Sunday Fulham Stuff - 01/09/24...

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Results

Saturday 31/08
Arsenal	1-1	Brighton
Brentford	3-1	Southampton
Everton	2-3	Bournemouth
Ipswich	1-1	Fulham
		Traoré
Leicester	1-2	Villa
Forest	1-1	Wolves
West Ham	1-3	Man City

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Ipswich Town 1-1 Fulham
Ipswich Town earned their first point after returning to the Premier League, but could not force a win over Fulham in a scrappy encounter at Portman Road.

Liam Delap's fine shot in the 15th minute gave the hosts the lead for the forward's first goal since his summer transfer from Manchester City.

But the impressive Adama Traore levelled for Fulham when he drilled in a low strike before half-time.

Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno made several important saves after the break to deny Ipswich their first win in the top flight since April 2002.

Leno's fingertips took a deflected Delap shot away from the target, and he dived at the feet of Chiedozie Ogbene before blocking substitute Omari Hutchinson's effort deep into injury time.

Follow reaction to all Saturday's Premier League games

Ipswich finished strongly to claim a gritty draw following a tough start to the season, which saw them lose at home to Liverpool and then away to champions Manchester City.

The result lifted Kieran McKenna's side out of the bottom three, while Fulham lay in 11th place on four points from three games.

Ipswich show spirit after tough start
Far from disgraced in their opening two league games, Ipswich were nevertheless under threat of two straight home defeats for the first time under McKenna before kick-off.

Factor in a dispiriting defeat on penalties to AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup in midweek and a nervous opening would have been understandable.

Delap lifted the mood with an excellent run and shot that burst through Leno's hands, but Ipswich went into their shell for much of the rest of the first half.

Kalvin Phillips made his first start in the league since arriving on loan from City, having been prevented from playing against his parent club, and lasted 70 minutes before being substituted.

Phillips and another summer arrival in Ogbene contributed to an energetic Ipswich performance, especially after the break when McKenna's outfit were chasing a win against a side largely content to sit back.

Delap continued to be a threat, but Ipswich will need to take their chances in what is sure to be a tough season.

"It is a step in the right direction, and so was the performance," Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna told BBC Match of the Day.

"We are adapting to the level, improving all the time and integrating players all the time, today we had six players who have joined us this summer.

"We were competing against a well-established team at this level so to compete how we did is a positive and we feel we have lots to come.

"Some of our pressing in the first half was excellent, and the organisation and discipline against a team that can give you problems was really, really good."

Cottagers fail to convert chances
Going a goal behind after a quarter of an hour provoked Marco Silva's side into action, and they deservedly equalised 17 minutes later.

Antonee Robinson's low cross from the left was met perfectly by Traore, giving the 28-year-old just his third goal since his arrival at Craven Cottage just over a year ago.

Rodrigo Muniz, Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez all had chances, but the Ipswich goal was never under sustained threat.

The draw preserved their record of never winning more than one of their opening three games in the Premier League since 2008.

"The reaction from us was good, we scored a good equaliser and after that we took a step forward and were completely in control," Silva reflected to BBC Match of the Day.

"The second half was a lot more difficult for us, we were not able to control the game the way we liked. We were solid, we did not give many things but we did not create.

"We should create a lot more when we are on the ball, we have to be more effective in our build up and have more chances to score."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c93p14l9qp1t

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Post-Ipswich Town Press Conference
Marco Silva believed his side were solid in a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town.

"Tough Premier League game, as always, against a side that you know are going to be really to play against. We know it can be tough to play here because last season we played against them in a different competition with great support from the home crowd.

"You can say it was a balanced game, both sides trying to get the control of the game. We should have done much better to be tight to Liam Delap driving the ball from the half-way line for their goal, but the reaction was good from us, and we scored a very good goal in an open play moment.

"From then, I think we did control the game with a clear chance from Rodrigo to score. Moments that we have to be clinical, we have to build to be ruthless and to punish them in those types of situations.

"We were solid in the second half, but not in the way that we like to play, not with that quality in our build up and it was more difficult for us to create chances. There were all the defensive set pieces, a lot of situations there, and I think we were really solid, we were brave enough in those moments.

"It's a game, of course, that we wanted to win, we wanted the three points. We got one point, and we move on to prepare for the next one."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/august/31/post-ipswich-town-press-conference/

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Premier League match report: Ipswich Town 1-1 Fulham
Ipswich Town picked up their first point of the Premier League campaign, battling hard to earn a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Portman Road.

 The Blues stunned their opponents early on as Liam Delap rifled a strike into the top corner from distance, but they were pegged back later on in the first half as Adama Traore fired home from close range.

The hosts had the better of the chances after the break but couldn't find the winner they were looking for, although the performance gave those in attendance a lot of optimism for the rest of the campaign.

