Thursday Fulham Stuff (27/12/18)...

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Results

Boxing Day
Fulham	1 - 1	Wolves
Burnley	1 - 5	Everton
Palace	0 - 0	Cardiff
Leicester	2 - 1	Man City
Liverpool	4 - 0	Newcastle
Man Utd	3 - 1	Huddersfield
Spurs	5 - 0	Bournemouth
Brighton	1 - 1	Arsenal
Watford	1 - 2	Chelsea

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Fulham 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Romain Saiss tapped in for Wolves after Joe Bryan's slip on the line

Fulham captain Aleksandar Mitrovic said he felt like crying after missing several chances in his side's scrappy draw with Wolves that lifted the Cottagers off the bottom of the table.

The hosts were on top in the first half at Craven Cottage but Mitrovic could not convert any of his seven attempts, while Raul Jimenez went close for the visitors with an acrobatic bicycle kick.

Wolves were more assured after the break without regularly threatening before Fulham substitute Ryan Sessegnon scuffed in a volley after Rui Patricio's weak punch on 74 minutes.

But the hosts could not hold on for a third Premier League win of the season as Ivan Cavaleiro got in down the left to slide the ball across goal, with Fulham wing-back Joe Bryan stopping the ball but then falling over - allowing Romain Saiss to tap in his first Premier League goal.

Mitrovic then got in behind from a long, clearing kick by Fulham keeper Sergio Rico on 90 minutes but his deflected, clipped effort was cleared off the line by Conor Coady.

"If I shot 100 more times the ball wouldn't go in," Mitrovic told Sky Sports. "I played a good game but didn't score and that's the most important thing for a striker.

"I'm very disappointed, angry and want to cry - but that's football. You have these days and you just need to keep going."

Wednesday's draw takes Fulham to 19th, four points from safety after Cardiff's draw with Crystal Palace, while Huddersfield drop to 20th after a 3-1 defeat by Manchester United.

The wasteful eight
Mitrovic failed to convert any of his eight chances against Wolves and has now not scored in his past six league appearances, having also had another six-game goalless streak earlier in the season.

The Serbia international became the first player in the Premier League this season to have seven attempts in the first half, but he only got two on target, both of which were too close to Patricio.

It took 25 minutes for the first effort on target by either side in a lifeless start, Mitrovic failing to get enough power on a header at the back post off Cyrus Christie's cross.

He then picked up a loose ball in the Wolves area, before turning his man and shifting it past another - but his low effort was blocked by Patricio's legs.

Mitrovic was kept quieter in the second half before missing the most crucial opening of the game - he did well to force his way on to Rico's clearance but then could not lift his effort over Ryan Bennett's outstretched leg, with Coady alert to scramble the ball away.

While he causes defences plenty of problems, Mitrovic's scoring rate of seven goals in the first half of the season is not likely to be enough to keep up a Fulham side that has conceded 43 times.

Improved Fulham still falter
Fulham have now taken six points from seven matches under Claudio Ranieri, one more than they managed in 12 games under predecessor Slavisa Jokanovic this season.

While perhaps not a seismic improvement, the Italian has made the Cottagers more organised, their defence keeping Wolves to largely speculative efforts for long periods.

The return of Sessegnon after two games out with a groin injury is also particularly welcome. His goal was a touch fortunate, deflecting off a Wolves defender and the underside of the crossbar on the way in - but he gave his side renewed vigour after replacing Andre Schurrle on 67 minutes when Wolves were on top.

However, Fulham are still prone to lapses of concentration and Joao Moutinho was given far too much time and space on the ball to turn and slide in an unmarked Cavaleiro before Bryan's error on the line.

With key matches against fellow relegation candidates Huddersfield and Burnley coming up - as well as tough games against Arsenal and Tottenham - Fulham could well rue missing out on two extra points here come the end of the campaign.

Wolves find a way
Since Wolves came up as Championship winners last season and Fulham were promoted through the play-offs, the gap between these sides has increased.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side have still only scored 20 times this season - three more than Fulham - but they look a much more accomplished team in possession and have a fine defensive record, conceding fewer than Manchester United and Arsenal so far.

With Portugal international Moutinho running play from midfield, Wolves also have threats from the bench - Cavaleiro brighter than the anonymous Adama Traore after replacing him at half-time, and fellow substitute Helder Costa putting Bryan under pressure for Saiss' equaliser.

This was far from Wolves' most fluent performance but they found a way to claim a point and will be delighted with an impressive first half to the season that gives them a fine chance of a top-10 finish in their first top-flight season since 2012.

Man of the match - Joao Moutinho (Wolves)

'A little frustrated but a draw is fair' - reaction

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri, speaking to BBC Sport: "I am a little bit frustrated but the draw is right. Yes we missed the opportunity, but it's OK.

"It was a good performance from my players, everyone understood the problem and was working for the problem.

"When you are bottom, you have to fight, take chances, continue to fight, I am satisfied with the performance. It was only the second match we have played with this system."

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Sport: "I felt when Fulham scored it was unfair because we had so much of the ball and looked more likely to score - but this is the game.

"I am very happy with our second-half performance but in the first half we didn't quite get in the game - it was not well played because there was no space. Fulham were so well organised, they allowed us possession but were so compact, and we know how good Claudio is shaping his teams.

"After half-time, the players that came in for us gave width and we managed to play much better in the second half. I think we were closer [to winning], our attitude was more active in going for the game. Fulham did not risk, always looking for counter-attacks."

Still just the one clean sheet for Fulham - stats

    Fulham have conceded in all but one of their past 23 Premier League fixtures.
    Wolverhampton Wanderers have lost just one of their past eight Premier League games in London, winning three.
    Wolves have scored 75% of their league goals in the second half of their games this season (15 of 20), the highest proportion in the competition.
    Since his league debut in August 2016, Ryan Sessegnon has been directly involved in more league goals (including play-offs) than any other Fulham player (23 goals, 14 assists).
    At 18 years and 221 days old, Sessegnon is the third-youngest player to score in the Premier League on 26 December, after James Milner (16 years on 356 days in 2002) and Michael Owen (18 years and 12 days in 1997).
    Wolves midfielder Romain Saiss scored his first Premier League goal, becoming the 14th Moroccan to score in the competition, and the first since Sofiane Boufal for Southampton against Tottenham on 26 December last year.

What's next?

Fulham host Huddersfield in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 GMT kick-off) before travelling to London rivals Arsenal on New Year's Day (15:00).

Wolves have a league game at Tottenham at 15:00 on Saturday and host Crystal Palace on Wednesday, 2 January at 19:45.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46615162

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Manager Reaction

Claudio Ranieri believes Fulham's new formation may be the one that helps us to climb the table.

For the second game in a row our Manager opted for five at the back, and it yielded a second point in five days as we drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"I think they've improved a lot," Ranieri said. "I think I've found a solution for this team with five at the back.

"Of course, it's not dogmatic. The team is much better, more solid, and more comfortable.

