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Fulham 3-2 Southampton

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Aleksandar Mitrovic went seven Fulham games without scoring before his double against Southampton

Claudio Ranieri labelled Aleksandar Mitrovic "one of the best goalscorers in Europe" after his double helped Fulham clinch victory in his first game as the Cottagers' boss.

The former Newcastle striker, 24, had gone six Premier League games without scoring but struck either side of half-time to move to seven Premier League goals this season.

Only Manchester City's Sergio Aguero has scored more, although Mitrovic is the top scorer in the Nations League with six from four matches for Serbia.

"I asked my team to make a lot of crosses for Mitrovic because he is amazing in the box," said Ranieri. "He can do everything in his career."

Fulham were seeking only their second Premier League win of the season after Ranieri replaced sacked Slavisa Jokanovic, and it duly arrived after an eventful encounter between the two strugglers.

The Italian was afforded a warm reception as he made his way to his place in the technical area, but it was an unhappy start as Stuart Armstrong poked home to reward Southampton's bright opening.

Fulham shrugged off their early lethargy to turn it around before half-time through Aleksandar Mitrovic's angled header, followed by Andre Schurrle's far post finish from Ryan Sessegnon's cross.

Southampton, who will feel they had opportunities to claim a point, were back on level terms eight minutes after the break with another from Armstrong, flashed high past Sergio Rico.

Fulham were soon back in front when Mitrovic volleyed past Alex McCarthy, and despite some late pressure Saints are now nine league games without a win as speculation mounts about the future of manager Mark Hughes.

Ranieri's satisfactory start

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Ranieri has now won his first league game in charge of a team in six of his last seven attempts (one loss)

The thunderous noise that greeted the final whistle at Craven Cottage was laced with both elation and relief as Fulham closed out the first win under Ranieri, after some backs-to-the-wall defending in the closing moments.

Ranieri saw all sides of Fulham in his opening game but he also saw what he wanted most of all - three points and real fight on offer after some timid performances left them bottom of the table.

Fulham's defence still creaked under serious pressure, despite that late determination, and they were grateful for heroics from goalkeeper Sergio Rico.

Ranieri received a warm reception but his response was low-key. It was back to business in the Premier League for the man who claimed the title so spectacularly at Leicester City in 2015-16.

It was a mixed first half but Ranieri cut an animated figure on occasion, especially when Fulham scored and in that frantic finale.

After Fulham's poor start, this was all about the result rather than the performance - and his first aim was achieved.

Ranieri witnessed a side that needs work but that also has quality he can work on, especially in attack.

Hughes feeling the heat

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Armstrong's goals were his first since making a £7m move to Southampton from Celtic in the summer

Hughes entered his confrontation of the Premier League strugglers, fending off mounting speculation that his job was under threat and may even be riding on the outcome of this game.

Southampton actually played well for spells but paid a heavy price for failing to make the most of their early superiority, which brought Armstrong's goal and should have yielded more.

Ultimately, this is another damaging result for both Southampton and Hughes as they extend a dismal sequence to nine league games without a win.

Saints were sloppy in defence as all three goals came from crosses they could and should have dealt with, and have now plunged further into trouble.

Hughes is talking a confident game but results continue to elude him and, if this game does not decide his fate, it certainly increases the urgency for him to secure a victory.

Ranieri can build around key duo

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Ryan Sessegnon set up Schurrle's goal and Mitrovic's second - providing two assists in a game for the first time in his career

As Ranieri studies his squad for strengths and weaknesses in the early days of his reign, he will already be aware of the importance of Mitrovic and Sessegnon.

Ranieri will be looking to seal up that porous Fulham defence, but this win will only have emphasised that he has two potent weapons in the Serb and the 18-year-old.

Sessegnon, understandably, has rough edges to smooth out in his defensive work and was guilty of sloppiness in the build-up to Southampton's second goal - but he has the panache to make a difference at the other end as Fulham look to work their way out of trouble.

Mitrovic, however, is the real danger man after finding his home at Craven Cottage following his struggles at Newcastle United.

He has seen his Premier League form tail off in recent weeks but he delivered here and was given a standing ovation both when he was replaced late on and when he made his way back to the dressing room at the final whistle.

Sessegnon was also influential - crossing for Schurrle to score, then defying his diminutive stature to provide a flicked header for Mitrovic's winner.

They are the duo Ranieri will lean on heavily.

Man of the match - Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)

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Mitrovic had one blocked shot and scored from two of his three efforts on target. The Serb has now scored more headed goals than any other Premier League player this season (four)

What they said - 'A little but important step'

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri: "It was important to come back and come back with a victory. It is a little step but important for the enthusiasm and everything.

"It is important to continue in this way. Now we have to forget what we did and improve. Next is Chelsea and it is important to maintain ambition and mentality.

"I am confident with my team. We made some good things but we have to work hard to improve on defence."

Match stats - Hughes' low win rate

Mark Hughes has won just three of his 21 Premier League games in charge of Southampton (14.3%), the worst win rate of any Saints manager in the competition (minimum 20 games).
Fulham picked up their first Premier League win in 10 matches, losing seven of the previous nine.
Fulham are without a clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League games, conceding at least twice in 15 of those.
Southampton's Stuart Armstrong has scored a competitive brace for the first time since December 2016 for Celtic against Patrick.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46244414

Manager Reaction

Claudio Ranieri expressed his delight with his side's determination and togetherness, as he returned to Premier League football with a win.   

A first half-strike from André Schürrle and a brace from Aleksandar Mitrović gave the Whites an important victory over Southampton at Craven Cottage.   

"For me to come back to the Premier League is emotional. For me to come to Fulham is emotional. Emotions were high," said Ranieri.

"It was an important match, and everybody is pleased, but it's a little step - it's not an easy job. I was waiting for this kind of match and it was very difficult. Southampton are a good team, and we're in a bad position. We suffered a lot, but I'm very pleased with my players because they never gave up and fought.


"We wanted to win, we showed very good fighting spirit, and our energy levels were high. I asked the players to fight until the end. After the first goal, I wanted to see our reaction and it was amazing.

"I'm very pleased with our fans too, they supported us until the end."   

The Whites fell behind to an early strike from Saints' midfielder Stuart Armstrong, and Fulham's Manager wants his side need to improve defensively to keep opposition chances to a minimum.

"We played a good match but gave too many chances to our opponents. Of course, I want a clean sheet and want to improve our defensive work. The whole team has to maintain the right position. I always want more.

"[Sergio] Rico had to make too many saves and I don't like it when our goalkeeper has to work too much.

Serbian striker Mitrović broke his Premier League goal-scoring drought with a fine header and a powerful volley with the outside of his right boot, and the boss had high praise for his number 9.

"For me, Mitrović is one of the best strikers in Europe," Ranieri enthused.

"He's only 24 and I think he can improve more and more. At the end of the season, you'll see how many goals he'll score."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/november/24/manager-reaction-southampton

 
Fulham 3-2 Southampton: Claudio Ranieri gets off to a winning start thanks to goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andre Schurrle at Craven Cottage

    Fulham hosted Southampton at Craven Cottage, marking Claudio Ranieri's first match as Fulham's manager
    Southampton opened the scoring with a shot from Stuart Armstrong, but Fulham equalised through Mitrovic
    Fulham then took the lead thanks to Andre Schurrle, and held onto it going into the half time break
    Stuart Armstrong leveled the match once again for Southampton after scoring in the 53rd minute
    Aleksandar Mitrovic then scored his second goal of the match to give Fulham the lead in the 63rd minute
    Fulham had endured a string of defeats, but finally got a win thanks to this comeback at Craven Cottage

It is one of football's funny quirks how a dose of a new manager can change so much in such a short space of time. On this occasion, it was the injection of Claudio Ranieri, the likable Italian with his endless stream of soundbites and knack for tinkering tactics who extracted life out of Fulham.

They had suffered seven successive losses under Slavisa Jokanovic but came from behind to win at Craven Cottage, with Aleksandar Mitrovic snarling and sniping them to victory.

It lifted Fulham off the foot of the table and their supporters left sensing all is not lost. The feeling is not mutual at Southampton under Mark Hughes.

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Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic takes a shot from the edge of the box to score his team's first goal against Southampton

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Mitrovic celebrates scoring Fulham's first goal of the match, equalising after Southampton scored earlier on

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Fulham's Andre Schurrle celebrates scoring the goal which took Fulham into the lead for the first time against Southampton

Unfortunately for Hughes, the start of one era could mean the end of another. Only time will tell if Ranieri's first match as Fulham manager is his last at Southampton. The visitors are now winless in nine and face Manchester United then Tottenham in the top flight next. Fulham, at least, arrested their own slide.

'The emotion was high,' Ranieri said. 'I live for emotion. For me to come back to the Premier League is emotional. Fulham is emotional, one of the more historical clubs.

'I have met a good family in Fulham. Fantastic character, fantastic fighting spirit. I ask just this. Never, ever give up. Work hard until the end, and at the end we'll see the result.'

Snowfall may be set for Britain this week but the last time either of these two teams won, sunblock was flying off the shelves. For Fulham, it was August 26. For Southampton, September 1.

