Sunday Fulham Stuff (20.03.11)

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http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/03/20/fulham-want-mark-hughes-contract-talks-102039-23001873/


Fulham want Mark Hughes contract talks

Mar 20 2011 by Dave Kidd and Janine Self, The People



FULHAM want to open contract talks with manager Mark Hughes – amid concerns he could become a target for Aston Villa.

Villa boss Gerard Houllier is under severe pressure after a disastrous 1-0 home defeat by Wolves left them just a point above the relegation zone.

Hughes is known to have admirers in the Villa boardroom, although owner Randy Lerner is still loyal to Houllier.

The Frenchman was widely criticised for fielding an under-strength side when Villa were beaten by Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Sparky signed a two-year deal when he arrived at Craven Cottage last year and the club deny suggestions that he has a clause in the deal allowing him to walk away for nothing at the end of this season.

But there are fears at Fulham that Hughes could have half an eye on bigger jobs.

Hughes had been heavily fancied to succeed Martin O'Neill at Villa when the Ulsterman's rift with Lerner became apparent. But he took the Fulham job just a fortnight before O'Neill eventually left.

Lerner backed Houllier in the January transfer market and assured him he was willing to do so again in the summer but many more defeats could make his position untenable.

Defiant Houllier last night said: "I know what I'm doing. I understand the fans' frustration. Everyone is concerned that we are going through a tough period."

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http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/football-hotline/2011/03/20/diomansy-kamara-in-talks-with-leicester-and-cardiff-about-fulham-exit-102039-23001327/


Diomansy Kamara in talks with Leicester and Cardiff about Fulham exit

Mar 20 2011

by Alan Nixon, The People


Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara wants a full-time move and is in talks with LEICESTER and CARDIFF.

The Senegalese striker has been told he can go on loan and is discussing terms but wants a permanent deal as part of the switch.

Sven Goran Eriksson's Foxes were leading the chase but are reluctant to commit beyond the end of this season – especially as Kamara, 30, is on £24,000 a week.

Cardiff will consider a permanent transfer but are also concerned about signing Kamara, on loan at Celtic at the end of last season, on those terms.

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http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/premier-league-match-reports/2011/03/20/everton-2-1-fulham-familar-story-of-the-blues-102039-23002176/


Everton 2-1 Fulham: Familar story of the Blues

Mar 20 2011


by Andrew Collomosse, The People




DAVID MOYES celebrated nine years at the Goodison helm this week and guess who were Everton's opponents on that March day back in 2002?

That's right, Fulham.

And the scoreline when Moyes made his bow? You've guessed it ... 2-1 to Everton.

So who says the fickle hand of fate does not play its part in football, even in the hard-nosed world of the Premier League?

But, unfortunately for Moyes and the home fans, this was no champagne celebration party. Everton just did enough to creep past the finishing post against a determined Fulham side who have never won a league match at Goodison and have lost their last 18 games there on the bounce.

A 35th-minute header by Seamus Coleman and a second from Fulham old boy Louis Saha four minutes after the restart appeared to put Everton in the comfort zone. But the 59th-minute introduction of frontman Bobby Zamora transformed the visitors and they pulled one back through the impressive Clint Dempsey two minutes later.

It looked as if Fulham might finally end their miserable sequence.

But Everton hung on to pass the magical 40 points mark and move into eighth place, leaving Fulham looking anxiously over their shoulders.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes said: "Everton were pegging us back and we didn't really have an outlet. But we were much more aggressive in the second half and created a number of chances that might have gone in on another day."

Moyes was happy to see a repeat of his first-match scoreline, saying: "It was a similar sort of game and 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline because in this league there's never going to be an easy win.

"I don't know whether 40 points will be enough for safety but, hopefully, we'll pick up a few more before the end of the season."

Everton were the first to threaten after a lacklustre start. Leighton Baines, a constant threat on the left, crossed for Saha, who saw his 27th-minute header cleared off the line by Carlos Salcido.

Fault

But eight minutes later Everton hit the jackpot when Baines found Leon Osman on the left and Coleman took advantage of sloppy marking to head in at the far post.

The Fulham rearguard was again at fault after the interval when Baines slipped a 25-yard free-kick to Saha, whose shot flew through the defensive wall to give Mark Schwarzer no chance.

But the floodgates did not open and the arrival of Zamora, watched by England boss Fabio Capello, for Dickson Etuhu sparked a Fulham revival that brought Dempsey's goal two minutes later.

Damien Duff's cross was laid off by Zamora into Dempsey's path and he drilled home a 20-yard shot.

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Everton 2-1 Fulham: Sunday Mirror match report


Published 22:31 19/03/11


By Derick Allsop




The names may change but the story remains the same – and Fulham were sent away nursing all-too-familiar wounds.

Everton have never been beaten in a league match on this ground by Fulham and goals by Seamus Coleman and Louis Saha confirmed their 18th consecutive ­victory in the fixture.

Fulham's performance and approach frankly deserved no better than this unwanted record in the top flight of the English game.

For all the touchline angst of manager Mark Hughes, too few of his players ­displayed the commitment required of a club still too close to the lower reaches of the table for comfort.

Only when they were 2-0 down did Fulham show any genuine conviction or appetite for the fight and Clint Dempsey's goal merely compounded the folly of their earlier lack of ambition.

David Moyes began his reign at Goodison Park nine years ago with a 2-1 win against Fulham, and he was practically assured the usual result as the visitors retreated in the face of Everton's early offensives.

