Monday Fulham Stuff (07/11/11)...

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Travesty for Fulham after putting Tottenham on the rack

Fulham 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

FULHAM summoned up the spirit of their second half fightback against Man City of a few weeks ago to push Spurs all the way at the Cottage.

They deserved at least a share of the spoils for a superb second half of unrelenting pressure, but could not quite find a way past veteran Tottenham stopper Brad Fiedel as they slipped to their second successive home defeat in the league.

In an amazing finish, the USA goalkeeper somehow kept out a Clint Dempsey effort in a mad goalmouth scramble and officials failed to notice Kyle Walker wrapping his arm around the ball while on the ground.

A Jermain Defoe goal in injury-time made a mockery of the overall pattern of play during a one-sided second half.

The Whites' hopes looked almost dead and buried at the interval – a sense of resignation at a 2-0 deficit exacerbated by a horrible knee injury to Zdenek Grygera on the stroke of half-time.

The Cech crumpled in a heap of agony when his leg buckled under him, and after receiving oxygen on the pitch, the right-back was stretchered off. It seemed to sum up the home team's malaise.

But 10 minutes or so into the second half, Fulham got a piece of good fortune to change the mood at the Cottage in an instant – Ledley King's attempt to head a Damien Duff corner to safety struck the back of Brede Hangeland (pictured) and flew into the net.

Cue a rise in tempo and belief. Cue noisy encouragement from the Hammersmith End that the Whites were now attacking. Cue a half of constant pressure.

Spurs were pinned further and further back in the way Man City were in the 2-2 draw in September, which also featured a stirring comeback.

Moussa Dembele had an effort blocked by the legs of Friedel and Chris Baird powered a free-kick at the goalkeeper after a free-kick had been tapped towards him.

Then sub Bryan Ruiz's slide-rule pass almost put Dempsey in for the equaliser – a last-ditch tackle denying the American.

It was simply not meant to be for Martin Jol's men.

Spurs did not take long to suggest the absence of manager Harry Redknapp – convalescing after heart treatment – was not going to be a factor for them.

They were in front in the 10th minute when Gareth Bale drove a loose ball goalwards, which found the net via Baird's knee.

The chance had come about after the visitors' first serious attack, in which Emmanuel Adebayor swept the ball wide to Walker, and a cut back allowed Aaron Lennon to fire a ball into the six yard box which Mark Schwarzer could only spoon towards Bale.

The Whites, so impressive against Wisla Krakow in midweek, might have gone ahead even earlier than that – Friedel doing very well to keep out a header from Steve Sidwell, who darted to the near post to get his head to a Danny Murphy corner.

An ankle injury picked up in the Europa League tie against the Poles deprived the Whites of their man of the moment, Andrew Johnson.

Dempsey almost made up for the striker's non-appearance on 24 minutes when he ghosted onto a smart reverse pass from Sidwell and was only denied by Friedel's legs.

But Fulham fell further behind in first half injury time when Lennon played a smart one-two with Bale near half way before scampering on down the left flank, bamboozling Baird with a quick change of angle and then rifling low into the far corner with his left foot.

Line-up: Schwarzer; Grygera (Kelly h/t), Baird, Hangeland, Riise; Dempsey, Murphy (Etuhu 77), Sidwell, Duff (Ruiz 71); Dembele, Zamora. Subs not used: Etheridge, Kasami, Frei, Briggs.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/11/06/travesty-for-fulham-after-putting-tottenham-on-the-rack-64767-29730577/?#ixzz1d06bavMV

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Tottenham hang on to beat Fulham, stay fifth

LONDON (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur survived a late onslaught to win 3-1 at London rivals Fulham and remain fifth in the Premier League on Sunday.
PREMIER LEAGUE

At the other end of the table, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bolton Wanderers earned morale-boosting victories over Wigan Athletic and Stoke City respectively.

Goals from Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe gave Tottenham their seventh win in eight league matches to move them alongside Chelsea on 22 points, although Spurs have a game in hand on their London rivals.