It felt like the first day of the season at Craven Cottage. The noise coming from the Fulham supporters (and, love them or loathe them, their cardboard clappers) was thunderous.

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Fulham's goalkeeper Sergio Rico celebrates at the other end of the pitch after Aleksandar Mitrovic scored their first goal

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Ranieri represents a fresh start. Where chaos and confusion was par for the course under their predecessor, the Italian now wants to create an atmosphere of stability. With Mitrovic up front, they always have a chance of grabbing a goal or two.

'For me, Mitrovic is one of the best strikers in Europe,' Ranieri said. 'And when I say in Europe, I say the whole world. He is only 24 years old. He is a fantastic player.'

Southampton shrugged off the atmosphere to take the lead when Nathan Redmond lobbed a high ball into the box and Stuart Armstrong smacked a low shot beyond Sergio Rico.

Fulham complained, feeling Jean Michael Seri was body-checked by Charlie Austin in the build-up. Referee Michael Oliver reckoned it was a shoulder-barge.

Either way, Fulham had seen another chance of a clean sheet bite the dust, and they are now the only side out of English football's 92 clubs yet to secure one.

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Southampton's Pierre-Emile Hojberk and Fulham's Calum Chambers clash off the ball during the match at Craven Cottage

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Stuart Armstrong got on the score sheet once again for Southampton with a shot from the edge of the box in the 53rd minute

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Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring his side's third goal, and his own second goal of the match during the win

'How s*** must you be? We're winning away,' sang the visiting supporters. Not for long. Fulham hit back after half an hour when Maxime Le Marchand crossed and Mitrovic accepted the invitation. The Serbian headed home to make it 1-1.

Fulham soon had bums off seats again. They made it 2-1 in the 43rd minute, and it was set up brilliantly by one of their own. Ryan Sessegnon had two defenders for company but that did not deter the 18-year-old. He left them both for dead, changing direction like a slalom skier, and crossed for Andre Schurrle.

The German World Cup winner tapped in at the far post. Now it was the turn of the home supporters. 'How s*** must you be? We're winning at home.'

At the start of the second half, a Fulham counter-attack almost saw Mitrovic make it 3-1. Only a strong hand from Alex McCarthy denied him. Less than two minutes later, it was 2-2.

The build-up from Southampton was cute as Cedric Soares back-heeled the ball to Armstrong. Twenty yards out, the £7million summer signing from Celtic curled his shot into the top corner.

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The match between Fulham and Southampton marked the Italian Claudio Ranieri's first game as manager of Fulham

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Mark Hughes has been feeling the pressure as manager of Southampton, and a loss to Fulham will make things worse

Ranieri's first league games in charge of Chelsea and Leicester both featured six goals – the former drew 3-3 with Manchester United in 2000 while the latter beat Sunderland 4-2 in 2015.

We had witnessed four so far, and the fifth was on its way. Shortly after the hour mark, Cyrus Christie sent a cross into the mixer. Sessegnon headed it on towards Mitrovic behind him and the striker thumped a volley into the corner from seven yards.

Once again, the decibel levels rose. Anyone taking a romantic Saturday afternoon stroll by the nearby River Thames would have had the roars of thousands of fans ringing in their ears.

The question now was could Fulham hold on? Indeed they could, securing their first win since August and their 300th in the top flight in their history. The Ranieri revival is on.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6424557/Fulham-3-2-Southampton-Claudio-Ranieri-gets-winning-start.html

 
Fulham vs Southampton: Claudio Ranieri off to perfect start as away fans turn on Mark Hughes

Fulham 3-2 Southampton: Two goals from Aleksandr Mitrovic saw the Cottagers end a seven-game run without a win

Long live the king of Craven Cottage. There was a delicious irony about Claudio Ranieri's first game in charge of Fulham which owed more to his predecessor's attacking bent than to the Italian's more cautious style.

Ranieri had wandered on to the banks of the Thames promising pragmatism to temper Fulham's all-out flair, which was the hallmark of Slavisa Jokanovic's time in charge.

Instead, he presided over a compelling contest that was high on creativity yet utterly devoid of defensive structure – a crime for which Jokanovic paid with his job two weeks ago.

Above all, it was great fun. Ranieri was afforded a tumultuously warm ovation from the Fulham faithful on his return to the English game.

With Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring twice, his new side responded with a thrilling victory which lifted them off the bottom of the Premier League table.

Fulham ought to have been behind after only six minutes when goalkeeper Sergio Rico could only push a low Stuart Armstrong shot into the path of Manolo Gabbiadini.

Fortunately for Rico, the Italian's confidence is sorely lacking and he scuffed the rebound into Rico's prone body.

After Fulham's Calum Chambers saw his header from a corner saved, the London side's brittleness showed through again.

The goal they conceded after 18 minutes was utterly preventable but Andre Schurrle and Cyrus Christie failed to track the run of Nathan Redmond at a throw-in.

Redmond sprinted to the by-line and forced a poor header from Maxime Le Marchand with his looping cross. In came Armstrong again, chesting the ball into space and firing home under Rico's body.

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Mitrovic scored the opener (REUTERS)

"We're winning away," sang the Southampton supporters more in surprise than joy, you suspect. Their only other triumph on their travels this season was a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace on September 1.

The song was not relevant for long. Two minutes after a rasping Ryan Sessegnon strike had risen over the Southampton crossbar, the home side equalised in the 32nd minute.

Tom Cairney and Le Marchand were involved with the latter sending over a cross which Mitrovic stooped to glance home into the far corner. It was first goal for 585 Premier League minutes since he scored against Watford in September.

Christie was the next Fulham full-back attempting to atone for his part in the opening goal, skipping inside before sending his left-foot shot fizzing just wide of the far post.

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Schurrle added a second (REUTERS)

Southampton responded with almost total domination of possession and territory for the next 10 minutes.

However, domination without goals has been the leitmotif of their season and true to form, they fell behind three minutes before half-time.

Sessegnon tricked his way past Cedric Soares, then crossed early and low for Schurrle to convert at the far post.

Having played the rope-a-dope tactic to perfection once, Fulham tried it again at the start of the second period, absorbing Southampton pressure before striking forward quickly. Schurrle fed Mitrovic whose low shot was brilliantly turned away by visiting keeper Alex McCarthy.

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Mitrovic scored the winner at Craven Cottage (Action Images via Reuters)

That save proved pivotal when Armstrong struck his second of the game to make it 2-2 after 53 minutes. Seizing on a back-heel from Soares, the midfielder curled a majestic shot into the top corner.

This scintillating contest took another twist on the hour. Pressure from Schurrle allowed Christie to float over a cross which Sessegnon headed on and Mitrovic volleyed home with elan at the far post.

The only surprise thereafter was that there were no more goals. Pierre Hojbjerg came closest to earning a deserved point for Mark Hughes' side, but yet again this season they were left with nothing to show for their control.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-vs-southampton-result-final-score-goals-premier-league-epl-video-a8650141.html

 
Fulham 3 Southampton 2: Ranieri reign off to thrilling start as Aleksandar Mitrovic piles misery on Saints

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice to give Claudio Ranieri victory in his first game as Fulham manager and pile more pressure on Southampton boss Mark Hughes.

The win moves Fulham off the bottom of the Premier League table and was the perfect start at for Ranieri at Craven Cottage.

Fulham went behind early on when Stuart Armstrong scored for Southampton but goals from Mitrovic and Andre Schurrle at the end of the first half turned the game around.

Armstrong equalised for Southampton at the start of the second half but Mitorovic put Fulham back in front and the Cottagers held on for their first win since August.

The result leaves Hughes fighting to save his job at Southampton but is a major boost for Ranieri in his bid to get Fulham out of trouble and keep them up.

Fulham are up to 19th and now just one point from safety.

Ranieri went with a 4-4-1-1 formation similar to the system that was behind his Premier League title success with Leicester City. Schurrle started on the right, with Calum Chambers alongside Jean Michael Seri in the middle and Tom Cairney just off Mitrovic.

Fulham made a nervy start and needed a good double save from Sergio Rico to keep out Armstrong and then Charlie Austin.

But they were flat early on and Southampton did go ahead after 18 minutes when poor defending allowed Armstrong to latch onto the ball in the area and fire past Rico.

Fulham were on the back foot for the opening half hour but they turned the game around at the end of the first half.

First they equalised after 33 minutes when Maxime Le Marchand went down the left and his cross was glanced in by Mitrovic past Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

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Mitrovic scored twice on Ranieri's big day. (Getty Images)

Then Ranieri watched Fulham go in front after brilliant play from Sessegnon.

The 18-year-old beat his man on the left with a good bit of skill and sent a low cross across the face of goal for Schurrle to convert at the back post.

Fulham almost went further ahead at the start of the second half but McCarthy made a brilliant save to deny Mitrovic and Southampton levelled moments later.

It was a thunderbolt from Armstrong from the edge of the area to peg Fulham back on 53 minutes.

But the match took another swing and Fulham restore their lead 10 minutes later when a cross was flicked on by Sessegnon and Mitrovic volleyed home from inside the area.