Town started the match with a real intensity, one which was only halted briefly in the opening stages when Leif Davis ran into Traore, sending the Town left-back crashing to the floor. The Blues won the opening corner of the match soon after, with Bernd Leno forced to claw Jacob Greaves' looping header off the line.

 Fulham started to turn the tide. Traore got the better of Davis down Ipswich's left but was unable to set up a team-mate. The Cottagers kept delivering dangerous balls into the box, but they couldn't quite find the space to create anything of note in the opening 10 minutes.

A powerful goal kick from Arijanet Muric in the 11th minute saw Omari Hutchinson judge the bounce of the ball before beating his man and breaking forward. He had space to take aim but ended up cutting inside and rolling it into the gloves of Leno.

 Fulham were able to maintain pressure for a period but crumbled as Town's counterpress saw them launch up the field via Davis. He played it centrally to Delap, who shrugged off his man before rifling a stunning strike into the top left corner from more than 20 yards out, putting his side ahead after 15 minutes.

A corner in the 19th minute saw the striker head just wide of the Fulham goal. The visitors tried to play out from the back, but Hutchinson chased down the ball and forced it out of play.

The Cottagers had a lengthy period of possession around the half-hour mark, but they struggled to really create anything of note until forcing an overload down their left flank in the 32nd minute. That saw Antonee Robinson find space to pick out Traore in the middle, allowing the powerful winger to equalise with a first-time finish.

 They came again just a few seconds later. Traore's looping cross flew over Luke Woolfenden and landed on the head of Rodrigo Muniz, but his low effort was held by Muric.

There were clearly some teething issues in Town's team, which is understandable for a group making such a big step up to play in the Premier League. Axel Tuanzebe was caught on the ball as Fulham pushed forward, forcing Sam Morsy to foul Muniz. The skipper voiced his frustration to the former Manchester United as he received a yellow card from referee Lewis Smith, the first of the game.

The Blues managed to find some space to break down the left as Hutchinson picked out Davis in the 38th minute. A low cross into the box forced Calvin Bassey to turn the ball behind for a corner, but it was played straight out of play by the left-back.

 They came again a couple of minutes later. A long ball played onto the head of Ogbene saw him test Leno before Szmodics scooped the rebound over the crossbar. His blushes were spared, however, as the flag was raised for offside.

The second half picked up where the first left off, with plenty of intensity and end-to-end play. A surging run from Delap saw Sasa Lukic hack him down within five minutes of the restart, picking up a yellow card. Traore was penalised for a foul on Davis a few seconds later, but Ipswich couldn't capitalise from the resulting free-kick.

Everything started to click into place for them. Crisp build-up play saw Hutchinson and Morsy combine, allowing the latter to curl a cross into the box which Delap had to hold up. He used his strength to turn and take aim, forcing Leno to palm it away before Szmodics could get to the rebound.

They continued to ramp up the pressure, with Fulham getting agitated and committing fouls in dangerous areas. Town matched their physicality but were clever in the right moments, breaking down the right as Robinson was forced to bring down Ogbene just before the hour-mark, picking up a booking. Davis took aim from the free-kick but it smacked the wall and deflected out of play.

 Fulham, as an established Premier League side, always have the ability to create something from nothing. A looping cross flew over the head of Tuanzebe in the 65th minute, allowing Traore to hold the ball and set up Smith Rowe, who curled an effort off Greaves and out for a corner.

Ipswich dealt with it well, but the ball was only cleared out as far as the former Arsenal winger, who saw a powerful effort blocked once again.

 A quick break in the 68th minute saw Hutchinson pick out Ogbene with a superb through ball, but Leno beat him to it before he could take aim. Looking to keep the momentum, Kieran McKenna introduced fresh legs in midfield, bringing on Jens Cajuste for Kalvin Phillips.

Marco Silva responded with a change of his own, taking off Smith Rowe and bringing on towering midfielder Sander Berge. That saw Andreas Pereira move into a more advanced role, allowing him to get Fulham further up the pitch.

Further reinforcements were soon brought on. Jack Clarke, making his Premier League debut, was presented with an opportunity to cut inside and curl a shot at goal late on, but he couldn't quite test Leno in the Fulham goal.

They threw everyone forward in stoppage time, with five minutes added on. Hutchinson turned inside the box to force a good close-range save from Leno. It proved to be the last real chance of the match, a performance that proved what the Blues are capable of at the top level.

Town XI: 3-4-2-1: Muric; Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Greaves; Ogbene (Chaplin 88'), Morsy, Phillips (Cajuste 71'); Davis; Hutchinson, Szmodics (J. Clarke 81'); Delap (Al-Hamadi 81')

Fulham XI: 4-2-3-1: Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic (Reed 87'), Pereira (Cairney 87'); Traore, Smith Rowe (Berge 72'), Iwobi (Wilson 87'); Muniz (Jimenez 79')

Attendance: 29,517 (2,952)



https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/24554116.premier-league-match-report-ipswich-town-1-1-fulham/

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Norwich U18s 1-5 Fulham U18s
Fulham Under-18s recorded their first league win of the season with a stunning 5-1 victory at Norwich.

