Sunday Fulham Stuff (23/12/18)...

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Results

Saturday
Arsenal	3 - 1	Burnley
Bournemouth	2 - 0	Brighton
Chelsea	0 - 1	Leicester
Huddersfield	1 - 3	Southampton
Man City	2 - 3	Palace
Newcastle	0 - 0	Fulham
West Ham	0 - 2	Watford
Cardiff	1 - 5	Man Utd

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Newcastle United 0-0 Fulham

Former Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic had just one shot on target for Fulham in the match

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez said he was "not happy with some situations and decisions" during their draw with bottom side Fulham at St James' Park.

The hosts built momentum in the second half and were denied a penalty despite appeals for a shirt tug on Kenedy by Fulham's Joe Bryan.

Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic then had a shot blocked by Jamaal Lascelles with minutes to go - prompting another penalty appeal for handball - before Aboubakar Kamara's darting run threatened to win it for the visitors at the very end.

"The worst thing is that, in a game we could win, where we were pushing and had control, we could have lost it in the last counter-attack," said Benitez. "It's good that we didn't lose but the negative is that we gave Fulham those situations to score and were a bit lucky in the end.

"You have to find the balance if you want to win. Sometimes you're attacking but make a wrong decision and leave yourself exposed."

Newcastle's best chance arrived in the first half when Lascelles' header bounced dangerously across the face of goal after taking a deflection off Mitrovic.

Fabian Schar also went close with a header in the second half which flew inches over the crossbar.

Fulham remain four points from safety but kept their first clean sheet in 22 Premier League games - since winning 1-0 against Norwich in April 2014.

Out of the 92 teams in professional English football, Fulham were the only team not to have kept a clean sheet prior to this draw.

Manager Claudio Ranieri said his players "responded well" to a new system and that if they continued to fight "sooner or later we'll change the way".

"It's the first time I've tried to play with three centre-backs and the players responded well," said Ranieri. "They were very solid against a physical team."

"At the end I'm happy because every point we achieve is good."

Newcastle's appeals fall short

Newcastle will sit in 15th place on Christmas Day before embarking on a tough run of fixtures that will see them take on Liverpool and Chelsea away, as well as welcoming Manchester City and Manchester United to St James' Park.

They would have seen this game as an opportunity to pick up all three points and record back-to-back victories for the first time in the league since the end of November.

But it was a contest of very few clear-cut chances. Newcastle failed to record a single shot on target despite earning six corners.

There were a few soft appeals for a penalty in the first half when Tim Ream's tackle brought down Salomon Rondon and again when Matt Ritchie's shot hit the hand of Calum Chambers, who was unable to move it out of the way.

And when Kenedy appeared to be dragged back by Bryan, frustrations grew around the ground.

Improvement at the back for Fulham
It took 22 Premier League matches but Fulham eventually recorded a clean sheet.

And it was a hard-fought one against a Newcastle side who seemed to build momentum in the second half.

Despite the hosts' increased pressure, Fulham were rarely troubled and had two great chances at the end to win the game.

Mitrovic's shot which hit Lascelles was worth appealing for and moments later Kamara's driving run threatened to split open a defence which had been caught on the counter-attack.

Lascelles recovered in time for Newcastle to deny Kamara a last-ditch effort on goal but Fulham will have been bolstered by their defensive display against an organised Rafael Benitez side.

The bottom team have a chance to finish the year on a high with two home games against newly-promoted Wolves and second-bottom Huddersfield.

'Very important for us' - what they said
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez: "Sometimes it can be tense at home, when they say you have to win the game, but Fulham spent a lot of money in the summer. They are bottom but have a good team. They are organised, they had five at the back and were dangerous on the counter-attack.

"It's good that we didn't lose but the negative is that we gave Fulham those situations to score and were a bit lucky in the end."

Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri: "It is very important for us. First half maybe we created more play and had possession well, but they had a very big chance.

"Second half we lost control and they were dangerous, but we had four or five chances on the counter-attack, so at the end I'm happy because every point we achieve is good."

The best of the stats
    Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has yet to lose a home Premier League game against Fulham (W4 D4), with his teams keeping a clean sheet in each of the last six meetings.
    Fulham kept their first clean sheet in the Premier League in 22 games, since winning 1-0 against Norwich in April 2014.
    Fulham won just their second away point in their last 12 outings in the Premier League (D2 L10).
    Newcastle have won just three of their last 17 Premier League games against promoted sides (D5 L9).
    Newcastle have won just two of their last 10 Premier League games at St James' Park (D1 L7).
    Fulham have failed to find the back of the net in six of their last nine Premier League games.

What's next?

Newcastle travel to league leaders Liverpool on Wednesday 26 December (15:00 GMT), while Fulham welcome Wolves to Craven Cottage (12:30 GMT).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46576169

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Manager Reaction

Claudio Ranieri was pleased with the Christmas present of a clean sheet and a point from Fulham's trip to Newcastle.

The Whites put in a resolute display at St James' Park to earn a 0-0 draw, and on another day could have taken a win back to London.

"I am happy," Ranieri said. "I am happy because we gave to them just one chance in the first half. In the second half they created some threat in our box, but they never shot at our goal.

"And in the second half we created four or five great chances to win the match. But the draw is okay for us with the first clean sheet and we must continue in this way.

"We played well the first half, [in] the second we lost possession of the ball but we created more chances.

"The second half was a battle, we knew it would be a physical match. We reacted very well, responded very well.

"The questions put to us, we answered very well, and also on the counter attack we created great chances."

Ranieri opted for a switch in formation with Denis Odoi, Alfie Mawson and Tim Ream making up a back three, a decision that paid dividends.

"One point is important, the clean sheet is important," he stated. "And now I start to think about Wolverhampton because I watched their match last night and Wolverhampton played fantastically.

"For me it was very important to see how my defensive three react, and they reacted very well. It was good to see them keep possession, make some good actions.