It was a nail-biting afternoon for Tottenham, however, as Younes Kaboul's own goal after 57 minutes signalled a Fulham siege which looked certain to bring an equaliser.

Tottenham keeper Brad Friedel made several reaction saves and Luka Modric cleared one shot off the line before Defoe scored on the break in stoppage time.

Goals for David Edwards and Stephen Ward after the break sealed a 3-1 victory for Wolves after Wigan had equalised just before halftime through Ben Watson.

Wolves, who began the season well before a slump in form, had taken the lead through Jamie O'Hara.

The home side moved up to 13th in the table with 11 points. Wigan are bottom with five points after eight consecutive Premier League defeats and Bolton failed to move out of the bottom three despite a 5-0 thrashing of Stoke.

Chris Eagles and Ivan Klasnic scored twice each to earn Bolton their first home league points of the season and avenge their 5-0 loss to Stoke in this year's FA Cup semi-finals.



http://football.uk.reuters.com/leagues/premiership/news/2011/11/06/8E5601EC-08A6-11E1-93EC-DC0D8033923B.php?rpc=401

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Spurs repels Fulham fightback for 3-1 win

Tottenham survived a second-half onslaught at Craven Cottage to deny Fulham manager Martin Jol a satisfying Premier League victory over his former club.

Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon struck to give Spurs a commanding interval lead in a lively London derby, but the visitor was over-run when play resumed.

Fulham dominated with Younes Kaboul's 57th minute own-goal the direct result of relentless pressure from the rampant home side.

But despite their overwhelming superiority, the Cottagers were unable to secure the equaliser after failing to convert a series of chances.

Controversy reigned during a chaotic five-minute spell of injury time when Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker clearly handled the ball, but referee Peter Walton declined to award a penalty.

To rub salt into the wound, substitute Jermain Defoe scored with virtually the last kick of the game to secure a 3-1 win.

Jol will have felt the disappointment more than anyone as he oversaw his first encounter against his former paymaster since leaving White Hart Lane in acrimonious circumstances three years ago.

The victory was Spurs' seventh in eight games and places the north Londoner on the cusp of the Champions League spots with only goal difference separating it from fourth place Chelsea.

Harry Redknapp, watching from home as he continues his recovery from a heart procedure, will be content with the three points but this was not the Tottenham that dazzled against QPR last weekend.

The starting line-up may have been identical, but today they rode their luck like never before to stay snapping at the heals of the top four.

Just two minutes into the match Brad Friedel, who was superb throughout, was forced to display lightening reflexes to deny Fulham.

A corner by Danny Murphy was met by the onrushing Steve Sidwell only for his glancing header to be kept out on the line by Friedel.

The pace was frantic and Mark Schwarzer had to punch the ball to safety as slick passing from Tottenham swept it deep into Fulham's half.

Both teams attacked with vigour but Spurs was more dynamic and the visitor surged ahead in the 10th minute through a goal from Gareth Bale.

Lennon threaded a dangerous pass across goal which Schwarzer pushed to the side of the area where Bale was stationed.

The Wales international drilled the ball back across goal and it was deflected into the next by helpless Fulham defender Chris Baird.

Scott Parker required treatment after taking an accidental elbow from Sidwell on his nose, which was left bloody.

Spurs' defence was caught napping when Sidwell slipped a pass to Clint Dempsey but the American failed to connect cleanly on a glorious chance and Friedel saved.

Just as an increasingly lifeless first half entered injury-time, Tottenham struck for a second time through Lennon.

The England winger jinked his way into the area, skipping around Baird in the process, and directed a shot into the bottom right corner of the net a heartbeat before two Fulham players came sliding in.

The Cottagers then endured further misery when Zdenek Grygera had to be carried from the pitch after appearing to injury his right knee while making a routine tackle on Bale.

Excellent link up play between Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor, who was enduring a quiet afternoon, concluded with the Welshman failing to seriously test Schwarzer.

Brede Hangeland saw a goalbound header tipped over by Friedel and moments later Kaboul nearly nodded a shot by Bobby Zamora into his own net.

