Results| Thursday 05/12 |
| | Brighton |
| | |
| | Spurs |
Fulham 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton suffered only their third Premier League defeat of the season as two goals from Alex Iwobi, along with an own goal from the unfortunate Matt O'Riley, helped Fulham to victory at a wet and windy Craven Cottage.
The game was played in horrendous conditions of heavy rain and strong winds, but there were no excuses for Bart Verbruggen's early mistake to gift the hosts the lead.
After only three minutes, Brighton's Dutch keeper, looking to play a short pass to team-mate Carlos Baleba inside the penalty area, saw Alex Iwobi intercept and slide the ball into an unguarded net for his fourth league goal of the season.
Fulham had a chance to quickly double their lead when Iwobi looked to be through on goal, only for Igor Julio to come across and cover well.
Brighton grabbed a deserved equaliser 11 minutes into the second half.
Jan Paul van Hecke played a lofted pass and Joao Pedro, nominated for November's Premier League Player of the Month award, produced a clever touch to set up Baleba to fire low past Bernd Leno from 20 yards out.
It was a lovely goal, followed by a special celebration as Baleba showed his gymnastics skills with an acrobatic somersault, although this was not the springboard for Brighton to get what would have been their seventh win of the season.
Fulham retook the lead in fortunate circumstances as Andreas Pereira's 79th-minute corner from the left struck O'Riley and bounced into his own net.
Iwobi then sealed victory with a powerful 87th-minute strike for his second goal of the match to ensure Fulham claimed the three points and moved up to sixth spot - a point behind their fifth-placed visitors.
Brighton blow chance to go fourth
Brighton knew a two-goal victory would have taken them fourth in the Premier League table and back above Manchester City.
The Seagulls had manager Fabian Hurzeler sitting in the media seats at the back of the main stand as he served a one-game suspension following his third yellow card of the season in the 1-1 draw against Southampton last Friday.
Although horrified by his side's start, he would have been happier with how they performed in the rest of the first half.
Baleba fired over with a shot on the turn and Joao Pedro twice had opportunities, only to see Bernd Leno save the Brazil forward's first effort and then for Calvin Bassey to make a vital block.
With six-goal top scorer Danny Welbeck missing because of a minor injury, Simon Adingra was one of four changes for the Brighton side and he should have levelled with a couple of opportunities.
He curled one strike over the crossbar and was then found eight yards out by Kaoru Mitoma's pull-back, only to see Leno make an excellent reaction stop.
Once they did equalise, Brighton looked to gain their first win over Fulham in the Premier League era, only to be denied by two more goals for the hosts in the final 11 minutes.
It was a welcome lift for Marco Silva's men before a tough run against the top three, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, in their next four matches.
They may have to do without on-loan Reiss Nelson after he pulled up with a left hamstring injury and was immediately substituted, although he would have missed Sunday's game against his parent club Arsenal anyway.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c99x0100k7dt
Post-Brighton Press Conference
Marco Silva was pleased to see Fulham's excellent second half earn victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Seagulls had impressed many this season and showed their quality during plenty of spells at Craven Cottage, but the Whites rallied after their equaliser and went on to secure a terrific 3-1 win.
"A really tough team to play against," Silva said. "Top quality – individually and collectively as well. They have not been losing games easily.
"They were fifth in the table, last Friday when they played against Southampton they finished that game in second position in the table, too. That shows the quality they have, and how they have had a great start.
"We knew that it was going to be tough. We started the game the best way possible with a goal in the first minutes. Okay, mistake from the goalkeeper or not, but the reality is that we believed in that moment.
"But first half was really difficult for us, was tough. Even if we were leading the score, it was really tough. It was difficult for us to find the right moments to press.
"We had more problems than normal to press and to start to be more aggressive in our first press, and when you don't have the ball for some longer times, it's more difficult for us.
"Rodrigo and Emile, they worked really hard first half, but we didn't get the right timings to press and to win the ball. We wanted to create some dangerous moments for them, but it was not as often as we like to do it, and it was difficult.
"They had some chances to equalise, we had our moments too – two great headers from Rodrigo, probably should have scored in that situation.
"But I have to say that, first half, even if we are leading the score at half-time, they were the better team."
Silva was much more satisfied with the performance after the restart, though: "Second half was completely different.
"We adjusted some things at half-time, we adjusted our pressure. It was important for us to don't lose Rodrigo and Emile always in the first pressure, because after they are going to play behind that first pressure. And we did much better second half.
The players celebrate Fulham's second goal
"Even when they equalised, in that moment of the game we were already the best team on the pitch. We reacted well. Even with 1-1, I think our reaction was good.
"We scored from a set-piece. It was in an important moment of the game that we scored, and after that, we controlled all the game.
"It was a moment that I decided already to change, to put Raúl and Josh King in to help our first pressure. And from that moment we started to press higher, better, and we didn't give many chances for them after the 2-1.
"It was a difficult one, but big three points for us against tough opposition. Much better second half than the first, looking overall to the game. Of course, credit to Brighton, the way they played first half, but I think, overall, we probably deserved the three points."
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/december/05/post-brighton-press-conference/
Fulham equal 73-year club feat during Premier League clash against Brighton
Carlos Baleba's equaliser at Craven Cottage has seen Fulham level a 73-year old club record in their 3-1 win over Brighton.
The Cottagers secured an early 1-0 lead as Alex Iwobi pounced on a defensive howler from Seagulls goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who played a pass too short in his own box.
The Albion netted an equaliser ten minutes after half time, with Joao Pedro beautifully controlling a ball over the top to pass to Baleba, who slotted home past Bernd Leno to make it 1-1.
The strike saw Baleba score his third goal in all competitions for Brighton on his 50th appearance for the club.
But an own goal from Matt O'Riley from an Andreas Pereira free-kick into the box, as well as a second from Iwobi, earned the west Londoners all three points.
Fulham have now both scored and conceded in all seven of their Premier League home games this season.
In their league history, only in the 1950/51 season have they had a longer such run from the start of a campaign.
Fulham also equalled their club record of scoring in 13 successive top division matches so far.
That's a feat that's stayed untouched for 65 years.
Fulham have also maintained their club-record unbeaten streak against the Seagulls in the Premier League.
The west London club are now unbeaten in all nine of their Premier League games against them with five wins and four draws.
Brighton have now edged Norwich for being Fulham's side they have faced the most without losing in the Premier League.
The Seagulls have won none of their last ten Premier League away games against London clubs, drawing four and losing six.
The last time they had a run of this length without a league win in the capital was between 1961 and 1967.
Fulham are the club the Seagulls have faced the most in the Premier League without ever winning in the competition.
Going into the clash, Brighton were unbeaten when conceding first in the Premier League this season, with two wins and two draws coming their way after going behind so far.
And Fulham had won just one of their last five Premier League games in which they've scored the opening goal, drawing once and losing three.
But the Cottagers shook off those ominous omens to seal victory.
Marco Silva's side have jumped from 12th place to sixth in the table.
They are now one space and one point behind Brighton, who sit in fifth.
The Seagulls have won one out of their last five league games.
https://talksport.com/football/2356625/fulham-equal-73-year-record-brighton/
Iwobi scores twice as Fulham go sixth
Alex Iwobi scored twice as Fulham won at Craven Cottage and moved up to sixth in the Premier League table.
Carlos Belba scored a second-half equaliser for Brighton after Iwobi had netted an early opener.
But the Whites' lead was restored when the recalled Andreas Pereira, on as a substitute, whipped in a corner and former Fulham youngster Matt O'Riley deflected the ball into his own net.
And Iwobi added a superb third to seal the win.
In a match played in awful conditions because of heavy rain and strong winds, Fulham were gifted the lead by a horrendous error from keeper Bart Verbruggen.
Iwobi intercepted Verbruggen's attempted pass to Baleba and slotted into an unguarded net.
Baleba hauled the Seagulls level by firing past keeper Bernd Leno after being teed up by Joao Pedro's clever touch.
Fulham then enjoyed a slice of good fortune, but there was nothing lucky about Iwobi's fine second goal – he turned his man and sent a fabulous strike into the net.
Fulham: Leno, Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Berge (Cuenca 90), Wilson (King 80), Nelson (Traore 71), Smith Rowe (Pereira 71), Iwobi, Muniz (Jimenez 90).
Subs not used: Benda, Tete, Sessegnon, Vinicius.
https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/iwobi-scores-twice-in-fulham-victory
Tottenham, Fulham and Liverpool receive boost after officials make suspension decision on 'amazing' defender
Tottenham, Fulham and Liverpool won't have to play against a defender due to his extended suspension.
Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham have received a boost as Southampton centre-back Jack Stephens will miss four matches due to picking up his second red card of the season.
It means that Stephens won't be available for selection against either team and he will also miss a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Liverpool after getting sent off during Southampton's 5-1 defeat against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
The Saints' skipper was seen to pull defender Marc Cucurella's hair during the game and VAR ruled it to be a red-card offence, his second of the season after just 13 matches. It means that Stephens will have missed nine of Southampton's opening 21 games just down to suspensions.
He was due to play against Spurs on Sunday 15 December and against Fulham on Sunday 22 December, but will now miss both of those games due to the sending-off that he endured against Chelsea at St Mary's on Wednesday night.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Southampton manager Russell Martin, who remains under pressure, said: "I don't think anyone has been as disappointed as Jack. I haven't got to sit down with him and talk about that at all. I think he'll be hurt more than anyone but it's changed the game for us tonight which is disappointing. He's been amazing for us."
https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/spurs/tottenham-fulham-liverpool-jack-stephens-southampton-4897158
Fulham star to miss Arsenal clash due to Premier League rule
The Gunners travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham in the Premier League this weekend
Arsenal are creeping their way back into the title race. The Gunners gained ground on Liverpool for the first time in weeks on Wednesday night.