Southampton pushed an equaliser but Rico kept Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Fulham held on despite some late pressure.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham/fulham-3-southampton-2-claudio-ranieri-reign-off-to-thrilling-start-as-aleksandar-mitrovic-piles-a3999231.html

 
Fulham player ratings: Aleksandar Mitrovic bags a brace in victory over Southampton

Fulham beat Southampton 3-2 to record a first win under Claudio Ranieri and a first win in eight games

Fulham got the Claudio Ranieri era off to a winning start as they beat fellow strugglers Southampton 3-2 at Craven Cottage.

It was a slow burner to say the least, but Southampton got the opener and made sure Fulham would not have that clean sheet that Ranieri craved so badly when Stuart Armstrong took a touch with his chest in the box before firing low and hard past Sergio Rico after 19 minutes.

Fulham allowed Southampton to have possession and eventually got back on level terms when Maxime Le Marchand's cross from the left found Mitrovic all alone in the six yard box, with the Serbian nodding home for his sixth of the campaign.

The second goal was made by Ryan Sessegnon, who produced a stunning bit of skill to beat his man before putting a fantastic box across the front of goal for Andre Schurrle to tap home.

Southampton got back on level terms through Armstrong again as the away side won the ball on the edge and played it off to the midfielder, who curled it into the top corner of Sergio Rico's goal.

But Fulham got their noses ahead thanks to some poor Southampton marking - Sessegnon nodded the ball onto Mitrovic who lashed home a volley at the back post to make it 3-2 and advantage Fulham.

Here's how we rated the side:

Sergio Rico - 7

Made a very good double save early in the half and looked confident with crosses into his box. Was called upon in the 72nd minute to make a strong reflex save and keep Fulham's lead intact. Made another great save right at the death from Obafemi to keep his side in the lead.

Cyrus Christie - 7

Fell asleep at the throw in that allowed the cross in for Southampton's first goal but otherwise had a decent first half. Much improved performance from Christie who did very well going forward.

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(Image: Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

Alfie Mawson - 6

Decent performance from Mawson in the heart of defence. He made sure he was in good positions and made sure he guided his back four through the game.

Denis Odoi - 6

A decent game in the heart of defence from Odoi. He didn't do much wrong and it was a good all-round performance.

Maxime Le Marchand - 7

Could've done better with his headed clearance for Southampton's first but produced a lovely ball for Mitrovic's goal. Impressed as the game went on at left back, defending well and getting forward.

Calum Chambers - 5

Saw a lot of the ball in the first half but couldn't find that final pass. Struggled to get in the right positions and mop up second balls.

Tom Cairney - 7

Produced a lovely pass to find Le Marchand in the build-up to Fulham's first goal. Seemed to enjoy his more advanced role, meaning he could exploit Southampton's defence further up the pitch with his passes.

Jean-Michael Seri - 5

Didn't see much of the ball in the first half but was constantly talking his team mates through the game - something we've not seen yet from him. Question marks over his decision to pull out of a header on the edge in the build up to Southampton's second.

Ryan Sessegnon - 6

Was a constant outlet down the left and he produced a lovely piece of skill to beat Cedric before a inch perfect cross across the face of goal found Schurrle for his goal.

Andre Schurrle - 5

Didn't do much at all in the first half but popped up towards the end of the 45 to get on the end of Sessegnon's cross and make it 2-1. Had a quiet game apart from that goal.

Aleksandar Mitrovic - 8

Good movement to peel off his marker and get his head on a cross to net his goal. Seemed to lift the side after his goal and got involved more in the game. Lovely technique for his second goal.

(https://i2-prod.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/article15460744.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Fulham-v-Southampton-Premier-League-Craven-Cottage.jpg)
(Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)

Substitutes

Stefan Johansen - 5

Got involved in Fulham's counters and played some nice passes but didn't have too much impact on the game.

Aboubakar Kamara - 5

Shoulder barged Redmond into next week but added very little in terms of quality to the pitch.

Floyd Ayite - 5

Had next to no time to have any effect on proceedings this afternoon.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-player-ratings-aleksandar-mitrovic-15460131

 
Fulham 3 Southampton 2: Ranieri makes winning start to pile pressure on Hughes

Aleksandar Mitrovic and Stuart Armstrong both scored twice at Craven Cottage, but it was Fulham who claimed a valuable three points.

Claudio Ranieri made an immediate impact at Fulham as they climbed off the foot of the Premier League with an entertaining 3-2 home triumph over fellow strugglers Southampton.

Ranieri took over from Slavisa Jokanovic during the international break after Fulham had claimed just five points from their first 12 matches, conceding 31 goals in the process.

The Cottagers' defensive woes remained evident on Saturday as Stuart Armstrong scored his first two Premier League goals, but Aleksandar Mitrovic claimed a brace of his own either side of an Andre Schurrle strike to ensure a winning start for Ranieri and Fulham's first league victory since August 26.

As a result, they are now above Huddersfield Town and level on points with Southampton, this result piling further pressure on Saints boss Mark Hughes, who has overseen just one league win all season.

Manolo Gabbiadini had already wasted a fine chance before the lively Armstrong fired Southampton ahead in the 18th minute, taking a touch on his chest and shooting across Sergio Rico into the bottom-left corner after Fulham had failed to adequately clear Nathan Redmond's cross.

Fulham felt Charlie Austin had obstructed a defender as Armstrong scored, but the mood of the hosts improved markedly after 33 minutes when a slick passing move culminated in Maxime Le Marchand crossing for an unmarked Mitrovic to nod home from six yards.

More poor Southampton defending enabled Ranieri's men to take the lead before the break. Ryan Sessegnon's low ball in from the left was allowed to run all the way through to the far post, where Schurrle finished emphatically.

After Alex McCarthy had denied Mitrovic with a superb save early in the second half, Armstrong produced a wonderful first-time finish from 20 yards to pull Southampton level.

Yet McCarthy could do nothing in the 63rd minute as Cyrus Christie's cross was flicked on by Sessegnon and Mitrovic found the far corner with a stylish volley that proved decisive.

Rico pulled off a point-blank stop to deny Southampton substitute Michael Obafemi, while Southampton also saw an appeal for a penalty from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg turned down as Fulham held on.

What does it mean? Ranieri gets just the start he needed

Ahead of the game, Ranieri told his players to "forget the past" as they aim to recover from an awful start to the season. While their performance was far from perfect, the confidence gained from this win could well be invaluable. Anything less than three points would have been a major blow at the start of Ranieri's reign.

Mitro back on fire

Mitrovic started the season in prolific form, but he had endured an increasingly concerning goal drought prior to this contest. The former Newcastle forward was back to his best on Saturday, his second goal coming courtesy of a finish of the highest quality. Armstrong also shone for Southampton, yet his admirable efforts proved in vain.

Hughes on the brink

It is hard to see Southampton keeping faith with Hughes for too much longer if results do not improve swiftly. Their only Premier League win this term came on September 1 and they were guilty of some abysmal defending in the first half as they threw away the advantage given to them by Armstrong.

What's next?

Ranieri will come up against two of his former employers, Chelsea and Leicester City, at the start of December. Southampton are in EFL Cup action at Leicester on Tuesday, while their next two Premier League matches are daunting contests against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.



Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fulham-3-southampton-2-ranieri-makes-winning-start-pile-pressure-hughes#b7fxFkxPxVm0tCyh.99

 
Claudio Ranieri has instant Fulham impact as Mitrovic sinks Southampton

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Aleksandar Mitrovic volleys the ball home to secure victory for Fulham with his second goal. Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images

It is early days in the revolution stakes but a first win in three months, a slide arrested, evidence of team character and a comeback all in one lurching 90 minutes surely amounts to a revelation in Fulham.

The benefit of having a managerial career lasting 32 years is that Claudio Ranieri had seen and been through enough to transmit a veneer of calm as Fulham scampered through the tense late exchanges of a helter-skelter game knowing the chance of an accident, a scramble, was well within reason. He kept his cool and offered a controlled round of applause at the end of it all.

There are only so many miracles one man can reasonably achieve and it spoke volumes that Ranieri's overall satisfaction was shaded by the realism that defensive improvement remains core to the work ahead. "I saw a lot of things," he said, knowingly. "We played a good match but conceded too many chances to the opponent. We need to improve tactically."

As any good Italian man of football should, Ranieri is making Fulham's goals against column a priority and they are the only club in England's 92 yet to manage a clean sheet this season. Having said that the "small steps" they showed were encouraging. The positives thrilled the Craven Cottage crowd, who celebrated three fine goals of the sort that brought them to the Premier League with a reputation for aesthetic football, and a show of collective heart to react twice to setbacks during the match.

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Fulham's new manager Claudio Ranieri signs autographs for fans before the game. Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images

There were some standout performances. Aleksandar Mitrovic was a handful, back among the goals. Ryan Sessegnon excelled in creating chances. Tom Cairney, playing a more advanced No 10 role, was influential. Sergio Rico produced a string of important saves.

Southampton's hunger to pounce on any Fulham uncertainty gave them the lead. Nathan Redmond chased down the ball and when Maxime Le Marchand only half-cleared, the energetic Stuart Armstrong surged on to steer the ball past Rico.

