged for the sixth league game, showed why they have been the season's revelation and looked set for a fifth win in six matches only to spurn several fine chances offered largely by inept home defending.
           
Yet Fulham were re-energised after the break with prolific Serbian striker Mitrovic becoming joint league top scorer with his fifth goal of the season in the 78th minute and almost grabbing the points with a late header that rattled the bar.

FULL MATCH DETAILS

Mitrovic - who joins Chelsea's Eden Hazard at the top of the Premier league scoring charts - told Sky Sports: "It was tough, and we didn't go into the game how we wanted.

"We made some mistakes and they punished us. In the first half we didn't play like we wanted.

"In the second half we started really well. We pressed them high, and we kept the ball and created a lot of chances in the last 15 minutes.

"We could have maybe scored one or two more, but we got one point, which is better than nothing and we are looking forward to the next game.

"We are playing attacking football, with a lot of crosses and a lot of chances, and I am always in the box and close to the goal which is where I feel comfortable."

Watford captain Troy Deeney revealed he will have an X-ray following Fosu-Mensah's late tackle in the first half.

"I have got to get an X-ray so we will see how that goes," he said.

"I may have a broken bone or two but we crack on. I am a tough, ugly boy so it will be alright."

Fosu-Mensah was only booked by referee Martin Atkinson.

"Martin is a very good ref, but I thought on that occasion it could have been a red card," Deeney added.



https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018/0922/995419-fulham-1-1-watford/

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The Stunning Stats That Suggest Fulham Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic Is The Man To Back In The Premier League Top Goalscorer Market


No Player Has Scored More English Goals This Year Than Mitrovic

Aleksandar Mitrovic continued his stunning start to the new season after scoring Fulham's equaliser in their 1-1 draw at home to Watford on Saturday afternoon.

The in-form Serb has now bagged an impressive five goals in six Premier League games so far this term, including three in his last two games at Craven Cottage.

The second-half strike at home to Watford, which earned Fulham a point, means that Mitrovic has been propelled to the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts, with the 24-year-old finding the back of the net more times than the likes of Mo Salah, Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku, with Eden Hazard the only other top-flight player to register five goals so far this season.

Mitrovic, who bagged a brace for Serbia during the international break, has now accumulated a whopping 25 goals in 32 games for club and country in 2018.

No other player has scored more goals in English football since he made his first appearance for Fulham in February, with the striker netting 17 goals in that time frame, two more than Salah.

Mitrovic started the season out at 100/1 in the betting for the Golden Boot, before coming into 33/1 prior to the Watford game following his fine pocket of form. Now, after scoring yet another goal he has been clipped further to just 25/1, and given his sensational form this year he definitely represents the value bet.

Man City striker Sergio Aguero remains the 10/3 frontrunner, ahead of Kane at 4/1, Salah at 11/2 and Lukaku at 9/1, whereas Hazard can be backed at 10/1 alongside Sadio Mane.



https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/the-stunning-stats-that-suggest-fulham-striker-aleksandar-mitrovic-is-the-man-to-back-in-the-premier-league-top-goalscorer-market

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Fulham 1 Watford 1 – Premier League Match Report

Despite a nightmare start to their early kick-off match, Fulham fought back against an impressive Watford side to claim a 1-1 draw that both teams will certainly be content with.

Fulham could not have wished for a more disappointing opening few minutes to this encounter, where their failure to defend a long-throw led to them going behind after one minute and thirty seconds.

Alfie Mawson, making only his third start for his new club, mistimed a simple header and gifted the ball to Will Hughes, who played a sloppy but effective one-two with Andre Gray who proceeded to blast his side in front inside the penalty area.

Aleksander Mitrovic flicked his fifth goal of the season in superbly with only ten minutes to spare in the game, but Fulham may be wondering what could have been if they had begun the game with more caution.

Watford still in the top five

With this point, Watford are guaranteed to stay in the top five this week, an impressive feat and a real indicator of the changing mood at the club.