"Of course we need something more when we have the ball because when you're bottom, it's not so calm, you're a little more anxious to do something good.

"We have to continue this way. It's the right way. It's the second time we played in this shape and I'm very happy for this reason."

The first half ended goalless but not through lack of endeavour, with Fulham carving out chance after chance.

And even after Wolves equalised late on in the second half, we still could have won it only for Aleksandar Mitrović's shot to be agonisingly hacked off the line.

"We are a little disappointed because I think we deserved more from the first half because we created more than them," Ranieri stated. "In the second half, after we scored a goal, they found a solution.

"I'm satisfied with our performance, as we worked hard against a good team. It was a tactical match today.

"Mitrović had a chance to win the match. In this moment, we need to continue to stay together and be positive.

"When a team is bottom, everything goes against this team, but we are stronger than this. We want to react in every circumstance, in every match.

"If we continue to fight, train well, understand the tactical movement, we'll do better.

"We try to find a solution, but if you continue to fight, you can change things. If you lose hope, you lose everything.

"I believe in my players. For this reason, I believe we can make something good."

Ryan Sessegnon was a welcome addition to the matchday squad after recovering from a groin strain, and the 18-year-old made an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute.

"I'm very pleased," his Manager said. "He's a very interesting young player. When he came on, the crowd and his teammates felt something could happen.

"[But] he has to improve physically because when the opponents tackle, he has to be a little more powerful."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/december/26/manager-reaction

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Fulham player ratings: Ryan Sessegnon scores on return in 1-1 draw with Wolves

The 18-year-old's goal was cancelled out by a later Roman Saiss equaliser at Craven Cottage

A Romain Saiss equaliser meant that it would only be a point for Fulham on Boxing Day after they missed a whole host of chances to win the game.

Fulham started quite well and had a great chance after 16 minutes when Calum Chambers left his marker for dead in the middle of the pitch with a lovely turn before playing in Andre Schurrle - the German cut back for Aleksandar Mitrovic but his touch was heavy, meaning he was off balance when he struck, sending the ball into row Z.

They enjoyed a strong spell during the first half and should've gone ahead during it when Aboubakar Kamara used his strength well to hold the ball up and play in Christie who flashed the ball across the face of goal with Mitrovic just inches away from connecting.

Having done well under the cosh in the second half it was substitute Ryan Sessegnon who got them the goal when he smashed home a loose ball in the box in the 74th minute.

But Wolves got an equaliser in heartbreak fashion as a ball across the face of goal was poked home at the back stick by Romain Saiss with just five minutes left to play.

Here's how we rated the side:

Sergio Rico - 6

Had a decent game with not much to do. Did well coming out for crosses into his area.

Cyrus Christie - 7

A good first half from the Irishman who got himself into some good positions going forward down the right. Was forced to put in a real defensive shift in the second half where he did well.


(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Denis Odoi - 6

A good showing at the back despite going up against the pact Traore. Was handed a different test in the form of Ivan Cavaleiro in the second half but he coped with the challenge well.

Alfie Mawson - 7

A commanding, vocal performance from Mawson who was strong in the heart of the three man central defensive partnership. Really dominant from the 24-year-old today.

Tim Ream - 6

He did well in the first half and made sure he was compact with both Odoi and Mawson to limit Wolves' chances. Carried that on in the second and had a good performance.

Joe Bryan - 6

Decent performance at left back from Bryan who seemed to concentrate more on the defensive side of the game rather than getting down the wing.

Calum Chambers - 7

Strong again from Chambers and did well with breaking up play. His positioning was good as was his reading of the game which limited space in between the lines for Wolves.

Jean-Michael Seri - 7

Quiet first half but showed a few nice passes in a congested midfield to find his forwards. It was one of his better performances for Fulham as he looked to pull the strings from the middle.

Aboubakar Kamara - 7

A really strong first 45 from Kamara. Wolves couldn't handle his speed while he produced some nice pieces of football with his back to goal. Didn't have quite the impact in the second but this was one of his best performances in the Premier League.

Andre Schurrle - 6

Better from the German who got on the ball a lot and linked up well with the other two front men. Faded massively in the second half and was replaced in the 66th minute.

Aleksandar Mitrovic - 7

Caused Wolves problems all first half but had to take one of the chances that fell his way in that opening 45 minutes. Didn't have as many in the second half but his presence up top still caused problems.


(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Substitutes

Ryan Sessegnon - 7

Got a vital goal after coming on after being in the right place in the right time to smash home a loose ball.

Tom Cairney - 5

Was used out on the right again and didn't have much impact on the game, but mucked in with defensive duties.

Kevin McDonald - 5

Didn't have much impact on the game after coming on.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-player-ratings-ryan-sessegnon-15596210

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Fulham vs Wolves: Late Romain Saiss equaliser sees Claudio Ranieri's side squander vital three points

Fulham 1-1 Wolves: The Moroccan international's 85th minute strike cancelled out Ryan Sessegnon's opener

Fulham squandered the chance of three valuable points in their survival bid after they were held at home by Wolves.​

Claudio Ranieri's side dominated for long spells at Craven Cottage but were wasteful in front of goal until substitute Ryan Sessegnon struck midway through the second half.

They were then six minutes from registering a vital three points when Romain Saiss struck for his first Premier League goal.

Fulham have won just once in seven matches since Ranieri took over, and home games against Wanderers, and then Huddersfield, over Christmas looked pivotal to their chances of becoming only the fourth team in Premier League history to avoid relegation after being bottom at Christmas.

But they could only manage a point in the first of those after Saiss snatched a point for the visitors.

Both sides has decent claims for a penalty waved away by referee Andre Marriner during the first half.

Dennis Odoi appeared to handle a cross in the Fulham area, before Andre Schurrle lifted the ball onto the arm of Wolves defender Ryan Bennett.

The first chance fell to Wolves winger Adama Traore, who cut inside on his right foot but fizzed his shot over the crossbar.

Raul Jiminez then controlled a high ball on his chest, and his knee, before sending an ambitious overhead kick just over the top.

Fulham captain Aleksandar Mitrovic was leading by example in attack, the Serbian seeing his shot bravely blocked by Bennett before heading just wide from a corner.


Ryan Sessegnon put Fulham ahead
Action Images via Reuters

Mitrovic then latched onto a low cross from Schurrle but a heavy first touch forced him wide and his angled shot flew over.

His next opportunity arrived midway through the first half, the striker meeting a deep cross from Cyrus Christie with a header straight at Wolves keeper Rui Patricio.

Schurrle, continuing to link up well with Mitrovic, tried a curler from the edge of the area but once again it was too close to Patricio.

With Fulham building up a head of steam Christie played a neat one-two with Aboubakar Kamara before lashing the ball across goal with Mitrovic just unable to get a tough at the far post.

Wolves frontman Jiminez remained a threat, though, and his fierce volley had to be beaten away by Fulham keeper Rui Patricio at his near post.