Fulham needed a spark of inspiration, needed to show they believed in themselves. Sessegnon took the initiative with a dipping long-range shot. Then they took collective responsibility to lift themselves as a team with a sweet passing move, sweeping the ball via seven different players, taking the scenic route to goal. The move took off as the ball zipped from Sessegnon to Cairney to Le Marchand. The Frenchman's cross landed invitingly for Mitrovic to score by guiding his header into the far corner of the net. Craven Cottage erupted.

Sessegnon's influence grew, and he demonstrated an excellent mix of technique and efficiency to carve Southampton open and help Fulham to score again. He zipped his way past Cédric Soares and angled a pass for André Schürrle to gobble up the chance with delight.

When Michael Oliver blew the half-time whistle it signalled the first time Fulham had led since 1 September. Not that it lasted long. After Mitrovic was denied by Alex McCarthy the next meaningful attack fell to Southampton. Soares tried an intuitive back-heel and Armstrong had time to sprint on to the ball and lash an equaliser past Rico.

With the wind sucked out of their sails, how much character could Fulham muster? The answer was delivered with a sudden gust in the form of another well-worked goal. Cyrus Christie's floated cross was glanced on by Sessegnon for Mitrovic to wallop the ball past McCarthy.

Southampton rallied. Rico beat away from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and kept out a stoppage-time effort from Michael Obafemi. The loss piled pressure on Mark Hughes, and Southampton's fans sang about getting sacked in the morning to their own man in the dugout.

Hughes considered his lot and expressed his disappointment that performances were not yielding points. "There is always noise," he said. "You have to accept that. People get frustrated. It is a bit unfair as sometimes people smell blood. It doesn't faze me. You just get on with it and do the job to the best of your ability."

New manager bounce can be wonderful. The evidence, in the shape of Ranieri here, was unmistakable.

"Fantastic character and fighting spirit – I ask just this," he growled as he went off to digest an important win in the scheme of the big defensive job ahead.



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/nov/24/fulham-southampton-premier-league-match-report

 
Claudio Ranieri is a bad appointment at Craven Cottage

Fulham returned to the Premier League this season having spent four years in the Championship before winning the play-off final over Aston Villa in May and manager Slavisa Jokanovic was handed a war chest with which to improve his squad.

However, after spending upwards of £100m on fresh faces and signing the likes of Jean-Michael Seri and Aleksandr Mitrovic, the Craven Cottage outfit are languishing at the bottom of the table with just five points from 12 games.

This didn't sit well with the high-ups and Jokanovic was promptly sacked with Ranieri brought in as his replacement. Many were surely pleased to see the smiley Italian back in the Premier League after he won hearts in the 15/16 season by winning the title with Leicester, but the appointment is a strange one.

Fulham's scattergun approach to the summer transfer window gave Jokanovic too many players to be able to choose his best eleven, and the Serb's rotation proved costly as none of his combinations were given time on the pitch to gel. Ultimately, the London side conceded a ridiculous 31 goals in their first 12 games and are on course to leak around 100 by the end of the season if they continue in this vein.

Therefore, it does seem odd that a manager nicknamed 'the tinker-man' is whom Shahid Khan and co are pinning their survival hopes upon.

Among other honchos tipped for the job were Arsene Wenger and Leonardo Jardim – huge names in management. It feels as though the hierarchy just wanted someone to grab headlines without thinking too much about what they actually need – similar to their 'quantity over quality' spending policy in the summer – and going for commercial appeal over pragmatism.

Ranieri's success with the Foxes was accomplished by creating a feeling of togetherness and an 'all for one, one for all' attitude that is perhaps unrivalled in the league's history and for that he deserves credit.

However, how easy will it be to replicate this kind of mentality in games when no fewer than 12 new players were brought in in the summer?

If he is to achieve success of any kind, the 67-year-old must do his best to take a polarised approach to that which his moniker suggests by picking, in particular, a backline – Jokanovic didn't name a single unchanged back four in his 12 games – as soon as possible and keeping faith in it, no matter if they concede four or five in his first match in charge.

Regardless, with Ranieri at the helm the Cottagers will likely be further adrift than they are now by Christmas and it could be a real struggle by then. While there is no doubt that he is a quality manager and a great character, it is a bad appointment in this case.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/fulham/why-claudio-ranieri-is-a-bad-appointment-at-craven-cottage

 
Mitrovic gives Fulham victory in Ranieri's first game

Fulham 3 Southampton 2

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice for Fulham as they clinched a vital win in their first match under Claudio Ranieri.

They made a poor start to the new manager's reign, falling behind to Stuart Armstrong's opener.

The Whites were ahead at the interval courtesy of Mitrovic's headed equaliser and Andre Schurrle's far-post finish.

And after Armstrong's second goal hauled Southampton level, Mitrovic volleyed in a 63rd-minute winner.

It lifted his team off the bottom of the Premier League table and increased the pressure on Southampton's former Fulham and QPR boss Mark Hughes.

It also put Fulham, beaten in their previous six matches – a run which led to Slavisa Jokanovic being sacked and replaced by Ranieri – level on points with Hughes' side.

Southampton went ahead when Nathan Redmond crossed from the left and Maxime Le Marchand's weak header away was pounced on by Armstrong, who fired home.

Earlier, Fulham had a lucky escape when Manolo Gabbiadini missed a great chance by shooting straight at Sergio Rico after the Whites keeper had parried Armstrong's shot.

But Fulham hit back when a slick move culminated in Mitrovic heading in Le Marchand's left-wing cross.

And Schurrle struck to put them in front a couple of minutes before half-time.

After Ryan Sessegnon went past Cedric Soares and sent in a low cross from the left, Schurrle sneaked behind former Fulham loanee Matt Targett to score from close range.

Armstrong equalised with a fine goal in early in the second half, sweeping the ball beyond Rico from near the edge of the penalty area.

But Mitrovic restored the lead by finding the far corner with a perfect strike after Sessegnon had headed on Cyrus Christie's cross.

Fulham: Rico, Odoi, Chambers, Le Marchand, Mawson, Christie, Sessegnon, Seri (Johansen 68), Cairney, Schurrle (Kamara 74), Mitrovic (Ayite 86).
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Kebano, Ream, Bryan.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-v-southampton-premier-league-report-241118

 
Fulham 3-2 Southampton: Hosts win thriller in Claudio Ranieri's first game in charge
Highlights and report as Fulham moved off the bottom of the Premier League

A double from Aleksandar Mitrovic ensured Claudio Ranieri got off to a winning start in charge of Fulham, who edged a 3-2 thriller over Southampton at Craven Cottage.

Fulham's defensive woes continued early on, as they went behind with just 18 minutes on the clock, after Stuart Armstrong finished well from just inside the box to score his first goal for Southampton.

However, Ranieri's side kept battling away, and got themselves level with 33 minutes on the clock through Mitrovic - his first goal for 585 minutes of Premier League football - before Schurrle got on the end of a superb Ryan Sessegnon cross to turn the match on its head two minutes before half-time.

The goals continued to flow, with Armstrong firing home an equaliser eight minutes after the break after some neat build-up play, but it was Mitrovic who decided the contest, brilliantly volleying the winner in the 63rd minute to get Ranieri up and running with three points, a victory that moves Fulham off the bottom into 19th, one point behind Saints in 17th.

Player ratings

Fulham: Rico (7), Christie (6), Mawson (6), Odoi (6), Le Marchand (6), Chambers (6), Sessegnon (8), Cairney (8), Seri (5), Schurrle (7), Mitrovic (8)

Subs: Ayite (6), Johansen (6), Kamara (N/A).

Southampton: McCarthy (6), Soares (6), Yoshida (6), Hoedt (5), Targett (6), Armstrong (8), Lemina (6), Hojbjerg (6), Redmond (5), Gabbiadini (5), Austin (5)

Subs: Elyounoussi (6), Obafemi (6).

Man of the match: Aleksandar Mitrovic

Southampton were by far the better side in the opening exchanges, and really should have taken the lead as early as the sixth minute, but Manolo Gabbiadini fired straight at Fulham goalkeeper Sergio Rico, who was already on the floor, from point-blank range.

Saints did not have to wait too much longer for their goal, though. A quick throw caught Fulham napping, Nathan Redmond clipped a cross to the back post, Maxime Le Marchand could only head clear as far as Armstrong, who took a touch past the defender before lashing the ball home.

The goal jolted Fulham into life, as they started to chase everything down and put the pressure on Southampton, and soon enough they were level through Mitrovic. Tom Cairney spread the ball wide to Le Marchand, who curled a pinpoint cross onto the head of Mitrovic, who arched his back and diverted the header into the bottom corner.

Team news

Keen to laugh off his reputation for tinkering pre-match, Ranieri kept his word, and made just one change to the side beaten 2-0 at Liverpool last time out, with Jean Michael Seri in for André Frank Zambo Anguissa. For Saints, there was no Danny Ings, whose hamstring problem kept him out of the squad. Charlie Austin, likely still seething after his rather public frustration with the refereeing in Saints's draw with Watford started. Matt Targett also came in for the suspended Ryan Bertrand.