Their form under Javi Gracia near the end of last season was abysmal and gave no indication of the potential within the squad, but with the revitalisation of Andre Gray this season, again a scorer in this game, as well as the industrious talent of Will Hughes and the underrated solidity and flair of Abdoulaye Doucouré in the centre of the midfield, there appears to be no shortage of optimism that this run of results could continue for a while yet.

Alfie Mawson struggling to adapt

Despite Watford's great early-season form, Fulham would have been hoping to use the home advantage to help claim all three points against a team that, before the season began, Fulham would have been confident of beating.

Despite the excellent second-half performance that won them a share of the spoils, the biggest concern for Fulham will be the performance of Alfie Mawson, who was directly at fault for the opening goal and was taken off at half-time such was his susceptibility to errors.

The fact that the game came back into Fulham's control after he departed the field could be seen as a coincidence but it is still concerning that this signing, bought for fifteen million pounds, is finding it hard to fit into their back-four. He has time to adapt and develop, having only just come back from an injury, but the Fulham fans will be hoping to see some improvement from him in the coming weeks.

Mitrovic more than proving his worth

It feels like a very long time ago that Aleksander Mitrovic was the oddball, supposed liability signing for Newcastle back in 2015.

The striker had serious discipline problems at his previous club, Anderlecht, and that tendency for yellow and red cards continued in the Premier League.

It feels like he has found a home at Fulham however, joining them on loan in January last season to have a huge impact in getting them promoted and now, having joined them permanently, proving himself as a totally able and red-hot striker in the Premier League as well.

The second half belonged to him; his equaliser was an impressive and precise flick from a left-sided cross and in the last few minutes of the game it was Mitrovic alone who nearly won it for the Cottagers.

If it were not for the heroics of Ben Foster in the Watford goal, and the rattling of the crossbar from a superb header, Mitrovic would be easily have been the hero today and would have made it six goals in six starts this season.

He may yet prove at some stage this season that his tendency for frustration and ill-discipline hasn't gone away entirely, but if he stays as calm as this while still scoring goals regularly then there will be serious questions asked of Newcastle's decision to let him go.

In this highly-entertaining draw both sides would point to incidents which could have led either of them to steal all three points, but by sharing a point each neither team will be feeling too unhappy by the end of the day. Watford are still flying high in the top five, and will remain there today, but if Fulham keep improving in the steady fashion that they are, then there is no reason to think they may be unsettled by relegation worries this season.

Man of the Match – Aleksander Mitrovic

The Serbian is the easy choice for the Man of the Match award in this early kick-off encounter, with his singular goal rescuing a point for Fulham and his late efforts proving to be only inches away from snatching all three.

His five goals in six games are the sole reason why Fulham remain optimistic this season, with the service to him improving game by game and his confidence only growing the longer this excellent scoring streak continues.



https://90maat.com/2018/09/22/fulham-1-watford-1-premier-league-match-report/

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Clint Dempsey: Former U.S. Soccer star makes half-time appearance at Fulham

Former United States and Fulham star Clint Dempsey returned to Craven Cottage on Saturday when he was introduced to the crowd at half-time in the home game against Watford.

Dempsey, who announced his retirement last month, played for Fulham from 2006 to 2012 after signing from Major League Soccer's New England Revolution and scored 50 Premier League goals for the London club in six seasons there.

He struck one of the most famous goals in their history, chipping home against Juventus to seal a dramatic comeback that put them into the last eight of the Europa League en route to their historic appearance in the 2010 final.

"I can't wait to see Fulham playing back in a league they belong in and taking a little trip down memory lane," Dempsey told the Fulham website when his appearance was announced

"It will be great to see the fans. The Cottage was one of my favourite stadiums to play in. It was such an intimate atmosphere, and I've just got so many great memories of playing there.

"The fans were a big part of helping create those memories. I gave all I could for Fulham so to be able to come back and sit in the stands as a supporter is going to be a great experience."