There were four different goalscorers, with Aidan Evans, Luca Picotto, Macaulay Zepa (x2) and Farhaan Ali Wahid helping us to back-to-back victories in all competitions following our 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the Premier League Cup on Tuesday.

We flew out the traps in the opening minutes, as Evans gave us the lead with a calm finish inside the box.

However, Ali Melloul's side were pegged back immediately as a stunning strike from Rio Mundle flew into the top corner, leaving Marco Underwood with no chance.

Zepa opened his account for the season in Tuesday's win over Boro and he nearly added another as he fired a shot just past the post after playing a neat one-two with Evans.

We regained the lead on 15 minutes. Picotto reacted quickest to a ball bouncing in the box and his half volley was placed beautifully into the roof of the net.

Despite playing at left-back, Picotto had freedom to get forward, popping up in the box to meet Bashil Lubega's cutback, but he put his shot over the bar.

On the stroke of half time, Zepa extended our lead as he drilled a shot into the corner, just out of the reach of Norwich goalkeeper Jack Ruddy.

He grabbed his brace just after the hour mark after being played in by Evans. The winger drifted from the right flank, found space in the box and found the near corner.

10 minutes later, Underwood was forced to make an instinctive reaction save from a goalmouth scramble as he tipped over Damari Daley's acrobatic effort.

Ali Wahid added some extra gloss to the scoreline with nine minutes to play as he pounced on a mistake from Ruddy and dribbled the ball into an empty net.

Our Under-18s are next in action against Reading on Saturday  14th September, 11am kick-off.
Norwich City U18: Ruddy, Oligbo, Adelusi, Keita, Ozcan, Chilvers, Ofori-Manteaw, Mundle, Valencia Gomez, Daley, Sealey

Subs: Simbai, Okpiahele, Madu, Northover, Owen

Fulham U18: Underwood, Walters, Cooke, Slade, Picotto, Ridgeon (Khan 84'), Quashie, Lubega, Zepa, Evans (Platel 84'), Ali-Wahid

Subs: Varney, Platel, Khan, Hall, Simoni



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/august/31/norwich-u18s-1-5-fulham-u18s/

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Exeter City set for huge windfall from Jay Stansfield sell-on clause
Grecians will benefit to the tune of around £2m after striker joins Birmingham City

Exeter City are set for a huge windfall after fellow League One club Birmingham City completed the signing of Fulham striker Jay Stansfield. The Blues completed the deal of the former Grecians academy product on deadline day, signing him to a seven-year deal.

While finalising their second signing of the night and 16th of the summer, Celtic's Tomoki Iwata, the American-owned club - demoted from the Championship last season - then completed their 17th signing with the biggest deal yet. It is believed that they agreed to pay Fulham a fee in excess of £10m, plus bonuses if Blues are promoted, after the Premier League team had rejected an initial offer earlier on Friday.

Fulham will also profit from any future move due to a sell-on clause included in the agreement. Although the price officially remains "undisclosed", it has undoubtedly shattered the League One transfer record. This was previously thought to be the £4m Sunderland paid to Wigan Athletic for Will Grigg five years ago.

But the Grecians will benefit from the sale. When Stansfield left City's academy to join Fulham in August, for an undisclosed fee, that offer did also includes add-ons and a sell on clause. The exact nature of the sell-on clause has not been named public, but is thought to be in the region of 15-20 per cent, meaning Exeter will recieve around £2m - if not more - as a result of the deal - although the exact figure will depend on what the transfer fee Birmingham paid Fulham was.

Stansfield, son of late former Exeter City player Adam Stansfield, has made 10 appearances for Fulham since joining the west London club in 2019, scoring twice - both in League Cup ties against Blues, the second of them only this week. He memorably had a loan spell back at St James Park in the 2022/23 season, scoring nine goals in 39 games, including a hat-trick on the final day of the seaso.

He scored 13 goals in 47 appearances for Blues in his season on loan, won all Birmingham City's player of the season awards and played under six different bosses - but he could not prevent the club being relegated to League One.



https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/transfer-news/exeter-city-set-huge-windfall-9522622

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Adama Traoré strikes for Fulham to deny Ipswich first Premier League win
After Liverpool, then Manchester City, a first realistic opportunity for Ipswich to lay a marker. Fulham presented a truer litmus test. And though the wins will have to come sooner rather than later, the conclusion from a helter-skelter draw in which Ipswich were usually the better team is that Kieran McKenna's side have enough talent and spirit to survive the Premier League.