"We're at the bottom of the league, so we're not so positive or with a lot of confidence, but I'm sure we're getting better."

Despite the point gained, goal difference keeps Fulham at the bottom of the Premier League.

But when it was put to him that the team in 20th on Boxing Day end up relegated, Ranieri was defiant in his response: "It's not true. We'll be safe at the end, don't worry."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/december/22/manager-reaction

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Newcastle 0-0 Fulham: Cottagers keep first Premier League clean sheet since 2014 but will spend Christmas bottom of the table after Toon stalemate

    Fulham kept their first Premier League clean sheet since April 2014 in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Newcastle
    Newcastle were the better side at St James' Park but were unable to break Fulham's famously leaky backline
    Fulham will spend Christmas Day bottom of the table, while Newcastle are five points clear of the drop zone

Rafa Benitez would be better off watching reruns of Only Fools and Horses than Match of the Day, for there was nothing to smile about during this stalemate.

The Newcastle boss revealed before the game that he enjoys nothing more than settling down to watch comedy capers involving the Trotter family.

But Benitez was not laughing at the sight of his team toiling against the division's worst defence, who kept a clean sheet for the first time this season.


Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri (right) and Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez saw their sides play out a goalless draw


There was a moment of concern for Swansea in the first half when No 26 Alfie Mawson was punched by his own goalkeeper


Keeper Sergio Rico looked concerned after accidentally striking centre back Mawson, who was left on his back on the pitch



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6522961/Newcastle-0-0-Fulham-Cottagers-Premier-League-sheet-2014.html

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Newcastle booed off after dismal draw against Fulham

Newcastle United's dismal run at St James's Park continued this afternoon.

Rafa Benitez's side were held to a goalless draw by Fulham, the Premier League's basement club.

Claudio Ranieri's side hadn't kept a clean sheet in the league before their arrival at St James's Park. However, they comfortably saw off Newcastle, who didn't have a shot on target over the 90 minutes.

The result left United, with just two home wins all season, 15th in the league ahead of the Boxing Day game against title-chasingLiverpool at Anfield.

Benitez, Newcastle's manager, had made two changes, replacing Kenedy and Ciaran Clark with Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett.

Aleksandar Mitrovic led the line for Fulham, and there were boos every time the former United striker touched the ball.

Newcastle started slowly, and their first real chance came in the 19th minute when Ki Sung-yueng, playing his last club game before joining South Korea ahead of the Asian Cup, lofted a free-kick to Jamaal Lascelles.

Lascelles headed the ball across the face of goal, and Denis Odoi cleared it before Ayoze Perez could finish at the far post.

Otherwise, chances were few and far between, though United showed a bit more urgency later in the half, and Newcastle had a penalty appeal waved away before the break after a deflected shot from Ritchie appeared to strike Calum Chambers' hand in the box.

United fans tried to rouse their team in the second half, and Benitez's players responded.

Fulham retreated deeper into their own half, but they still comfortably dealt with everything that Newcastle threw at them, despite having the worst defensive record in the league.

Kenedy was sent on with 20 minutes left on the clock – he replaced Christian Atsu – and Fabian Schar headed over a from a corner in the 74th minute.

United had another penalty appeal waved away after a tug from Joe Bryan brought down Kenedy in the box.

Referee Martin Atkinson also waved play on when captain Jamaal Lascelles seemingly blocked a late shot from Mitrovic with his arm at the other end of the pitch.

And there were a few boos when Atkinson called time on the game.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Dubravka; Manquillo (Yedlin, 84), Lascelles, Schar, Dummett; Diame, Ki; Ritchie, Perez, Atsu (Kenedy, 71); Rondon. Subs not used: Woodman, Fernandez, Hayden, Muto, Joselu.

FULHAM: Rico; Odoi, Chambers, Mawson, Ream, Bryan, Christie, Cairney (Ayite, 81), Seri, Schurrle (Kamara, 76), Mitrovic. Subs not used: Bettinelli, McDonald, Johansen, Vietto, Le Marchand.

Bookings: Kamara 84, Kenedy 89

Referee: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)

Attendance: 51,237



https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-booed-off-after-dismal-draw-against-fulham-1-9506477

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Newcastle vs Fulham player ratings: Odoi stars as Fulham go no nonsense for first clean sheet

It was a tense afternoon in Newcastle as neither side impressed

Sergio Rico

Dealt with the ball well when put in some uncomfortable positions. Looked steady and did what was required. 6

Denis Odoi

For alll people may question his quality he doesn't shirk the challenge in front of him. Stepped out from the back three to assist in forward play and also didn't back down from the physical challenge with Salomon Rondon despite the size mismatch. 7

Alfie Mawson

Composed on the ball which was well needed against against a forward line that harried. Felt like the leader of the backline and didn't show the effects of being cleared out by Rico in the first half. 7

Tim Ream

A shakey start but looked more comfortable as the first half progressed and seems more comfortable alongside Mawson. Put in the epitome of a firm but fair tackle on Salomon Rondon who looked set to break clear and looked more like his old self. 6

Cyrus Christie

Struggled to find the options ahead of him and was pressured heavily by Matt Ritchie. Steady overall. 5

Joe Bryan

Solid performance from the defender and his teasing ball late on cut through the Newcastle backline but unfortunately there was nobody to get on the end of it. Perhaps fortunate not to give a penalty away when he challenge Kenedy. 6

Calum Chambers

Perhaps not present enough during the 90s but provided some class in the middle of the park to make interceptions that built up play. Quiet performance in the second period. 5

Jean Michael Seri

Always looked for the ball to try and impact the game but struggled to get the ball moving forward. Was very astute with his defensive duties in the second half. Picked up a yellow card for a necessary foul on Rondon. 6

Tom Cairney

Look like he could pull something out whenever he was on the ball in an advanced position but wasn't given the opportunity to often enough. 5

Andre Schurrle

Struggled to make an impact during the game. Had brief moments of beating a player before being pulled up for offside or the ball heading out of play. 3

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Strong and held up the ball well but wasn't put in advantageous position often enough during the first half. A few poor touches but threatened in the dying minutes. 4

Substitutes:

Aboubakar Kamara: Made his presence felt as he always does. Threatening and created Fulham's best chance in the match while giving away a number of free kicks. 6

Floyd Ayite: Looked to pounce on any stay balls and generally lively. 5



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/newcastle-vs-fulham-player-ratings-15587682

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Newcastle United 0 Fulham 0: First clean sheet boosts Ranieri

Newcastle United and Fulham played out a poor goalless draw at St James' Park that saw the visitors end their wait for a clean sheet.