After a season at Tottenham Hotspur, Dempsey returned to MLS with the Seattle Sounders in 2013, where he lifted the MLS Cup in 2016.

For the U.S. national team, Dempsey scored 57 goals, tied with Landon Donovan for the most all time. His 141 appearances are the third most in team history, behind Cobi Jones (164) and Donovan (157).

His 43 World Cup qualifying appearances are the most in U.S. team history, and he is tied for the most qualifying goals with Jozy Altidore at 18.

The Texas native was part of three CONCACAF Gold Cup-winning sides and played in the team that reached the Confederations Cup final in 2009.



http://www.espn.co.uk/football/united-states/story/3641909/clint-dempsey-former-us-soccer-star-makes-half-time-appearance-at-fulham

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Watford held at Fulham after Mitrovic strikes again

(Reuters) - Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic hit the target again as they came from behind to earn a 1-1 home Premier League draw against a high-flying Watford side left cursing too many missed first-half chances on Saturday.

Watford's best start to a top-flight campaign had looked set to continue as Andre Gray's goal after 90 seconds, when he cashed in with a sharp finish after poor Fulham defending, saw them take command in the first half.

Javi Gracia's team, unchanged for the sixth league game, showed why they have been the season's revelation and looked set for a fifth win in six matches only to spurn several fine chances offered largely by inept home defending.

Yet Fulham were re-energised by a tactical reshuffle after the break with Serbia striker Mitrovic becoming joint league top scorer with his fifth goal of the season in the 78th minute.

He almost got the winner with a late header that brought a brilliant point-blank save from Ben Foster and rattled the bar.

Gracia, whose side had lost their unbeaten record against Manchester United the previous weekend, told Sky Sports: "We had chances in the first half to kill the game. We didn't do it in the second and made a mistake.

"We are a little bit disappointed with just one point."

Watford were fourth in the standings on 13 points from six games, while Fulham stood in 15th place with five points before the rest of the weekend's Premier League programme.

FOCAL POINT
Mitrovic again proved the focal point of Fulham's comeback after manager Slavisa Jokanovic had made tactical changes at halftime that rejuvenated his side.

His sharp, close-range finish was his 17th league goal since his Fulham debut at the start of the year.

No player has scored more league goals across the top four tiers of the English game during that period.

The powerful Serb twice went close to sealing the points, with Foster, having tipped his header against the bar, making another fine save from Mitrovic's left-foot shot.

Watford striker Troy Deeney said he may have suffered broken bones in his foot and was going for an x-ray.

"It is what it is, probably a couple of broken bones. I'm a big ugly boy though, I'll be fine," Deeney told Sky Sports, adding he had played with three broken toes the previous week.

Deeney, an old friend of Britain's world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, said he was confident the injury would not stop him gong to see "AJ" fighting Russian Alexander Povetkin at Wembley later on Saturday.



https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-england-ful-wat/watford-held-at-fulham-after-mitrovic-strikes-again-idUKKCN1M20MU?rpc=401&;

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Fulham Supporters Reaction To Young Defenders Rash Moment And Performance Against Watford

Against Watford this afternoon, at Craven Cottage, some might say that Fulham were lucky to have ten men on the pitch for the second half.

In a first-half Watford bossed, Timothy Fosu-Mensah produced a rash challenge on Troy Deeney that saw the young defender go over the top of the ball and catch the Watford striker on the shin.

The referee, Martin Atkinson, chose to issue Fosu-Mensah only a yellow card when, to be honest, it should have been a straight red.

After the game, Fosu-Mensah used social media to apologise for his poor tackle:

Naturally, the posting from Fosu-Mensah has promoted a social media response from the Fulham support:



https://fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/fulham-supporters-reaction-to-young-defenders-rash-moment-and-performance-against-watford/

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Fulham 1, Watford 1
Mitro keeps staying on fire as he saves Fulham from defeat


Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

The good news was that Fulham gave up less than two goals for the first time all season. The bad news was that one goal came in the second minute of the match. Unlike Man City last weekend where the goal came from an errant pass, Watford's goal came off of a long throw in by Jose Holebas. However, the result found a way to be the same where Andre Gray muscled his defender and started a combination between him and Will Hughes. Before you know it, Gray found space in the left hand side of the penalty area with no one covering him and Fulham were once again needing to chase a game.