However, Kaboul succeeded in beating his own keeper in the 57th minute as rampant Fulham deservedly hit back.

Hangeland jumped to meet a corner and his presence disrupted Tottenham's defence with Ledley King nodding the ball against Kaboul's back and into the goal.

Fulham's dominance continued as they poured forward in search of the equaliser, the hapless Kaboul conceding a free kick that Baird smashed at Friedel.

Only last-gasp intervention from King prevented Dempsey supplying the equaliser after the USA midfielder had rounded Friedel.

Once more Friedel came to the rescue, this time after Zamora had expertly timed his run into the box to outfox King.

Greater drama was to follow during injury time as first Kyle Walker handled the ball during a frantic goalmouth scramble, an offence that went unpunished, and then Luka Modric cleared a late effort off the line.

Fulham then suffered the cruel blow of seeing Defoe prod home to end an action-packed encounter.



http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/story/fulham-1-3-tottenham-premier-league-110611?

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Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 3: match report

Martin Jol was unjustly sacked as Tottenham Hotspur manager and four years - and one week - after that event he will have left Craven Cottage on Sunday night with another burning sense of grievance.

Quite how his Fulham side did not retrieve at least a draw from this encounter was extraordinary.

Twenty-three attempts on goal, 13 on target, 11 corners - and all met by an astonishing performance from Brad Friedel, the Spurs goalkeeper and the oldest player in the Premier League and a summer free transfer to boot.

"It was a bit hectic," the 40-year-old said afterwards and that was one big, understatement.

The chaos was summed up in the 92nd minute as Fulham desperately tried to get the ball over the goal-line.

There were so many bodies inside the six-yard area it was like a rugby pack attempting to force a try - an apt analogy given Kyle Walker, the Spurs defender, escaped punishment despite, at one stage, wrapping both his arms around the ball while lying on the turf.

"It was handball. I was right there and he handled it," said midfielder Dickson Etuhu.

The mitigation for referee Peter Walton was he was possibly unsighted but Jol had his head in his hands in despair just as he did when Friedel, time and again, thwarted his strikers.

At half-time it didn't seem such an irrepressible ending was possible. And Jol, with Fulham precariously balanced just out of the relegation places and failing to gain the reward for their play once more, will have made his unhappiness known in the dressing room. His team certainly re-emerged as if scolded.

For Spurs, without their manager Harry Redknapp, recuperating from heart surgery, this was a seventh victory in eight league matches, drawing them level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea with a match in hand.

They were far from their best - the previously peerless midfield pair of Scott Parker, who took a fierce blow to the nose early on and was dazed, and Luka Modric didn't impose themselves - but they eked out the kind of win that confirms they are Champions League contenders.

Certainly, to borrow one of the managerial buzzwords, there was an "efficiency" to Spurs play - striking with the meagre chances that they created.

Indeed Fulham almost secured the lead inside two minutes - only for Friedel to set the tone with a fine block from Steve Sidwell's near-post header, as he met a corner and then Spurs eventually broke to score.

It owed much to Walker's pace as he outstripped John Arne Riise, cut the ball back to Aaron Lennon whose cross was pushed out by Mark Schwarzer.

The ball fell to Gareth Bale whose first-time shot was probably goal-bound but deflected into the net of Chris Baird.

Once ahead Spurs tried to slow the tempo; while Fulham worked hard to raise it. Moussa Dembele, with his deft close control, found Sidwell and his first-time pass released Clint Dempsey. Through on goal he shot weakly and Friedel saved.

On half-time Lennon, this time down the left, exchanged passes with Bale and bore down on the area. Baird backtracked, twisted and turned, and the winger gained the space for his cross-shot to beat Schwarzer and mark his first league goal of the season.

It appeared to kill the contest but, into the second-half, it was Friedel, time and again, denying Fulham as they built a fierce head of steam.

He clawed away efforts from Brede Hangeland, Dembele, Baird and Dempsey, twice, but by then Fulham had opened up the contest as Ledley King, under pressure, headed a corner against the back of his defensive partner Younes Kaboul with the ball deflecting past Friedel.