Mitrovic should have opened the scoring five minutes before half-time when he brilliantly skipped past two defenders in the area but Patricio came out quickly to block his shot.

After the break Jiminez headed Jonny Otto's cross straight at Rico and Bennett drilled a long-range effort over the crossbar.

Sessegnon so nearly set up Kamara but Boly just got a foot to the ball before the striker could convert a low cross.

But the youngster made his mark soon after, pouncing at the far post through a crowd of players after Patricio punched Alfie Mawson's header straight to him.

However, Wolves hauled themselves level with six minutes remaining, Saiss on hand to tap the ball home after Helder Costa had attempted to convert Ivan Cavaleiro's cross.

There was still time for Mitrovic to win it for Fulham as he prodded the ball past the onrushing Patricio, but Coady got back to clear off the line




https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-vs-wolves-score-live-goals-result-match-report-sessegnon-highlights-epl-a8699601.html

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Fulham 1-1 Wolves: Late Romain Saiss strike denies Cottagers
Highlights and report as the spoils are shared in west London

Romain Saiss' late strike denied Fulham a precious win as Wolverhampton Wanderers left Craven Cottage with a 1-1 draw on Boxing Day.

Ryan Sessegnon came off the bench to open the scoring after 74 minutes, the 18-year-old's first Premier League goal at home for Fulham.

However, Claudio Ranieri's side could not keep hold of the lead, with Saiss levelling matters with a close-range finish with only five minutes left to play.


Player ratings

Fulham: Sergio Rico (6), Odoi (6), Mawson (7), Ream (6), Christie (5), Chambers (7), Seri (6), Bryan (6), Kamara (5), Mitrovic (9), Schurrle (6)

Subs: Ryan Sessegnon (7), McDonald (6), Cairney (7)

Wolves: Rui Patricio (6), Bennett (6), Coady (7), Boly (5), Doherty (7), Joao Moutinho (7), Saiss (7), Jonny (6), Traore (5), Jimenez (7), Gibbs-White (6)

Subs: Ivan Cavaleiro (7), Helder Costa (7), Ruben Vinagre (6)

Man of the match: Aleksandar Mitrovic

As a result, Fulham moved off the foot of the table and remain four points from safety, while Wolves stay 10th.

Fulham went into the game on the back of their first clean sheet of the season at Newcastle on Saturday. However, that new-found defensive solidity was tested early on when Denis Odoi made a hash of an attempted clearance and handled the ball, although referee Andre Marriner deemed it accidental.

The home side created the better openings before the break, only for Aleksandar Mitrovic to spurn them.

The Serb headed Andre Schurrle's inviting centre just off target when well placed, before somehow failing to get a toe on Cyrus Christie's driven ball across the six-yard box and then shooting too close to Rui Patricio after selling an outrageous dummy to escape Willy Boly.

What would VAR have changed?

The extra official would have been busy in the first half and it would be interesting to see whether he would have given a penalty to the visitors after Odoi's early handball, while Chambers may also have been in trouble with the VAR after two naughty tackles.

The visitors will feel their task should have been made easier by the sending off of Calum Chambers but, despite two questionable tackles, the Fulham holding midfielder was only yellow carded once before the break.

Fulham took advantage of that stroke of luck to make a crucial breakthrough with just 16 minutes to go after Alfie Mawson did well to get his head on to a lofted free kick into the box, forcing Patricio to punch clear under pressure from Odoi.

Team news

Wolves made one change from the side that lost 2-0 to Liverpool last Friday, with Morgan Gibbs-White replacing Ruben Neves, who dropped to the bench.

It was also one change for Fulham from their goalless draw at Newcastle last time out, with Aboubakar Kamara coming in for Tom Cairney, who was a sub, while Ryan Sessegnon returned to the bench following a groin strain.

However, the ball dropped straight at the feet of Sessegnon, who did well to fire it back through a posse of Wolves players in the six-yard box and into the back of the net.

Fulham's lead lasted just over 10 minutes before Wolves drew level after a lovely team goal involving Joao Moutinho and Ivan Cavaleiro down the left flank, with the latter firing an inviting ball across the six-yard box.

Fellow substitute Helder Costa reached the centre at the far post, with Saiss in the right place to convert from virtually on the line, the Morocco international's first Premier League goal for Wolves.

Mitrovic almost won it in the last minute, only for Wolves captain Conor Coady to scamper back to make a last-gasp goal-line clearance as Fulham's winless run stretched to six matches.

Opta stats

    Fulham have conceded in all but one of their last 23 Premier League fixtures
    Wolves have lost just one of their last eight Premier League games in London (W3 D4)
    Wolves have scored 75% of their Premier League goals in the second half of their games this season (15/20), the highest proportion in the competition
    This was Wolves' 100th league game played on Boxing Day, making them just the second side to play as many on the date (after West Bromwich Albion)
    Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon has scored his first league goal as a substitute since August 2016, when he netted his first-ever goal for Fulham against Cardiff, 858 days ago
    Since his league debut in August 2016, Ryan Sessegnon has been directly involved in more league goals (inc. playoffs) than any other Fulham player (23 goals, 14 assists)
    At 18 years and 221 days old, Fulham teenager Ryan Sessegnon is the third youngest player to score in the Premier League on Boxing Day, after James Milner (16y 356d in 2002) and Michael Owen (18y 12d in 1997)

Man of the Match - Aleksandar Mitrovic

Where would struggling Fulham be without their talismanic captain, who was a thorn in the visitors' back line all afternoon long at the Cottage?

The Serbia international mustered seven shots in the first half alone, the most of any player in the first 45 minutes of a Premier League game this season.

And the striker was desperately unlucky not to win it late on for the west London club, but opposite number Conor Coady got back just in time to hook his shot off the line.

"Mitrovic had the chance to win the match, but in this moment we have to stay together and be positive."

Managers

Nuno Espirito Santo: "The first half was not a good performance. Fulham were well organised and there was no space.

"In the second half we were better, we were on the front foot and got our deserved reward. I would not say [we were] lucky. Lucky can hide many things. I felt in the first half we didn't perform. What I'm feeling is the starting XI was not the best choice.

"But I'm happy, in the second half we played better and got a deserved draw." "I'm a little disappointed because I think we deserved more in the first half. In the second half after we scored they found a solution, but I'm satisfied with our performance. We were solid, we worked hard against a good team.

What's next?

Fulham host fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town, while Wolves travel to Tottenham, with both league games kicking off at 3pm on Saturday.



https://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-wolves/390940

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Romain Saiss's late goal for Wolves denies Fulham victory after Ryan Sessegnon opener in scrappy affair

Still Fulham wait for their first home win of the season. When they took the lead in this tight, intriguing tactical battle 16 minutes from time, Claudio Ranieri's side seem to have the resilience and organisation to see the game out.

But perhaps "The Tinker Man" tinkered too much. The late introductions of Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald for Jean Michel Seri and Aboubakar Kamara seemed to disrupt the side's rhythm and led to them retreating towards their own goal. Wolves seized their invitation and deservedly equalised through Romain Saiss six minutes from time.