As Arne Slot's were held to a late 3-3 draw at Newcastle, Arsenal were able to pick up a crucial three points despite not being at their best against Manchester United. This cuts the gap at the top from nine to seven points. Mikel Arteta has one focus right now though.
"We want to have the right to win the games," the Spaniard said in his post-match press conference. "If we perform the way we're performing right now, we're going to win a lot of games. But right now is about Fulham.
"We have to go there. We know the experience of last season. We have to prepare really well to earn the right to win there and continue to do that. The rest, we don't know."
Getting a result at Craven Cottage will not be easy. There are fitness doubts over Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White are definitely out.
To make matters even more tough for Arsenal, there are plenty of ex-Gunners in the Fulham ranks looking to haunt their old club. Undoubtedly the most high profile is Emile Smith Rowe.
The 24-year-old left the Emirates Stadium in the summer despite being initially touted by many as a starter for years when he broke into the team in the early part of Arteta's reign. Many would argue that Arsenal could have used the Hale Ender this season when Martin Odegaard was out for nearly two months and they lacked a creative spark.
Bernd Leno is another who will be looking to prove a point after being unceremoniously dropped in favour of Aaron Ramsdale. Alex Iwobi also came through with the Gunners before leaving in 2019.
Arteta's life will at least be made slightly easier by the fact that Reiss Nelson is ineligible to play. The 24-year-old joined Fulham on loan on deadline day in a move that paved the way for Raheem Sterling's dramatic late arrival at the Emirates.
Since arriving in west London, Nelson has been an important player, scoring twice and grabbing an assist. He will be unable to play on Sunday due to Premier League loan restrictions. PLyers are not allowed to play against their parent club.
Fulham have other good wingers like Adama Traore and the in-form Harry Wilson. Not having Nelson though, will be a big blow for Marco Silva's side.
https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/fulham-star-miss-arsenal-clash-30523898
Fulham submit opening bid to sign new teenage sensation for Silva
Looking ahead to the future, Fulham have now reportedly submitted their first bid to sign a teenage sensation and sit in pole position to secure his signature for Marco Silva.
Fulham transfer news
The Cottagers have gone under the radar at times this season, but deserve great credit for how they remain within a point of the top half and can even rise to as high as seventh if results go their way. With Brighton & Hove Albion up next, the London club have the chance to return to winning ways after earning a point against Tottenham Hotspur last time out.
Fulham should not rest on their laurels just yet, however. All it takes is one look at Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers to see how quickly things can change in the Premier League. Both clubs failed to recruit well enough in the summer and have suffered as a result. Fulham must avoid suffering a similar fate.
Unlike their London rivals and those in the Midlands, however, the Cottagers seem to be well aware of the need to keep one eye on the future. According to Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Fulham have submitted an opening bid to sign Gabriel Schluter and remain in pole position to sign the Blackpool teenager amid competition from Stockport County.
The 16-year-old has become quite the sensation so far this season, beginning to emerge into Steve Bruce's senior side and instantly earning the interest of Premier League Fulham as a result.
Those at Craven Cottage will hope to beat Stockport to his signature given their top-flight status, but should be aware of how much game time they can offer the midfielder compared to the League One side in the coming years.
Schluter is one for the future
Fulham find themselves in a luxury position in the Premier League. Relegation, at this stage, should be an afterthought and the starting side that Silva has at his disposal is strong enough to maintain their top-flight status. Instead, the Cottagers are in position to set their ambitions higher and focus on building a side ready to take that crucial next step into the European places. And that would make Schluter an ideal arrival.
The 16-year-old wouldn't come straight into the senior side of course, but he could take a similar path to the likes of Ryan Sessegnon by eventually playing his part week in week out at Craven Cottage, as the full-back did before a move away and injuries disrupted his progress.
As for Schluter, he has quite the decision to make it seems. He could yet decide to stay put at Blackpool, where he is on the cusp of the first-team or he could take the same path at Stockport. If he's good enough then the Premier League will come call again. Away from those two options, however, is a move to Fulham and the chance to realise a top-flight dream before he's even become a regular senior player.
https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-submit-opening-bid-to-sign-gabriel-schluter-for-silva/
European giants wanted £9m Fulham ace with coach disappointed to get Aston Villa man instead
Aston Villa's form has certainly dipped this season, as Unai Emery attempts to balance their Premier League duties with those glitzy galavants around the Champions League.
But as Morgan Rogers inspired Aston Villa's 3-1 win over Brentford – their first victory in nine games across all competitions – clearly all is not lost at Villa Park.
The 2024/25 is not a write-off. Far from it. In fact, unless Tottenham Hotspur beat AFC Bournemouth away from home on Thursday night, Aston Villa will stay seventh heading into the weekend.
Could that Brentford win – OIlie Watkins and Matty Cash putting Villa 3-0 up inside 34 minutes – be something of a turning point? Or will it prove to be a false dawn.
The type of false dawn Napoli suffered again and again during a disastrous Scudetto defence in 2023/24.
Napoli wanted Fulham's Sasa Lukic but got Aston Villa's Leander Dendoncker instead
Just one year after becoming Serie A champions for the first time in over three decades, the Partenopei finished a lowly tenth in Italy's top flight.
That brief three month, 17-game spell in the dugout will not be remembered with particular fondness by Nicolo Frustalupi; the man who assisted Walter Mazzarri during a period in which Napoli's season went from bad to worse.
But Frustalupi feels that Mazzarri, who returned for a second spell at a club where he helped put Edinson Cavani on the map, was not helped by those above him.
A difficult January transfer window certainly didn't aid things. Frustalupi, speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss, reveals that Mazzarri wanted to keep the stylish attacking midfielder Eljif Elmas, only to see him leave for RB Leipzig to the tune of around £20 million.
The Napoli coaching staff also had their heart set on bringing Fulham's Sasa Lukic back to Serie A, only to end up with Leander Dendoncker being bundled through the door on an ill-fated loan spell from the aforementioned Aston Villa.
That is enough to drive anyone Frusta-loopy.
"Mazzarri wanted Elmas to stay. Then, for personal reasons, the player decided to leave," explains the former Watford and Inter Milan coach. "Better not to talk about [Dendoncker joining instead of Lukic].
"Better to ignore [the fact it even happened]."
Lukic bouncing back at Fulham while Aston Villa send Dendoncker on loan
Frustalupi is not surprised to see Napoli in a much better state one year since Mazzarri's doomed return to the Stadio Diego Maradona.
Antonio Conte has Napoli sitting top, with ten wins out of 14 games.
A record which owes much to the success of their latest transfer window. Scottish duo Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay have made quite the impact while, in Alessio Buongiorno, Napoli also have one of Europe's best young centre-halves in their ranks.
"This year's market went much better, from Buongiorno to the others," Frustalupi adds. "Conte is doing great things. Perhaps I didn't expect Napoli to be first but, with a coach like that and without [European football], it is right that Napoli is up there."
Lukic captained Torino in Italy's top flight before joining Fulham for around £9 million back in January 2023. And, after a slow start to life at Craven Cottage, the towering Serbia international has bounced back impressively while helping to fill the void created by Joao Palhinha's departure to Bayern Munich.
Dendoncker, meanwhile, is still technically an Aston Villa player. Though whether he takes to the pitch under Unai Emery ever again remains to be seen, the Belgian struggling with injuries on his newest loan deal with Anderlecht.
Dendoncker returned to former employers Anderlecht over the summer. And while things aren't exactly going to plan, at least he's featuring more than he did in Italy.
Dendoncker would make only three Serie A appearances in that Napoli spell, totalling 21 minutes of football. No wonder Frustolupi would rather not comment.
https://tbrfootball.com/european-giants-wanted-9m-fulham-ace-with-coach-disappointed-to-get-aston-villa-man-instead/
Fulham 3-1 Brighton: Alex Iwobi nets brace to fire Marco Silva's side up to sixth in the Premier League... just a point behind fifth-placed Seagulls
Brighton would have returned to the top four had they won on Thursday evening
But Iwobi netted twice, with Matt O'Riley scoring an own goal for the Cottagers
His first goal was an early Christmas present handed on a plate by Bart Verbruggen but Alex Iwobi's second was a strike of high quality that capped off a fine man-of-the-match display, which helped take Fulham up to sixth in the Premier League, a point behind Brighton.
Already Iwobi has surpassed his tally of goal involvements from last season, with his brace here making it five goals and three assists for the campaign.
'It's his best season in the Premier League so far. I took him to Everton and I didn't hesitate for one second when I felt I had the chance to work with him again,' said Fulham boss Marco Silva. 'From the first day of pre-season, I felt he would make a big difference. He's a versatile player who is taking responsibility and scoring much more. What a player he is for us,' Silva added.
Iwobi's former club Arsenal will make the trip across the capital on Sunday to face a Fulham side that is growing in confidence, even though Silva refused to get carried away by looking at the table. 'We are pleased but we know our reality, he said. 'For as long as we have the capacity, we will push ourselves.'
In the relentless rain in west London, here were two sides with clear identities and it made for an enthralling watch. Silva made three changes while for Brighton, there were four with Danny Welbeck missing out due to an injury which Fabian Hurzeler described as a 'small issue'.
Hurzeler was serving a one-match touchline ban for picking up his third yellow card of the season against Southampton and spoke pre-match about 'looking forward to the experience' of coaching from the stands, saying it was his first time doing so.
Over the course of 90 minutes sitting high up in the new Riverside stand with Airpods in his ears, the 31-year-old's opinions changed.