But Dempsey's goal sent a shiver of apprehension through the blue ranks and gave Fulham the belief that they could salvage something from this jinxed trip.

Early on, Fulham striker Saha climbed to meet Leighton Baines' corner only for his header to be blocked. A succession of corners proved no more productive for Everton. Saha ought to have made more of another delivery from Baines and

Carlos Salcido, stationed at the far post, had time to clear. Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was just as comfortable gathering a header from Jack Rodwell.

Everton's persistence was eventually rewarded when Leon Osman chipped a perfect cross for Coleman to head with equal accuracy beyond Schwarzer's reach.

The breakthrough forced Fulham to emerge from their bunker and explore Everton's half of the pitch.

It still took them until the 45th minute to threaten Tim Howard's goal and even then the keeper was untroubled as Dempsey's blast veered wide.

Fulham's cause became ­virtually mission impossible early in the second half.

Baines rolled a free-kick to Saha and he drilled a low right-foot shot between the legs of Danny Murphy and past a startled Schwarzer.

The points would certainly have been secure for Everton if Coleman's long-range effort hadn't been saved by the ­acrobatic Schwarzer – but then Hughes sent on Bobby Zamora and Fulham suddenly found a sense of purpose.

Damien Duff, ineffective for over an hour, picked out Zamora, who set up Dempsey to pull one back.

Hughes glimpsed the prospect of a comeback and added Gael Kakuta to his attacking options, and their cause was aided by Everton's anxiety.

But the home defence held firm in the end, albeit with a dose of good fortune.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Everton-2-1-Fulham-Sunday-Mirror-match-report-Seamus-Coleman-and-Louis-Saha-combine-to-give-David-Moyes-a-happy-10th-anniversary-article715602.html#ixzz1H7Zp6r00

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/19/everton-fulham-premier-league?INTCMP=SRCH

Everton see off Fulham to lift David Moyes on anniversary

Comments (31) Observer report


Everton 2 Coleman 36, Saha 49
Fulham 1 Dempsey 62

Tim Rich at Goodison Park guardian.co.uk, Saturday 19 March 2011 19.35 GMT


The Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is unable to stop Seamus Coleman's header putting Everton 1-0 up. Photograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Flying in the face of the truism that diamonds are a girl's best friend, Lorraine Case's family bought her an advertising hoarding at Goodison Park and sponsorship of this match to celebrate her 40th birthday. On reflection, Lorraine should have demanded the stones. Diamonds are forever, memories of this match, except in the Case household, are likely to fade rather more quickly.

It was also David Moyes's birthday; his ninth anniversary as manager of Everton. His first game had been against Fulham, won by the same scoreline amid a cascade of optimism. Earlier this week, Moyes had celebrated the landmark with an interview full of shadows and with rather more regret than there should have been for a manager with his achievements. It suggested that the summer will be critical if he is to take his tenure into double figures.

Once more, Everton are finishing a season strongly and once more Moyes may ask himself what they might have achieved with a decent beginning and rather fewer injuries. On Saturdaynight they endured another with Louis Saha, whose fierce free-kick driven through an unstable wall proved decisive, carried off on a stretcher three minutes from the finish with an ankle injury.

The result was as predictable as a pair of birthday socks. This was Everton's 18th straight home victory over Fulham. Not since 1959, the year Tommy Trinder, with his catchphrase of: 'You lucky, lucky people' took over as chairman at Craven Cottage, have Fulham left Goodison Park with a point. Since they have never won at Anfield, this was a familiar road to Merseyside, paved with shards of glass.

Perhaps it was the blossom in Stanley Park, the soft spring sunshine or the fact that, compared to the dramas enveloping the clubs below them, nothing very much was at stake, but this was an end-of-term game sometimes played at an end-of-term pace.

After half an hour during which almost nothing happened, the lethargy began to infect the Fulham defence, which left Seamus Coleman entirely unmarked as Leon Osman sent over a deep cross that, too late, Carlos Salcido realised was heading squarely for the Irishman's forehead. It was directed powerfully and beautifully past Mark Schwarzer, who before kick-off had been shown on the big screens pulling a series of Everton goals from the back of his net.

Salcido did not have a bad match. He had already cleared off the line from Saha when, late in the second half, he dived full length to deflect a Phil Jagielka header that looked utterly goal-bound.

"We were too passive and we paid the price," Mark Hughes said of his Fulham team. "We gave ourselves too much to do and the second-half performance cannot mask the fact that this is the poorest we have played for a number of weeks." Perhaps it was because they knew where they were going.

Craven Cottage may be gaining a statue of Michael Jackson – a man whose relationship with Fulham is as difficult to fathom as Elvis Presley's with Rochdale – but Hughes would like a fit Bobby Zamora rather more.

Watched by Fabio Capello, the striker is still several weeks from full match fitness, but when he was introduced his first touch was to knock down a cross for Clint Dempsey to run on to. The American's finish in front of the massed ranks of the Gwladys End was entirely emphatic.

September was not much of a month for either club. Fulham lost Zamora to a broken leg while Everton were humbled in the Carling Cup by League One side Brentford and picked up only two points from the available nine. Both Hughes and Moyes will look at the season and wonder what might have been.

THE FANS' PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT
STEVE JONES, BlueKipper.com We deserved that overall. The first half was poor, though we dominated it – it looked as if the 22 players had been drinking all afternoon rather than the fans. But we stepped it up in the second half. Saha's goal was a great strike – he gets a lot of criticism for his injuries but when he does play he's top class. It was a great header from Coleman too and he was my man of the match. Even after Fulham scored, they didn't really threaten, though Zamora made a difference. Things have been a bit downbeat in the past couple of weeks but we're up to eighth with an outside chance of Europe. .