Spurs were suddenly struggling, defending deeper and deeper with Emmanuel Adebayor isolated and Parker digging in to try and repel the attacks.

However substitute Bryan Ruiz's deft pass released Dempsey and he rounded Friedel. Surely he would score? No, this time King threw himself - blocking the goal-bound shot.

There then came the injury-time chaos with scramble after scramble which included Modric turning Dempsey's header off the goal-line and - inevitably - Friedel saving again from point-blank range.

Then, in the final act, Spurs broke and Adebayor hooked the ball back into the area for substitute Jermain Defoe whose crisp shot deflected off Stephen Kelly to wrong-foot Schwarzer and end any doubt.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8869870/Fulham-1-Tottenham-Hotspur-3-match-report.html

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Report: Fulham v Tottenham

Spurs ride their luck Tottenham survived a second-half onslaught at Craven Cottage to run out 3-1 winners and deny Fulham manager Martin Jol a satisfying Barclays Premier League victory over his former club.

Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon struck to give Spurs a commanding interval lead in a lively London derby, but they were over-run when play resumed.

Fulham dominated with Younes Kaboul's 57th minute own-goal the direct result of relentless pressure from the rampant home side.

But despite their overwhelming superiority, the Cottagers were unable to secure the equaliser after failing to convert a series of chances.

Controversy reigned during a chaotic five-minute spell of injury time when Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker clearly handled the ball, but referee Peter Walton declined to award a penalty.

To rub salt into the wound, substitute Jermain Defoe scored with virtually the last kick of the game.

Jol will have felt the disappointment more than anyone as he oversaw his first encounter against his former paymasters since leaving White Hart Lane in acrimonious circumstances three years ago.

The victory was Spurs' seventh in eight games and places them on the cusp of the Champions League spots with only goal difference separating them from fourth place Chelsea.

Harry Redknapp, watching from home as he continues his recovery from a heart procedure, will be content with the three points but this was not the Tottenham that dazzled against QPR last weekend.

The starting line-up may have been identical, but they rode their luck like never before to stay snapping at the heals of the top four.

Just two minutes into the match Brad Friedel, who was superb throughout, was forced to display lightening reflexes to deny Fulham.

A corner by Danny Murphy was met by the onrushing Steve Sidwell only for his glancing header to be kept out on the line by Friedel.

The pace was frantic and Mark Schwarzer had to punch the ball to safety as slick passing from Tottenham swept them deep into Fulham's half.

Both teams attacked with vigour but Spurs were more dynamic and they surged ahead in the 10th minute through a goal from Gareth Bale.

Lennon threaded a dangerous pass across goal which Schwarzer pushed to the side of the area where Bale was stationed.

The Wales international drilled the ball back across goal and it was deflected into the next by helpless Fulham defender Chris Baird.

Scott Parker required treatment after taking an accidental elbow from Sidwell on his nose, which was left bloody.

Spurs' defence was caught napping when Sidwell slipped a pass to Clint Dempsey but the American failed to connect cleanly on a glorious chance and Friedel saved.

Just as an increasingly lifeless first half entered injury-time, Tottenham struck for a second time through Lennon.

The England winger jinked his way into the area, skipping around Baird in the process, and directed a shot into the bottom right corner of the net a heartbeat before two Fulham players came sliding in.

The Cottagers then endured further misery when Zdenek Grygera had to be stretchered from the pitch after appearing to injury his right knee while making a routine tackle on Bale.

Excellent link up play between Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor, who was enduring a quiet afternoon, concluded with the Welshman failing to seriously test Schwarzer.

Brede Hangeland saw a goalbound header tipped over by Friedel and moments later Kaboul nearly nodded a shot by Bobby Zamora into his own net.

However, Kaboul succeeded in beating his own keeper in the 57th minute as rampant Fulham deservedly hit back.

Hangeland jumped to meet a corner and his presence disrupted Tottenham's defence with Ledley King nodding the ball against Kaboul's back and into the goal.