Ipswich's manager has received backing to achieve that objective, around £110m worth. Ed Sheeran spent Saturday in Sofia but maintained his presence, his current tour an official club sponsor, his face and voice heavily rotated on Portman Road's public broadcast system. It isn't just the Gallagher brothers who can crash a web server. As an investor in the club, what have Suffolk's pop hobbit's spare royalties been spent on? McKenna blooded a number of signings, on-loan Kalvin Phillips making an impressive first start in midfield, Chiedozie Ogbene's speed employed effectively down the wing.

"I think the players have come away from our first three games with more belief," said McKenna. "The jump is massive but they don't feel too far away."

Ipswich's promotion through two divisions came via attacking principles. There is no sense they will be surrendering them. McKenna fielded four in attack, Ogbene off the right, Sammie Szmodics, on the other flank, with Omari Hutchinson buzzing behind the goalscorer Liam Delap.

Marco Silva, McKenna's opposing manager, has shown that a mixture of adventure and grit can establish a Premier League club. "They have shown ambition," he said of Ipswich. "I have massive respect for them." This is Fulham's third season since promotion, and a measure of their establishment as a top-division club was a bench rich in experience, including new signings Joachim Andersen and Sander Berge.

Fulham's plan appeared to centre around Adama Traoré getting at Leif Davis, the left-back's defensive shortcomings pinpointed. The reason for Davis being in Ipswich's team was soon made explicit in a key contribution to Delap's goal, intercepting Andreas Pereira's pass, zipping down the wing before supplying his teammate. If Bernd Leno might have saved it, the goal precipitated an explosion of noise from the home fans. "A great moment," said McKenna of the first Ipswich Premier League goal at Portman Road for 22 years.

Delap might have had a swift second but could only head wide. That it was Davis who left Traoré unmarked for Fulham's equaliser, converting Antonee Robinson's cross, showed the wisdom of Silva's tactics and that McKenna will have to find a means to protect Davis. There is something of the Trent Alexander-Arnold conundrum about the Wallsend Boys club product. He is a delight going forward, a very possible liability in defence.

An entertaining first half closed with Leno making a fingertip save from Ogbene's header after Phillips, seeking form and regular football, reminded everyone of his innate ability with a strafing delivery. After those lost years at Manchester City and last season's moribund loan at West Ham, the former England anchor looked more comfortable than for a long while. "He's fitted really well into the group, and we've really enjoyed having him here," said McKenna. As Phillips' influence grew, Emile Smith Rowe's faded, with the Ipswich captain Sam Morsy offering able, muscular support in the midfield battle.

Delap might not be the deadliest finisher in football history but his hard-running style was a sincere problem for Fulham. "I've never doubted him," said his manager. The 21-year-old ran himself to the point of exhaustion and forced Leno into a good second-half save after recovering a lost cause. Fulham created a few of their own chances, two falling to Smith Rowe in quick succession, only for Ipswich defenders to hurl bodies in the way. "In the second half we were solid," said Silva. "But it was more difficult to create."

Phillips left the field with 20 to play to applause, Smith Rowe also departing for Berge. Raúl Jiménez, one of those battle-hardened Fulham subs, went closest in the closing moments. Ipswich, meanwhile, desperately chased the points but that first Premier League win evaded them, Hutchinson having the best of a number of snatched opportunities. Their back gate was meanwhile often left open; if Ipswich are to survive, these are the means McKenna has chosen.



https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/adama-traor-strikes-fulham-deny-161157382.html

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Traore's goal earns point for Fulham
Adama Traore's goal earned Fulham a point at Portman Road.

Traore equalised after Liam Delap had put the hosts in front.

Delap struck from range after 15 minutes. He ran into space and unleashed a rocket into the top corner.

Fulham were level just after the half-hour mark when Traore scored his first goal of the season, after Antonee Robinson's cross found him in the box.

Rodrigo Muniz almost gave Fulham the lead, but his header from close range was saved.

Sammie Szmodics went close for Ipswich when he fired over from inside the box, after Whites keeper Bernd Leno tipped away Chiedozie Ogbene's header.

The second period was a half of little chances or quality, although Fulham striker Raul Jimenez and Ipswich's Omari Hutchinson forced saves in the final stages.
Fulham: Leno, Tete, Robinson, Diop, Bassey, Andreas Pereira (Cairney 87′), Adama Traore, Smith Rowe (Berge 72′), Lukic (Reed 87′), Iwobi (Wilson 87′), Rodrigo Muniz (Jimenez 79′)



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/traores-goal-earns-point-for-fulham

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Ipswich 1-1 Fulham: Adama Traore denies Tractor Boys maiden Premier League win
Spanish winger cancels out Liam Delap's superb solo goal, but the Tractor Boys still end their wait for a top-flight point

Premier League newcomers Ipswich picked up their first point of the season following a competitive 1-1 draw with Fulham at Portman Road.