It was all Fulham for the rest of the first half, and they got their reward for their constant pressure with Sessegnon raising the roof with a superb assist. The young winger darted through two defenders before firing a sublime cross into the path of Schurrle who steered the ball into the net to put Fulham in front.

The Premier League's most porous defence continued to look vulnerable, though, and soon enough Armstrong had breached it once more. The back heel from Cedric Soares was perfect for the onrushing Armstrong, who used the side of his boot to arrow the ball past the despairing dive of Rico in the home goal.

Mitrovic's second was worthy of winning any game. Sessegnon again with the assist, but all the credit this time went to Mitrovic, who brilliantly controlled the volley into the net. Fulham were forced to hang on for dear life at the end, with Rico making two smart saves late on, but they hung on for only their second league win of the season.

Opta stats

    Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri has won his first league game in charge of a team in six of his last seven such attempts (L1).
    Mark Hughes has won just three of his 21 Premier League games in charge of Southampton (14.3 per cent), the worst win rate of any Saints manager in the competition (min. 20 games).
    Fulham striker Aleksandr Mitrovic has scored more headed goals than any other Premier League player this season (4).
    Fulham picked up their first Premier League win in 10 matches, losing seven of the previous nine (2).
    Fulham are without a clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League games, conceding at least twice in 15 of those. The Whites are the only side in the Premier League yet to keep a clean sheet in 2018-19.

Man of the match - Aleksandar Mitrovic

The Serbia international has looked shorn of confidence of late, but when it comes to digging in, Mitrovic comes into his own. Both his goals were expertly taken, but made to look easy. The header for his first took real finesse to guide the ball away from Saints goalkeeper McCarthy, while the winner was right out of the top drawer. On his day, there are few better marksman in the Premier League.

What's next?

Fulham travel to Chelsea for a west London derby next Sunday, live on Sky Sports, while Southampton are in Carabao Cup action against Leicester in midweek, before hosting Manchester United on Saturday.



https://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-soton/390881

 
Aleksandar Mitrovic helps ensure almost perfect Saturday for Newcastle United to stay 14th

Newcastle United stay 14th after Saturday's matches with the help of 2 excellent Aleksandar Mitrovic goals.

The Premier League was back again this afternoon and Aleksandar Mitrovic has helped make it an almost perfect day for old boss Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United.

Bottom club Fulham prevented Southampton climbing above Newcastle thanks to two excellent Mitrovic goals, a first half header and a volley after the break helping to give Claudio Ranieri a winning 3-2 start.

Mitro hadn't scored for nine weeks in the Premier League but today's double takes him to seven for the season, plus he scored twice for Serbia in the international break.

Elsewhere, West Ham were hammered 4-0 at home by Manchester City, that big hit to their goal difference means any kind of Newcastle win on Monday would take the Magpies up to 13th in the table.

Meanwhile Cardiff stay in the relegation zone with a single goal defeat at Everton.

Apart from Fulham, Crystal Palace were the only bottom eight club to pick up anything, Palace getting a point in a goalless draw at a poor Manchester United. Palace stay below Newcastle on goal difference whilst Man Utd are already a massive 14 points behind leaders Man City.

If Newcastle can beat Burnley and go above West Ham, then the next target in their sights would be Brighton in 12th, they only picked up a point at home to Leicester despite taking the lead.

Rafa Benitez would have definitely taken this set of results which means Newcastle will still be 14th on Monday unless Huddersfield win at Wolves on Sunday.



https://www.themag.co.uk/2018/11/aleksandar-mitrovic-helps-ensure-almost-perfect-saturday-for-newcastle-united-to-stay-14th/

 
Fulham 3-2 Southampton: Pressure ramps up on Hughes following defeat

Southampton fell to a demoralising 3-2 defeat against Fulham this afternoon as the pressure ramps up on manager Mark Hughes.

Stuart Armstrong netted a brace for the Saints but a double from Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and another strike from Andre Schurrle saw the home side take a precious three points.

Two changes were made by Hughes ahead of the game as Charlie Austin and Matt Targett came in to replace Danny Ings and Ryan Bertrand. Both Stuart Armstrong and and Manolo Gabbiadini kept their places after good showings against Watford.

It was Saints who would have a golden opportunity to open the scoring just seven minutes in. Armstrong fired in a shot from range and Manolo Gabbiadini followed up for what seemed a simple finish, but the Italian could only shoot straight at Sergio Rico.

Alex McCarthy was also called into action in the early stages to deny former Saint Calum Chambers' header, but it was Mark Hughes' side who then grabbed the crucial opening goal of the afternoon.

Nathan Redmond lofted a cross across goal that wasn't dealt with by Fulham and Scottish international Armstrong collected the loose ball before finding the bottom corner for his first Saints goal.

Despite their position at the bottom of the table, Fulham still had some good attacking talent on show and they would have been keen to impress new manager Claudio Ranieri.

Ryan Sessegnon hit a fierce drive narrowly over the bar, but then the Cottagers drew level. Their top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic was left unmarked inside the six-yard box to head home a cross from Maxime Le Marchand and undo all the good early work from the visitors.

Just before the half-time interval, the home side went in front to complete an unexpected turnaround.

Sessegnon beat Cedric with some nice footwork and drilled a low cross to waiting Andre Schurrle at the back post, and the German had the simple task of tapping home to make it 2-1 at the break.

With Hughes' job reportedly on the line depending on the result from this game, he would have been wanting a reaction in the second period. He got that eventually but was thankful to McCarthy for keeping it 2-1 initially.

The England international saved his side with a superb low stop to deny Mitrovic a second and then saw his teammates break down the other end to make it all square again.

Cedric flicked the ball back to the onrushing Armstrong and he produced a fantastic finish into the top corner to double his tally for the afternoon.

However, it was only 2-2 for 10 minutes as Saints proved to be architects of their own downfall again.

Wesley Hoedt was pinned in the corner and surrendered possession to Fulham in a promising area, allowing Cyrus Christie to loft in a cross. The ball was not cleared and it eventually fell to Mitrovic to expertly volley home and restore his side's lead.

Saints tried hard to get back into the game with substitutes Michael Obafemi and Mohamed Elyounoussi having great opportunities to score, but it proved to be the team's inability to defend at crucial points that cost them again.



https://saintsmarching.com/2018/11/24/fulham-3-2-southampton-premier-league-pressure-ramps-up-on-hughes/

 
Mitrovic double gives Ranieri a dream start


New manager inspires Fulham to end a run of six straight defeats with a 3-2 win over Southampton

Claudio Ranieri got off to a winning start with Fulham, who ended a six-match losing run with a 3-2 victory over Southampton.

Stuart Armstrong's first Southampton goal gave Saints the lead at Craven Cottage but Aleksandar Mitrovic headed the home side level on 33 minutes.

Andre Schurrle put Fulham in front before half-time from Ryan Sessegnon's superb cross. But Southampton pulled level when Armstrong scored his second goal after the break.

Mitrovic restored Fulham's lead, volleying in his second from Sessegnon's flick-on with 27 minutes remaining, and Fulham hung on to climb off the bottom of the table with eight points.

Southampton stay in 17th, ahead of Fulham on goal difference only.

Next fixtures

Fulham: 2 Dec v Chelsea (A)
Southampton: 1 Dec v Man Utd (H)



https://www.premierleague.com/news/920018

 
Focus on Claudio Ranieri in his first match as Fulham manager
Ranieri began his reign with a 3-2 win over Southampton.

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Claudio Ranieri enjoyed a winning start to his reign at Fulham (Steven Paston/PA)

Claudio Ranieri made his Premier League return as Fulham boss in Saturday's 3-2 win over Southampton.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at the 67-year-old former Chelsea and Leicester manager's afternoon in detail.

Reception

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Claudio Ranieri (left) is greeted by Southampton manager Mark Hughes (Steven Paston/PA)

There was a spring in the step of those walking from Putney Bridge underground station and optimism in the air at Craven Cottage. There was no big introduction, but Ranieri was loudly applauded. He had told Fulham fans not to expect a miracle, but after a topsy-turvy encounter which the Cottagers won, more will be expected of the Italian.

Tinkering cleverly

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Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring Fulham's third – and decisive – goal (Steven Paston/PA)

Ranieri made just one change to the starting line-up which began Fulham's 2-0 loss at Liverpool in Slavisa Jokanovic's final match as boss. Jean Michael Seri came into midfield ahead of Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa. He prioritised defensive solidity, but there is plenty of work to do in that respect. In Ryan Sessegnon, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andre Schurrle he has attacking players who can worry opposition defenders.

Defensive toil

Pizza was the cleansheet incentive at Leicester, here it is burgers. The Cottagers and League Two Macclesfield were the only sides to have failed to keep cleansheets in English league football prior to kick-off. Now it is just the Cottagers. And on this evidence the Italian has plenty of work to do on the training ground, despite a first win in three months.