Fulham's dominance continued as they poured forward in search of the equaliser, the hapless Kaboul conceding a free kick that Baird smashed at Friedel.

Only last-gasp intervention from King prevented Dempsey supplying the equaliser after the USA midfielder had rounded Friedel.

Once more Friedel came to the rescue, this time after Zamora had expertly timed his run into the box to outfox King.

Greater drama was to follow during injury time as first Kyle Walker handled the ball during a frantic goalmouth scramble, an offence that went unpunished, and then Luka Modric cleared a late effort off the line.

Fulham then suffered the cruel blow of seeing Defoe prod home to end an action-packed encounter.



http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/matchreports/report-fulham-v-tottenham-86793/?

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Spurs survive second-half onslaught at Craven Cottage

Tottenham survived a second-half onslaught at Craven Cottage to deny Fulham manager Martin Jol a satisfying Barclays Premier League victory over his former club.



Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon struck to give Spurs a commanding interval lead in a lively London derby, but they were over-run when play resumed.

Fulham dominated with Younes Kaboul's 57th minute own-goal the direct result of relentless pressure from the rampant home side.

But despite their overwhelming superiority, the Cottagers were unable to secure the equaliser after failing to convert a series of chances.

Controversy reigned during a chaotic five-minute spell of injury time when Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker clearly handled the ball, but referee Peter Walton declined to award a penalty.

To rub salt into the wound, substitute Jermain Defoe scored with virtually the last kick of the game.

Jol will have felt the disappointment more than anyone as he oversaw his first encounter against his former paymasters since leaving White Hart Lane in acrimonious circumstances three years ago.

The victory was Spurs' seventh in eight games and places them on the cusp of the Champions League spots with only goal difference separating them from fourth place Chelsea.

Harry Redknapp, watching from home as he continues his recovery from a heart procedure, will be content with the three points but this was not the Tottenham that dazzled against QPR last weekend.

The starting line-up may have been identical, but today they rode their luck like never before to stay snapping at the heals of the top four.

Just two minutes into the match Brad Friedel, who was superb throughout, was forced to display lightening reflexes to deny Fulham.

A corner by Danny Murphy was met by the onrushing Steve Sidwell only for his glancing header to be kept out on the line by Friedel.

The pace was frantic and Mark Schwarzer had to punch the ball to safety as slick passing from Tottenham swept them deep into Fulham's half.

Both teams attacked with vigour but Spurs were more dynamic and they surged ahead in the 10th minute through a goal from Gareth Bale.

Lennon threaded a dangerous pass across goal which Schwarzer pushed to the side of the area where Bale was stationed.

The Wales international drilled the ball back across goal and it was deflected into the next by helpless Fulham defender Chris Baird.

Scott Parker required treatment after taking an accidental elbow from Sidwell on his nose, which was left bloody.

Spurs' defence was caught napping when Sidwell slipped a pass to Clint Dempsey but the American failed to connect cleanly on a glorious chance and Friedel saved.

Just as an increasingly lifeless first half entered injury-time, Tottenham struck for a second time through Lennon.

The England winger jinked his way into the area, skipping around Baird in the process, and directed a shot into the bottom right corner of the net a heartbeat before two Fulham players came sliding in.

The Cottagers then endured further misery when Zdenek Grygera had to be stretchered from the pitch after appearing to injury his right knee while making a routine tackle on Bale.

Excellent link up play between Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor, who was enduring a quiet afternoon, concluded with the Welshman failing to seriously test Schwarzer.

Brede Hangeland saw a goalbound header tipped over by Friedel and moments later Kaboul nearly nodded a shot by Bobby Zamora into his own net.

However, Kaboul succeeded in beating his own keeper in the 57th minute as rampant Fulham deservedly hit back.

Hangeland jumped to meet a corner and his presence disrupted Tottenham's defence with Ledley King nodding the ball against Kaboul's back and into the goal.

Fulham's dominance continued as they poured forward in search of the equaliser, the hapless Kaboul conceding a free kick that Baird smashed at Friedel.