A dreadful 0-0 Premier League draw between Newcastle United and Fulham gave Claudio Ranieri's bottom-of-the-table side their first clean sheet of the season.

Saturday's match at St James' Park saw neither side create a clear goalscoring opportunity, with the defensive improvement for Fulham one positive to emerge, after they failed to shut out an opponent over the first 17 games of the campaign.

Newcastle continue to struggle at home and in general in front of goal, but do at least extend their advantage over the bottom three to five points after Burnley's defeat at Arsenal.

Against his former club, Aleksandar Mitrovic had an early shot saved by Martin Dubravka, before a Jamaal Lascelles header bounced off the striker at the other end and was hacked away from the line by Denis Odoi.

Dubravka gathered Jean Michael Seri's free-kick towards the end of a drab first half where neither side created a clear chance to score.

Mitrovic sent a poor finish straight at Dubravka just after the restart, while Salomon Rondon had a penalty claim turned down after being bundled over by Alfie Mawson.

The first substitution did not come until Rafael Benitez introduced Kenedy with 18 minutes remaining, and the wing-back had another home penalty appeal denied after tussling with Joe Bryan.

Fabian Schar then sent a header just over, but Fulham came closest to a late winner as Mitrovic, fed by Aboubakar Kamara, had an effort dramatically blocked by a sliding Lascelles, the visitors' claims for handball ignored at the end of a second period that saw neither keeper troubled.

What does it mean? A result for Fulham to build on

While they offered little going forward in this game, Fulham have at least shown earlier in the season that they can be a threat in attack.

It is their defensive woes that have cost them up to now, and a first clean sheet will come as a huge boost to Ranieri ahead of the busy festive schedule.

Newcastle are the second-lowest scorers in the league with 14 from 18 games, and have only won two of their 10 home games in the top flight. They are both issues Benitez must address with the help of some much-needed January additions after a game that saw them fail to register an attempt on target.

Fulham back three delivers

Mawson, Odoi and Tim Ream combined to make 20 clearances as they adequately dealt with what was often a direct Newcastle approach, reaching an important defensive milestone in the process. Mawson particularly deserves credit, having battled on to complete the game despite being on the receiving end of an inadvertent punch to the face from his own goalkeeper Sergio Rico in the first half.

Poor Perez must do more

Ayoze Perez feels it is unfair that he receives criticism from the Newcastle support, but it is hard to argue his case after this game. Despite playing the full 90 minutes, he failed to register a shot on goal or create a single chance for his team-mates.

What's next?

Newcastle have an attractive-looking festive fixture away to league leaders Liverpool on December 26, the same day as Fulham host Wolves.



Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/newcastle-united-0-fulham-0-first-clean-sheet-boosts-ranieri#kFQXclScDwXYGfmt.99

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Newcastle United vs Fulham: Bore draw leaves both sides wanting more

Newcastle United 0-0 Fulham: The two sides couldn't be separated at St James' Park

A desperate, late saving tackle from Jamaal Lascelles three minutes into injury-time. A possible handball from the same player to deny Aleksandar Mitrvoic. A stepover from Martin Dubravka in the 87th minute that also almost led to a Mitrovic goal, on his first return to St James' Park.

If only Tyneside had been forewarned that the only action, the only tangible drama, would come so late in the day.

Three chances at the death, all for the visitors, no shots on target for the home side, and a healthy outpouring of frustration from home supporters when Martin Atkinson called time. Newcastle were hanging on by then.

Dubravka, who kept a tenth clean sheet in his 35th appearance, had a brief wobble, under pressure from Mitrovic. He deserved luck to side with him. Fulham suddenly found life, right at the death, and the substitute Aboubakar Kamara charged through, waited, and played a ball back to around 15 yards from goal, Mitrovic took aim, fired and with Dubravka charging across his penalty area, three Newcastle players attempted the block, which appeared to strike the arm of Lascelles. Atkinson waved play on.

Then, right at the death, Kamara outmuscled Fabian Schar, went past Dummett, and, with the home side having lost seven of nine at St James' Park this season, looked set to crack home the winner, only for Lascelles to slide through, with his right foot to deny the opportunity, with Dubravka poised.

There had been precious little to write about before that.

The most notable action in the first half came in a fine right handed punch from Sergio Rico which, rather than connect with the ball, smashed team-mate Alfie Mawson on the side of his face. Mawson went down, and needed lengthy treatment to continue. That was in the 32nd minute, and it was the most notable thing in the game.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, who strangely was jeered by sections of the Newcastle crowd, had spurned an opportunity int he second minute, shooting weakly at Martin Dubrabka from a narrow angle. In the 41st minute Jean Michael Seri curled a 25 yard free-kick goalwards that Dubravka took comfortably to his left.


Neither side could do enough to win (Getty Images)

And before that, with 18 minutes on the clock, a clever, deep free-kick from Ki Sungyeung had found Jamaal Lascelles unmarked on the left side of the Fulham penalty area. The Newcastle captain headed across goal and the ball clipped Mitrovic before Denis Odoi cleared, with Ayoze Perez poised at the far post.

That really was it. By half-time, Newcastle had not actually recorded a shot on target.

Fulham sat deeper after the interval, the passionate remonstration of Ranieri with his players and assistant officials told you of that.