'It's not the best feeling to watch from the stands,' Hurzeler said after. 'We all know that's not the result we deserve. We created the best chances and conceded from our mistakes.'
It was Brighton who started on the front foot but inexplicably, Verbruggen passed it straight to Iwobi when he was trying to find Baleba in his own box, with the Fulham midfielder taking a couple of touches and passing it into an empty net.
In the 35th minute, Brighton should have levelled. Kaoru Mitoma fired a wonderful ball across the box, which Matt O'Riley let run but Simon Adingra hit it straight at Leno from six yards out.
For all their dominance in possession, Brighton lacked that killer edge and the absence of Welbeck, their top scorer this season, was increasingly looking costly.
Just like the first half, Brighton started the second with more of the ball and they deservedly drew level through a moment of briliance from Carlos Baleba.
Jan Paul van Hecke's lofted delivery found Pedro, whose flick put the ball into the path of Baleba and the 20-year-old delightfully drilled it first-time from outside the box with his left-foot into the bottom corner.
Both managers made changes in a hunt for a winner and ultimately against the run of play, it was Andreas Pereira, who came on for Emile Smith Rowe, that made the difference.
Pereira was hardly in Fulham's good books after giving an interview to a Brazilian media outlet last week where he said it was 'unfortunate' that a move to Marseille broke down in the summer.
In response, Silva left him out of the squad on the weekend but the Brazilian went a little way to making amends when his dangerous corner in the 79th minute hit the back of O'Riley and went into the net. The cameras panned to a straight-faced and helpless Hurzeler.
For all their positivity, his side have made six errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season - only Southampton have made more. And with minutes to go, Iwobi put the icing on the cake, receiving the ball from Robinson, spinning and curling the ball into the bottom corner.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14163231/Fulham-3-1-Brighton-Premier-League-2024-25-Result.html
Fulham 3-1 Brighton
Finishes from Alex Iwobi either side of an own goal from former Fulham midfielder Matt O'Riley secured an impressive 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage on Thursday evening.
The game was just getting going when Iwobi capitalised on a terrible error from Seagulls goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to open the scoring, but the visitors drew level early in the second half through a spectacular Carlos Baleba strike.
Brighton had plenty of the play after that but Fulham wrestled back control and went in front when the unfortunate O'Riley diverted Andreas Pereira's corner in, before Iwobi made sure of the points with a wonderful turn and finish.
Marco Silva made a trio of changes to the side that was held by Tottenham Hotspur four days earlier. Timothy Castagne started at right-back in the Premier League for the first time this season in place of Kenny Tete, Rodrigo Muniz was preferred to Raúl Jiménez up front, and Harry Wilson replaced the suspended Saša Lukić, meaning a more central and slightly deeper role for Iwobi.
Any fears that playing as the eight would hinder Iwobi's goal threat were allayed after three minutes. He was given a hand by Verbruggen playing the ball straight to him, but still had to shimmy away from his marker before planting an accurate strike beyond the reach of last man Lewis Dunk.
Moments later our number 17 sprinted through the middle of the park and beyond the Brighton backline to get on the end of Muniz's flick, but Igor Julio recovered well to smother his shot.
Brighton then sprang to life with a couple of chances, Baleba firing over and Joao Pedro drawing a firm stop from Bernd Leno.
It was an all-action start, with fewer than 13 minutes played when Muniz rose highest to meet Wilson's out-swinging corner. He made good contact but his downwards header dropped just wide of the post.
After a frenetic opening to the game, the chances dried up for a while, that was until Kaoru Mitoma cut back to Simon Adingra who smashed a first time strike on target, to which Leno reacted incredibly to push away.
The subsequent corner dropped kindly for Pervis Estupinan on the edge of the box, but he dragged his powerful effort wide.
The Seagulls had grown into the game but it was Fulham who came closest to grabbing the game's second goal at the end of the half, a slick move down the left culminating in Muniz heading Antonee Robinson's cross wide.
The second half started with us in the ascendancy, too, as we went close within seven seconds as a kick-off routine led to Iwobi picking out the forward run of Wilson, who volleyed off target on his right foot as the ball dropped over his shoulder.
The first Brighton threat of the second period arrived on 54 minutes when a really dangerous corner from O'Riley picked out Jan Paul van Hecke six yards out, but he nodded inches over.
Their next chance was a much harder one, but it was one which drew them level, with Baleba drilling a brilliant low volley inside the far post following a deft flick from Pedro 25 yards out.
Chances at either end then saw van Hecke make a last ditch tackle as Nelson went to pull the trigger, before a battle of the 33s saw Robinson block a fierce strike from Fulham Academy graduate O'Riley.
Adama Traoré and Andreas had been sent on to try and restore the Whites' attacking impetus, and they soon had impacts. Adama's powerful running won a corner, and Andreas' wicked delivery was diverted into his own net by O'Riley.
The boys did not sit back thereafter, and were duly rewarded with our third. After positive play from Premier League debutant Josh King who had come off the bench when we went 2-1 up, Robinson found Iwobi who showed incredible footwork in the box to work space for a shot which he bent inside the far post. A lovely way to secure a very impressive three points.
Fulham FC: Leno, Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Iwobi, Berge (Cuenca 91'), Wilson (King 80'), Smith Rowe (Andreas Pereira 71'), Nelson (Traoré 71'), Rodrigo Muniz (Jiménez 80')
Subs: Tete, Jiménez, Traoré, Carlos Vinícius, Cuenca, Andreas Pereira, Benda, King, Sessegnon
Brighton: Verbruggen, van Hecke (Lamptey 72'), Dunk, Igor Julio, Adingra (Minteh 80'), Baleba, Wieffer (Gruda 86'), Estupiñán, O'Riley (Rutter 81'), Mitoma, João Pedro (Ferguson 80')
Subs: Lamptey, Gruda, Rutter, Moder, Minteh, Steele, Ayari, Ferguson, McConville
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/december/05/fulham-3-1-brighton/
Fulham ride their luck as an Iwobi double sees them confound Brighton
Fulham (1) 3 Iwobi 3, 87 O'Reilly og 79
Brighton (0) 1 Baleba 54
It turns out the atrocious coastal conditions did not suit this group of seagulls after all.
In a game in which they often looked second best, the Whites found a way to secure all three points - a double from Alex Iwobi sending Albion packing.
The Whites were gifted an early goal but few could have expected such an outcome as they often chased shadows after that and a Brighton equaliser seemed a likely prelude to victory for the visitors.
The script writers had other ideas as two late goals got Fulham over the line - hoisting them up to sixth in the Premier League table in the process.
Maybe it was meant to be as they seem to have the Indian sign over a Brighton side they have now not lost to in nine encounters.
It's never too early for Christmas gifts and Brighton were as obliging guests as you could hope for in the opening minutes.
Maybe playing against Southampton last week had rubbed off in a bad way on Brighton, whose attempt to pass out from the back mirrored the suicidal way the Saints go about it - Bart Verbruggen's casual stray pass was picked off inside the area by Iwobi, who exacted punishment in full.
It was the Nigerian's fourth goal of the season and a fifth would follow.
Albion quickly recovered some poise and Joao Pedro outsprinted last man Calvin Bassey to test Bernd Leno with an angled drive. The German also had to be sharp to prevent Simon Adingra turning home a low cross from Kaoru Mitoma. Moments later, a fearsome Pervis Estupinian shot did not miss by much.
Brighton were looking the better side but had to wait for the start of the second half to draw level and they did so in style.
Jon Paul Van-Hecke, who had just planted a header onto the roof of the net from a corner, swung a ball into the right channel that Pedro deftly touched into space for the onrushing Carlos Baleba - and the Cameroon midfielder's unerring first-time shot with the left peg zipped beyond Leno.
No-one could argue that it hadn't been coming.
Nothing about the evening suggested the Whites were about to replicate their dominance at Spurs on Sunday and one of their brightest sparks Reiss Nelson was forced off with a hamstring strain to compound the feeling it was not going to be Fulham's night.
Emile Smith Rowe struggled to get into the game with some poor first touches on the rare occasions he had the ball. It was no surprise when he was hooked for Andreas Pereira.
The boos that greeted the midfielder's arrival told him he has work to do to win fans over following recent comments he had made about wanting away, but he made a good start in that respect by curling in a wicked corner to the near post that bounced in off Matt O'Reilly to make it 2-1.
And Iwobi - his name being chanted with reverence in the Hammy End by the end - won space on the edge of the box to drill a low shot past Verbruggen to crown a fine, unexpected finale.
They will feel in better spirits now going into Sunday's clash with Arsenal back at the Cottage.
Whites: (4-2-3-1) Leno - Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson - Berge (Cuenca 91), Wilson (King 80) - Iwobi, Smith Rowe (Pereira 71), Nelson (Traore 71) - Muniz (Jimenez 80)
Seagulls: (3-4-2-1) Verbruggen - van Hecke (Lamptey 72), Dunk, Igor Julio - Wieffer (Gruda 87), O'Riley (Rutter 81), Baleba, Estupinian - Adingra (Minteh 81), Mitoma - Joao Pedro (Ferguson 81)
Attendance: 26,368
https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/fulham-ride-their-luck-as-an-iwobi-double-sees-them-confound-brighton
Alex Iwobi brace gives Fulham victory over Brighton
Alex Iwobi scored twice as Fulham marched into the top half of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Brighton.
The Cottagers were pegged back after Iwobi's quickfire opener by Carlos Baleba's fine strike early in the second half.
But Matt O'Riley's own goal gifted them the lead again and Iwobi hit his second to ensure Brighton have still never beaten Fulham in the Premier League.