Kieran McKenna's men had been handed a tough return to the top-flight and fell to successive defeats against Manchester City and Liverpool, but a wonderful long-range effort from Liam Delap gave them their first home goal of the campaign.

Adama Traore levelled proceedings before the break and both sides were unable to break the deadlock after the interval.

Ipswich forced Bernd Leno into action early on after Omari Hutchinson's looped corner saw Jacob Greaves' nodded effort tipped over, but it was Fulham who made the better start in Suffolk.

Target-man Rodrigo Muniz dropped deep, tempting defenders out of position before unleashing Traore in behind to win a corner. However, Marco Silva's side were unable to make the most of their early possession and chances.

A sensational run from Delap against the run of play saw him score an incredible solo effort to open his Tractor Boys account.

Leif Davis marauded down the left flank before laying it off to Delap, who joined from Manchester City in the summer. The forward picked the ball up on halfway and then skipped past defenders, driving towards goal before he unleashed a thumping strike which was buried into the top left-hand corner.

Portman Road was well up for the occasion and the home fans geed their players forward. Fulham steadied the ship and managed to regroup to equalise after 32 minutes.

Emile Smith Rowe picked out the overlapping Antonee Robinson, who burst past team-mate Alex Iwobi. The full-back's first-time delivery was fizzed low and hard across the area and Traore was well-positioned to finish into the bottom-right corner.

Delap had wreaked havoc on the Fulham back-line and his persistence nearly saw him score on the half-turn but Leno got a slight hand to deny the striker from giving Ipswich a dream start to the second half.

For Fulham it was Traore who continued where he left off with a fine performance in last week's 2-1 win over Leicester.

The rapid forward had troubled Davis all match and this time his delivery to Iwobi was laid off to Smith Rowe, but the former Arsenal midfielder's shot from six yards out was deflected behind courtesy of some brave defending.

Silva handed a league debut to Sander Berge, who joined from Burnley last week. The Norway holding midfielder gave Fulham more control in the final stages as Ipswich allowed them possession.

Berge showed his quality with a well-weighted pass to set substitute Raul Jimenez clear.

The Mexico international went one-v-one but his shot was fired straight at Arijanet Muric after some good pressure from the Ipswich defence.

Ipswich had a late chance of their own through Hutchinson during five added minutes but the game ended 1-1.




https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/ipswich-fulham-fc-adama-traore-b1179362.html

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Ipswich and Fulham Share Spoils in Exciting Draw

Ipswich Town's Premier League Return: A Gritty Stand at Portman Road
Ipswich Clashes with Fulham
After an extended hiatus, Ipswich Town marked their Premier League comeback with a hard-fought draw against Fulham. The match at Portman Road showcased the resolve of a team reacquainting itself with the top tier's relentless pace.

Liam Delap, a recent addition from Manchester City, captured the spotlight early by netting his inaugural goal for the club in the 15th minute. His precise strike initially set Ipswich on a hopeful trajectory. However, the jubilation was short-lived as Fulham's Adama Traore demonstrated his prowess, equalising with a decisive low shot before the break.

Fulham's Resilient Defence
Fulham's Bernd Leno emerged as a key figure in the second half, his series of crucial interventions keeping the scores level. The goalkeeper's adept handling of a redirected Delap attempt was particularly notable, and his quick reaction to deny Chiedozie Ogbene and Omari Hutchinson in the closing stages further highlighted his critical role.

A Battle of Endurance
The second half turned into an endurance test for Ipswich, who pressed vigorously to clinch their first Premier League victory since 2002. Despite their energetic efforts and a stronger finish, they were held to a draw. This result not only showcased their tenacity but also lifted them momentarily out of the relegation zone.

Ipswich and Fulham: Early Season Form
This match left Fulham in a mid-table position, gathering four points from three games, reflecting a stable start to their campaign. Conversely, Ipswich's journey began more tumultuously, with challenging fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City preceding this gritty encounter.

The season is young, and both teams have demonstrated qualities that will prove essential as the weeks unfold. For Ipswich, resilience and team spirit seem to be their backbone, while Fulham's tactical discipline under pressure will serve them well.



https://eplindex.com/119177/ipswich-and-fulham-share-spoils-in-exciting-draw.html

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Ipswich earn first Premier League point
Newly-promoted Ipswich Town earned their first point of the Premier League campaign by holding Fulham to a 1-1 draw at Portman Road this afternoon.

The Tractor Boys took the lead through a terrific individual goal from Liam Delap, who ran seventy yards unattended and smashed a superb shot beyond Bernd Leno. Fulham were caught flat footed after Leif Davis had intercepted a loose pass from Andreas Pereira and the Brazilian failed to halt Delap's devastating run before the former Manchester City forward broke his Ipswich duck deliciously. The Londoners hit back before half-time when the lively Adama Traore tapped home a cross from Antonee Robinson. Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing twenty minutes and both managers could point to late chances that they failed to take.