The draw lifts Fulham off the bottom of the table but still three points from safety.

"When a team is bottom everything goes against this team," said Ranieri. "We are stronger than this. We want to react in every match and if we continue to fight it will get better. I think they improve a lot. I think I find a solution for this team to play five at the back. The team is much more solid, more comfortable. We have to continue with this way. I'm a little disappointed because I think we deserved more in the first half."

Wolves remain comfortably in mid-table with talk of a Europa League challenge in the second half of the season being a realistic target for Nuno Espirito Santo's team.


Sessegnon scores with 16 minutes to go Credit: Getty Images

"What I'm feeling is the starting eleven was not the best choice," said the Portuguese.

"But I'm happy in the second half we played better and got a deserved draw. We must decide the right moment [to sign new players]. We still have games to play and the transfer market is all through January."

Fulham had the better of the first half. Their best chance came when Aleksandar Mitrovic cleverly turned inside Willy Boly and Conor Coady before Rui Patricio raced from his line to block at point-blank range.

Fulham then had a penalty claim turned down by Andre Marriner when Schurrle appeared to scoop the ball on to Matt Doherty's arm. It was unclear whether the Wolves defender was inside the area.

Wolves were more threatening after the restart and enjoyed prolonged spells in the Fulham half. Jimenez found space for a 20-yard shot that Sergio Rico pushed away to his left.

Ranieri introduced Ryan Sessegnon for the final 25 minutes with Fulham struggling to create goal-scoring opportunities. His pace on the left almost led to a clear chance for Mitrovic to score before Boly brilliantly blocked the cross at the last moment.

Sessegnon's next contribution was the crucial one as he reacted first after Patricio had punched the ball clear to volley it back over the line via a minor deflection off Jonny Otto. But the withdrawal of Seri for McDonald seemed to destabilise Fulham and Wolves seized the initiative.

Wolves were invited to surge forward and did so down the left side, where Ivan Cavaleiro crossed low for Helder Costa, who touched it back inside for Saiss to score.

In the 90th minute, Mitrovic's shot deflected off Ryan Bennett and dribbled towards the line, only for Coady to hack it clear at the last moment.



https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/12/26/romain-saisss-late-goal-wolves-denies-fulham-victory-ryan-sessgnon/

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Soccer: Wolves strike late to deny Fulham rare win

Romain Saiss bundled home from close range to earn Wolverhampton Wanderers a 1-1 draw at Fulham on Wednesday and deny Claudio Ranieri's side their first win in six Premier League matches.

Substitute Ryan Sessegnon struck to give the London side hope of three points as they fought to move off the bottom of the table, but Saiss's 85th-minute equaliser left Fulham 19th before Huddersfield's trip to Manchester United.

Claudio Ranieri's side showed defensive steel as they battled for a second consecutive clean sheet after achieving their first in a goalless draw at Newcastle United on Saturday, but eventually caved in.

"When a team is bottom, everything goes against this team. We are stronger than this, we want to react in every circumstance," Ranieri told reporters.

"If you continue to fight you can change (the situation), if you lose hope, you lose everything. I believe in my players and I believe we can make something good this season."

Fulham came closer in a tight first half with Aleksandar Mitrovic a constant thorn in Wolves's side, but Rui Patricio was alert to beat away the Serbian's strike after he wormed free in the area.

Sessegnon made the breakthrough for Fulham seven minutes after being introduced as a substitute, volleying in after Rui Patricio tried to punch the ball away.

With five at the back Fulham looked more able to withstand pressure than earlier in the season but Saiss levelled after Ivan Cavaleiro's cross sat up for him at the back post with Joe Bryan unable to clear the ball.

Fulham nearly snatched a late victory but Wolves captain Conor Coady hacked a late Mitrovic effort off the line to leave his side in mid-table.

"We're adult enough to know that today was not our best performance, everybody has to realise that," Wolves coach Nuno Espirito Santo said.

"I felt in the first half we didn't perform, we were surprised that Fulham dropped so deep and were so organised. The line-up was not the best choice for the game.

"In the second half we played better, we controlled the ball, we made chances."



https://in.reuters.com/article/soccer-england-ful-wlv-report/soccer-wolves-strike-late-to-deny-fulham-rare-win-idINKCN1OP0W5?rpc=401&;

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Fulham off the bottom after 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton

LONDON (AP) — Fulham climbed off the foot of the Premier League after drawing 1-1 at home to Wolverhampton on Wednesday.

Captain Aleksandar Mitrovic was a constant thorn in Wolverhampton's side and several times went close to scoring in the first half at Craven Cottage.

Fulham finally broke through in the 74th minute through Ryan Sessegnon after visiting goalkeeper Rui Patricio punched Alfie Mawson's effort straight to him.

Claudio Ranieri's side looked set to register only its third league victory of the season until Romain Saiss tapped the equalizer home for Wolverhampton after Helder Costa had failed to convert Ivan Cavaleiro's 85th-minute cross.

Mitrovic then almost won the game for Fulham when he prodded the ball past the onrushing Patricio, but Conor Coady got back to clear off the line.

Fulham is now one point above bottom club Huddersfield.



https://apnews.com/a548b807bca5453b95fc2fe33320350c

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Fulham denied by late Wolves equaliser

Fulham 1 Wolves 1

Romain Saiss' first Premier League goal denied struggling Fulham what would have been only their third victory of the season.

The Whites were leading through substitute Ryan Sessegnon's second-half strike and six minutes from registering a vital win in their survival bid.

But Moroccan international Saiss had other ideas to snatch a 1-1 draw for the visitors and leave Claudio Ranieri's side, who started the day in bottom spot, still deep in trouble.

Only three sides in Premier League history have avoided relegation having been bottom of the table on Christmas Day, and Fulham will have to improve at both ends of the pitch if they want to become the fourth.

The first chances fell to Wolves, when Adama Traore cut inside on his right foot but blazed his shot high over the crossbar, before Raul Jimenez's attempted overhead kick also flew over.

But Fulham were the more threatening side in the first half with captain Aleksandar Mitrovic at his most menacing.

Mitrovic had an early shot blocked by Ryan Bennett before heading wide from a corner and planting another header straight at Wolves keeper Rui Patricio.

Cyrus Christie then played a clever one-two with Aboubakar Kamara and drilled the ball across the face of goal with Mitrovic inches from getting a touch at the far post.

Wolves were still a danger on the break, though, and Fulham keeper Sergio Rico had to be alert at his near post to keep out a fierce volley from Jimenez.

Both sides had reasonable claims for penalties, Wolves when Dennis Odoi handled a cross and Fulham after Andre Schurrle lifted the ball on to the arm of Bennett.

Five minutes before half-time Mitrovic should have found the net after he turned Conor Coady and Willy Boly inside out, but the striker's finish was weak and Patricio was able to save.

Early in the second half Jonny Otto broke down the left and crossed for Jimenez, but his header was dealt with by Rico.