Just three minutes had elapsed when Brighton handed Fulham the lead after playing the ball back to their goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, a few yards to the left of his goal.
The Dutchman was under minimal pressure, but his pass out towards Baleba on the edge of the box was intercepted by Iwobi who strode forward and tucked the ball into an empty net before Verbruggen could scramble back.
Brighton almost hit back when Jan Paul van Hecke's through-ball sent Joao Pedro through on goal, but his shot was beaten away by Bernd Leno.
Moments later Fulham defender Calvin Bassey provided a one-man wall as he blocked efforts from Baleba and Pedro in quick succession.
Leno kept out Brighton's best chance to equalise in the first half after Kaoru Mitoma sent in a low cross from the byline.
O'Riley let the ball run to Simon Adingra, whose first-time shot from eight yards out was repelled by an instinctive arm from the Fulham keeper.
Fulham could have doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage but Rodrigo Muniz, starting his first match since August, headed Antonee Robinson's cross wide.
The hosts had another opportunity straight after the restart when Harry Wilson chased a high ball over the top only to skew his volley off target.
Fulham appealed for a penalty when the ball struck the arm of Baleba in the area but play was waved on and the VAR agreed.
Brighton withstood the early pressure and responded by winning a corner which Van Hecke headed narrowly over.
The equaliser came moments later, and for all Brighton's slick short passing it came from Van Hecke's straightforward ball over the top.
Pedro did brilliantly to cushion the ball into the path of Baleba, with the Cameroon youngster bludgeoning a low shot from the edge of the box past Leno into the corner.
But Fulham went ahead again with 11 minutes remaining when substitute Andreas Pereira swung in a corner.
The ball skimmed off the head of Bassey and went in off the back of the unfortunate O'Riley.
Then, with three minutes left, Iwobi spun away from two Brighton defenders before curling past Verbruggen into the far corner to secure the victory for the upwardly-mobile Cottagers.
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/alex-iwobi-brace-gives-fulham-213053114.html
Fulham 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion: Alex Iwobi double helps Marco Silva's men to sixth spot in Premier League table
Fulham closed to within one point of fifth-place Brighton & Hove Albion with a 3-1 win over The Seagulls at Craven Cottage on Thursday. Alex Iwobi was at the double, his first strike coming in fortuitous style, as Brighton created their own downfall with some slack passing out of defence. Fulham rise to sixth in a tightly congested segment of the Premier League table.
Fulham rose to sixth in the Premier League table after an early gifted goal set them en route to a 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Alex Iwobi gratefully received the ball in front of an empty Brighton net in the opening minutes at Craven Cottage to put the hosts ahead, on an evening in which The Seagulls were ultimately the masters of their own downfall.
Matt O'Riley's late own goal cancelled out Carlos Baleba's equaliser, before Iwobi completed an impressive brace in the dying moments to put the result beyond doubt.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler was forced to watch from the stands, after being handed a touchline ban for an altercation with Southampton boss Russell Martin on Friday, and he saw his side slump to a poor start, as Iwobi put the west London side ahead within four minutes.
Igor's skewed pass to Bart Verbruggen put the goalkeeper under pressure, and his attempted pass to Baleba was cut off with ease by Iwobi - who had the vacated net to aim at.
The hosts were fluid in the opening exchanges, and came close when Harry Wilson could not get enough contact on Rodrigo Muniz's dangerous cross.
Just past the half-hour mark, Brighton nearly restored parity when O'Riley dummied Kaoru Mitoma's low cross, but Bernd Leno was equal to Simon Adingra's strike.
Mats Wieffer was also denied moments before the interval after the ball sat up nicely from a free-kick, but his strike was diverted behind via a ricochet between Antonee Robinson and Sander Berge.
Hurzeler's side eventually drew level 10 minutes after the break, as Baleba slammed home an emphatic low strike from outside the area following Joao Pedro's knock-down.
Both sides were searching for a winner in the final 20 minutes, but it ended up taking an O'Riley own-goal to settle proceedings at Craven Cottage.
Andreas Pereira whipped in a dangerous corner 11 minutes from time, and it evaded the large crowd of jostling bodies - with a touch of O'Riley's back enough to guide the ball beyond Verbruggen, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Three minutes from time, Iwobi put the result beyond doubt in stunning style, spinning in the box and curling home a fantastic effort to secure his brace - and ensure Fulham would close to within a point of Brighton in fifth.
https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/premier-league/2024-2025/fulham-3-1-brighton-hove-albion-alex-iwobi-marco-silva-sixth-table_sto20060325/story.shtml
Red-hot Iwobi nets brace for only the second time in his PL career as Fulham beat Brighton
Alex Iwobi continued his fine form for Fulham, netting twice as they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 in the Premier League game played at Craven Cottage on Thursday evening.
Iwobi opened the scoring in the 4th minute, receiving a misplaced pass from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, before putting the ball into the open net.
According to statisticians at Opta, his goal is the earliest Fulham have scored in the Premier League since August 2023 when Andres Pereira scored after 27 seconds against Arsenal.
It is also the Cottagers' earliest at Craven Cottage since August 2022, when Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored after 45 seconds against Brentford.
Carlos Baleba restored parity for Brighton, burying the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box, courtesy of an assist from João Pedro.
An own goal from Matt O'Reilly gave Fulham the lead before Iwobi secured the maximum points for the host, three minutes before stoppage time.
The Nigerian midfielder received a pass from Antonee Robinson and skillfully evaded his markers before burying the ball into the bottom corner.
As revealed by statisticians at Opta, the Hale End product has now scored a brace for the second time in his Premier League career
The Nigerian midfielder now has three goals and three assists in 13 games against the Seagulls.
Abdulkareem Abdulhamid
https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=53919
Positives and Negatives: Fulham 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Jack Stroudley looks back at Fulham's midweek win on the Thames.
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! Fulham have entered a tricky December period with four points out of a possible six and a 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, a win that moves Marco Silva's side up to sixth! During periods of the game this article could've been written very differently as the game ebbed and flowed. Nevertheless, Fulham showed a clinical nature to get three goals and three points on a blistery Thursday night, but what are the main talking points from the Thames?
Positives
Incredible Iwobi
Can somebody please give Alexander Chuka Iwobi the keys to the city because he is absolutely on it this season. Iwobi's performance on Thursday night summed up the type of campaign he's having for Fulham, his pressing from the off was rewarded inside the opening three minutes of the game nicking the ball back following a sloppy Verbruggen pass and slotting into an empty net.
3 out of 4 successful dribbles and a peach of a strike late on sealed the deal for Fulham. He also done all that playing slightly more centrally with Lukic out with a suspension showing the versatility the Nigerian offers us. He's in the form of his life, long may it continue.
Statement of intent
Following the results on Wednesday evening we knew a win could send us as high as sixth and speaking to a few mates this felt like a real opportunity for Fulham to make a statement, we did just that. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't exactly sparkling for large portions of the game. Brighton played well and controlled the midfield for parts of the game, Bernd Leno had to make some brilliant saves and the defence had to step in and make vital challenges on multiple occasions.
But we rode our luck at times and were clinical when it mattered – that's a true sign of a good team. There's still a long way to go and I'm still not fully convinced we're the finished article (I'd quite like a number nine in January) but if we can keep in touching distance, who knows what could unfold towards the end of the season.
One of our own
A final positive note, how nice was it to see Josh King make his Premier League debut? The 17-year-old came on with ten minutes to go while the game was at 2-1 and looked pretty good on his first league appearance. A few nice give-and-go's with Iwobi and Robinson down the left-hand side, won the ball back a few times and overall didn't look out of place. Marco Silva clearly rates King highly and after a respectable first league game and with the FA Cup coming up, this certainly won't be the last we see of the midfielder this season.
Negatives
Lack of Lukic
Without being too much of a downer, there is one negative point I'd like to address. Two late goals from Fulham made the result look a lot more comfortable than it actually was and I think the reason for that was our lack of bite in midfield. Sander Berge's early yellow card, a makeshift Alex Iwobi (yes I know he scored two) and Emile Smith-Rowe struggled during large portions of the game to control the ball and settle the game down.
It all just felt a little bit frantic at times and on another day, the Seagulls would've punished us on more than one occasion. Thankfully, Lukic is back against Arsenal who we won't be able to afford those same chances, but overall a good night for Fulham!
https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2024-12-05-positives-and-negatives-fulham-3-1-brighton-hove-albion/
Alex Iwobi double continues Fulham's remarkable streak to deflate Brighton
FULHAM 3-1 BRIGHTON: Alex Iwobi scored the opening and final goal as Marco Silva's team moved up to sixth in the Premier League table with an impressive win at Craven Cottage
Alex Iwobi finished as he started to further cement Fulham's status as Brighton 's bogey team.
The Nigeria forward scored after four minutes and with three remaining to bookend another fine win for Marco Silva's side, who are now up to sixth.
And it means wasteful Albion, whose head coach Fabian Hurzeler was serving a one-game touchline ban, have now lost five and drawn the remaining four of their Premier League meetings with the Cottagers.
Carlos Baleba had scored a brilliant equaliser before Fulham retook the lead through an unfortunate Matt O'Reilly own goal - and Hurzeler felt his team deserved more only to rue their slack finishing.
"We all know it's not the result we deserve," he said. "We deserved much more, we created a lot of chances. The team played very good in possession but we have to be more clinical and clean in the opponents' box."
Iwobi's opener was a gift as Bart Verbruggen, stationed four yards left of his goal, tried to find Baleba inside the box instead of getting rid.
But he sent it straight to Iwobi's feet instead and the wide man caressed into the empty net for the easiest goal he will score all season. "We knew it was going to be tough but started the best way possible," Silva said.