Entertainment value

Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham received plaudits for their attacking style, but it did not yield results in the top flight. Gordon Davies, Fulham's record goalscorer with 179 goals in 450 matches, was the half-time guest and commented on the best performance since the only prior league win, against Burnley on August 26. Ranieri said he would rather win ugly than lose in style. And he would likely have settled for a more straightforward day.



https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/focus-on-claudio-ranieri-in-his-first-match-as-fulham-manager-37561787.html

Fulham 3, Southampton 2
The Tinkerman Delivered

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Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Like all previous Fulham matches this season, it looked like this was going to be a dreadful day in defense after giving up the first goal. However, Claudio Ranieri's XI kept believing, stuck to their game plan and delivered a critical three points that has moved them off the bottom of the table for now.

When first looking at the lineup, it looked like Fulham were back to playing a 4-3-3 witch Chambers as the lone holding midfield. But from minute one, it was quite evident that Jean Mchael Seri was dropping back as well and playing more of a double pivot with Chambers instead. So Ranieri's preferred 4-2-3-1 will be the order here at Craven Cottage until further developments arise. It was also quite evident that two banks of four were the way they'll defend as Southampton were allowed 19 passes per defensive action.

It was nerve-wracking to watch sometimes as Nathan Redmond was almost allowed to do whatever he wanted along the right hand side. Thank goodness his crosses couldn't find a teammate to pick out. If it wasn't for Stuart Armstrong's hidden runs, Southampton's attacks wouldn't have been possible. The game started out ominously when Sergio Rico was called upon to make not one but two saves in succession. Thank goodness Mauro Gabbiadini's poor run of finishing chances continued. When Southampton finally broke the deadlock, a poor clearing attempt found the feet of Armstrong who wouldn't been able to get a free shot at goal if it wasn't for Charlie Austin blocking out Seri illegally. Fortunately for the Saints, referee Michael Oliver missed that moment and Armstrong's goal stood to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

Fortunately, Fulham's attack was the most alive it has been in over a month and their best players rose to the occasion. A well worked attacking play between Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney fed the ball to a streaking Maxime Le Marchand who was able to go as deep inside the box as possible before delivering a perfect cross to Aleksander Mitrovic who gently headed it in. Who said Le Marchand can't play left back?! Mitro was not only back on fire, but he wasn't done yet.

In Fulham's second goal, Sessegnon was not only able to control the ball quite well while being surrounded by two defenders, but he was able to use his speed to dribble past Cedric: a Euro 2016 winning Portuguese International of all people! From there, Sess delivered as beautiful of a pass to a streaking André Schürrle from point blank range to put it past Alex McCarthy.

Southampton were still delivering loads of pressure in attack and still had plenty of chances to score. However, the defensive work of Rico, Chambers, Seri and Alfie Mawson were the real unsung heroes in today's game. In fact, Mawson went on to lead all Fulham players in xG Buildup with 0.84 and displayed quite well the ball playing skills he was advertised for when he came from Swansea this summer. Even Chambers gave it a go towards goal three times this game.

In the start of the second half, Mitrovic almost got another when Tom Cairney sprang Schürrle in a lovely counter-attacking move. The German than fed it to Mitro from inside the penalty area only for McCarthy to make a crucial stop. The save was also enough for Sessegnon to just miss collecting the rebound and for Southampton to keep fighting.

Surely enough, the Saints kept on ticking as Armstrong delivered a thunder bolt from outside the penalty area. After Sessegnon failed to give Fulham possession, a well worked give and go between Cedric and Gabbiadini ended up delivering the ball to Armstrong, who was able to strike it well into the left corner past Rico to tie this harbinger of a contest. Those within Craven Cottage feared the worst as their defense once again struggled to prevent shots and goals.

Fortunately, Fulham's attack came to the rescue one last time as Cairney and Cyrus Christie worked the ball into the left hand side. The Irish International had has best game of the season bar none thanks to his calm dribbling, his ability to limit Redmond's attacking play and, for once, his ability to deliver a perfect cross that flicked off the head of Sessegnon and onto the right foot of Mitrovic who was able to volley in his second goal of the night. Craven Cottage was rocking and were once again believing this side can do it.

All three of Fulham's substitutes came in with a purpose as well, something we haven't seen since the draw with Watford, as bodies were tiring and cramping out the rest of the way. Teenager Michael Obafemi was a real pest as a super sub for Southampton and he really should have ended this contest 3-3 twice. Fortunately, like the rest of his teammates, they continued to struggle with their finishing and their buildup was lacking any quality for their players to allow the time and space to deliver good shots was enough for them to suffer defeat. They might have taken 19 shots, with 8 on target, but their 1.63 expected goals only gave them an expected shooting percentage of 8.6%. Think Fulham's poor attacking performance against Arsenal as an indicator for how poor Saints were at breaking down Ranieri's defensive system.

Ideally, Fulham would want to have more than 37% possession, but that is for another time. Their counter-attack was able to deliver 1.38 expected goals off of just 10 shots, but five of them were on target and 13.8% of their chances were expected to go in: almost double a probability as Southampton. It will be interesting to see how their defense evolves under Ranieri, but for now, plenty around the club will enjoy a solid three points is enough cause for celebration throughout the week.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/11/24/18109937/fulham-3-southampton-2

 
Fulham move off foot of table as Claudio Ranieri works his magic in first match against Southampton

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Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice as Fulham won only their second match of the season Credit: Getty Images

Nothing will ever equal the 5,000-1 miracle that Claudio Ranieri oversaw in his previous Premier League incarnation with Leicester City but only two teams in the competition's history had still ever had fewer than Fulham's five points after 12 matches.

Fast forward 90 roller-coaster minutes and his new team were celebrating not just their second win of the season but moving off the bottom of the Premier League table.

It was never likely to be convincing - Fulham are far too defensively suspect for that - but the celebrations on the final whistle were still like nothing Craven Cottage has witnessed all season.

The feelgood factor is at least fleetingly back and, in the circumstances, that was the very best anyone could have wished for.

"It was emotional to come back into Premier League with Fulham, one of the most historical clubs," said Ranieri. "I believe. I do this job because I live for emotion."

The usual post-match telephone call to his mother would soon follow and, while 99-year-old Renata never holds back in her assessments, Ranieri himself seemed very clear about Fulham's deficiencies. "We conceded too many chances and we must improve a lot, but we showed fantastic character," he said.

Aleksandar Mitrovic was ultimately the difference and, in describing his striker as "one of the best in Europe", Ranieri is at least enthused by attacking options which were hugely augmented by the performance of Ryan Sessegnon.

Mark Hughes, himself a former Fulham manager, was left to clutch for rather different straws after enduring the indignity of his own fans predicting that he will soon be looking for another job.

Southampton's form is alarming - Hughes has overseen only three wins in 20 matches since becoming manager - and his position is under huge scrutiny both internally and externally.

"Predictable - no one is surprised and we are all frustrated," said Hughes, when asked about the supporter unrest. "You have to accept being questioned. At times, it is unfair. Some people smell blood. You have to accept that - I have been through these periods before. It doesn't faze me." 

With the club having recently sacked both their football director and technical director (Les Reed and Martin Hunter), the expectation still is that Hughes will be granted more time but the patience that was shown last season to Mauricio Pellegrino - who did not leave until March - is unlikely to be repeated.

Hughes could again point out that his players had lost despite largely being the better team but, after losing from yet another winning position, questions must be asked about the collective self-belief. "It is the story of our season; we did a lot of things well and there have been five or six similar games," said Hughes.

With only two full days of training at his new club, Ranieri had very deliberately avoided the famed 'Tinkerman' approach and made only one change for his first match, solidifying central midfield with the presence of Jean Michael Seri.

Danny Ings, who had either scored or created almost two thirds of Southampton's goals this season, had failed a fitness test but his team still made by far the more convincing start.

Stuart Armstrong was behind most of their best play and, after Manolo Gabbiadini had wasted one excellent chance, pounced to finish Maxine Le Marchand's partial clearance past Sergio Rico.

Scoring, however, seemed actually to negatively impact upon Southampton and they became more hesitant and less intense. Fulham exploited the dip and put together a wonderful flowing move than ended with Le Marchand crossing for Mitrovic to head beyond Alex McCarthy.

With confidence suddenly surging, it took only another 10 minutes for Fulham to take the lead. Right-back Cyrus Christie has just flashed one shot across the face of Southampton's goal before Ryan Sessegnon beat Cedric Soares and crossed perfectly for Andre Schurrle to finish.

Southampton recovered their dominance of possession at the start of the second half and, with Soares producing a wonderfully improvised back-heel to tee up Armstrong's emphatic 20-yard finish, they did draw level. The goal, though, seemed again to subtly swing the momentum back with Fulham. Christie's cross was delicately flicked on by Sessegnon and Mitrovic duly stepped forward with an unstoppable volley past McCarthy.

He was substituted with five minutes remaining and the standing ovation reflected how his contribution had not just been match-winning but potentially also season-changing.



https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/11/24/fulham-move-foot-table-claudio-ranieri-works-magic-first-match/

 
Mitrovic one of the world's best strikers, claims Ranieri

Aleksandar Mitrovic ended his goal drought on Saturday and was then hailed as one of the best strikers in the world by Claudio Ranieri.

Claudio Ranieri labelled Aleksandar Mitrovic one of the best strikers in the world after he scored twice in Saturday's priceless 3-2 win over Southampton.