For the sixth time in six fixtures, former Watford boss and current Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic was playing with a different backline as Calum Chambers and Timothy Fosu-Mensah came in for Denis Odoi and Cyrus Christie, respectively. Once again, the results of a non-cohesive unit showed as they constantly couldn't handle Watford's pressing game, along with the physicality of Gray and Troy Deeney. Along with that, space was constantly there for Roberto Pereyra and Will Hughes to run behind the defense as communications between center back and full back were lacking all first half.

If there was an attacking outlet, it was always coming deep from midfield as Andre Schurrle and Luciano Vietto always seemed to be having to come from their own half to collect the ball. There was one buildup that seemed to work where Vietto was through Watford's defense and was able to take Fulham's lone shot on goal. After Vietto collected the rebounded save by Ben Foster, he tried to ping a cross to Aleksander Mitrovic. But in spite of never going to be able to get a limb to it, the center forward looked to have been collided by Christian Kabasele in the penalty are.

However, referee Martin Atkinson did not deem it as such and was instead, showing yellow cards to Fulham defenders who constantly looked second to any loose balls. It was why, despite having 57% possession, that Watford were dominating in total shots (6-3), shots on target (4-1) and expected goals (1.34-0.48). Even if Watford only had one goal to show for it, their long ball tactics and constant hounding of the backline were why they looked like the more dominating side. Kabasele could have had a goal off of corner kick and Gray could have gotten a second off of a horrifying back pass by Alfie Mawson. Add a clumsy and deserved yellow card to his account and the former Swansea man had a miserable afternoon.

You just know how much insult was added to injury to see him get substituted at halftime in place of Odoi. Along with that, Kevin McDonald might have gotten as many interceptions and tackles in a half as he did back in his hey days at Wolves, but even he wasn't providing good enough cover for his defense. As a result, he was substituted by Floyd Ayite at halftime as Jokanovic changed the shape of his team into a 4-2-3-1 formation. With all these changes, the tables completely turned for how the rest of the match turned out.

After constantly looking for better treatment from the referee and better passes from teammates, Mitrovic was starting to come alive. He was given a beautifully weighted cross by Schurrle that resulted in a header that just missed the net, but that was enough for the Serbian star man to get his game going the rest of the way. After constant persistence in attack from everyone involved, in particular Vietto, Jean-Michael Seri, Ryan Sessegnon, and even Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Fulham were finally able to get the breakthrough.

In the 77th minute, Vietto was able to beat out Daryl Janmaat for the ball off of a blocked attempt by Schurrle inside the penalty area. From there, Vietto was able to ping a ball into ping a perfectly timed cross to Mitrovic to put the score level.

From there, Watford still had there moments of danger instilled on Fulham with their pressing game, but they had little to show for it. If anything, it felt like Deeney left two grade A chances on the table with either a poor touch or poor decision making when he had a shot at goal. On Fulham's end, Mitrovic continued to impose his will on the game after it looked like Kabasele's man-marking frustrated him from the start. Now with a joint Premier League-leading five goals, Mitro wanted more and almost had a second if it weren't for another header attempt rattling the crossbar.

In the end, it was a fair result for both sides. Fulham should be given credit for fighting back, but they are desperate for finding the correct formation and backline and sticking with it the rest of the league campaign once again, especially for as long as Tom Cairney is not able to play due to injury. In the meantime, positive momentum is back in Craven Cottage and they can at least go into the league cup at Millwall and in the Premier League at Everton with an extra bounce in their step for one week.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/9/22/17889826/fulham-1-watford-1