Moments later Iwobi was handed another glorious opportunity when Lewis Dunk failed to deal with a long ball that allowed him the freedom to gallop forward.
But just as he pulled the trigger Igor Julio recovered to make a goal-saving block.
Hurzeler - sitting high in the Riverside Stand with headphones linking him to his backroom staff on the bench - grew increasingly agitated with his team's dozy start.
Brighton did, however, begin to settle. Joao Pedro twice threatened, Baleba and Pervis Estupinan had efforts blocked and Bernd Leno denied Simon Adingra from close range.
But their finishing was largely wayward and Harry Wilson almost made it 2-0 seven seconds into the second half when shooting wide following an alert through ball from Iwobi.
Brighton resumed their dominance and their at last leveller arrived in the 56th minute when Pedro laid off to Baleba and he drilled a fantastic first-time effort into the bottom left corner.
As the game opened up O'Reilly went close to putting the visitors in front following a smart ball from Kaoru Mitoma.
But there was little he could do when Andreas Pereira's corner snaked through a crowd of bodies before deflecting off his back and in.
That seemed to knock the stuffing out of Brighton and Iwobi made sure of the win when he gathered Antonee Robinson's pass with his back to goal, turned and dispatched a sublime strike into the bottom right corner.
"They were the best team in the first half but the second half was different," Silva added. "We were the best team on the pitch, even at 1-1, and overall deserved the three points."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-brighton-premier-league-iwobi-34259167
Premier League: Iwobi hits personal best after scoring brace in Fulham's win over Brighton
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi scored a brace for Fulham in their 3-1 win over Brighton at Craven Cottage on Monday, Soccernet.ng reports.
After forcing Tottenham to a draw last weekend, Fulham returned to Premier League action with a tricky fixture against Brighton at Craven Cottage.
Super Eagles stars Calvin Bassey and Iwobi retained their spots in the Cottagers' starting lineup. Iwobi has been in superb form this season, and it took him just 184 seconds before scoring the opener for the Cottagers, as he capitalized on a mistake from the Brighton defence and slotted the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
However, in the second half, Carlos Baleba scored the equalizer in the 56th minute to ensure a frenetic end to the game. Nonetheless, Fulham jumped back into the lead in the 79th minute, as Matt O'Riley scored an own goal to make it 2-1 to the Cottagers.
Brighton pushed hard for an equalizer, making them leave spaces behind, and Iwobi took advantage. The Nigerian striker got a lay-off in front of the box abd struck a well-placed shot into the bottom-right corner to make it 3-1 after 87 minutes.
According to Opta Jose, Iwobi's brace was just his second in 267 Premier League games at Arsenal, Everton, and Fulham.
The game eventually ended 3-1 after 90 minutes, with Fulham carting away all the three points.
https://soccernet.ng/2024/12/premier-league-iwobi-hits-personal-best-after-scoring-brace-in-fulhams-win-over-brighton.html
Player ratings: Fulham 3-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Fulham moved into the top six of the Premier League (yes you read that right, the top six) after a superb win over high-flying Brighton at the Cottage. Despite being pegged back in the second half, Fulham turned the tide and closed the game out well to continue our impressive bounce back following our previous home game which saw a humiliating defeat at the hands of struggling Wolves. Arsenal will be the favourites when they visit the Cottage on Sunday, but they'll be given a hell of a game by Marco Silva's side.
Bernd Leno
Had quite a lot to do, especially in the first half as Brighton flexed their quality and fluidity in the final third. A powerful effort from a tight angle early on from Joao Pedro was saved well by Leno to prevent Brighton instantly getting a handle back on a game that Fulham had led early on. Then made an even better save from Adingra 35 minutes in from close range. Of course it was aimed very close to the German, but the positioning and reflexes to parry it away from danger was very impressive. Won't have liked conceding a fairly slow-moving strike from Baleba, but the accuracy of his effort was enough to find the corner, ultimately. 7/10.
Timothy Castagne
Potentially a surprise inclusion considering Kenny Tete's recent run of form, but also maybe not considering Tete's previous injury record. Wasn't bad or overly rusty, but especially in the first half there was far too much of a Brighton threat coming from his side of the pitch. Time after time Mitoma and especially Estupinan were able to fire in dangerous crosses that Castagne was unable to close down and block. Had quite a quiet second half after that, with little defensive work to do but ultimately also not providing much of an attacking threat. 6/10.
ssa Diop
Solid if not spectacular from Diop. The most important thing to note is that's yet another game where he's bought composure and quality to a backline and not produced a complete clanger. That maturity and focus will really give Silva a headache when Andersen returns from injury. Cynics may say he could have done more for the Brighton goal, but realistically he was having to cover for a ball that had gone over another defender's head. Biggest strength was his ability in the air, often getting the better of Joao Pedro on long balls and defending brilliantly from corners. 6.5/10.
Calvin Bassey
Looked a bit ropey for me in this game, probably summed up by describing his highlight of the game. A double block from two efforts via Estupinan and Pedro was impressive, but came as a result of his own mistake. On numerous occasions in the first half he seemed to be caught ball watching, something that continued into the second half. First he lets Van Hecke go free to head just over from a corner, and moments later a long ball drifts over his head which leaves Fulham outnumbered on the edge of their own box, and Baleba capitalised to score. Not awful by any means, just too many little errors across the 90. 5.5/10.
Antonee Robinson
Really mature performance from Fulham's captain. With the number of crosses coming in from the left hand side, Robinson was constantly getting to balls first ahead of Adingra and Pedro to prevent opportunities for our opposition. When Fulham attacked, he looked to get involved, when Brighton had the ball he was ready in position, he was just constantly switched on in and out of possession. These are the performances and traits of a player that leads by example, which will be why the armband has been handed to the American twice in the last week. 7/10.
Sander Berge
Considering Berge has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks, this was a quieter display from the Norweigan. The box-style midfield put pay to any chances of Berge showing off his ball progressing abilities for a large majority of the game. Furthermore, a poor challenge from behind on Pedro which led to his booking meant that he could not be overly forceful in his challenges going forward, which was frustrating with him being the holding midfielder of the three. Certainly grew into the game as Fulham improved in the second half, but nothing spectacular to report on here. 6/10.
Alex Iwobi
Not just our match winner but also probably our player of the season so far too. Some of the flicks and turns Iwobi is pulling off at the moment are evidence of a man with the full confidence of his manager and full confidence in his own abilities. His first goal was easy enough but was taken calmly and set Fulham away nicely. His second was not simple by any means. The turn was so intricate giving the Brighton defenders around him, the extra touch taken to manipulate the shooting position was exquisite, and the finish into the bottom corner was beautifully placed. Beyond his goals, Iwobi looked bright on the ball across the pitch and put in the leg work in a more central position. What a guy. 8.5/10. – Man of the match.
Emile Smith Rowe
Not as strong a performance as at Tottenham but I'm still seeing enough to be confident that this more advanced ten position is the one that works best for our England international. The pressure he is able to put on a team's defenders with his pressing is evident even in games like this one where he was quieter overall. Also got to multiple loose balls in Brighton's half before their defensive players did, showing a sharpness which wasn't quite there when he first arrived at Fulham. He's had good and bad days, but right now I'm content he's growing into the club as a star player and starting to thrive in a position that suits him best. 6/10.
Harry Wilson
Finally got the start he deserved after a number of wonderful cameos from the subs bench. For all the headlines the winger has made with his game-winning goals in recent weeks, these showings in the last week against Tottenham and Brighton have shown so many strengths in his game. This ability he has to beat his man and then spot either Robinson or the winger ahead of him across the pitch and find him so easily is stunning to watch. If this form and confidence can be maintained, he will be one of our biggest goal threats and creative options all in one. 7/10.
Reiss Nelson
Found him so hard to judge for the majority of his 70 minutes on the pitch. So often he was looking to pass back to Robinson rather than take his man on. It's hard to know whether that's due to a lack of options in front of him or a lack of confidence to beat his man, which was his biggest attribute in the substitute cameos he made when he first arrived from Arsenal. If it was a lack of confidence, that could have not been more evident as when he went through on goal and despite multiple opportunities, simply denied himself the chance to shoot until eventually the chance was gone. Hopefully his hamstring injury isn't too bad. 5.5/10.
Rodrigo Muniz
Thought Muniz was absolutely brilliant here. This is not a man that has a spell on the bench and loses his motivation or sharpness, Muniz simply wants to give his all for the team and to improve every day on the training pitch. Had two efforts go close in the first half, one header from a corner glanced wide in the first 15 minutes before another effort just before half time also went close. Early on in the second half, he spun his man on the halfway line and played a long ball across the pitch on the half volley directly to Nelson. That skill and precision, plus his hold up play, show the progression of the man as a player, we just need another purple patch goals wise. 7.5/10.
Substitutes
Andreas Pereira (70' for Smith Rowe)
Could have been easy to have lost motivation after being booed onto the pitch by pockets of fans (wrongly or rightly), but you can't fault him for creating the second goal by finally producing a decent set piece delivery. Didn't do much bar that, but it was an important contribution nonetheless. 6/10.
Adama Traore (70' for Nelson)
Provided a threat from both wings either side of Harry Wilson being subbed off. Willingly ran the channels in an attempt to chase after long balls when the striker found themselves out of position and helped seeing the game out by pressing the Brighton defence back and tracking back himself. 6/10.
Josh King (80' for Wilson)
Wonderful to see Josh make his Premier League debut for the club. Considering his stature, it was particularly impressive how willing he was to throw himself into aerial duels, not to mention he was incredibly hard to dispossess on the ball. Had a couple of lovely passes into Iwobi and overall did not look out of place in a high intensity Premier League fixture. 6.5/10.