Sessegnon almost teed up Kamara but Boly just got a foot to the ball before the striker could convert a low cross.

The youngster made his mark soon after, pouncing at the far post through a crowd of players after Patricio punched Alfie Mawson's header straight to him.

However, Wolves hauled themselves level with six minutes remaining, Saiss tapping home after Helder Costa had attempted to convert Ivan Cavaleiro's cross.

There was still time for Mitrovic to win it as he prodded the ball past the onrushing Patricio, but Coady got back to clear off the line.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-v-wolves-final-261218

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Fulham frustrated as Wolves snatch late leveller

Fulham's bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League suffered a fresh setback as Wolves rescued a late 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.

Ryan Sessegnon came off the bench to put struggling Fulham ahead with just 15 minutes left.

But Romain Saiss hit an 85th-minute equaliser to spoil Fulham's hopes of bolstering their survival bid.

Claudio Ranieri's side temporarily climbed off the bottom of the table, one point ahead of Huddersfield before the rest of the Boxing Day schedule.

But Fulham have claimed just six points from seven games since former Leicester boss Ranieri took charge.

That concerning run had left Fulham bottom on Christmas Day — with only three of the previous 26 top-flight teams to have filled that spot going on to avoid relegation.

This was another tale of woe for the Cottagers.

Wolves threatened early on in the form of a spectacular Raul Jimenez bicycle kick that flashed over.

Fulham survived strong penalty appeals from the visitors as Denis Odoi appeared to handle a high ball into the area.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has seven Premier League goals this season, was causing constant problems for Wolves but his finishing let him down.

The Serbian was on the end of a Cyrus Christie cross but headed straight at Rui Patricio.

Christie then shot low across goal and Mitrovic was agonisingly close to turning the ball in at the far post.

Mitrovic should have scored five minutes before the break.

Taking a touch, he turned his marker and went past another Wolves defender, only to produce a tame effort that Patricio saved with ease.

Fulham snatched the lead in the 74th minute when Patricio made a weak attempt to punch clear from Alfie Mawson's header and the ball dropped to Sessegnon, whose shot crossed the line before Wolves could clear.

That would have taken the Cottagers off the bottom, but Wolves rescued a point.

Ivan Cavaleiro's low cross was not dealt with by Fulham's Joe Bryan and Saiss arrived at the far post to slot home his first Premier League goal.

Mitrovic should have won it in stoppage-time, but his effort was cleared off the line by Conor Coady.



https://punchng.com/fulham-frustrated-as-wolves-snatch-late-leveller/

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Fulham 1-1 Wolves

Well seeing as it was on Sky and I'm at home with time on my hands, let's do this again for old time's sake.

Main sentiment was that this was a fair result.  Wolves are a good team and Fulham didn't see a lot of the ball, but, and this for me is everything, Fulham managed to protect the penalty area pretty well for most of the game.  The back five was defended with great dedication and selflessness by Chambers and Seri and when Fulham actually went and scored you could almost have called it a perfect performance.

Obviously Wolves then went and undid all that but there was much to be positive about.

We could do this player-by-player for simplicity:

Rico – really didn't have a great deal to do but will enjoy the better organisation in front of him.

Back three:

Odoi – everyone's favourite candidate for upgrade but my guess is that Ranieri will see plenty to work with here and Odoi could keep getting picked.  There was a late thunderous run forward which was 100% not what was needed from Denis under the circumstances, but he's a player who will benefit from better structure and coaching.  Thought he did pretty well.

Mawson – he's just a good player isn't he? People moan about the summer's recruitment but Mawson's one of a number of what I think will prove to be astute signings. Solid here in the face of near-constant Wolves probing and someone to build around.

Ream – solid again. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, probably going to be fine with a decent structure around him.

Wing-backs:

Christie – I quite like Christie. Seems decent going forwards and competent at the back. Did fine today.

Bryan – less sure about Bryan. Not quite seeing it at either end of the pitch, but again played quite well.

Midfield:

Seri – sacrificed himself for the team today with a very very disciplined performance. He and Chambers did a lot of the messy stuff just by holding a shape and sticking to that.  Every time I looked up he and Chambers were shuffling across the pitch together. Peripheral in the first half when Fulham had the ball, but had more impact in the second with a wonderfully judged ball over the top for Sessegnon and some neat touches in counter attacks. I'll keep repeating myself: this is one of the team's better players, and those who go on about work rate and ability are simply not correct. It's instructive that Ranieri has dropped Cairney and not Seri. The trick now will be ensuring that he can be part of this defensive shape but also be featured on the ball more when Fulham attack. It's a hard one to balance but again I thought he did well today. No question of a lack of effort for me, and it's an insult to him that this keeps coming up. Very good player.

Chambers – the more in your face of the two, another strong performance from him. Not half the player Seri is with the ball but a much better tackler and bigger presence. In many ways they work very well together. Hugely encouraging performance really and I'm sure Ranieri will feel quietly pleased with progress here. People are talking about Drinkwater from Chelsea but not clear to me where he'd play.

Front three:

Mitrovic – awesome performance, summed up by the late almost-goal in which he muscled his way into a situation where he had no business participating and from there somehow managed to get the ball trickling towards an unguarded net. It didn't quite make it all the way in but you can't have everything and his ability to muscle his way into dangerous areas is one of the joys of watching this Fulham team (and using the word muscle isn't damning with faint praise – it's a tribute to his awareness that he can see these opportunities, but also his strength that he can then follow through on the ideas). Probably enjoyed having Kamara to take defenders away from him a little. In fact, thinking about it, this is important. If you don't have Kamara there then everyone can just sit on Mitrovic. If you do play Kamara then the defence needs to be on its toes to expect the unexpected. So Kamara probably has an influence beyond his direct contribution in this sense.

Kamara – see above but probably under-appreciated on the basis that some of what he does seems chaotic. But pace and strength is not to be underestimated in this team and again it's encouraging that Ranieri is picking him.  Worth pondering his wider impact per Mitrovic comment – potentially one of those who's going to make the team greater than the sum of its parts.  Again, it's sad to see him ridiculed on social media.

Schurrle – encouraging early on and did his bit defensively as well. I am not sure what the issue is here in that clearly he is better than we've seen, but probably another who needs the team to be more coherent before he can fully deliver. Worth persevering with for sure but equally I can see why fans are frustrated. Today's approach, an almost broken team with a back seven and front three is probably the way to go for a while and puts a fair bit of emphasis on that front three to conjure something up. Between them they have that ability but probably Schurrle has more he can give in this respect and might need to be the player who links up the midfield and attack and hits the dangerous areas to make the most of that ability to find space.

Subs – Sessegnon made a lot of sense and brought some directness to Fulham's play. Took the goal well of course and nearly made another. Makes sense not to run him into the ground over xmas though. McDonald and Cairney didn't have too much influence.