But for all corners and possession and decent positions, there was still nothing to trouble Fulham's punching goalkeeper.

Mitrovic was denied again by Dubravka, early in the second and with 15 minutes left Fabian Schar headed a Ritchie corner onto the top of the Fulham goal. That was as near as Newcastle would come.

Fulham found life at the end, and almost a winner. The point moved them level with Huddersfield. The prospect of something much greater so agonisingly close.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/newcastle-united-vs-fulham-match-report-result-goals-latest-updates-league-a8696206.html

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Clean sheet at last as Fulham draw at Newcastle

Newcastle 0 Fulham 0

Comedy fan Rafael Benitez had the smile wiped from his face as Newcastle were held to a drab goalless Premier League draw by bottom-of-the-table Fulham.

The Magpies did not manage a single shot on target to leave the Spaniard, who admitted in the run-up to the game that he loves English sitcoms, stony-faced ahead of an intensely difficult Boxing Day trip to face leaders Liverpool.
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Opposite number Claudio Ranieri may have been marginally happier after watching his side keep a first top-flight clean sheet, but they too failed to trouble Magpies goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to any great extent in an awful game in front of a crowd of 51,237 at St James' Park.

Having seen Aleksandar Mitrovic struggle to find his feet at Newcastle, the hosts ran out acutely aware he has done so since his £27million summer switch to Craven Cottage, and he served a warning with an early shot which Dubravka saved comfortably at the near post.

The Serbia international was the focal point as basement side Fulham started significantly the brighter with Andre Schurrle and Jean Michael Seri also working hard to stretch the home defence.

Benitez's men started to work their way into the game, although without any great quality until Ki Sung-yueng picked out skipper Jamaal Lascelles with a 18th-minute free-kick and saw the defender's header across goal hacked clear by Denis Odoi.

But the game grew increasingly untidy as both sides surrendered possession cheaply at regular intervals and did little meaningful with the ball when they did have it.

Fulham defender Alfie Mawson was left with an unwelcome souvenir of his trip to Tyneside when he was floored by his own stopper, Sergio Rico, as he tried to head Christian Atsu's blocked shot clear, although he was able to continue after treatment.

Dubravka saved Seri's 41st-minute free-kick comfortably and Matt Ritchie saw two shots blocked in quick succession at the other end seconds later.

Mitrovic delivered a low 47th-minute cross wastefully into Dubravka's waiting arms after Calum Chambers had played him into space within seconds of the restart, but both sides were misfiring horribly as they attempted to gain the upper hand.

As the tempo of the game started to rise, it was the visitors who found themselves pinned back, although Benitez's frustration of the sidelines was abundantly clear as the team continued to fail miserably in the search for a final ball.

They thought they had succeeded 16 minutes from time when Matt Ritchie picked out Fabian Schar with a near-post corner, but the defender's header looped over the bar.

Substitute Kenedy saw hopeful appeals for a penalty waved away after going down under Joe Bryan's challenge and Mitrovic was appealing in vain for a spot-kick for handball against Lascelles at the other end with seconds remaining, but there was to be no late twist.

Fulham: Rico; Odoi, Chambers, Mawson, Ream, Bryan, Christie, Cairney (Ayite 82), Seri, Schurrle (Kamara 76), Mitrovic.
Subs not used: Bettinelli, McDonald, Johansen, Vietto, Le Marchand.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/newcastle-v-fulham-report-premier-league-221218

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Newcastle 0-0 Fulham: Penalty appeals for both in goalless draw
Report and highlights as Newcastle are held by Fulham

Newcastle were held to a 0-0 draw at St James' Park by a Fulham side that kept their first clean sheet of the season.

Neither side were able to create too much but both will feel they could have had the points if penalty appeals had gone their way late in the game.

Substitute Kenedy appeared to be tugged down by Joe Bryan in the Fulham box before Aleksandar Mitrovic, against his old club, had a shot blocked by the arm of Jamaal Lascelles.

Ultimately, Claudio Ranieri's Fulham remain bottom but they showed resolve using a new formation, while Rafa Benitez will again be left thinking decisions have cost his team.

Player ratings

Newcastle: Dubravka (5), Manquillo (6), Schar (6), Lascelles (7), Dummett (6), Diame (6), Ki (7), Ritchie (6), Perez (6), Rondon (6), Atsu (6)

Subs: Kenedy (6), Yedlin (n/a)

Fulham: Rico (6), Odoi (7), Mawson (7), Ream (7), Bryan (6), Christie (7), Chambers (6), Seri (6), Cairney (6), Schurrle (6), Mitrovic (6)

Subs: Ayite (6), Kamara (6)

Man of the match: Alfie Mawson

Ranieri's switch to a back-three - although Benitez referred to it as a back-five - seemed to help Fulham as it at least gave them bodies in defence. Newcastle could not break through.

The home side did not attempt a shot on goal until Ki Sung-yueng dragged a long-range effort wide in the 36th minute. Sergio Rico got to the break without needing to make a save.

The most action that the Fulham goalkeeper saw in that opening 45 minutes was to punch his own defender when Alfie Mawson bravely put himself in harm's way.

Team news

Rafa Benitez made two changes to the Newcastle team that won at Huddersfield. Paul Dummett came in for the injured Ciaran Clark, while Matt Ritchie returned as a replacement for Kenedy.

Claudio Ranieri made only one change to the Fulham team that was beaten at home to West Ham as Cyrus Christie came in for Aboubakar Kamara.

But the game did come to life following the introduction of Kenedy. In the 77th minute, he looked set to head home a left-wing cross only for Bryan to appear to knock him off balance.

Fulham had a strong shout of their own in the final minutes when Mitrovic, having moments before almost dispossessed a dallying Martin Dubravka, had his shot blocked by an arm.

The ball struck Lascelles high on the arm but he was leaning into it and the decision could easily have gone against Newcastle. As it was, both teams were left bemoaning their luck.