The fan's player ratings Howard 7; Hibbert 7, Jagielka 7, Distin 7, Baines 7; Coleman 9, Rodwell 6 (Bilyaletdinov 77 n/a), Neville 7; Osman 7; Cahill 7 (Heitinga 69 7); Saha 7 (Beckford 87 n/a)

DAVID LLOYD, TOOFIF.co.uk It was too little too late in the end. We contained them reasonably well in the first half but we didn't show enough urgency. The second goal was a killer. We had a free-kick that Everton countered quickly and all of a sudden we were 2-0 down and chasing the game. From then on we actually came into the game. Zamora came on and set up Dempsey – he doesn't look 100% but he makes such a difference to us. He even had a glorious chance to level for us late in the second half. We are only three points from the relegation zone. I'm optimist by nature but I'm not taking anything for granted.

The fan's player ratings Schwarzer 6; Baird 6, Hughes 6, Hangeland 5, Salcido 7; Etuhu 6 (Zamora 61 6); Duff 6 (Kakuta 75 5) Dembélé 5, Murphy 7, Dempsey 6; Johnson 6 (Gudjohnsen 84 5),

To take part in the Fans' Verdict, email [email protected]

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Match Stats -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/match/3111204

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/7944135/Everton-2-Fulham-1-match-report.html

Everton 2 Fulham 1: match report

Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Everton and Fulham at Goodison Park on Saturday March 19.
      

EVERTON 2 - 1 FULHAM Saturday, March 19 17:30
Premier League
Goodison Park Coleman (36)Saha (49) (HT 1-0)
ATT: 33,239 Dempsey (62)


Pumped up: Louis Saha (right) celebrates after scoring Everton's second goal during against Fulham Photo: GETTY IMAGES By Rory Smith 7:30PM GMT 19 Mar 2011
Rory's Twitter

1 Comment

Nine years and 418 games on, the opponents, the outcome and the score were all the same. The effect, though, was entirely different.

Fulham were the first team David Moyes faced as Everton manager when he arrived at Goodison Park in 2002. His team won that game 2-1, too. But that was an Everton with relegation to avoid, a future to fight for, a status to preserve. This is an Everton with no such inspiration.

Victory here, thanks to goals from Seamus Coleman and Louis Saha, might have propelled the Scot's side to eighth in the Premier League, within touching distance of Liverpool, but bragging rights only mean so much.

Everton are in no danger of relegation, and require a miracle to reach Europe.

"Most years we have been looking up, rather than down," said Moyes. This season, they are left with nothing but navel-gazing.

They may be left without Saha, too. The striker was carried off in agony in the dying stages and due to have an X-ray on an injured ankle.

That will not help Moyes indulge the delusion of Europe. Everton do, indeed, have a slim chance of reaching the Europa League, but require Manchester City to win the FA Cup, finish outside the Champions League places and the moon to spend much of April in Aquarius.

After Coleman's expertly-placed header, it was Saha's fierce free-kick which enabled that dream – fantasy – to persist, the Frenchman whistling an effort through Fulham's wall to put the hosts two goals ahead immediately after the break.

Clint Dempsey's low shot threatened to give the hosts a rather hairier conclusion than they might have desired, but Fulham, even with Bobby Zamora's introduction, could offer little more than a fleeting threat.

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http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/saha-strikes-but-everton-fail-to-sparkle-2247127.html


Saha strikes but Everton fail to sparkle


Everton 2 Fulham 1

By Chris Brereton at Goodison Park


Sunday, 20 March 2011


Nine years and 418 games ago this week, Everton manager David Moyes opened his Goodison Park managerial career with a home victory over Fulham. Many things have changed in the intervening years but the sense of unpredictability and frustration that surely comes with following his side remains as potent as ever.

"It's a dangerous result, 2-0," Moyes said after watching his side take that lead and then do their best to throw it away. "It was a good victory and we had to grind it out. We let them back into it a little from 2-0, I don't know if we came off the gas or if Fulham upped their game.

"When they got the goal it was tough, they had a lot of the ball and we had to dig in, but with the players we had out there in that situation we knew we could do that."

Two goals up and cruising to 2-1 and hanging on. Everton love to make it difficult for their fans and no more so than in this encounter. Seamus Coleman and Louis Saha gave them a comfortable looking lead and all seemed well with the world. And then, from nowhere, Clint Dempsey halved the deficit and Everton became nervous, although they just about did enough to deserve it.

Saha, a former Craven Cottage resident, looked bright and sharp from the off, Leon Osman probed on the peripheries while Coleman's burgeoning talent was also ably displayed. A Saha header was knocked off the line by Carlos Salcido but Everton finally broke Fulham's resistance before the interval as Coleman headed a superb Osman cross past Mark Schwarzer to calm the home fans' concerns. If that unsteadied Fulham, Everton's second four minutes after the restart threw their afternoon entirely off its axis. Or so it appeared.

Saha fired a low free-kick from 25 yards that Fulham's defensive wall helpfully did its best to avoid and the effort left Schwarzer unsighted and helpless. That appeared to be that but Dempsey's beautifully-taken left-foot effort just after the hour mark exacerbated the idea that Everton struggle to finish off games.