So yes, while you'd have wanted 3 points from that it was an eminently losable game and the team was admirably compact and disciplined. It felt like a transitional performance: after the open carnage of late Jokanovic you're not suddenly going to be defending like Mourinho's Inter Milan, but had the equaliser not gone in we'd have been talking about an almost perfectly managed game. That it didn't happen shouldn't distract us from what was achieved. Very encouraging.



https://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2018/12/26/fulham-1-1-wolves/

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Claudio Ranieri transcript: Fulham boss on Wolves point, Ryan Sessegnon and lack of cutting edge

The Fulham boss spoke to the press after the 1-1 draw with Wolves at Craven Cottage this afternoon

Disappointed to just take a point from today?

Yeah, a little disappointed because I feel we deserved more from the first half because we created more than them and the second half after we scored the goals they found a solution.

But I am satisfied for our performance, we were solid, we worked hard against a great team and it's the second time we played in this shape and I am very, very happy for this reason.

We were so concentrated tactically and it was a tactical match today.

After our goals, they found a solution to score the goals and Mitrovic had the chance to win the match but in this moment we must continue and stay together, be positive and I think we'll go better.

Pulling hair out over chances missed

Yes, you know when a team is bottom everything goes against this time.

We are stronger than this and we want to react in every circumstance and match and if we continue to fight and train well and understand the movement and tactical movement, we'll do better.

Are players starting to understand what you want from them tactically?

I think they improve a lot and I think I found the solution for this team to play five at the back.

Of course it's not dogmatic the five at the back, or the three if you prefer, but I saw that the team is much better and more solid, more comfortable and of course we need something more when we get the ball because you know when you're bottom it's not calm and you're more anxious to do something good.

We have to continue in this way, this is the right way.

Ryan Sessegnon coming off the bench to score

I am very pleased, he's a very interesting young player and the crowd and team mates, when he came on, it was like something could happen and he could score the goals.

He has to improve physically because against the opponent when there is a hard tackle he must be more powerful, but it's okay, he has all the years to improve.

Tom Cairney on the bench, where does he fit into your new system?

I changed this from Newcastle and it worked very well because I needed somebody who could attack and break their lines because if we played short ball, they are very aggressive with three centre backs.


(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

If I played with the short balls we would lose all the chances.

When we played at their backs we created more chances and I needed more players running without the ball.

For this reason I played with Mitrovic up front, Abou on the right and Schurrle on the left.

Cured problem of defence - team need to be ruthless?

I agree, we have to find the solution. I believe the football say if you continue to fight, you change the way.

If you lose the hope, you lose everything. For this reason I asked my players and I believe in my players and I think we can make something good this season.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/claudio-ranieri-transcript-fulham-boss-15597372

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Fulham 1, Wolverhampton 1
When Defending Too Much Goes Wrong

Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Just when Fulham seemed to have sealed the deal and claim their first victory since Southampton, their lead slipped away thanks to a tap in with five minutes to go. It has been that kind of season for Fulham where clean sheets have become a luxury than the norm. And in this instance, Claudio Ranieri's men just seemed to have given up too much of the ball for their own good when complete control of the game was required.

But this is without the fact that, despite barely having 40% possession in the first half, Fulham were the dominant side. Aleksander Mitrovic might as well have had a hat trick with the work rate that he produced today. It was a reminder of how much he was a spark plug towards Fulham's promotion back to the Premier League and a complete nightmare for Wolves when these two sides met last time.

Among his seven shots during the opening 45 minutes, one shot involved him gathering the ball so well and transitioned the ball from his right foot to his left to skin past one defender. But instead of taking a quick one that could have gone past Rui Patricio, Mitrovic decided to take one more dribble to go past another defender and took a shot that was much easier to save as Patricio was able to move closer to the center forward. It was the major highlight that saw Mitro and Andre Schürrle combine well.

In defense, Calum Chambers continued to be a bedrock in front of the back line with two tackles and six interceptions in the first half alone, while Jean Michael Seri completed 91% of his passes. The game was admittedly ugly at times as referee Andre Marriner let plenty of challenges go. However, it seemed like a period of promise that was going to deliver a Fulham victory in the long run. It was not to be the case.

By the time Marriner started the second half, it was Wolves' turn to return the favor. It was as if the ball only wanted to be at the Putney End all afternoon. Raul Jimenez was beginning to impose his will on the game just as Ivan Cavaleiro and Helder Costa have been introduced into the fixture. It was a front three that have been comfortable with each other all season and it was a front line that caused much more problems to Ranieri's men to the tune of 11 shots. Along with that, Fulham's possession dwindled to just over 21% and their passing was a Cardiff City-like 67% completion rate. Yeah, it was that awful.

But once Ryan Sessegnon came on for Schürrle in the 68th minute, Fulham's attack came to light thanks to a younger and more vibrant player willing to take Wolves' defenders on. When Mitrovic was fouled just before the 73rd minute, an opportunity presented itself for Fulham. From there Seri delivered a solid free kick towards an open Alfie Mawson who headed it towards goal. Thanks to some pressure by Denis Odoi, Patricio was only able to punch the ball away but only for such a short distance. From there Sessegnon was able to gather it one time and put it inside the net. The ball did get cleared out but not before it crossed the line as was confirmed by Mariner and goal line technology to make it 1-0 Fulham.

Craven Cottage was set alight and they were demanding to see the game being put to bed. Instead, Wolves kept pressing. Things didn't help at all when Ranieri decided to substituted Seri and Aboubakar Kamara for Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald. The changes resulted in what looked like a mangled 5-4-1 with Mitrovic isolated and Cairney playing out wide when he should be controlling things centrally for the second straight contest. It was only a matter of time before Wolves were able to get one Grade A chance and they were able to get it in the 85th minute.

After the ball was worked down the left hand side, Joao Moutinho was able to play a throughball towards Cavaleiro who put a on-touch cross flashing towards goal. Joe Bryan did his best to mark out the man and ball but couldn't do both at the same time. The result was a ball that was there to be tapped in as Sergio Rico was out of the picture for diving early and Romain Saiss was there to tap it home.

Fulham did have one more chance to win it thanks to Rico hoping to make amends. The Spaniard was able to pump one longball out to Mitrovic who somehow confounded the two defenders trying to stifle him. It let to a unbalanced attempt at goal that got past the hurrying Patricio but was cleared just off the line by captain Conor Coady to save the day for the visitors. From there the contest came to a close.

Fulham are no longer dead last in the league for now, but they should have claimed three points. They are a much more resolute side in defense, but they still couldn't get a clean sheet because their tactics stymied their attack once again and have forced their best players to play out-of-position. In Tom Cairney's case, some are not even starting at all.

In short, Ranieri has been more than determined to make this football club a more resolute bunch, and he beginning to do that. But clearly this philosophy is not full proof and they will eventually have to find their goal scoring and buildup touch once again. Simply put, I have not seen a top tier side in Europe be known for scoring goals in bunches to their full capability while playing three at the back in this modern era and I doubt Fulham will break that trend this season. But for the sake of staying up, they look like they have no choice but to play this way. If it can create a stable football club, regardless of what lies ahead next season, I'm all for it. But until then, I do miss some of the Slavisa Jokanovic philosophy when it is required and in some way, that is what costed them victory today.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/12/26/18156148/fulham-1-wolverhampton-1

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Claudio Ranieri frustrated by missed Fulham chances

Claudio Ranieri was left frustrated by wasteful Fulham after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Wolves.