Opta stats

    Benitez has yet to lose a home Premier League game against Fulham (W4 D4), with his teams keeping a clean sheet in each of the last six meetings.
    Fulham kept their first clean sheet in the Premier League in 22 games, since winning 1-0 against Norwich in April 2014.
    Fulham have won just their second away point in their last 12 outings in the Premier League (D2 L10).
    Newcastle have won just three of their last 17 Premier League games against promoted sides (D5 L9).
    Newcastle have won just two of their last 10 Premier League games at St. James' Park (D1 L7).
    Fulham have failed to find the back of the net in six of their last nine Premier League games.

The managers

Rafael Benitez (Newcastle): "For me, the main thing is if you cannot win, do not give the other team chances to score. We have to put into perspective where we were at the beginning and we are now playing against teams like Fulham and Wolves who have spent a lot of money during the summer."

Claudio Ranieri (Fulham): "At this moment for us, it's important to get a point, it's important to have a clean sheet because in the last matches, we have played well and from their first chance, the opponent has scored a goal. They made a lot of crosses - 30 - and they shot at goal, but our keeper never had to save anything."

Man of the match - Alfie Mawson

The Fulham defender had been open about the need for improvement before this game and he delivered personally by playing a key role in the team's long-awaited clean sheet.

After being accidentally punched by his own goalkeeper in the first half, Mawson recovered to fight off countless Newcastle attacks in the second half with a resilient display.

What's next?

Fulham host Wolves in the early kick-off on Boxing Day, live on Sky Sports Premier League. Newcastle have a tough assignment later that afternoon when Benitez returns to Anfield to take on the leaders Liverpool.



https://www.skysports.com/football/newcastle-vs-fulham/report/390934

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Claudio Ranieri frustrated despite a clean sheet for Fulham at Newcastle


ulham's Aboubakar Kamara fails to score the winner after losing his boot at Newcastle. Photograph: Richard Lee/BPI/Rex/Shutterstock

Claudio Ranieri had asked for a clean sheet and that wish was duly granted as, for the first time in the Premier League this season, Fulham's defence kept things pristine.

Yet as the final whistle blew and he embraced his old friend Rafael Benítez, disappointment appeared Ranieri's over-riding emotion. When his unexpected deployment of three centre halves very nearly paid dividends, Ranieri was left wondering whether Fulham's shout for a late handball as Aleksandar Mitrovic's shot struck Jamaal Lascelles's arm should have been listened to.

"It's very important to have a clean sheet," said the Italian, whose side remain bottom. "I don't know if it was a handball against us but we created more chances than Newcastle."

Benítez seemed more downbeat. "We have to win these sorts of games," he said after his players were booed off. "The fans want more but we have to realise we will be in the bottom half of the table all season. If we go higher, it will be a miracle."

With Fulham's wing-backs helping sever Newcastle's supply line to Salomón Rondón, the visitors were well protected by that five man security blanket, with the goalkeeper, Sergio Rico, receiving only rare scares. His most notable fright arrived after Ki Sung-yueng's free-kick was met by Lascelles, who directed a powerful angled header across the face of goal. After taking a deflection off Mitrovic – sold to Fulham for £22m by Benítez last summer – the ball seemed set to swerve into the net before Denis Odoi hacked it off the line.

Mitrovic – deemed to lack sufficient mobility by Benítez – assumed centre stage and, after nearly capitalising on a rare concentration lapse by Martin Dubravka by dispossessing the keeper, appealed in vain for the aforementioned penalty shout.

"It was disappointing for 85 minutes," said Benítez. "But a relief we did not lose in the final five minutes."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/dec/22/newcastle-united-fulham-premier-league-match-report

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Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet

Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.

The hosts, looking for a second successive win, were unable to find a way past a Fulham side who remain bottom of the standings but have stopped shipping goals at the rate they did before coach Claudio Ranieri succeeded Slavisa Jokanovic.

That was almost undone after 20 minutes at St James' Park as a header from Jamaal Lascelles took a deflection off Fulham striker and ex-Newcastle man Aleksandar Mitrovic and was going in before being hooked off the line.

Newcastle had a penalty appeal turned down before halftime with a Matt Ritchie shot appearing to hit the hand of defender Calum Chambers, but referee Martin Atkinson was unconvinced.

Rafa Benitez's side continued to pump balls into the area in the second half, looking to find the head of striker Salomon Rondon, but the Venezuelan could not carve out a clear-cut chance.

Newcastle had another appeal for a penalty late on when Kenedy felt he was pulled by Fulham's Joe Bryan in the box. However, again, the hosts were denied a spot kick as the match finished in a stalemate leaving them 15th in the standings.

They were also lucky not to concede in stoppage time when Mitrovic's shot was blocked.

"During the game I was not happy with some situations and decisions. The worst thing is that, in a game we could win, where we were pushing and had control, we could have lost it in the last counter-attack," Benitez said.

"Sometimes it can be tense at home, when they say you have to win the game, but Fulham spent a lot of money in the summer. They are bottom but have a good team. They are organised, they had five at the back and were dangerous on the counter-attack."

Ranieri was a happier man as Fulham showed signs that they could start to climb out of trouble.

"It is very important for us. (In the) First half maybe we created more play and had possession well, but they had a very big chance," the Italian said.

"Second half we lost control and they were dangerous, but we had four or five chances on the counter-attack, so at the end I'm happy because every point we achieve is good."



https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-england-new-ful-report/fulham-dig-deep-to-deny-newcastle-and-earn-first-clean-sheet-idUKKCN1OL0IF?rpc=401&;

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Fulham's first clean sheet secures precious point

A tactical tweak from Claudio Ranieri helped Fulham keep their first clean sheet of the season as they claimed a valuable point at St. James' Park after a scrappy stalemate with Newcastle United. Ranieri played an extra centre back to strengthen his leaky defence and Fulham successfully nullified Rafa Benitez's ponderous side as the Magpies failed to register a single shot on target. The visitors might have won it at the end with Aleksandar Mitrovic seeing his shot blocked by the arm of Jamal Lascalles and substitute Aboubakar Kamara running in on goal at the death.