Dempsey reacted quickest in front of an Everton defence that had slush in its veins but further chances were squandered – and Saha was carried off after a nasty looking fall. Again, some things never change.

"We are disappointed really," Fulham manager Mark Hughes said.

Attendance: 33,239

Referee: Michael Oliver

Man of the match: Coleman

Match rating: 6/10

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http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/182162/Everton-2-Fulham-1/

EVERTON 2 FULHAM 1

20th March 2011


By Gary Carter


LOUIS SAHA finished off former club Fulham to ensure David Moyes had a happy ninth anniversary as Everton manager.

But the gloss was taken off the celebrations when Louis Saha ended the match on a stretcher.

And you have to fear for the Cottagers, who seemingly strolled through much of this match without a care in the world.

The game may not have been a classic but Saha's thunderous free-kick that wrapped up the points lit up Goodison Park.

It looked like it was all over as soon as Seamus Coleman expertly headed Leon Osman's cross past Mark Schwarzer on 35 minutes.

Fulham were awful – almost as bad as their record in the blue half of Merseyside, where they have never won and not taken a point since 1959.

Yet they made sure the Everton fans bit their nails to the quick after Clint Dempsey pulled one back.

If they had completed the turnaround though it would have been a travesty after the opening hour.

They looked like a side in the ultimate comfort zone, not one just three points above the drop.

Manager Mark Hughes this week distanced himself from the job at Bayern Munich – but admitted the link was 'flattering'.

If the interest is genuine it must be a no-brainer. Many more displays like this and there is every chance of them being sucked into the Championship.

It was fitting that on the ninth anniversary of Moyes' reign at Goodison Park that Everton faced Fulham – the side he started it all against with a 2-1 win.

Undoubtedly, the club has moved forward but, just like then, the need for progression is clear.

Everton knew a win would take them to that supposed magical 40-point barrier.

But there is still plenty to think about at Goodison Park – not least whether the investment that would allow Moyes to take them forward and challenge more regularly will be made available.

And with Fulham coming to Merseyside on the back of 18 straight defeats at Goodison Park confidence was high.

You would not have known that both sides had something to play for from the opening 10 minutes though.

Both defences should be given credit. Brede Hangeland looked immense and Chris Baird blocked Saha's half-chance while Sylvain Distin was equally good.

The first real effort came on 28 minutes, when Saha should have done better with a header from Leighton Baines' corner.

He was relatively free four yards out but Carlos Salcido cleared with ease.

If the Toffees' attack was blunt, then Fulham's was impotent. Hughes' men did not appear too bothered though as they aimlessly passed the ball.

Coleman's header shattered their calm and meant they now had to come out and attack.

But their quality up front was illustrated when Salcido fired in a superb cross and no striker got near it.
Hughes looked a man who had just ripped into his side.

After the terrible defending that allowed Saha Everton's second, it was a wonder he did not explode.

The Frenchman's strike was excellent but the ball shouldn't have gone through the wall after Jack Rodwell's surging run was ended by Dickson Etuhu.

Hughes threw on Bobby Zamora and he made an instant impact, laying off Damien Duff's pass to Dempsey, whose left-foot shot arrowed into the corner.

The happy ending was tarnished for Moyes and Everton though, as Saha was carried off.

Moyes said: "We let them get back into the game. We went two-nil up and I don't know if we ran out of energy or whether Fulham upped their game but they got back in it.

"When they got their goal it was tough but with the players we had out, we had to grind out a result.


EVERTON: Howard 6; Hibbert 7, Distin 8, Jagielka 6, Baines 7; Coleman 8, Neville 7, Rodwell 7 (Bilyaletdinov 77th), Osman 6; Cahill 6 (Heitinga (69th) 6), Saha 7 (Beckford 88th)

FULHAM: Schwarzer 7; Baird 6, Hangeland 7, Hughes 6, Salcido 7; Duff 6 (Kakuta 75th), Etuhu 5 (Zamora (60th) 7), Murphy 7, Dempsey 7; Dembele 6, Johnson 6 (Gudjohnsen 84th)

STAR MAN: Seamus Coleman
Ref: M Oliver

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Everton 2 Fulham 1: Saha and Coleman on target as Toffees survive fightback


By Mark Ryan Last updated at 1:49 AM on 20th March 2011


Fulham boss Mark Hughes warned watching England manager Fabio Capello that Bobby Zamora is not ready to start games, as the Italian pondered his squad to face Wales.

But Hughes was more alarmed about his team's 'passive' approach to a defeat that might have consequences at the end of the season.

Seamus Coleman and Louis Saha ensured Everton's victory, before Zamora set up Clint Dempsey for a reply that gave the Londoners belated hope.


Back of the net: Coleman (not pictured) opens the scoring at Goodison Park with an unstoppable header

The comeback was too late, and it was England hopefuls Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines who emerged with more credit than Zamora, having spent much of the match unruffled in Everton's defence.

A a sombre Hughes said: 'We were too passive in the first half and that was disappointing. We were more aggressive in the second half but that couldn't mask what had happened before the interval.

'Zamora did fine when he came on as substitute with half an hour to go, but it is still early days for Bobby after his injury lay-off, and he is not quite ready to start games yet.'


Lou beauty: Saha celebrates after scoring Everton's second goal of the game shortly after the interval


MATCH FACTS
Everton (4-4-1-1): Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Neville, Rodwell (Bilyaletdinov 77min), Osman; Cahill (Heitinga 69); Saha (Beckford 87). Subs (not used): Mucha, Gueye, Anichebe, Baxter. Booked: Osman, Hibbert.

Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido; Duff (Kakuta 75), Murphy, Etuhu (Zamora 60), Dempsey; Dembele, Johnson (Gudjohnsen 84). Subs (not used): Stockdale, Kelly, Greening, Davies.

Referee: M Oliver (Northumberland).

Everton manager David Moyes was much more effusive about his own England players.

'I thought Jagielka played really well, as did Baines, who looked comfortable throughout.'

Left-back Baines set up Leon Osman for some trickery on the left before Coleman had time to pick his spot with a firm 36th-minute header.

And Baines touched off a free-kick for Saha to drill an explosive shot through Fulham legs just after half time, the Frenchman celebrating his 250th Premier League appearance.

Unfortunately for Saha, he later sustained an ankle injury after falling awkwardly, and was carried off for X-ray.

Fulham's glimmer of hope came when Zamora cushioned Damien Duff's cross into the path of Dempsey, who rifled his side's reply with a precise left-foot shot.

Jagielka almost caught Capello's eye in attack, but his powerful header was cleared off the line by Carlos Salcido.


Everton boss David Moyes criticised Sian Massey for being 'slow to put her flag up'. Sexist jibes at assistant ref Massey led to Sky sacking Andy Gray and Richard Keys, and Moyes said: 'The crowd were waiting for her. Sometimes you just think: Come on!'

The Everton central defender will doubtless celebrate his new four-year contract with an England call-up this weekend. As for Hhughes and Zamora, Premier League survival must remain the priority.

And Fulham will have to do better than this if they want to avoid a very ugly finish to their season.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1367875/Everton-2-Fulham-1-Louis-Saha-Seamus-Coleman-target-Toffees-survive-fightback.html#ixzz1H7jDLdZS

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http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pro_sports/other_sports/118317089_Clint_Dempsey_sets_record.html


Clint Dempsey sets record

Sunday, March 20, 2011


The Record


Clint Dempsey became the first American to score 10 goals during a Premier League season, but could not prevent Fulham from losing at Everton, 2-1, Saturday.

Fellow American, midfielder Stuart Holden, sustained a deep knee gash during Bolton's 1-0 loss to first-place Manchester United.

Dempsey struck a powerful low shot from the edge of the penalty area, beating U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard in the 62nd minute. Seamus Coleman and Louis Saha had put Everton in front and the home team held on.

Dempsey topped the American mark set by Brian McBride, who scored nine times for Fulham in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.

Holden was taken off the field by stretcher to a hospital. His left knee was cut after a cleats-up challenge by United defender Jonny Evans in the 76th minute . Evans drew a red card.

Dimitar Berbatov capitalized on Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen's error to score the winning goal in the 88th minute for his league-high 20th of the season.

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http://www.toffeeweb.com/season/10-11/comment/fan/17464.html

Our Yearly Fulham Triumph

By Luke O'Farrell :  20/03/2011


The team news came through on the way to the ground. Cahill and Neville were back in the starting XI along with Seamus. I would have liked to have seen Bily given a start, with Osman moving inside. However, that would show intent; something Moyes doesn't seem to possess. Gueye, the invisible man, made an appearance on the bench along with its regular warmers.

The game began after a minute's silence for the recent events in Japan; it was impeccably observed, as always. The first 10 mins passed by without much of note, bar a few corners and needless free kicks apiece. Neville seemed to be up for this one, he passed the ball quite well for 15 mins; he then proceeded to go AWOL.

The first noteworthy effort came from that trusty left foot of our beloved left back; flashing a 25-yarder wide, well wide in the end. Not since Sheedy and Hinchcliffe has Goodison seen such a cultured left peg.

Around 25 mins in, we forced a few corners after Cahill and then Saha had shots blocked. Baines swung one in from our left and Saha guided a header towards the far corner. For once, the full back, Salcido, had stayed on the post and the danger was cleared; we were slowly waking up. Surely a goal was coming soon, since Fulham's record at Goodison is like Europe's recent Eurovision record; abysmal.

The breakthrough finally came, around 10 mins before the break. Baines and Osman linked up well down the left hand, as they did for the majority of the first 60 mins. Baines feigned the cross and pulled the ball back to Osman. He showed his usual quick feet to waltz past Murphy and lift a lovely cross towards the back stick. Salcido, fresh from his earlier goal-line clearance, seemed to have taken half-time early as he was nowhere to be seen. Coleman accepted the freedom of L4 to steer a well-placed header past Schwarzer and into the bottom left hand corner. Baines hit a free kick into the wall and Dempsey fired over for Fulham and that was pretty much it for the first 45.

Second half began, with both teams unchanged. I was hoping we could get a second early on; I can't trust us to defend a lead anymore. Rodwell burst forward; I haven't said that often this season. Etuhu seemed to be trying to get into his shorts and as he reached the edge of the area, Etuhu finally got his man. Free kick, 25 yards out. Baines and the mercurial Frenchman were lining it up.

The angle didn't seem to favour either player, so I was wondering curiously how this would turn out. I was quite shocked and genuinely puzzled, yet delighted with what followed. Baines laid the ball off to Saha, who ran up and slammed a right footer into the goal. Schwarzer had no chance. The wall seemed flimsy, although I didn't mind. After the euphoria of the goal died down, it struck me: Saha had hit a pearler, from a set piece, with his wrong foot! With his left, he probably would have hit it over; that sums him up.