Aleksandar Mitrovic was the chief culprit for the Cottagers, the Serb squandering seven goalscoring opportunities in the first half alone.

Substitute Ryan Sessegnon did put Fulham into the lead midway through the second half, but Romain Saiss equalised five minutes from the end.

There was still time for Mitrovic to win it after he prodded the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper Rui Patricio, but Wolves skipper Conor Coady got back to clear off the line.

Ranieri felt Fulham deserved more than a point but remains confident he can guide them away from relegation trouble.

"I'm a little disappointed because I think we deserved more in the first half," said the Italian.

"In the second half after we scored they found a solution, but I'm satisfied with our performance. We were solid, we worked hard against a good team.

"Mitrovic had the chance to win the match, but in this moment we have to stay together and be positive.

"When a team is bottom everything goes against this team. We are stronger than this, we want to react in every match and if we continue to fight it will get better.

"If you continue to fight you change it. If you lose hope you lose everything. I believe in my players and I think we can make something good this season."

Mitrovic should have found the net five minutes before half-time after he turned Coady and Willy Boly inside out, but the striker's finish was weak and Patricio was able to save.

Teenage wide man Sessegnon struck in the 74th minute, pouncing at the far post through a crowd of players after Patricio punched Alfie Mawson's header straight to him.

However, Wolves hauled themselves level with five minutes remaining, Saiss tapping home his first Premier League goal after Helder Costa had attempted to convert Ivan Cavaleiro's cross.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11591664/claudio-ranieri-frustrated-by-missed-fulham-chances

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

In this episode, we shared our "initial reactions" to Fulham's 1-1 draw with Wolves at Craven Cottage. Co-host Emilio Di Nello and Max Cohen were at the match, and they gave their views, which included what they thought was the turning point in the second half.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/12/26/18156381/cottage-talk-full-time-fulham-vs-wolves

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Claudio Ranieri explains why he dropped Tom Cairney for Fulham's draw with Wolves

The skipper only played a bit part in the 1-1 draw after coming on from the subs bench

Claudio Ranieri has explained that he dropped captain Tom Cairney for his side's 1-1 draw with Wolves because he needed players that could run without the ball.

The 27-year-old has played as a number 10 and as a right winger for the Italian but was left out of the starting line up for the boxing Day clash at Craven Cottage, with Ranieri opting for Aboubakar Kamara instead.

Ranieri has opted for a new formation at Fulham in the past two games which sees three centre backs and two wing backs employed, with Calum Chambers and Jean-Michael Seri in the centre of midfield.

It's hard to see where Cairney fits into the formation and Fulham didn't seem to miss him too much this afternoon as they carved out chance after chance but were unable to take them

But speaking after the match, Ranieri explained why he felt the need to put his skipper on the bench for the visit of Wolves.

He said: "I changed this from Newcastle and it worked very well because I needed somebody who could attack and break their lines because if we played short ball, they are very aggressive with three centre backs.


(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)

"If I played with the short balls we would lose all the chances.

"When we played at their backs we created more chances and I needed more players running without the ball.

"For this reason I played with Mitrovic up front, Abou on the right and Schurrle on the left."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/claudio-ranieri-explains-dropped-tom-15597445

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F365 Says: Ranieri's preference for protection over possession pays

Fulham moved off the bottom of the Premier League table for the first time since Claudio Ranieri arrived at Craven Cottage and, after emphasising the importance of not losing on Boxing Day, the Cottagers granted their manager that Christmas wish. But the 1-1 draw with Wolves still felt like a defeat in the baubles.

Today's disappointment, though, unlike so many that have gone before is a sign of further progress at Fulham under Ranieri. Only three Premier League sides to sit at the foot of the table when the turkeys are cooked on Christmas Day have survived and though hope was in short supply around Ranieri's appointment, the veteran boss has provided reasons for optimism as the Cottagers enter the New Year.

Their greatest encouragement? Fulham's defence no longer looks like crumbling at the first whiff of danger.

Ranieri's rearguard, statistically, remains the ropiest in Europe's top five leagues. Under Slavisa Jokanovic, they conceded 2.58 goals per game, a pattern of form that would see them ship just two short of 100 had it continued for the remainder of the season. Ranieri has halved that amount during his seven games in charge, though the improvement was by no means immediate.

It took until Saturday, Fulham's 18th game of the Premier League season and their sixth under new management, before Ranieri could tease a clean sheet from his men. That came against Newcastle's blunt attack in a game already forgotten by anyone unlucky enough to witness it, but in face of Wolves' threat, the Cottagers again offered a more robust defence of their goal and appeared good value for consecutive shut-outs until Romain Saiss bundled home his first Premier League goal with Fulham only five minutes from victory.

Ranieri switched to a three-man defence at Newcastle and the early results of his experiment appear most encouraging. Tim Ream, Alfie Mawson and Denis Odoi combined to deny Newcastle a single shot on target at St James' Park last weekend, while Wolves made Sergio Rico dirty his gloves only four times today.

Regardless of whoever makes up Ranieri's defence, and whatever shape they form, Fulham's midfield is making a better fist of protecting them. And Jokanovic should take some of the credit for that.

During his final game in charge, the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, the former boss removed Calum Chambers from the defence, where he was having no more joy than anyone else, and shifted him into a holding midfield role. He has remained there ever since, missing only one match – the 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford when Ranieri could not explain his side's lack of effort and application in the absence of the Arsenal loanee.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has not been seen since that woeful defeat to Jose Mourinho's side due to a combination of suspension and injury but the Fulham record signing will have a hard time winning back his place, especially since Jean Michael Seri appears to be belatedly finding his feet amid the hustle and bustle of the Premier League. Ranieri suggested Fulham fans should wait six months before judging the former Barcelona target, and his the manager's patience once more appears to be paying.

Ranieri's midfield most certainly has a different focus to Jokanovic's engine room. Fulham passed their way to promotion last season and the former manager was steadfast in his determination not to alter that approach too greatly. In seven of Jokanovic's 12 games in charge, Fulham had more possession than their opponent. They lost four of those matches, conceding 15 goals along the way.

Especially against Wolves, whose counter-attacking threat Ranieri was most wary of, the new manager has taken the approach that the opposition cannot break if Fulham don't have possession to turn over. The hosts had less than 30 per cent of the possession against Nuno's side, in keeping with the other games during Ranieri's brief reign so far. Not once in seven games have they had a greater share of the ball than their opponent.