Mitrovic, making his first return to St. James' Park since making his loan move to Craven Cottage permanent in the summer, was adamant that he should have had a penalty after Lascalles threw himself in front of his close-range effort but the Serbian striker was a terribly isolated figure for much of the afternoon. He might have done better with the game's first chance but Martin Dubravka got his angles right to save a tame shot. Dubravka, who almost passed the ball straight to Mitrovic three minutes from time when he dawdled in possession, was then indebted to Lascalles for stopping Kamara's storming run with a superb sliding tackle.

All that drama at the death was out of a character with an otherwise soporific encounter. The first half was woefully short on quality, with both sides giving the ball away far too easily. Sergio Rico was largely untroubled in the Fulham goal save for the odd punch, although he saved his best right hander for Alfie Mawson's cheek just after the half hour when a mix-up in the visitors' defence nearly presented Newcastle with a rare sight of goal. Denis Odoi produced the timeliest of interventions to nod clear at the back post with Ayoze Perez poised to turn home Lascalles' header from a Ki Sung-Yeung free-kick.

Newcastle probed patiently in the second period as Fulham sat deeper, but they gradually began to run out of ideas. The loudest the home crowd got was in barracking Martin Atkinson for waving away three penalty appeals, the most convincing of which saw Joe Bryan seem to pull down substitute Kenedy at the far post. Bryan almost made the most of his reprieve when he fired across the face of goal and wide from just inside the box after latching onto a clever Mitrovic lay-off. The home side's clearest chances came from set plays and Fabian Schar spurned the best of them heading a corner from Matt Ritchie onto the roof of the net.

Fulham's first clean sheet took them level on points with Huddersfield, who they face over the festive period in what looks like a crunch encounter at Craven Cottage, but it was a measure of how close they came in the closing stages that the point felt like something of a disappointment. They defended manfully, with Alfie Mawson, Tim Ream and Odoi outstanding frequently throwing their bodies in front of the ball, and there were none of the catastrophic errors that have characterised their return to the top flight. Ranieri spoke earlier this week about his desire to build his side from the back and such solidity will be needed in the weeks ahead if Fulham are to climb out of the relegation zone.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-1-1): Dubravka; Manquillo (Yedlin 84), Dummett, Schar, Lascalles; Ki Sung-Yueng, Diame, Atsu (Kenedy 72), Ritchie; Perez; Rondon. Subs (not used): Woodman, Fernandez, Hayden, Joselu.

BOOKED: Kenedy.

FULHAM (3-4-2-1): Rico; Odoi, Mawson, Ream; Christie, Bryan, Chambers, Seri; Cairney (Ayite 82), Schurrle (Kamara 76); Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Le Marchand, McDonald, Johansen, Vietto.

BOOKED: Kamara, Seri.

REFEREE: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire).

ATTENDANCE: 51,237



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/12/fulhams-first-clean-sheet-secures-precious-point/

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Newcastle 0, Fulham 0
Look ma, a clean sheet!

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Just as soon as manager Claudio Ranieri announced his starting XI, you knew that him and his 3-5-2 formation had one objective in mind. That is to make today's contest against an already poor-in-attack Newcastle side as ugly as possible so that they can claim their first clean sheet all season. While all their endeavor up front was essentially mute, that is exactly what Fulham did tonight. It was not a win, but the boys from Southwest London are no longer in sole possession of dead last in the Premier League. Momentum is finally on their side as fixtures to Wolves, Huddersfield, Burnley and Brighton will prove to be crucial before the January transfer window comes to a close. But for now, a celebration is well deserved for the traveling support because FULHAM SERIOUSLY GOT A CLEAN SHEET!

But it was not without a few nervous moments, especially in the second half where Newcastle got five shots to Fulham's one. Along with that, Newcastle had over 63% of the ball during that frame while Fulham couldn't even complete over 65% of their passes.

Fabian Schär had the best of all the attempts at goal as his header came just a bit too high off of a corner attempt. Meanwhile, Fulham's forwards had to do all the hard work on their own and former Magpie Aleksander Mitrovic was so close to stealing the ball away from goalkeeper Martin Dubravka's feet, only for his touch to be just a bit too weak. Aboubakar Kamara was his usual clumsy-but-hard-working self when a dangerous run towards goal at the end of the contest could have seen him score if he could just have better control of the ball. Instead, Dubravka made a crucial block and made the buildup null in void. But that wasn't the only attempt the Frenchman had from delivering a Fulham win.

Kamara had another chance to score earlier on but instead lost his right boot and had to pass it over towards Mitrovic. While Mitrovic tried to get a clean shot from the center of the penalty area, the ball looked to possibly have his Shär's left arm only for referee Martin Atkinson to say that wasn't enough to claim a penalty. Meanwhile, Newcastle substitute Kenedy had a shout for a penalty as Joe Bryan had his arms around the Brazilian wide forward. But once again, Atkinson didn't see enough for him to point towards the spot.

In the end, it was predictably a contest that saw each team's center forwards downright isolated with their fellow attacking players doing absolutely nothing to provide good service or support. Fulham clearly miss Ryan Sessegnon and they seriously need to stop starting Andre Schürrle if they are going to be that defensive in their posture. That being said, the hard work done by Fulham's defenders was immense.

While his essential fullback stats were terrible, Cyrus Christie was a good release valve for whenever Fulham needed to deal with pressure, hence the reason for him to have whoscored's highest rating among Ranieri's men. Along with that, his seven tackles and five blocked shots were either joint or in sole possession of the best among Fulham players. To his credit, Tim Ream easily had his best game all season and made two crucial tackles that resulted in putting an end to any solid attacking play by Newcastle. Alfie Mawson and Denis Odoi were brilliant getting ball out of dangerous areas. But the most well rounded performance came from Calum Chambers where he claimed four tackles, two interceptions, seven clearances and one blocked shot. Let's be blunt, these are the performances we demanded Kevin McDonald to pull off every week, but that is what Chambers is doing instead. That place in the holding midfield role is his from here on out.