In an absorbing start to the contest, Leno thwarted a header from Jacob Graves before Traore first showcased his ability to sprint beyond the home defence. The former Wolves winger tried to pick out Rodrigo Muniz rather than go for goal and the opening evaporated. The visitors began to take control, with Sasa Lukic an important influence again in the middle of the park, but an untimely slip from Kenny Tete gave Delap the ability to break his Ipswich duck in some style.

Delap might have had a second within three minutes the striker's header from a Davis corner whistled wide of the far post. Fulham, penned back for the next ten minutes, levelled with a move of genuine quality. Emile Smith Rowe stroked a ball out to Alex Iwobi along the left wing and the overlapping Robinson rolled a cross to the back post – giving Traore a simple close range finish. Muniz might have turned the game on its head completely afterwards but he saw a header smartly saved by Arjanet Muric. Fulham were fortunate to remain level at the break when Sammie Szmodics smashed a shot over the bar after Leno had smothered a strike from Omari Hutchinson.

Kieran McKenna's watchable outfit enjoyed the better spells of possession immediately after the interval, but it was the visitors who fashioned the clearer chances. A lovely ball from Lukic almost put the rampaging Robinson in the clear but Town's back four were alert to the danger. Smith Rowe saw a shot deflected wide before dragging a shot off target from the following corner.

But Ipswich remained a threat through a mixture of their progressive passing and inventive football in the final third. Leno raced off his line to bravely throw himself at the feet of Chiedozie Ogbene when the former Luton winger looked favourite to put his new side ahead, whilst substitute Raul Jimenez was denied by Muric at his near post after latching onto a beautiful ball from Lukic.

It was Ipswich who looked the likelier to claim their first Premier League win in more than two decades with substitute Jack Clarke shooting wide from just outside the area and former Chelsea midfielder Hutchinson going close – but Fulham were able to take a point back to London after what proved to be an ultimately frustrating afternoon.

IPSWICH TOWN (4-2-3-1): Muric; Tuanzebe, Davis, Wolfenden, Greaves; Phillips (Cajuste 71), Morsy; Smozdics (Clarke 81), Ogbene (Chaplin 88), Hutchinson; Delap (Al-Hamadi 81). Subs (not used): Walton, Johnson, O'Shea, Townsend, Luongo.

BOOKED: Morsy, Al-Hamadi.

GOAL: Delap (15).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, A. Robinson, Diop, Bassey; Lukic (Reed 87), Pereira (Cairney 87); Traore, Iwobi (Wilson 87), Smith Rowe (Berge 72); Muniz (Jimenez 79). Subs (not used): Benda, Castagne, Andersen, Cuenca.

BOOKED: Lukic, Robinson, Traore.

REFEREE: Lewis Smith (Sheffield).

ATTENDANCE: 29,517



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/08/ipswich-earn-first-premier-league-point/

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Silva salutes terrific Traore
Marco Silva saluted the 'decisiveness' of Adama Traore after the winger's close range finish rescued a point for Fulham at Ipswich Town this afternoon.

The Fulham boss told his post-match press conference at Portman Road:

He created some good moments for other players, he is in good shape, he is helping the team and the reason why he is playing is because he can be decisive for us if he can take the right decisions."

Silva said he was satisfied with a point but bemoaned a lack of a killer instinct in the final third once again.

It was a tough game against an aggressive side. They have great support which demanded us to win duels and beat the pressure. In the first half, we did this better than the second. They scored a goal in a moment where we looked comfortable and we should have done better [defensively].

The reaction [to going behind] from us was good, we scored a good equaliser and after that we took a step forward and were completely in control. The reaction from us was good, we scored a good equaliser and after that we took a step forward and were completely in control. We should create a lot more when we are on the ball, we have to be more effective in our build up and have more chances to score."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/08/silva-salutes-terrific-traore/

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Fulham never saw the best of former Millwall, QPR ace: View
Striker Matt Smith retired from football in August 2024, following an impressive final season in which he scored 24 goals in 46 League Two games for Salford City.

 The former target man has left his mark on all three EFL divisions and it is a testament to his character that Smith enjoyed his most prolific season during the campaign which turned out to be his last.

The 35-year-old is one of the first players Football League fans will think of when they hear the term 'journeyman', and he established his goalscoring prowess for the majority of clubs he played for, but at Fulham, this was not the case.

Fulham never saw the best of Smith
 Smith first burst onto the EFL scene with Oldham Athletic, then of League One, during the 2012/13 season, and he scored 11 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions.

Most notably, the striker scored four goals in as many FA Cup appearances for the Latics, including a brace against Premier League giants Liverpool in a third round in January 2013, as the Greater Manchester club defeated the Reds 3-2 in one of the greatest cup shocks in modern times.