Luckily for Ranieri, he has a centre-forward who will graft to make the best of every sniff of the ball he gets. Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored only two goals in the last three months – both of those came in Ranieri's first game in charge – but there is little concern around the Serbian's form. The striker has had more shots than anyone else in the Premier League, with only Mo Salah and Harry Kane working the goalkeeper more often, though 12 strikers have had more big chances than Mitrovic, who has scored seven of the nine that have been created for him.

In the first half, Mitrovic bullied Wolves. He was desperately unlucky not to open the scoring with one chance he mustered for himself after leaving three defenders in his wake, and though the visitors did a better job at cutting off his supply line after the break, only a last-ditch, 90th-minute goal-line clearance denied the Fulham forward the winning goal after he had again taken on the Wolves defence single-handedly.

There is little doubt that the goals will come for Mitrovic, but you could say that with absolute certainty about any of Fulham opponents – until recently. The hugely-important visit of hapless Huddersfield offers another timely opportunity for the Cottagers' defence to convince us all of their new-found resilience, which could take them out of the bottom three by Saturday night.



https://www.football365.com/news/f365-says-fulham-ranieris-preference-for-protection-over-possession-pays

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Claudio Ranieri on why playing five at the back is the way forward for Fulham

Fulham have played the formation twice and got a clean sheet and two points from their games

Claudio Ranieri believes he's found a tactical solution that fits the players that Fulham have at their disposal after the 1-1 draw with Wolves.

In both the 0-0 draw to Newcastle United last week and the game today the Italian has opted for five at the back - three centre backs and two wing backs.

That change in formation saw them pick up their first clean sheet of the season and nearly got them their second on Boxing Day, but a late Romain Saiss goal ensured that Wolves would get a goal.

Ranieri knows that he can't stick to the formation rigidly and their will be times when change is necessary but he feels that continuing in this way is the right way for Fulham.

He said: "I think they improve a lot and I think I found the solution for this team to play five at the back.

"Of course it's not dogmatic the five at the back, or the three if you prefer, but I saw that the team is much better and more solid, more comfortable and of course we need something more when we get the ball because you know when you're bottom it's not calm and you're more anxious to do something good.

"We have to continue in this way, this is the right way."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/claudio-ranieri-playing-five-back-15597506

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Saiss late show punishes wasteful Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic admitted that he felt like crying after failing to score with any of his eight efforts this afternoon – and it was easy to see why. The Serbian striker came close to grabbing a late winner when Connor Coady cleared his scuffed shot off the line, but Fulham's frustration at letting a valuable lead slip was evident. They squandered several glorious first-half chances and couldn't cling onto the advantage handed by them by substitute Ryan Sessegnon, with Romain Saiss stroked home his first Premier League goal with six minutes left.

At least the point lifted Claudio Ranieri's men off the foot of the table, but with a rare win in sight, the late setback felt like a defeat. Both sides took a while to settle in the day's early kick off and referee Andre Marriner waved away a convincing shout for handball from either side. Wolves had the earliest chances but were far from their fluent best, with Adama Traore showing signs of that blistering pace when he darted into the penalty area from the right but skied his shot from the edge of the box. Raul Jimenez then fashioned a chance for himself out of nothing with some incredible agility, but his bicycle kick didn't come close to troubling Sergio Rico either.

Fulham eventually got going and most of their chances fell the way of Mitrovic, who wore the captain's armband after Tom Cairney was dropped to the bench. He saw an early shot bravely blocked by Ryan Bennett and then headed wide at the far post before placing a near-post header from a cleverly worked corner just wide of the near post. He found half a yard to latch onto a promising Andre Schurrle cross, but an untimely heavy touch took him away from goal and he blazed high into the Putney End.

The home side's football was enterprising in the final third and Mitrovic's strength and movement was causing the Wolves back line all sorts of problems. He powered a header straight at Rui Patricio before the Portuguese goalkeeper fielded tame efforts from the former Newcastle striker and Schurrle. Fulham looked to have opened up Wolves decisively after a fabulous one-two between Cyrus Christie and Aboubakar Kamara released the Irish international in the penalty area but the low cross agonisingly eluded Mitrovic as he slid it at the back post.

Wolves looked potent on the break with the lively Jiminez almost taking advantage of a defensive mix-up and surprising Rico with a venomous shot at his near post, but Fulham then fashioned the clearest chance of the first half. Mitrovic turned Willy Boly and Coady inside out but shot straight at the onrushing Patricio, when he appeared to have most of the goal to aim at. You felt Fulham were going to pay for their wastefulness in front goal, especially as Wolves had looked a shadow of the side who had so worried Liverpool before Christmas.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side certainly stepped it up a gear in the second half. Joao Mountinho, who had played a subdued holding role in the first half, became much more prominent after the break and Wolves began to exert a hold on proceedings. Jiminez guided a header from Johnny Otto's cross straight at Rico before the Spanish goalkeeper repelled his clever curler from the edge of the box and Bennett drilled a long-distance effort over the crossbar, but Fulham's new-look back three held firm. They were supported by a well-drilled midfield, marshalled superbly once again by Calum Chambers, but struggled to create chances as they had done in the first period.

Sessegnon, introduced midway through the second half for Schurrle who had faded badly, made an immediate impact. He almost laid on a goal for Kamara, but Boly diverted a dangerous cross away from the French forward just in the nick of time. There was no escape for Wolves a couple of minutes later. Jean Michael Seri's floated free-kick located Alfie Mawson in space at the back post and when Patricio could only punch the loose ball clear, Sessegnon hammered home his first Premier League at Craven Cottage through a crowd of bodies.

Fulham's relief was tangible but they elected to try and shut up shop inside of seeking a second. With Cairney already curiously occupying a position on the right wing, Ranieri sent on Kevin McDonald in place of Seri to try and tighten things up, but a lack of a focal point in midfield ended up inviting more Wolves pressure. The visitors sent over a succession of crosses and eventually found an equaliser with six minutes left. Saiss had a simple finish after Joe Bryan made a hash of clearing Ivan Cavaleiro's cross when he appeared destined for Helder Costa.

There were still chances for both sides to win in. Tim Ream made a superb block in stoppage time and Mitrovic, racing onto an outstanding long ball from Rico, looked set to clinch a valuable victory when he muscled his way into the box. His finish trickled excruciatingly towards the corner, but Coady made a superb recovery and hooked the ball away to safety. It proved to be just one of those days.

FULHAM (3-4-3): Rico; Odoi, Mawson, Ream; Christie, Bryan, Chambers, Seri (McDonald 82); Kamara (Cairney 73), Schurrle (R. Sessegnon 67), Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Le Marchand, Ayite, Vietto.

BOOKED: Chambers, Christie.

GOAL: R. Sessegnon (74).

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (3-4-3): Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Jonny Otto (Ruben Vinagre 82), João Moutinho, Saïss; Traoré (Cavaleiro 45), Gibbs-White (Helder Costa 63), Raul Jiminez. Subs (not used): Ruddy, Kilman, Neves, Bonatini.

BOOKED: Saiss.

GOAL: Saiss (85).

REFEREE: Andre Marriner (Birmingham).

ATTENDANCE: 24,382



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