Etuhu and Duff then had a couple of token efforts from way out; neither troubled Howard. Coleman burst forward and had a go from 25 yards after a good run. It seemed a fairly routine save, Schwarzer though made sure ESPN had something to use in the credits.

An hour gone and the game had that end-of-season feel to it. Cue 30 mins of nothing football and a welcome 3 points at home? Oh how wrong was I... we folded like a cheap pack of cards. Duff picked the ball up on their right and it was worked into Zamora. He held off a challenge and laid it off to Dempsey, who dispatched a quality strike past Howard. He lost the attentions of Rodwell far too easily in the build up. Having barely been in the game, Fulham now had their tails up.

We seemed to retreat and with that went the team's collective brain. It is truly amazing how one goal affects your ability to pass a ball and make normal, rational decisions. We retreated and gave the ball away for fun; thankfully, Fulham were lacking the quality to punish us. Our shocking last 30 mins was only hindered by the manager's bizarre and oh so negative substitutions. Heitinga for Cahill; maybe Moyes was trying for a record number of defenders on the pitch at any one time?

After some good hassling by Heitinga, we forced a corner. Osman whipped in an inviting ball and Jagielka rose, like the proverbial salmon, to guide a header towards the net. Salcido again came to the visitor's rescue, flinging himself at the ball to prevent a game-clinching third. For all their huff and puff, the closet Fulham came to a point was a Zamora header that lacked power and drifted wide.

We held out and gleefully accepted the 3 points. A promising period, before and after half-time, wasn't built on. I would also like to see a bit more intent from the manager, given the lack of creative players in midfield. A central pairing of Neville and Rodwell may run all day and try their hardest but they're never going to get you playing or dictating a game. Osman should be in there for now, since he is probably in the form of his life at the minute; and for the record, I'm one of his doubters.

Ratings:
Howard: Solid, came off his line well for a change, but didn't really have much to do. 6

Hibbert: Put a few good crosses in and defended well, barely got forward second half though. Still looks so awkward in possession. 6

Jagielka: Stood tall towards the end as we crumbled, excellent defensively. Still can't pass to save his life though. 8

Distin: Quiet game, got on with his job and won all his headers. Is having his best season so far. 7

Baines: Ran, and ran and ran. Put some great crosses in, and is our biggest threat at the moment. 8

Coleman: Attacked well, always looked a threat and took his goal really well. He faded slightly towards the end though. 7

Neville: Promising start, but then disappeared completely. Prone to giving away needless fouls and not picking up runners. 5

Rodwell: Got about the pitch well, made one great tackle. Lost Dempsey for the goal though, still don't think he is a centre mid. 6

Osman: Playing well, linked up with Baines well and did great for the first goal. He battled well towards the end. Should have been subbed though, he was out on his feet after 70 mins. 7

Cahill: Won his fair share of headers, the game seemed to pass him by in the main though. He seemed to go off injured towards the end and could do with a break; looks exhausted. 6

Saha: kept dropping deep first half; needs to stay up top. Took the goal well and played better after it. Injury looks bad though, hopefully it's not too serious. 6

Subs: Bily, Heitinga, Beckford: Can't really judge, not given long enough, any of them.

Moyes: Waited too long to sub and when he did they were far too negative. I know we have injuries, but taking off an attacking midfielder for a centre-back at home is a joke. We have nothing to lose so he should be going for it, not trying to hang on every game. 5

Villa next, god I hate them. We always seem to outplay them, yet never beat them. Hopefully the few internationals we have return unscathed and we can beat the Villa. Maybe this season can end with a good run of results; it still won't hide away from the drivel we've seen this year though.

It might just make that season ticket renewal seem a bit more of a sane idea though.

[White Noise]

http://www.toffeeweb.com/season/10-11/comment/editorial/17463.html

From my seat: Fulham (H)

By Ken Buckley :  19/03/2011 :   Comments (0) : Blues win battle of the draw kings


A lovely sunny evening and almost 34,000 descend on Goodison to watch the two teams at the very top of this season's draw table so a good bet at the bookies for a stalemate. This overlooks the fact that we always beat Fulham at home and so, as it panned out, history won over stats.

This was not a game that set the pulses racing but, nevertheless, a game that was important for maximum points, considering the tightness from top to bottom of this season's league. It turned out the sort of game that produced workmanlike performances rather than any joined-up flowing stuff and determination was the order of the day rather than flair.

Everton were the dominant side of the first half and, from the off, Baines was a constant threat down the left and Osman flitting about with menace in those quick feet. The returning Neville organised well and Hibbert, Distin and Jags looked solid. Cahill also returned but, apart from being good in the air, looked the worse for his heroics for his country in a tournament that took him away from the battles that have made him very rich and have now left him looking weary.

Not a lot took place in the half except for some promising runs that eventually came to nought. Plus points were Osman curling one over and Baines dragging one wide. Saha had a run on goal that looked promising but the giant Hangeland tackled well. We sort of looked threatening without actually threatening then Baines delivered a good corner which Saha met and headed into the deck toward goal but a well positioned defender headed clear from the line. Again Baines got down the line and put in a great cross for Rodwell to produce a header that was a mere back-pass to the keeper.

With ten to go until the break, we at last got some quality flowing when Baines again got free down the left, fed Osman who with deft touches left his markers and put in a peach of a cross to the far post that was met by the industrious Coleman who this time steadied himself and found the corner of the net rather than straight at the keeper. I couldn't say the roof came off but a loud cheer of relief was heard.