Raul Jimenez (80' for Muniz)
Didn't really offer much of a threat when he came on and often found himself drifting wide and not occupying the box. Took a man with him which gave Iwobi space to get the shot away for our third, if we're reaching for positives or things of note. 6/10.
Jorge Cuenca (90+1' for Berge) came on too late to be fairly assessed.
Marco Silva
For almost all of our time in the Premier League under Silva, this nagging issue of starting second halves poorly has persisted over and over again. It was the opposite here. Fulham went into the break in the lead but were the second best side on the pitch. However, despite Baleba's goal, we were undoubtedly the better side in the second half and played on the front foot from the moment the referee blew his whistle to kick off the second 45. Also worth commenting on a couple of brave decisions selection wise. Muniz played brilliantly and Pereira created a goal off the bench despite his recent controversies. Lots of credit for the boss here. 8/10.
https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2024-12-05-player-ratings-fulham-3-1-brighton-and-hove-albion/
We are going to push ourselves – Marco Silva wants even more from Fulham
The Cottagers moved up to sixth with a 3-1 win against Brighton.
Marco Silva vowed Fulham will keep pushing for more after they leapt up to sixth in the Premier League following a 3-1 win over Brighton. Alex Iwobi scored twice to catapult the Cottagers six places from 12th in a congested table. Fulham were pegged back after Iwobi's quickfire opener by Carlos Baleba's fine strike early in the second half. But Matt O'Riley's own goal gifted them the lead again and Iwobi hit his second to ensure Brighton have still never beaten Fulham in the Premier League. Silva said: "They are a really tough team to play against, top quality individuals, not losing many games. "We started the game the best way possible but the first half was really difficult for us. They had chances to equalise and were the better team. "The second half was completely different. Even when they equalised we were the best team on the pitch and we reacted well. It's a big three points for us against top opposition. Credit to Brighton but I think we deserved the win. "We are pleased with the position, we know our reality and we are going to push ourselves." Just three minutes had elapsed when Brighton handed Fulham the lead after playing the ball back to their goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, a few yards to the left of his goal. The Dutchman was under minimal pressure, but his pass out towards Baleba on the edge of the box was intercepted by Iwobi who strode forward and tucked the ball into an empty net before Verbruggen could scramble back. The equaliser came moments later, and for all Brighton's slick short passing it came from Jan Paul Van Hecke's straightforward ball over the top. Joao Pedro did brilliantly to cushion the ball into the path of Baleba, with the Cameroon youngster bludgeoning a low shot from the edge of the box past Bernd Leno into the corner. But Fulham went ahead again with 11 minutes remaining when substitute Andreas Pereira swung in a corner. The ball skimmed off the head of Calvin Bassey and went in off the back of the unfortunate O'Riley. Then, with three minutes left, Iwobi spun away from two Brighton defenders before curling past Verbruggen into the far corner to secure victory for the upwardly-mobile Cottagers. It was an uncomfortable watch for Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler, albeit high up in Fulham's plush new Riverside Stand while he served a touchline ban. "It's not the best feeling to watch in the stand," he said. "I think we all know that's not the result we deserved. "We created a lot of chances and gave away a goal with an error in the build-up and an own goal. "But it's football. That's exactly what I demand from Bart, to find solutions on the ground. We will give him feedback and the players will improve. "But mistakes happen. If there were no mistakes there would be no goals."
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/we-are-going-to-push-ourselves-marco-silva-wants-even-more-from-fulham-101733438350031.html
Silva issues plea to Fulham fans
Marco Silva urged Fulham fans to show more support for their team after a 3-1 win at home to Brighton took the Whites up to sixth in the Premier League table.
The home supporters were silenced by Carlos Belba scoring a second-half equaliser for the visitors after Alex Iwobi had netted an early opener.
The lead was restored when the recalled Andreas Pereira, on as a substitute, whipped in a corner and former Fulham youngster Matt O'Riley deflected the ball into his own net.
And Iwobi scored again late on to seal a fine victory.
Boss Silva was full of praise for his players – but asked the fans to get behind them more.
He said: "I'd like to ask them (for) even more if they can. They have been great for us – it's been fantastic since I joined the club. It's been a long journey for us and a great one.
"But if they can, we need more and more and more, because it's a moment of the season that's going to be tough.
"Sometimes it's not easy – tonight was a good example of that. When they equalised, I felt everybody down, I felt Craven Cottage down and I was listening much more to the away fans in that moment of the game than our fans. And it was a moment that we need them, really.
"If I can ask something from them, I am going to ask: we need the 12th player on the pitch in this stadium. Sometimes they (fans) don't understand how they can be important, and they have to support us.
"I ask for them to support more and more because we need them. They give so much power for the players when they are with us."
Silva also insisted there must be no let-up from his team after an excellent season so far.
"We are pleased with the position, we know our reality and we are going to push ourselves," he declared.
https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-issues-plea-to-fulham-fans
Fulham 3-1 Brighton: Marco Silva insists more still to come after Alex Iwobi brace sends Cottagers sixth
Fulham go into Sunday's clash against Arsenal full of confidence
Marco Silva vowed Fulham will keep pushing for more after they leapt up to sixth in the Premier League following a 3-1 win over Brighton.
Alex Iwobi scored twice to catapult the Cottagers six places from 12th in a congested table.
Fulham were pegged back after Iwobi's quickfire opener by Carlos Baleba's fine strike early in the second half.
But Matt O'Riley's own goal gifted them the lead again and Iwobi hit his second to ensure Brighton have still never beaten Fulham in the Premier League.
Silva said: "They are a really tough team to play against, top quality individuals, not losing many games.
"We started the game the best way possible but the first half was really difficult for us. They had chances to equalise and were the better team.
"The second half was completely different. Even when they equalised we were the best team on the pitch and we reacted well. It's a big three points for us against top opposition. Credit to Brighton but I think we deserved the win.
"We are pleased with the position, we know our reality and we are going to push ourselves."
Just three minutes had elapsed when Brighton handed Fulham the lead after playing the ball back to their goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, a few yards to the left of his goal.
The Dutchman was under minimal pressure, but his pass out towards Baleba on the edge of the box was intercepted by Iwobi who strode forward and tucked the ball into an empty net before Verbruggen could scramble back.
The equaliser came moments later, and for all Brighton's slick short passing it came from Jan Paul Van Hecke's straightforward ball over the top.
Joao Pedro did brilliantly to cushion the ball into the path of Baleba, with the Cameroon youngster bludgeoning a low shot from the edge of the box past Bernd Leno into the corner.
But Fulham went ahead again with 11 minutes remaining when substitute Andreas Pereira swung in a corner.
The ball skimmed off the head of Calvin Bassey and went in off the back of the unfortunate O'Riley.
Then, with three minutes left, Iwobi spun away from two Brighton defenders before curling past Verbruggen into the far corner to secure victory for the upwardly-mobile Cottagers.
It was an uncomfortable watch for Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler, albeit high up in Fulham's plush new Riverside Stand while he served a touchline ban.
"It's not the best feeling to watch in the stand," he said. "I think we all know that's not the result we deserved.
"We created a lot of chances and gave away a goal with an error in the build-up and an own goal.
"But it's football. That's exactly what I demand from Bart, to find solutions on the ground. We will give him feedback and the players will improve.
"But mistakes happen. If there were no mistakes there would be no goals."
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-vs-brighton-premier-league-result-silva-iwobi-b1198430.html
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says 'we didn't deserve to lose' after loss against Fulham
The Albion head coach summed up his side's 3-1 loss away to Fulham on Thursday, December 5.
The match began with a harrowing mistake from the back. Dutch international Bart Verbruggen's pass went straight into Iwobi's path, and allowed him to take the lead early for Fulham. A really poor start from Albion's defence, and Igor didn't help either, passing precariously to his goalkeeper before the blunder.
In the 34th minute, Mitoma crossed the ball superbly to Adingra, who had a clear shot on goal. His effort went straight to the keeper, and it seemed like if that went anywhere else, it'd be in the back of the net.
The seagulls continued to pile on the pressure, looking to close the first half with a goal to make things right, which didn't happen. At the start of the second half, it was all Fulham and the crowd were cheering them on to double their lead. However, it was Brighton that were able to build some momentum after battling out the cottagers. A great ball from Van Hecke, one touch from Joao Pedro near the edge of the box and Carlos Baleba rifled it into the bottom corner.
Brighton looked like they were finally alive and kicking in this one, but then more defensive errors came to haunt them. Matt O'Riley scored an own goal in the 79th minute to put Fulham 2-1 up. It was unfortunate for the Danish midfielder, as a corner that wasn't headed out bounced off him and into the net in a rather bitter fashion.
It got even worse. Gruda was lost possession of the ball straight away and allowed Fulham to attack once again. Iwobi was given too much time on the edge of the box and was able to slot the ball into the back of the net.
It was another disappointing result for the Albion, losing 3-1 away from home. They drew to rock-bottom Southampton last time out.
In a post-match press conference, Fabian Hurzeler gave his thoughts on how the game went, believing that Brighton did not deserve to lose.
Fabian Hurzeler said: "I think we all know that's not the result we deserve. we deserved much more, we created a lot of chances. We concede goals from easy mistakes in the build-up from our own goal from the set piece...
"The team played very good in possession, out of possession there were some things we have to improve.
"We have to be more clinical, we have to be more clean in the opponent's box and if you're not scoring in the right moment you get punished."
https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/football/brighton-and-hove-albion/brighton-boss-fabian-hurzeler-says-we-didnt-deserve-to-lose-after-loss-against-fulham-4898253
Iwobi fires Fulham up to sixth
A brilliant brace from Alex Iwobi helped Fulham record an impressive victory over in-form Brighton and Hove Albion at Craven Cottage tonight and leap up to sixth in the Premier League table.