Only last-gasp intervention from King prevented Dempsey supplying the equaliser after the USA midfielder had rounded Friedel.

Once more Friedel came to the rescue, this time after Zamora had expertly timed his run into the box to outfox King.

Greater drama was to follow during injury time as first Kyle Walker handled the ball during a frantic goalmouth scramble, an offence that went unpunished, and then Luka Modric cleared a late effort off the line.

Fulham then suffered the cruel blow of seeing Defoe prod home to end an action-packed encounter.



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/spurs-survive-secondhalf-onslaught-at-craven-cottage-6258143.html?

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Fulham deserved a point against Tottenham - Martin Jol

Fulham boss Martin Jol thinks his side should have had a second-half penalty when Tottenham's Kyle Walker "acted like a goalkeeper" in a goalmouth scramble as Fulham pushed for an equaliser during their 3-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

Jol thinks his side deserved to get something from the game after dominating possession and laying siege to the Tottenham goal in the second half.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15611525.stm?

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Unfair Reflection

"Gutting" was the word used by Stephen Kelly to describe Sunday's defeat to Tottenham.

Having entered the interval two goals down, Fulham hit back in what was a remarkable second 45 minutes of football.

Raising the tempo and pushing Spurs into virtual submission the Whites deserved more as Younis Kaboul's own-goal gave Martin Jol's side belief.

Chris Baird, Mousa Dembele, Bobby Zamora and Clint Dempsey all went close while Tottenham defender Kyle Walker clearly handled in the box.

As the visitors somehow held on Jermain Defoe added a third in injury time.

"Going two behind like we did was disappointing," said Kelly to fulhamfc.com. "We would have certainly taken the draw, but in the way we came back in the second-half we deserved even more.

"At 2-1 it was ours for the taking and how that ball didn't go in at the end is beyond us all. I think that was probably the best we have played all season - we deserved more.

"The score wasn't reflective of how well we played and it really was gutting. It was very difficult to take but we'll bounce back because there were a lot of positives to be taken.

"Spurs are a fantastic side and one that will be right up there at the end of the season. They came here in very good form and perhaps they were lucky to leave with all three points."

Fulham were unable to make it three from three following defeats of Wigan and Wisla Krakow. In the second-half they played Tottenham off the park - to come away with nothing shows how cruel this game can be.

"That's football isn't and sometimes it just doesn't go your way - unfortunately at times this season we have seen that for ourselves. It was the same against Everton a couple of weeks back, but we'll bounce back.

"We have been playing some really good football and it will come for us. We go to Sunderland next weekend and we'll do our best to get back on track."

Kelly, a first-half replacement for the injured Zdenek Grygera, also spared some words for his injured team-mate.

"It's never nice to see a player leave the field on a stretcher," said Kelly. "And we all wish him a speedy recovery. He's a good lad and a good player; he's done well since he joined in the summer.

"Obviously I got my chance today and hopefully I can come in and do a job. It's a shame in light of the circumstances but it's an opportunity I want to take.

"We have some big games coming up and a lot of fixtures coming thick and fast - it will be nice to play a part in that and let's hope we can get a bit more luck."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/November/KellySpursReaction.aspx?#ixzz1d09hasLu

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Jol's Assessment

Following Fulham's Barclays Premier League encounter against Tottenham, Martin Jol looked back on the defeat and gave his assessment.

"I thought we deserved at least a point," said the Fulham Manager after the game. "Tottenham had three attempts on goal in the first-half and scored two goals.

"He [Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel] was probably the best player on the pitch, but if you don't score then you have a problem.

"I won't say we played them off the park because they're too good a team, but we played well and put them under pressure

"Everyone played their part. Tottenham had seven or eight attempts at goal and scored three goals. We had 28 attempts on goal but scored once.

"Tottenham were very efficient but in the second-half they had two attempts on goal.  We should have beaten Blackburn and Everton and deserved a point today. We're in a false position."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/November/JolSpursReaction.aspx?#ixzz1d0A07HO6

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Jordan rejects penalty claims
Spurs assistant boss admits Fulham win was not easy

Tottenham Hotspur assistant manager Joe Jordan has dismissed suggestions that Fulham should have been given a penalty during the closing stages of the two sides' encounter on Sunday.