Our tails were up and Coleman went on a run of purpose but was felled on the edge and the free kick from Baines struck the wall. Right at the end of injury time, Fulham had their first glimpse of the half when, after good work by old boy AJ, Dempsey was narrowly wide.

Half-time and all seemed satisfied but the first team should have witnessed the under nines who got an accolade for keeping clean sheets. Progress in the making?

I expected Fulham to start the second period all guns blazing but it was the Blues who started sharper and, within five mins, the underperforming Rodwell was brought down in clumsy fashion near the edge of the box. Baines and Saha were over the ball in conversation, Baines rolled it to Saha who shot with his wrong foot hard and low, the ball went through the wall and past the unsighted keeper in a flash. Much celebration between players and the crowd burst into life.

The half then saw us go into a defensive shell, inviting Fulham on and relying on breaks to do more damage. It became fast and furious at times but craft and guile were absent. We blocked shots and scrambled for second balls with a sort of 'we have what we hold' attitude. Coleman was set free and he ran on goal at pace but his shot was straight at the keeper from distance.

On the hour mark, Zamora was sent on and this move paid instant dividends when his quick turn fed Duff who immediately played in Dempsey who rifled into the bottom corner. Stony silence met that one as Fulham don't seem to do away fans. Many a Blue mused 'here we go again' as our scrambling defence creaked a little more but we persisted with trying to create breaks using in the main the pace of Coleman. One of these produced a corner expertly taken by Osman and met by Jags and, but for a goal-line clearance by a well positioned defender on the far post, it would have been game over.

At the death, which included 5 mins of injury time, we had goal chances for each team and an unwanted injury. First Zamora had a headed chance wasted then Saha landed heavily from an aerial dual that saw the need of a stretcher to take him off. A break saw Beckford, on for Saha, head for goal from the left and Osman busting a gut to get in a great position in the box. Beckford was either greedy or just plain head down and didn't see the bigger picture and ended up shooting to no avail. We saw out the remaining minutes without incident and, on the whistle, most greeted the win with polite applause and a feeling of 'A win is a win'

MotM – A hard call as no-one really stood out but I would share it between Baines and Osman purely on the grounds that they showed the most class.

Overall nothing more than three points gained but those points got us to the 40-mark and the crowd able to witness a win. Maybe a glimmer of hope toward Europa qualification? With the league and our team as it is this season, anything can happen but today I think at least we put relegation to bed... so onward and upward. Today, I thought it was a game too soon for Cahill, while Rodwell failed to live up to his high price tags... was he preoccupied with the sight of a female assistant ref? She demonstrated that she knew the offside rule well and was admirable but seemed less sure of what constituted a foul.

On leaving the ground, an amusing interlude took place outside the ticket office with a knot of well bladdered fans chanting in unison. Was it a protest? No-one could understand them and the gathering was brought to an end when a fan shouted toward them and requested in strong scouse Anglo-Saxon that they should indeed return to Norway.

Villa next and another win would be welcome but we have to wait a fortnight for that as it's international break next week. I hope all our players involved come back with a clean bill of health and free from tap-ups. See you there.
UP THE BLUES

[White Noise]

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/03/19/salcidos-dilemma-not-his-fault/


Salcido's dilemma: not his fault?

Filed under: Analysis — rich @ 7:26 pm








So who's he supposed to mark?  If he doesn't cover Cahill then there's a ridiculously free deadly player on the edge of our six yard box.  If he does there's a small Irishman behind him.   I think Cahill did what he could here, and that finderpointing his way is misplaced.

[White Noise]

Zamora rallies Fulham, but Everton hold firm

By Yann Tear


Mar 19 2011



Everton 2-1 Fulham

BOBBY Zamora came off the bench on the hour to immediately set up a goal for Clint Dempsey (pictured) to give Fulham hope of taking a rare point from Goodison Park.

But a first half goal from Seamus Colman on 36 minutes and a Louis Saha free-kick against his old side four minutes after the break proved enough to give the home side the points.

Mark Hughes did his best to inject a greater threat in the second half, with Eidar Gudjohnsen and Gael Kakuta also coming on to try and salvage something from the game. But the Whites perhaps paid the price for a passive first hour.

The result keeps Fulham looking anxiously over their shoulders, because although 12th, they are just three points above Wolves, who are in the drop zone, with eight to play.


Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/03/19/zamora-rallies-fulham-but-everton-hold-firm-64767-28367986/#ixzz1H7yWmRVB

[White Noise]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/9430370.stm


Everton wait on Louis Saha injury news 


Saha was stretchered off late in the game

Everton manager David Moyes is awaiting the results on Louis Saha's injury after the striker was stretchered off during the 2-1 victory over Fulham.

Saha, who scored Everton's second goal, appeared to land awkwardly on his ankle after challenging for a header four minutes from time.

After receiving treatment on the pitch the French forward was carried off.

"He had earlier signalled a hamstring problem, but it might have been something else," said Moyes

[White Noise]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9426572.stm

Everton   2 - 1   Fulham


Schwarzer is given no chance as Coleman heads in the opening goal for Everton

By Mark Ashenden 


Everton survived a nervy last half-hour to overcome Fulham and keep alive their slim hopes of a Europa Cup slot.

Leighton Baines tore the visitors open and Everton deservedly led when Seamus Coleman nodded in Leon Osman's cross.

Louis Saha's free-kick doubled the lead after the break but the Toffees were complacent and Clint Dempsey pulled a goal back with a strike from 25 yards.