It was the collective's hard work and endeavor that resulted in just nine shots towards goal and just 0.29 expected goals for goalkeeper Sergio Rico to face. Their defenders in front truly put their bodies on the line tonight as Bryan and Mawson both suffered a clash to the head during this contest. They will be needed even more this winter in order for Fulham to stay in the Premier League. But in the end, another vital point has been added towards their season and Claudio Ranieri will hope to build upon it in their next appearance back at Craven Cottage. It will be a massive contest against Wolves on Boxing Day.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/12/22/18152823/newcastle-0-fulham-0

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Ranieri 'happy' with Fulham's first clean sheet

Claudio Ranieri was delighted with the defensive application of his players after Fulham recorded their first clean sheet of the season in a goalless draw at Newcastle this afternoon.

The Italian boss had said earlier in the week that he 'needed a clean sheet like I need pasta' and his team responded after Ranieri employed three centre backs in a new system at St. James' Park. The tactical switch was so successful that the home side did not manage a single shot on target. Ranieri was full of praise for his side's effort during his post-match press conference:

    I am happy. I am happy because we gave to them just one chance in the first half. In the second half they created some threat in our box, but they never shot at our goal. And in the second half we created four or five great chances to win the match. But the draw is okay for us with the first clean sheet and we must continue in this way.

The Fulham manager felt his side could have nicked a late victory, with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Aboubakar Kamara going close to putting the Whites ahead in the closing stages.

    We played well the first half, [in] the second we lost possession of the ball but we created more chances. The second half was a battle, we knew it would be a physical match. We reacted very well, responded very well. The questions put to us, we answered very well, and also on the counter attack we created great chances.

    One point is important, the clean sheet is important. And now I start to think about Wolverhampton because I watched their match last night and Wolverhampton played fantastically. For me it was very important to see how my defensive three react, and they reacted very well. It was good to see them keep possession, make some good actions. We're at the bottom of the league, so we're not so positive or with a lot of confidence, but I'm sure we're getting better.

Ranieri rejected a reporter's suggestion that the side bottom of the Premier League at Christmas usually gets relegated. Two of the last five teams propping up the table on Christmas day have survived – and Fulham's point puts them level on points with Huddersfield. Ranieri remains confident his team can survive.

    It's not true. We'll be safe at the end, don't worry.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/12/ranieri-happy-with-fulhams-first-clean-sheet/

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Caludio Ranieri says Fulham will avoid relegation after Newcastle draw
Fulham manager also says his team was denied a penalty at St James' Park

Claudio Ranieri insists Fulham will avoid relegation this season, even though they will spend Christmas Day bottom of the Premier League table.

The Italian was pleased to see his side record their first clean sheet of the season in Saturday afternoon's goalless draw at Newcastle, but despite picking up a point they remain below Huddersfield on goal difference.

Only three sides in the history of the Premier League have avoided the drop after being bottom at Christmas, but Ranieri believes his players will buck that trend.

"I'm a little worried because we are bottom of the league," he told Sky Sports.

"But I am very, very positive and I believe that in the end we will be safe.

"I am very satisfied against Newcastle, a very physical club and a very physical match. We played well.

"In the first half we were very sure to keep possession of the ball without creating a very big chance.

"In the second half they had control of the match and they made a lot of crosses - 30 - but without making something. Our keeper never made a save.

"We created four or five chances on the counter-attack to score a goal and I am satisfied. For us it is the first clean sheet of the season and that is very, very important.

"It gives us a little more confidence."

Rafael Benitez claimed Newcastle should have been awarded a penalty when Kenedy appeared to be tugged down by Joe Bryan in the Fulham box.

But Ranieri insisted Fulham should feel more aggrieved after Aleksandar Mitrovic had a shot blocked by the arm of Jamaal Lascelles.

He added: "This evening when [Benitez] watches the television, he might say there wasn't a penalty for Newcastle and maybe it was for us.

"In this moment it is enough not to concede a goal and we will try to win the next match."



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/11588760/caludio-ranieri-says-fulham-will-avoid-relegation-after-newcastle-draw

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Addressing this "bad recruitment" thing

It's become a regular complaint that Fulham's transfer business was awful, but let's go back and have a look at this to be sure.

First, the squad that came up. The most commonly appearing players from last year were Sessegnon, Johansen, Fredericks, Ream, McDonald, Odoi, Norwood, Cairney, Kalas, Kamara, Kebano, Ayite, Fonte, Targett, Mitrovic.

What does a promoted side do with this?   Given the loans and overall quality, a few changes are going to be needed.

First, we know that the two full-backs are off. Fredericks to West Ham and Targett back to Southampton.

You know that the midfield of McDonald and Johansen may not be premier league ready, so that's an angle.

Centre-backs are probably an issue: you have Ream and Odoi, but probably that's not quite what you want to go with.

Mitrovic is going back, too.

So the shopping list, very reasonably, might be for two full-backs, two central midfielders, a centre-back or two and a centre-forward.

The club addressed centre-forward with Mitrovic which is what everybody wanted.   Joe Bryan, while not a household name, was presumably felt to be a reasonable option on the left. Cyrus Christie was there for right back, too. So while you might not be overjoyed with those two, it feels as if they're okay options and in any case, are you going to prioritise full-back when basically all the up the middle positions need to be sorted out?

The club moved to cover centre-back with Alfie Mawson. Transfermarkt had him valued at €15m when Fulham came in and signed him for €16m, so that seems reasonable enough. He'd played at the top level and done well.  Again, surely the right analysis here is that the club needed a centre-back and got a good one. Similarly, Calum Chambers should have been a decent signing given pedigree and circumstance. Again, I'm not sure what's to criticise here. It's exactly the kind of signing Fulham needed to make.