The Nigerian international, arguably in the form of his life after Marco Silva brought him back to London from his former club Everton, capitalised on a poor pass out from the back by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to score a predatory opener with just three minutes on the clock. Although the Albion custodian took a huge risk by trying to find Carlos Baleba on the edge of his own box, Iwobi took the goal superbly by slotting a composed finish into the unguarded net despite the desperate dive of Lewis Dunk.
Iwobi would have been frustrated not to add a second moments later when he surged onto a fine headed flick from the recalled Rodrigo Muniz, but he was denied by a brilliant bit of defending from Igor Julio as the ex-Arsenal midfielder prepared to pull the trigger. Brighton gradually got their fluent passing game going and carved out a couple of good chances. Bernd Leno spread himself well to thwart João Pedro after the striker had surged onto a lovely through ball from Jan Paul van Hecke. The yellow shirts swarmed forward with purpose but Calvin Bassey bravely blocked shots from Baleba and João Pedro before Leno made a brilliant block to prevent Simon Adingra from converting a clever cut back from Kaoru Mitoma.
Fulham suddenly looked more likely to score either from a set play or a counter attack. Muniz placed a header wide from Harry Wilson's left-wing corner and the young Brazilian soared superbly to nod wide from Antonee Robinson's cross in first half stoppage time. Albion were sloppy at the start of the second half as well, with Wilson shooting wide when a fine forward ball from Iwobi landed at the Welshman's feet.
But Brighton hauled themselves back into the contest. van Hecke looped a header slightly over the crossbar from an inviting O'Riley corner, but the visitors soon found themselves level through a wonderfully worked goal. For all of the visitors' lovely short passing, the equaliser owed a fair bit to a long punt forward from van Hecke. Joao Pedro fabulously flicked the ball into the path of the onrushing Baleba, who lashed a low left-footed finish beyond Leno from the edge of the area into the bottom corner of the net.
Silva shuffled his pack by removing the ineffective Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson, whose hamstring had popped just as he sought to beat Dunk for pace down the left flank. Andreas Pereira came off the bench to have a telling impact, which might prove timely after his flirting with a move to Marseille over the past week, after his fellow substitute Adama Traore's powerful run won a corner. The Brazilian's corner was floated towards the near post where former Fulham midfielder O'Riley unfortunately diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper and into the Hammersmith End net as the Dane was possibly distracted by the presence of Issa Diop. Dunk earned a booking for his protests that the French defender had pushed him in the back.
Fulham didn't rest on their laurels, with their energy levels boosted by the introduction of Josh King, who produced an eye-catching cameo on his Premier League debut. The teenager found himself involved in the move that led to the third goal; when Robinson played a pass into the path of Iwobi, whose dancing feet engineered a couple of yards the area, beating two Brighton defenders before bending a fine finish beyond Verbruggen's grasp and into the bottom corner.
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, A. Robinson, Diop, Bassey; Berge (Cuenca 90+1), Iwobi; Wilson (King 80), Nelson (Traore 71), Smith Rowe (Pereira 71); Muniz (Jimenez 80). Subs (not used): Benda, Tete, R. Sessegnon, Vinicius.
BOOKED: Berge, Pereira.
GOALS: Iwobi (3, 87), O'Riley (o.g. 79).
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION (3-4-2-1): Verbruggen; van Hecke (Lamptey 72), Dunk, Igor Julio; Adringa (Minteh 80), Baleba, Wieffer (Gruda 86), Estupinan; O'Riley (Rutter 81), Mitoma; Joao Pedro (Ferguson 80). Subs (not used): Steele, Ayari, McConville, Moder.
BOOKED: van Hecke, Dunk.
GOAL: Baleba (56).
REFEREE: Peter Bankes (Merseyside).
ATTENDANCE: 26,368.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/iwobi-fires-fulham-up-to-sixth/
Silva salutes 'outstanding Iwobi'
Marco Silva hailed matchwinner Alex Iwobi's 'outstanding' contribution after the Nigerian international bagged a brace to beat in-form Brighton and Hove Albion at Craven Cottage this evening.
Silva told the BBC after the final whistle:
"Alex has been outstanding from the first day of pre-season. He is in a happy place and he is a fantastic footballer. Last season was his best season in the Premier League and one or two months ago I said he would be even better in this one. He is really versatile and I can use him in many different positions. He's a top player with the way he can assist and score goals more than ever. What a game for him and he deserved all the credit."
The Fulham head coach felt Fulham got their rewards for a strong second half display as the Whites had to recover from the setback of conceding a superb equaliser to Brighton's Carlos Baleba.
"A really tough team to play against. Top quality – individually and collectively as well. They have not been losing games easily. They were fifth in the table, last Friday when they played against Southampton they finished that game in second position in the table, too. That shows the quality they have, and how they have had a great start. We knew that it was going to be tough. We started the game the best way possible with a goal in the first minutes. Okay, mistake from the goalkeeper or not, but the reality is that we believed in that moment.
But first half was really difficult for us, was tough. Even if we were leading the score, it was really tough. It was difficult for us to find the right moments to press. We had more problems than normal to press and to start to be more aggressive in our first press, and when you don't have the ball for some longer times, it's more difficult for us. Rodrigo and Emile, they worked really hard first half, but we didn't get the right timings to press and to win the ball. We wanted to create some dangerous moments for them, but it was not as often as we like to do it, and it was difficult.
They had some chances to equalise, we had our moments too – two great headers from Rodrigo, probably should have scored in that situation. But I have to say that, first half, even if we are leading the score at half-time, they were the better team. Second half was completely different. We adjusted some things at half-time, we adjusted our pressure. It was important for us to don't lose Rodrigo and Emile always in the first pressure, because after they are going to play behind that first pressure. And we did much better second half.
Even when they equalised, in that moment of the game we were already the best team on the pitch. We reacted well. Even with 1-1, I think our reaction was good. We scored from a set-piece. It was in an important moment of the game that we scored, and after that, we controlled all the game.
It was a moment that I decided already to change, to put Raúl and Josh King in to help our first pressure. And from that moment we started to press higher, better, and we didn't give many chances for them after the 2-1. It was a difficult one, but big three points for us against tough opposition. Much better second half than the first, looking overall to the game. Of course, credit to Brighton, the way they played first half, but I think, overall, we probably deserved the three points."
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/silva-salutes-outstanding-iwobi/
Fulham impress to make European push with win over Brighton, but coming weeks will reveal true potential
A 3-1 victory has the Cottagers in sixth place in the Premier League
LONDON -- They have some rather fond memories of European nights in this part of London and it certainly wouldn't be unreasonable for Fulham fans to start dreaming of a few more after a 2-1 win over Brighton that propelled Marco Silva's side into sixth, just a point and a place off their conquered opponents.
In a year where the Premier League is almost certain to get a fifth Champions League spot, there are rewards available for those who are prepared to attack this season. Fulham are proving themselves to be one of them, even if their cause was aided by sloppiness from Brighton at both ends tonight.
Alex Iwobi stole in after just four minutes to punish a misplaced pass by goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and while a low drive from Carlos Baleba brought Brighton level after the break, it was Fulham who had more punch on the pitch and on their bench, the pressure their substitutes built telling when academy graduate Matt O'Riley marked his return to Craven Cottage with an own goal. Iwobi's second in the 88th minute, elegantly spinning into a shooting position in the area, was enough to secure the points for Marco Silva's side.
There will be work to do in the coming weeks if they are to hold their lofty position. The Premier League's top three lie in wait across their next four games but Fulham can at least attack them knowing they have nothing to fear. And with the league's eighth-best expected goal difference, they can back themselves to make Arsenal and Liverpool as uncomfortable as they did Brighton.
Verbruggen had already looked nervy under Fulham pressure once in the opening three minutes. It did not take much more for him to buckle. Igor Julio had certainly played him into a hole with a fidgety pass back towards the byline but there were more conservative options than to roll the ball in the general direction of Baleba. Iwobi stole in and before Verbruggen could scurry back a low drive was nestling in his far post.
It would not be the last occasion when Brighton got themselves in a muddle at the back. Antonee Robinson's cross early in the second half might have been dangerous but Igor's hook into Mats Wieffer was much more perilous for the visitors. Across the field, Kaoru Mitoma's deliveries were no less challenging to defend than Robinson's. Driving low from the byline, his cross flew to the back post and Simon Adingra, his shot impressively parried by Bernd Leno.
As in the first, Fulham started much brighter after the interval and might have doubled their advantage within seven seconds when Harry Wilson charged over the top and drove wide. Still, on the balance of the proceeding 45 minutes, Brighton had done enough to be level. It took something quite special to get them there, Joao Pedro's elegant flick off a long ball sitting up nicely for Baleba to lash home the equalizer.
Brighton might have pushed on from there but there was something faintly meandering to their possession, all the territory but no real incision for the visitors. It was as if they weren't sure how to manufacture goals. Fulham knew just what they wanted to do. Get the ball out left and go at the opposition. When you can introduce Adama Traore to go at legs tired of 70 minutes of Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe's Hale End forged interplay, you're going to get joy.
A corner forced by Adama was whipped menacingly at the near post, the Brighton defense utterly befuddled by a ball that crashed in off O'Riley's posterior. Truly the bum rush has hit the scoresheet this week. Rear-end scoring isn't the only thing Arsenal West have picked up via N5 of late. Iwobi had excelled from the outset as a free eight, gliding between the lines and leaving Brighton with no reference point.