Smith's goalscoring exploits against Merseyside-based Premier League clubs in the FA Cup would not stop there though, as he headed home an injury-time equaliser as the Latics held Everton to a 2-2 draw at Boundary Park.

 Ultimately, Oldham went on to lose their fourth round replay to the Toffees with a 3-1 defeat at Goodison Park but Smith would have his say once more, scoring yet another of his trademark towering headers.

The forward's efforts with the Latics caught the eye of Leeds United, who signed him in the summer of 2013, and he adjusted to Championship life relatively well, scoring 12 goals in 39 second tier appearances during the 2013/14 season.

His performances in West Yorkshire were enough to convince Fulham, then freshly relegated from the Premier League, to sign him on 1st September 2014.

However, Smith was unable to hit the ground running at Craven Cottage and went on loan to Bristol City, who were in League One at the time, just two months later.

The former Oldham man would remain on loan with the Robins until March 2015 and scored 13 goals in 20 appearances, including seven third tier goals in 14 outings.

 Ultimately, Oldham went on to lose their fourth round replay to the Toffees with a 3-1 defeat at Goodison Park but Smith would have his say once more, scoring yet another of his trademark towering headers.

The forward's efforts with the Latics caught the eye of Leeds United, who signed him in the summer of 2013, and he adjusted to Championship life relatively well, scoring 12 goals in 39 second tier appearances during the 2013/14 season.

His performances in West Yorkshire were enough to convince Fulham, then freshly relegated from the Premier League, to sign him on 1st September 2014.

However, Smith was unable to hit the ground running at Craven Cottage and went on loan to Bristol City, who were in League One at the time, just two months later.

The former Oldham man would remain on loan with the Robins until March 2015 and scored 13 goals in 20 appearances, including seven third tier goals in 14 outings.

Smith enjoyed greater success with QPR and Millwall
 After moving to Loftus Road, Smith scored four goals in his first 16 QPR appearances during the latter half of the 2016/17 campaign, before subsequently scoring 11 goals and providing a career-high tally of nine assists the following season, despite the fact that the R's finished just 16th in the Championship table.

The 2018/19 season, in which he scored six goals in 35 second tier appearances, would prove to be Smith's last in R's colours as he joined Millwall in the summer of 2019.

During his first season with the Lions, the forward hit double figures in the Championship, this time scoring 13, for the third time in his career, a feat he had not managed in his Fulham days.

 Smith remained at the Den until January 2022, by which time his form had majorly dropped off, and he was ready to take on a new challenge with League Two Salford.

But while fans of Salford, Millwall, QPR, Bristol City, Leeds, and Oldham all saw the best of Smith, Fulham supporters never witnessed the striker's prolific ability.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-qpr-millwall-matt-smith/

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Arsenal might have to deal with a Reiss Nelson transfer saga next summer again
Reiss Nelson made a late move to Fulham on loan from Arsenal, which paved the way for the Gunners to pursue Raheem Sterling.

Nelson has struggled for game time at the Emirates and was one of the players Arsenal was willing to sell during the transfer window.

However, he found it difficult to secure a permanent transfer, forcing Arsenal to abandon their efforts to offload him.

When Sterling became available for transfer in the final hours of deadline day, Arsenal sought to sign him and began exploring options for Nelson.

A potential move to Ipswich Town fell through, but Fulham quickly added him to their squad.

The Cottagers signed Nelson on loan to strengthen their options, but it seems this will only provide temporary relief for Arsenal.

A report in The Sun claims there is no option or obligation to make the move permanent, meaning Arsenal will need to find him a new home again next summer.

Just Arsenal Opinion

If Nelson performs well at Fulham, they could sign him permanently, or another club could take him seriously and add him to their squad.

However, if he does not, then we will struggle to find even a loan team for him when he returns.




https://www.justarsenal.com/arsenal-might-have-to-deal-with-a-reiss-nelson-transfer-saga-next-summer-again/374771

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Leicester City and Fulham tried to sign Matt Targett from Newcastle United
Newcastle United rejected deadline-day approaches from Leicester City and Fulham for full-back Matt Targett.

According to a report from HITC, Fulham and newly promoted Leicester City knocked on the doors of Newcastle United on transfer deadline day to sign Matt Targett. However, the Magpies have managed to retain the services of the English full-back who is highly admired by their manager Eddie Howe.

Targett joined the Tyneside club at the start of 2022 on an initial loan deal which was made permanent in the following summer. The Magpies forked out £15 million to bring the 28-year-old to the club. He has only featured in 42 matches for their first team and had spent the majority of last season on the sidelines with a hamstring and achilles injury.

But, even when he was fit, he only started one of a potential 11 Premier League outings which suggests he doesn't have an important role at the club. With his contract running out in two years, Fulham and Leicester City made an attempt to sign him on transfer deadline day.