Maxime Le Marchand is a journeyman French player but no issues with signing him for squad depth.

In midfield Fulham signed Jean-Michael Seri for €30m, which is what Transfermarkt had as his exact value (having been €35m the season before). It's a lot of money but as a Danny Murphy type complete footballer again, you'd argue that this is exactly what Fulham needed to be doing. A great buy.   He hasn't pulled up trees, but if we look at the league's leading 'key passers' (passes that create chances) there are some big names there...

Now, that alone proves nothing, but it's a good sign isn't it?  As a new player coming into an absolute shambles of a team he's doing a lot well. I'd argue that you only have to watch him for 10 minutes to see the class and the way he quickly knits play together, but other Fulham fans have been unimpressed and regularly rate him 3/10 on the Fulhamish player rater thing.  Now clearly this is absurd and again reminds us why the modern way of welcoming everyone's right to an opinion is somewhat dubious, but if nothing else it shows what some people think, which I... suppose... is useful in some capacity?   (No, I can't see it, but I am not at the forefront of these things.)   In any case, Seri is a good player.  Clearly.  If the squad has problems, he's not one of them.  If we had 10 more players at this level we wouldn't be where we are.    I am as confident of that as I was about Clint Dempsey being good when people didn't see that either.

Which brings us to André-Frank Zambo Anguissa. Seri is fundamentally an attacking player. His abilities on the ball are very clear and he's not as strong defensively. By contrast, Anguissa is a very defensive midfielder. His stats in Ligue 1 as a 22 year old were fantastic on this front. Statsbomb demonstrated this, and noted that Ligue 1 players usually bring their abilities with them. But look at what's happened here. For whatever reason, Anguissa's not been the player he was in France, where he was an awesome defensive midfielder.  See below: generally the radar things need good sized splodges to represent good players.  Here Anguissa was an absolute wall, making enormous numbers of tackles and interceptions.  This is great!

Either way, he might have been a bit expensive: transfermarkt had him as an €18m player and have Fulham paying €25m. But he's young and gave every indication in France of being exactly what Fulham needed. To me this looks like a clear case of a good player being lost in a shambolic team, which must bode well for the future (if he gets the chance – we must hope so).

Throw in a Germany international and what appears to be a very very good goalkeeper and somehow this is supposed to be atrocious recruitment by the dreaded Tony Khan and his laptop?   Please.   Fulham identified areas to improve and bought good players.  Tony Khan – part of a process, not the process – appears to have played a blinder.

However, the performance on the pitch has been poor.   But maybe that's just life.  You can do the right thing and get the wrong outcome, can't you? I remain convinced that the bad start was largely systematic and the result of a misguided attempt to attack the Premier League in the way the Championship had been attacked in the past.  True, the squad was assembled at haste, but the players brought in were almost exactly what the team needed in terms of their profile and quality.   I think they'll show this in time.



https://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2018/12/22/addressing-this-bad-recruitment-thing/

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Aston Villa could find a useful midfielder in Ibrahima Cisse

Aston Villa will be hoping to make drastic improvements just in time to launch a promotion push once again this season.

The Villans currently sit on the outskirts of the play-off places but with an increase in form, Aston Villa could be a name amongst the top six in the Championship.

To do that, current players need to improve, whilst the owners need to ensure they back Dean Smith financially, with the tools to improve his squad during the January transfer window.

It's a period that could really defy their season, do they have the ambition to launch themselves back into the Premier League or is the Championship where they will remain?

Fans will be hoping it's the first and that the club will recruit soon. A defensive-minded midfielder to sit alongside John McGinn would be a good idea for Villa and Fulham's Ibrahima Cisse could be the answer.

Cisse, (who is valued at £1.3 million on Transfermarkt) has just 17 minutes of Premier League football to his name this season, hence why he is likely to leave Fulham sooner rather later.

The 24-year-old is a solid player but has never been given a proper chance at Fulham to prove that statement is correct.

Since arriving in London from Standard Liege in 2017, Cisse has been made to watch on as Fulham have endured a rollercoaster year and a half.

With Aston Villa though, there is an opportunity for him to show that he would be a better option compared to Glenn Whelan for example.

The Championship is an incredibly tough league and Villa would do well to recruit options like Ibrahima Cisse, in the hope of achieving promotion.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/championship/aston-villa/aston-villa-could-find-a-useful-midfielder-in-ibrahima-cisse/

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Danny Simpson would be a good signing for Fulham

Fulham should look to sign Danny Simpson in January.

The Leicester City defender is out of contract at the end of this season and therefore the Foxes could look to cash in on him next month.

Ranieri has worked with the defender before and he is keen on a reunion if recent reports are to be believed.

Simpson has won the Premier League under Ranieri and he might jump at the chance to play for him once again.

Fulham need to improve their defender if they want to beat the drop this season and Simpson would be a quality signing.

Danny Simpson has proven himself in the Premier League over the years and he would transform Fulham's backline with his quality and experience.

Ranieri must convince Fulham to fund the move for the Leicester City player as it could prove vital at the end of the season.

Simpson, who is on £45k-per-week knows Ranieri's methods and he is familiar with the league. The 31 year old could make an immediate impact for the Cottagers during the second half of the season.



https://sportslens.com/danny-simpson-would-be-a-good-signing-for-fulham/253947/

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Cottage Talk Full Time: Fulham Earned A Deserved Point Against Newcastle United
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

In this episode, we shared our "initial reactions" to Fulham's 0-0 draw with Newcastle United. Co-hosts Max Cohen and Yannis Tjanetis shared their views on this very improved defensive performance for Fulham. They also talked about the two controversial moments late in this match, and gave their opinons on both of them.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/12/22/18153052/cottage-talk-full-time-fulham-earned-a-deserved-point-against-newcastle-united