By the 87th minute, they had no clue, Robinson slipping the ball to the Nigeria international on the edge of the box. Holding off Evan Ferguson, he found an angle between two Brighton defenders to drive home and seal a third victory in their last five league games for the Cottagers. Iwobi then is in a rich vein of form ahead of his reunion with Arsenal on Sunday. He is not the only one. The biggest tests of the season lie ahead of Fulham. Navigate them with even a modicum of success and they can really aspire for a spot in the European places.
https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/fulham-impress-to-make-european-push-with-win-over-brighton-but-coming-weeks-will-reveal-true-potential/
Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori boost, Martinelli decision - 5 changes Arteta can make vs Fulham
The Gunners could make several changes for their trip to Craven Cottage in the Premier League this Sunday
Wednesday night could prove to be something of a turning point for Arsenal's season. As Liverpool faltered at Newcastle, the Gunners came through a tricky test against Manchester United to run out 2-0 winners.
The result allows them to claw two points back on Arne Slot's side at the top of the league, cutting the deficit to seven points. Mikel Arteta isn't getting ahead of himself yet though.
"We want to have the right to win the games," the Spaniard said in his post-match press conference. "If we perform the way we're performing right now, we're going to win a lot of games. But right now is about Fulham.
"We have to go there. We know the experience of last season. We have to prepare really well to earn the right to win there and continue to do that. The rest, we don't know."
With the focus now on Sunday's trip to Craven Cottage, Arteta has a few big decisions in his in-tray. First up is what to do about his back line.
William Saliba was the standout performer against Manchester United, but Arteta singled out squad players Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko for praise after the game. "Big credit to Jakub and Alex," he said.
"It's the first start for Jakub after a long time. You have to be strong against this kind of opposition and front players. The same as Alex and they did magnificently well. Great. We trust them. They prepared so well, they had the opportunity, they grabbed it with both hands, so happy for the team."
It's quite possible that neither will start at the weekend though. Arteta was positive on the chances of Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori returning to the side.
"Gabi was a big risk to play today because he felt something against West Ham," he said. "Sunday he's going to be a possibility. With Ricci as well, let's see how we reacts."
It would not be too much of a surprise to see the pair return. With a huge game against Monaco coming up in the Champions League though, Arteta may be tempted to stick with the duo who did so well on Wednesday.
https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/gabriel-riccardo-calafiori-boost-martinelli-30522764
Odegaard to captain us for 100th time at Fulham
Should Martin Odegaard walk out at Craven Cottage against Fulham on Sunday donning our captain's armband as usual, it will be a momentous occasion for our skipper.
That's because it'll be the 100th time he has captained us in competitive action, on what would be his 163rd appearance in red and white - a remarkable feat for a player who is still only 25 years old.
The first time was at Southampton in March 2022 and he has held it ever since. "I had a short conversation with Mikel just before the game - that was it basically!" he has previously reflected.
"It was a big honour. To get that trust from the manager and the whole club after being here for just one year was huge, so it made me feel good. I was happy and proud about it. I stepped in and tried to do as well as possible."
And Martin has done much better than that, as he has created history whilst holding the captaincy.
Our friends at Opta have calculated the Norwegian has guided us to victory on 66 of the 99 occasions he has led the team out, and that win percentage of 66.7% is the highest any Arsenal captain who has skipped us 20 or more times has managed since our famous title-winning campaign of 1988/89.
That puts him ahead of legendary leaders such as Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry, and also Mikel Arteta who sits a respectable fourth on the list, while also boasting the best win percentage of any Gunners manager.
Martin will become only the fifth player to captain us in a century of matches since 1989, with Adams, Vieira, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny also achieving the feat:
https://www.arsenal.com/news/odegaard-captain-us-100th-time-fulham
Fulham vs Arsenal injury news as 6 ruled out and 2 doubts
All the latest injury news surrounding Arsenal and Fulham as the two London clubs prepare to face off.
Fulham and Arsenal go head-to-head this weekend in one of the most fascinating Premier League clashes of the weekend. Both clubs are riding high in the table, with the Gunners in third and the Cottagers just six points worse off in sixth place.
The Gunners defeated Manchester United in a statement home win on Wednesday night, and 24 hours later, Fulham defeated potential European qualification rivals Brighton at Craven Cottage. Here we round up the latest Arsenal and Fulham injury news.
Harrison Reed - Out
Reed has undergone surgery, with Silva saying recently: "Yesterday, he got an injury in his knee, and he'll need surgery there. He should be out for 5-6 weeks."
Tom Cairney - Out (Suspended)
Cairney was sent off against Tottenham and will miss this one through suspension.
Joachim Andersen - Out
Andersen has a calf strain and is not expected to return until next week.
Reiss Nelson - Out
Nelson has picked up a hamstring injury and will miss out against his former club.
Ben White - Out
White has had surgery on a knee injury and he will be out until early spring. Arteta has said: "Ben is going to be out for months. We had to make a decision in the last few weeks, unfortunately. It got to a point where we had to protect the player, and we decided to do the surgery."
Gabriel Magalhaes - Doubt
Gabriel missed out on Wednesday but could be in contention here. Arteta said: "Gabi was a big risk to play today because he felt something against West Ham. Sunday is going to be a possibility."
Riccardo Calafiori - Doubt
It's a similar situation for Calafiori who has a knee injury. "Sunday is going to be a possibility with Riccardo as well; let's see how he reacts," Arteta added.
Tomiyasu faces a lengthy absence after a setback in his recovery from a knee injury. Arteta said: "Sunday is going to be a possibility with Riccardo as well; let's see how he reacts."
https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/arsenal/fulham-arsenal-injury-news-out-4898322
Arsenal old boys out to inflict revenge in Fulham reunion after Marco Silva resurgenceEmile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi, Bernd Leno and Reiss Nelson are all now thriving at Craven Cottage after the Gunners deemed them surplus to requirements
It was on New Year's Eve last year that Fulham welcomed Mikel Arteta's Arsenal to Craven Cottage and turned them over, 2-1, to place an eventually telling dent in the Gunners' title hopes.
Arsenal's return to the banks of the River Thames is a chance for Fulham to repeat the trick less than a year on. And for four players in particular, it is a chance to travel back in time.
It seems there are few more common routes for a Premier League player these days than from the Emirates to Craven Cottage. Four ex-Arsenal players could line up against their former team on Sunday: Emile Smith Rowe, Bernd Leno, Alex Iwobi and Reiss Nelson (on loan from the Gunners at Fulham).
First to make the 10-mile trip was Leno. Following three seasons as their No1, Arsenal began to evolve away from the German's style. Arteta brought in Aaron Ramsdale ahead of the 2021/22 season and Leno sat patiently on the bench for a season before moving on.
Fulham paid just £3million up front for Leno, which rose to £8m after add-ons. A steal for Fulham; questionable business from Arsenal.
"I have to say it's a bargain," Leno said in an interview with Standard Sport during his first season at Fulham. "It's very, very cheap, especially in the Premier League. I am not £3m — I'm probably worth a little bit more."
The German international insisted he still has a "connection" with Arsenal, saying: "I was really happy with my performances. Even when they dropped me, I did nothing wrong."
After sitting on the bench for the opening two games of his first season, just days after he had joined, Leno has since started all 88 Premier League matches for Fulham, becoming one of Marco Silva's most trusted players.
The arrival of Iwobi at Craven Cottage came a season later, when he made his deadline-day move from Everton. Iwobi was one of very few players who came out of the Unai Emery era at Arsenal with any credit. Everton paid big — as much as £34m — but he found it tough to express himself in a defensively rigid system and was always a London boy at heart.
He had joined Arsenal's academy while still in primary school, and despite being almost released on two occasions he broke into the first team aged 19. The sixth senior start of his career came in the Champions League against Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
If a piece of the Nigeria international went missing at Everton, it is most certainly back now. "Alex has been incredible in all his roles," Silva said this week in a nod to his versatility. "I felt he was going to be even better for us [this season]. What a player he is.
"I call him a happy boy. When you are in a happy place, when you are so positive and people around you are positive, I think good things will come to you."
Good things certainly came to Iwobi and Fulham in July, when the Cottagers paid £34m to sign the player Silva had most wanted: Smith Rowe.
Iwobi and Smith Rowe had overlapped at Arsenal for nine years and the Nigeria midfielder interrupted Smith Rowe's medical to tell him how happy he was that he was joining him at Fulham.
Three man-of-the-match awards later, and Smith Rowe is feeling loved again, having fallen out of favour at Arsenal after time out of Arteta's team with groin and hamstring injuries.
In the summer, Silva had phoned him up, told him he would build Fulham's attack around him, and the rest is history.
"I told our board that we had to go with everything that we can, because we needed a player like him," said the Portuguese.
Silva phoned Smith Rowe, told him he would build Fulham's attack around him, and the rest is history
"He is a lovely kid. He wants to learn, he wants to improve. He is already a really good player; he is going to become a man and top player."
There is hope that the same level of success will follow for Nelson, still contracted to the Gunners but on loan at Fulham where he is getting more game time and making a name for himself on the left wing. West Ham wanted him, Ipswich thought they were getting him, but deadline-day interest from Fulham swayed him.
After Nelson's first start against Brentford, when he linked up well with ex-Arsenal team-mate Smith Rowe, Silva explained: "We wanted one-v-ones down the left-hand side with Reiss Nelson. He has made a good impact in our squad so far. He is going to help up, for sure, to be stronger throughout the season."
All four players sought opportunities away from the Emirates. That they all ended up at Fulham is perhaps a coincidence, but that they are all making a success of their new venture is not. The question is, will more Gunners follow suit?
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fc-fulham-smith-rowe-iwobi-leno-nelson-b1198372.html