Ranieri's first game in charge of Fulham, who sacked Slavisa Jokanovic with the club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League after 12 matches, ended in victory as Mitrovic claimed his first domestic goals since September, the second a superb volley.

The triumph lifted the Cottagers up to 19th in the table, but level on points with Southampton in 17th.

A delighted Ranieri said in a news conference: "Everybody is very pleased but it's a little step because it's not easy. It's not an easy job for everybody but I believe until the end.

"For me, Mitrovic is one of the best strikers in Europe. When I say in Europe, I say all the world. He's only 24 years old, he's a fantastic player and it is important to give the ball to him."

Although Ranieri saw his reign begin with a win, Fulham's defensive woes were again evident as Stuart Armstrong scored twice for Southampton. They have now conceded 33 goals in 13 league games.

Asked if he was facing one of the biggest jobs of his long career in tightening up Fulham's backline, Ranieri said: "Yes, yes. All the team must maintain the right position; it's very important.

"In this case they run less and they are always in good position and for the opponent it's more difficult.

"I asked the players to fight until the end. We played a good match but we conceded too many chances to the opponent and we have to improve a lot and work hard to improve tactically. All the year I must work, and next year."

The result piles further pressure on Mark Hughes, whose Southampton side remain winless in the league since September 1.

"We were in the ascendancy for the vast majority but defensively we allowed them clear-cut chances that they were able to take," Hughes told Sky Sports. "That is the only thing that is letting us down.

"Come tomorrow we will get the stats back and I would think all but the one that counts will be in our favour. We have to find a way to turn that around. We are a little bit too easy to score against at the moment."



Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mitrovic-one-worlds-best-strikers-claims-ranieri#mVdwGGTMpApzvHgE.99

 
Fulham eye fresh bid for Dedryck Boyata

Fulham will be hoping for better times under Claudio Ranieri as they struggled to ensure any kind of consistency during Slavisa Jokanovic's reign.

The Cottagers got off to perfect start under Ranieri today as they secured a 3-2 victory over Southampton at Craven Cottage. And, it appears as if the Italian is eyeing a potential addition, as according to the Daily Mail, Fulham are ready to make a fresh bid for Dedryck Boyata in January.

Fulham are preparing a new push to sign defender Dedryck Boyata from Celtic in January.

The Belgian international is in the final year of his Parkhead contract and could leave for free next summer.

It's thought that the Cottagers had a £9 million bid for Boyata rejected in August, but they remain interested in signing the 27-year-old for a lower fee in the next transfer window.

Claudio Ranieri will be keen to bring in his own set of players to the club in January, with Boyata being a must having witnessed their defensive performances this season.

THE VERDICT:
The Belgian is a special talent that deserves a move to the Premier League having impressed over the past year.

Sadly, the Cottager just haven't been able to ensure defensive solidity in the current campaign as they continue to lean towards relegation back to the Championship, so bringing in Boyata could will definitely help their cause.

Ranieri made a number of iconic signings during his time at the King Power Stadium and got the very best out of a number of players, so Fulham supporters will be hoping he has the same affect on their club.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/fulham-eye-fresh-bid-for-dedryck-boyata/

Cottage Talk Full Time - The Claudio Ranieri Era Begins With A Fulham Victory
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

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Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

In this episode, we shared our "initial reactions" to Fulham's 3-2 victory against Southampton. Co-host Max Cohen shared his thoughts on the win, along with Emilio Di Nello and Rob Elliott, who were both at Craven Cottage for this victory.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/11/24/18110153/cottage-talk-full-time-the-claudio-ranieri-era-begins-with-a-fulham-victory

 
Mitrovic brace gives Ranieri a dream start

A timely double from Aleksandar Mitrovic handed Claudio Ranieri a dream start to life at Craven Cottage as Fulham sneaked past Southampton in a five-goal thriller this afternoon.

Ranieri promised a more pragmatic style of football after replacing Slavisa Jokanovic with the aim of keeping Fulham in the Premier League and, whilst his new side looked defensively secure, their first victory in three months owed plenty to the attacking philosophy that the Serbian imbued in SW6. Their equaliser, after Stuart Armstrong had punished some slack defending, came from a flowing seven pass move down the left flank and Fulham's third arrived after Cyrus Christie had surged deep into Southampton territory.

In such an open contest, it was likely that both sides' defensive frailties would be severely examined. Fulham were indebted to another outstanding display of goalkeeping from Sergio Rico, who produced a splendid double save to deny Armstrong and Manolo Gabbiadini in quick succession, and continued to repel wave after wave of Southampton attacks. He could do little about their opening goal, when both Tom Cairney and Jean-Michael Seri switched off, allowing Nathan Redmond to reach Matt Targett's throw. The winger was the visitors' most potent threat all afternoon and, although Maxime Le Marchand got a touch to his cross, Armstrong tucked away a clinical finish.

Too often this season Fulham heads had dropped decisively after they had gone behind. It was the youngest member of the side, Ryan Sessegnon, who provided a spark with a determined run from midfield and a powerful shot that flew just over the bar. The teenager was heavily involved in the equaliser just after the half hour. Southampton stood off Sessegnon and he found Cairney, whose clever pass released Le Marchand, who has often appeared a reluctant left back. This time the Frenchman galloped right to the byline and produced a splendid cross which Mitrovic stooped to guide into the far corner.

Young Sessegnon was far from finished. He produced a tremendous run down the left, bamboozling Cedric Soares in the process. and delivered the perfect low cross for Andre Schurrle to tap Fulham in front at the back post. The ten minute turn around represented the first time that the Whites had led since going 2-0 up at Brighton on September 1st – and we all know how that ended.

The home side were penned back in the early stages of the second half as Southampton pushed forward. Ranieri's men almost grabbed a third on the break when Mitrovic's powerful low drive was expertly saved by McCarthy and the Saints went straight up the other end to equalise. A poor defensive header from Sessegnon allowed Soares to flick the ball into the path of Armstrong just outside the box and the Scot drove a thumping finish beyond even Rico's grasp.

Once again, the desire of the league's bottom side could have been called into question. Instead, Fulham stepped up the intensity and fought for every ball. Their determination was typified by Schurrle chasing a lost cause to the corner flag and forcing a frenzied clearance from Wesley Hoedt, which fell kindly for Christie. The Republic of Ireland international then deftly beat his man and swung over a high cross that was smartly flicked on by Sessegnon for Mitrovic at the back post. The Serbian swiftly readjusted his feet and volleyed splendidly into the bottom corner, leaving McCarthy rooted to the spot.

There was still nearly half an hour for Fulham to hang on – and the finale was terrifying and gripping in equal measure. Southampton rallied and probably should have claimed a point. Rico made two further excellent reaction stops, beating out a volley from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and then somehow foiled substitute Michael Obafemi, when he looked certain to score. In between, Obafemi somehow scooped a shot over the bar into the Putney End having beaten Le Marchand to a through ball. Five minutes of stoppage time seemed like a lifetime before Rico clung onto another Højbjerg effort and Michael Oliver finally called time on proceedings.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rico; Christie, Le Marchand, Odoi, Mawson; Chambers, Seri (Johansen 68); Schurrle (Kamara 74), R. Sessegnon, Cairney; Mitrovic (Ayite 86). Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Ream, Bryan, Kebano.

BOOKED: Mawson, Johansen.

GOALS: Mitrovic (32, 63), Schurrle (42).

SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): McCarthy; Soares, Targett, Yoshida, Hoedt; Lemina, Højbjerg; Gabbiadini, Redmond, Armstrong (Obafemi 81); Austin (Elyounoussi 68). Subs (not used): Gunn, Vestergaard, Stephens, Davis, Ward-Prowse.

BOOKED: Hoedt, Højbjerg, Obafemi.

GOALS: Armstrong (18, 53).

REFEREE: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

ATTENDANCE: 24,603.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/11/mitrovic-brace-gives-ranieri-a-dream-start/

 
Ranieri delighted with Fulham's fighting spirit

Claudio Ranieri was delighted with Fulham's fighting spirit after the Whites shrugged off the setback of conceding an early goal to beat Southampton and move off the bottom of the Premier League table.

The Italian admitted that his first game in charge of his new side was an emotional moment, but professed himself pleased with the focus and desire of his players. Ranieri felt that his team had made 'little steps' in terms of improving some of the problems that have dogged their faltering start to life back in the top flight, but recognised that Fulham's first victory for more than three months will lift morale around the club.

He told his post-match press conference:

    For me to come back to the Premier League is emotional. For me to come to Fulham is emotional. Emotions were high. It was an important match, and everybody is pleased, but it's a little step – it's not an easy job. I was waiting for this kind of match and it was very difficult. Southampton are a good team, and we're in a bad position. We suffered a lot, but I'm very pleased with my players because they never gave up and fought.

    We wanted to win, we showed very good fighting spirit, and our energy levels were high. I asked the players to fight until the end. After the first goal, I wanted to see our reaction and it was amazing. I'm very pleased with our fans too, they supported us until the end.

Ranieri was disappointed with the amount of scoring opportunities the Whites offered Southampton and lavished praise on Spanish goalkeeper Sergio Rico who pulled off a number of outstanding saves.