Matt Targett remains at Newcastle
Both Premier League clubs held talks with the English full-back but they couldn't strike a deal with the Magpies who were not really keen on sanctioning his departure. While Newcastle were ready to sanction a temporary departure, they wanted his full wages to be paid as a part of a potential deal. More importantly, they were not overly keen on offloading one of Eddie Howe's favourites.

The Cottagers and the Foxes were not ready to meet the demands of the Magpies and the move collapsed. A return to Craven Cottage where had spent six months of his playing time back in 2018 would have seen him play a backup role to Antonee Robinson who is considered to be one of the best full-backs in the division.

However, a move to the King Power stadium could have resulted in a much bigger role as he could have competed with Victor Kristiansen for a place in the starting XI. The Danish full-back has struggled to get going since returning from a loan spell at Bologna and Targett could have been a great addition to their squad.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/09/01/leicester-city-and-fulham-tried-to-sign-matt-targett-from-newcastle-united/

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Manchester United eye Fulham star Antonee Robinson as potential Luke Shaw replacement in January
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is lining up a move for Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson to replace Luke Shaw if the club can raise the funds before the January transfer window, according to the Sun.

The Red Devils are preparing for life without the injury-prone 29-year-old, and they reckon Robinson could be the perfect long-term replacement for him.

Fulham are expected to demand around £30 million for the full-back, but Man United might need to sell before they can spend when the January transfer window opens.

The ability and athleticism of the former Bolton Wanderers defender have attracted the Red Devils, and the chance to join them could be very appealing.

Robinson ended last season with six assists in 37 Premier League games and has since weighed in with two assists in three league games this term.

Man United need a quality defender at left-back, with Ten Hag having to play Diogo Dalot in the position in the absence of the injured Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

Robinson is an upgrade on the current left-back options at the Old Trafford club, but whether Fulham will be open to doing business mid-way through the campaign is debatable.

While it is normal for clubs to already start identifying targets ahead of January, it is too early to say if Man United will eventually look to sign a player in that position during the winter transfer window.

Shaw and Malacia could both prove their fitness in the coming months, which would see the Red Devils shelve plans for a new left-back to focus on other positions if the need arises.



https://manutdnews.com/manchester-united-eye-fulham-star-antonee-robinson-as-potential-luke-shaw-replacement-in-january/

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Man United 'target Fulham full-back Antonee Robinson - but could be forced to pay £30m' as Erik ten Hag seeks long-term replacement for one Red Devils star

    Old Trafford side have considerable injury problems especially in defence
    American Robinson could replace Luke Shaw after assisting twice in two games

Manchester United are reportedly on the hunt for Fulham's Antonee Robinson as manager Erik ten Hag looks to make defensive reinforcements in the midst of an injury crisis.

The Red Devils spent more than £200million during the course of a busy summer transfer window but have a number of players facing spells on the sidelines forcing the side to ramp up their interest in the American full back, The Sun reports.

Two weeks after signing for £52m in July, Frenchman Leny Yoro fractured his left foot during a friendly game against Arsenal leaving him out for three months.

Luke Shaw is also injured once again and will miss at least one more match after picking up a calf strain at the start of pre-season training with United.

Now the Old Trafford side are getting ready to shell out on another defensive signing as they look to replace the injury-prone Englishman with Robinson.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to the season at Craven Cottage, notching two assists in his first three games including an excellent ball for Adama Traore's equaliser against Ipswich on Saturday.

Any move for Robinson would have to wait until January after the window slammed shut on Friday and the defender is not likely to come cheap.

Fulham are said to value the American, who arrived from Wigan in August 2020, at around £30m but will consider letting the star man go at this price.

United's interest comes after rivals Man City and Italian outfit AC Milan reportedly targeted Robinson last year.

The Red Devils' hectic transfer window continued right up until deadline day as they  completed the signing of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth up to £50.8m.

The 23-year-old Uruguay midfielder signed a contract until June 2029 with the option of another year, although he has not been registered in time to make his debut against Liverpool at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Ugarte's arrival, which was confirmed just 90 minutes before the transfer deadline, takes United's spending in this window past £200m. They will pay PSG an initial fee of £42.3m plus up to £8.5m in add-ons.

United's sporting director Dan Ashworth welcomed the singing of the highly-rated defensive midfielder who has averaged the second highest number of tackles per 90 minutes in Europe's major leagues since the start of the 2022-23 season.

Ashworth said: 'Signing Manuel was another of our primary targets for this summer.'

With the window now closed, United will have to hope their existing defenders can form something of a bond after Ten Hag's side slumped to a shock last-minute defeat to Brighton last week.

Joao Pedro's 95th minute winner gave the Seagulls a deserved victory after Amad Diallo cancelled out Danny Welbeck's opener.

In the opening match of the campaign, United spurned a host of good chances before finally seeing off Fulham thanks to a Joshua Zirkzee debut goal.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13801471/Man-United-Fulham-Antonee-Robinson.html