Phil Jagielka almost headed Everton's third and they nearly paid for it but Bobby Zamora wasted a late chance.

The result means Fulham have now lost 18 successive league games at Goodison Park - they last claimed a point in this part of Merseyside in 1959.


Click to play
Player absence led to 'dull' game - Moyes
Fulham started the day hopeful of entering the top half of the table but, instead, this loss will have manager Mark Hughes fearing a relegation fight.

Opposite number David Moyes will be pleased to see his side move into eighth spot with a third league win in four games and a chance to close a nine-point gap to get into a Europa Cup spot.

The three points did not come without its pain for Everton as striker Saha left the field on a stretcher in the 86th minute after landing awkwardly when leaping for a header.

Despite the late drama with the visitors piling forward in search of an equaliser, the game overall was a disappointing battle, with Baines providing the only bright moments from the left flank in the opening half-hour.

Fulham defender Chris Baird looked increasingly uncomfortable as he tried to contain Baines and on 27 minutes the Toffees defender's left foot created an opener but Saha wasted a headed chance from an inswinging corner.

Despite beginning the weekend sharing the second best away defence record in the league with Chelsea, the impressive Brede Hangeland and his Fulham team-mates were gradually showing signs of vulnerability facing Moyes' lively frontline.

And 10 minutes before the break, the deadlock was broken. And not surprisingly, the danger arrived from the left.

It was the boot of Osman, though, that caused the damage as his floated cross fell to Coleman, who cleverly steadied his feet before guiding the ball past keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Soon after the break the score was doubled and the mood of Hughes - who looked furious at the end of the first half - would have darkened somewhat as he witnessed the ineptitude of his defensive wall.

Jack Rodwell was felled by a clumsy tackle from Dickson Etuhu on the edge of the box and after Baines rolled the ball to Saha, the Frenchman blasted through Danny Murphy's legs for his seventh of the season.

Everton appeared to be strolling to victory, but on the hour they seemed to switch off and their sleepy defence was finally breached as Hughes' team burst into life.


Click to play
Fulham ran out of time - Hughes
Soon after keeper Tim Howard was sharp enough to smother successive shots by Damien Duff and Etuhu, the American keeper was soon picking the ball out of the net.

And it was his compatriot Dempsey who fired in a belter following a sweet move begun by Duff on the right, with striker Zamora providing the crucial pass with his first touch of the game.

It was an inspired substitution by Hughes and his team forced their opponents further back, much to the frustration of the increasingly irate Moyes on the sidelines.

A day after signing a new four-year deal, Jagielka came agonisingly close with a header from Osman's corner that was goalbound before Carlos Salcido nodded the danger away.

However, Fulham had the energy and desire to strive for the second goal and Zamora had a great chance to make the headlines in the dying minutes. His header six yards out was wasteful after a beautiful cross by Gael Kakuta and it proved to be his team's final opportunity.

Everton held on and survived to claim the spoils and help extend the celebrations of Moyes, who recently completed his ninth year in the Goodison Park hotseat.

Hughes, meanwhile, has plenty to think about. His team may be in a respectable 12th spot but are only three points from the drop zone.


Live text and stats


Saturday, 19 March 2011

Barclays Premier League

Home Team Score Away Team Time
Everton 2-1 Fulham FT
(HT 1-0)
Coleman 36
Saha 49
  Dempsey 62
 
Hide team line-ups and match stats
Everton
24 Howard
02 Hibbertyellow card03 Baines
06 Jagielka
15 Distin
18 Neville
23 Coleman
17 Cahill (Heitinga 69)
21 Osmanyellow card26 Rodwell (Bilyaletdinov 77)
08 Saha (Beckford 87)
Substitutes
01 Mucha, 05 Heitinga, 07 Bilyaletdinov, 16 Beckford, 19 Magaye Gueye, 28 Anichebe, 37 BaxterFulham
01 Schwarzer
03 Salcido
05 Hangeland
06 Baird
18 Hughes
13 Murphy
16 Duff (Kakuta 75)
20 Etuhu (Zamora 60)
23 Dempsey
08 Johnson (Gudjohnsen 84)
30 Dembele
Substitutes
12 Stockdale, 02 Kelly, 27 Greening, 29 Davies, 22 Gudjohnsen, 24 Kakuta, 25 ZamoraRef: Oliver
Att: 33,239
EVERTONFULHAMPossession
Everton 52%Fulham 48%Attempts on target
Everton 12Fulham 6Attempts off target
Everton 4Fulham 6Corners
Everton 7Fulham 5Fouls
Everton 15Fulham 19

[White Noise]

http://www.footballeconomy.com/content/fulham-fcs-losses


Fulham FC's losses up

Submitted by WG on Sat, 19/03/2011 - 19:01


Fulham FC's losses increased from £7.9m to £19m in the year ended June 2010.  This was in spite of earning an extra £12.5m from their run to the Europa League final.   Turnover was boosted to £76.4m, but write downs and amortisation from player trading boosted losses.

Mohamed al Fayed has made it clear that he is committed to providing the funds the football club needs.  It is now funded entirely from his offshore family trust structure.   A loan of nearly £13m was repaid in August of last year but the Fayed companies are still owed some £186m.  £100m of that is due to start being repaid next year at an annual rate of £10m.

[White Noise]

Mark Hughes BBC Video Interview -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/9430430.stm

[White Noise]

David Moyes BBC Video Interview -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/9430418.stm