    We played a good match but gave too many chances to our opponents. Of course, I want a clean sheet and want to improve our defensive work. The whole team has to maintain the right position. I always want more. Rico had to make too many saves and I don't like it when our goalkeeper has to work too much.

He also had high praise for Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose double eventually proved decisive, and scotched any suggestions that the former Newcastle forward wouldn't fit into his long-term plans.

    For me, Mitrovi? is one of the best strikers in Europe. He's only 24 and I think he can improve more and more. At the end of the season, you'll see how many goals he'll score.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/11/ranieri-delighted-with-fulhams-fighting-spirit/

 
Claudio Ranieri & Mark Hughes: What next for the Premier League bosses?

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Claudio Ranieri's managerial regime at Fulham started with a victory over Southampton

Claudio Ranieri and Mark Hughes both knew exactly what was riding on Fulham's meeting with Southampton - and the contrasts could not have been clearer as they trudged across Craven Cottage at the conclusion of a rollercoaster encounter.

Ranieri, the 67-year-old Italian who won legendary status after topping the Premier League at Leicester City, had a spring in his step - accompanied by the sound of elated Fulham fans - following his side's 3-2 win.

Hughes, meanwhile, looked like a man walking closer to the precipice.

So what does the future hold for one manager at the start of his reign and another shrouded in speculation that he may be nearing the end of his time on the managerial throne?

Ranieri realises the size of his task
Claudio Ranieri has spent the early days of his Fulham supremacy - albeit a start interrupted by an international break - repeatedly working on enforcing his philosophy with a squad that had lost its way under his predecessor, Slavisa Jokanovic.

One of his main early messages has been unity of purpose, building the team not just on the field but off it too - a point illustrated by the fact he went around all the departments at Fulham with his staff on his first day to make his formal introductions.

Fulham's players have been given a video run-through of recent games and the message is clear: Fulham must be more organised and harder to beat.

And Ranieri will be repeating his mantra until it is fully understood by every squad member at their Motspur Park training headquarters. Repetition will become a buzz-word.

Ranieri, it is understood, believes there is genuine quality in Fulham's squad but he must apply the sort of structure and organisation that has been a trademark throughout his career, with winning ugly being perfectly acceptable if it achieves the short term goal of safety.

And while this win could hardly be described as 'ugly', it wasn't too pretty either, leaving Ranieri to cut a not wholly satisfied figure when he addressed the media at his post-match briefing.

"This is not an easy job," he said. "We played well but conceded too many chances to the opposition. We have to improve a lot. We have to improve tactically."

He had a point.

For 25 minutes Fulham were over-run by Southampton, but the man who insists his players "will fight and never give up" was provided with some evidence that this part of his message is already hitting home.

Fulham answered the setback of going behind, then losing a lead to scrap in a manner rarely seen this season. And while Southampton may feel the result treats them harshly, Ranieri was not complaining.

The boss spoke of "little steps", and this was the first one on a long road to recovery for Fulham.

Fulham remain in the relegation zone, but there was a much healthier and happier feeling around Craven Cottage after only their second league win of the season.

Should Southampton stick or twist?
"We are in the business of winning football matches," said Southampton Mark Hughes as he reflected on a setback that will heat up the debate about his future.

Hughes, however, is not in the business of winning football matches and has the scorecard to prove it.

He has a dismal record of three wins from 21 league games since he succeeded Mauricio Pellegrino, and Southampton are now on a sequence of no wins in nine league matches this season.

Hughes was on the mark when he claimed Southampton could have got something from this game, as for periods they matched Fulham and more. But the devil was in the detail as he lamented his lot post-match.

"Unfortunately this has been the story of our season," he said. "There have been five or six games when we have been the better team, more dominant, had more shots but end up without the points."

In the worst sort of way, a pattern is emerging.

The problem, as Slavisa Jokanovic discovered at Fulham, is that hard luck stories lose their lustre when a board senses the threat of relegation.

Southampton have just eight points from 13 games, the same as Cardiff City and Fulham just below them in the relegation places.

And the jeopardy for Hughes is Southampton show no sign of getting the points they need. Even if they are playing as well as he suggests, the Saints board were accused of leaving it too late - almost fatally so - before making a managerial change last season.

They may not be quite so patient this season.

Hughes has played the game and knows the rules, saying: "There are always questions - noise as I call it - when people question your position and your work. We have to accept them if results aren't what you want them to be.

"At times it is a bit unfair because sometimes it builds and people smell blood, go after it and paint it in a different light than it is. It is the world we live in and the world I operate in, but it doesn't faze me."

Hughes was in a defiant mood but reality dictates that this result places him under serious pressure and at the mercy of the patience of Southampton's hierarchy.

The desire for change is already in evidence at Southampton, with vice-chairman Les Reed leaving the club in early November after eight years as part of "constructive action" to provide a new direction and drive amid a review of the club's football operation. Technical director Martin Hunter was another departure.

Fulham decided to twist when they dispensed with Jokanovic, who took them in to the Premier League, and brought in Ranieri.

Hughes must hope Southampton take a different route and stick. But with every loss - especially to a relegation rival - and extension of their poor run, he will know the temptation will increase.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46331373

 
What Claudio Ranieri changed to steer Fulham to victory over Southampton

Getting the most out of Ryan Sessegnon, making Aleksandar Mitrovic believe again and instilling fighting spirit - we look at how Claudio Ranieri masterminded a 3-2 victory over Southampton in his first game in charge.

He is no stranger to a relegation dogfight, but the task Ranieri undertook at Fulham was a daunting one. Only five clubs in Premier League history who garnered six points or fewer after 12 games have stayed up and, to make their situation seem more desperate, Fulham had lost six in a row in all competitions before Slavisa Jokanovic was relieved of his duties.

Undeterred, Ranieri insisted he is the right man for the job, and has a plan to guide Fulham to Premier League safety.

It has all got off to a positive start with a thrilling success over Southampton at Craven Cottage, but just how did Ranieri inspire his team - who had not scored a goal since October 20 - to a crucial three points? We take a look...

Pulled Sessegnon wide to utilise his strengths

---

Sessegnon, it is safe to say, has not lived up to the burgeoning reputation that followed him from the Championship so far this season. A host of top clubs were reportedly courting the 18-year-old, before he penned a new deal at Craven Cottage.

One goal and one assist from 10 Premier League starts certainly represents something of a slow start, but against Saints, Sessegnon helped himself to two assists, and proved to be a general menace all afternoon.

He benefited from being deployed in a much wider position. A look at the average position data in the recent defeats at home to Bournemouth and away at Cardiff shows Sessegnon taking up a central role, where he cannot utilise his skillset in such a congested area.

Against Southampton, Ranieri ensured Sessegnon stayed wide, and pushed up the pitch, higher and wider than he has played all season. With confidence low, getting Sessegnon one v one was imperative, and Ranieri did just that at Craven Cottage.

His assist for Mitrovic's equaliser will give him the world of confidence to take the attack to the opposition, and with such a myriad of opponent-beating ability, expect his goal-contribution stats to continue to improve.

Got Mitrovic to believe again

---

Life at Fulham could not have begun better for Mitrovic. Four goals in his first four games ensured the Fulham faithful quickly had a new hero, but such highs were shortlived, as the goals dried up, dramatically.

Before his header to level things up against Southampton, Mitrovic had gone 585 minutes without a league goal, but perhaps Ranieri's lofty opinion of Mitrovic rubbed off on the Serbia international at Craven Cottage.

"For me Mitrovic is one of the best strikers in Europe. When I say Europe, let's say the world," Ranieri eulogised after the match. "He's only 24 years old, he's a fantastic player."

Mitrovic's two brilliantly-taken goals against Southampton were not the finishes of a man shorn of confidence, with his first header guided home with perfection, before his volleyed winner stunned the masses in west London. Ranieri's positivity, which he is noted for, has already revitalised a striker in desperate need of goals. Another goalscoring run could now be in the offing as a result.

Fight, fight, fight

---

There are some very simple techniques adopted by many a great leader to drill the message into their respective charges, and wily old Ranieri is no stranger to such tactics.

"We must battle hard," Ranieri said in his programme notes. "I try to improve the fighting spirit of the players. In our position, quality is not enough. Combining quality with fighting spirit, we can do a good job. We need to get to work right now."

Fulham splashed the cash in the summer, but brought in some real quality players, pipping plenty of high-profile clubs to the signing of Jean Michael Seri for example. But the problem has not been a lack of quality, more that as soon as they fell behind in a game, capitulation would follow. Nothing to do with quality, just simple fighting spirit.

Ranieri identified this area of weakness straight away and mentioned it in almost every interview he did this week, before hammering home the message in his programme notes.

And the message certainly got through to his players. When Southampton took the lead, Fulham raised their game, and got angry. They still had to hold on at the end, but every player was behind the ball in stoppage time, throwing themselves in the way for the cause. It is such an easy thing to overlook, but in a game of such fine margins, those willing to do battle could well win the day.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11562871/what-claudio-ranieri-changed-to-steer-fulham-to-victory-over-southampton