Spurs defeated their London rivals 3-1 at Craven Cottage to stay level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League with a game in hand, but the match ended on a controversial note.

With Fulham trailing 2-1 as they sought the equaliser to reward their second-half dominance, Spurs right-back Kyle Walker handled the ball on the floor during a chaotic goalmouth scramble in injury time.

Referee Peter Walton waved play on much to the frustration of the home fans, but Jordan, standing in for manager Harry Redknapp who is recovering at home after undergoing a heart procedure, believes that it was the right decision.

"I don't think it was a penalty," he said. "There were a number of other areas where Fulham should look at. They had chances but they didn't take them."

Resilience

However, Jordan admitted that his players had to struggle in the second half during which Fulham launched an onslaught on the Spurs goal in an effort to get a point.

"We didn't expect to get a third goal the way the game went in the second half. It was just a case of hanging in there," he said.

"In the first half we played well and deserved to be in front, but the second half was entirely different. We showed spirit and had to be resilient.

"Never mind the goalmouth scramble, that last half-hour will have been a good test for Harry.

"If he passes that, which I'm sure he will, he may be back a little bit earlier.

"He's got another two weeks during the international break to recover."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7296202/?

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Jol upbeat in spite of Tottenham loss and Grygera blow

MARTIN Jol managed to see past the frustration he must have been feeling after Fulham's unlucky defeat to Spurs to express confidence in his side's form.

The Whites, 2-0 down at the break, had the high-flying visitors under the cosh for the entire second half, but could only find a way past Brad Friedel once before letting in a late third.

"I think we will be fine. I think we are in a false position," said the Fulham boss.

"I think we deserved at least a point. I won't say we played them off the park because they're too good a team, but we played well and put them under pressure. Everyone played his part.

"The only thing is that it's not the first time. We had the same against Blackburn and Everton.

"Today I think they had seven or eight attempts on goal and scored three goals. We had 28 attempts. They were very efficient.

"We played a 0-0 against Aston Villa, when we played better than them. Blackburn Rovers was the same, 1-1 and against Everton, we played very well too [but lost 3-1]. But we've got goals in our side."

Jol could not help but reflect on his side's misfortune at being denied a clear penalty when Kyle Walker clutched the ball in a late goalmouth scramble.

"I felt we were a bit hard-done. I really thought that the keeper had the ball," he said dryly, such was the obvious nature of the offence.

Jol's disappointing afternoon was compounded by the knee ligament injury to the unfortunate Zdenek Grygera (pictured), which may well have brought an early end to the defender's season.

"I haven't spoken to the medical staff, but it looks bad," Jol said. "I think he's gone to hospital. Grygera is a tough guy but really he was in pain."

There is better news regarding Andrew Johnson at least. The striker picked up an ankle injury against Krakow in midweek and did not play against Spurs, but should recover in a week and be available again after the international break

"I was tempted to start with Bryan Ruiz, but Damien Duff is linking up with Bobby [Zamora] very well," the Fulham boss said.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/11/06/jol-upbeat-in-spite-of-tottenham-loss-and-grygera-blow-64767-29731506/?#ixzz1d0AiJXUm

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Riise to return to Fulham after unlucky loan period

Pompey's on-loan midfielder, Bjorn Helge Riise, looks to return to his parent club Fulham after a disappointing loan period at Fratton Park.

Riise was brought in by Steve Cotterill and started both of his first two games at the club – a home loss to Peterborough and another loss away at Leeds United, but after Cotterill departed only two weeks after Riise had joined, the Norwegian international didn't really fit in to the plans of Whittingham and Gray.

Although Riise has apparently worked hard in training, we've only seen 131 minutes on the pitch from Riise during his loan stay. It was expected he would only be at Pompey for just over a month but the club had the option to extend it.

However, Pompey caretaker manager Guy Whittingham confirmed in his post-match interview that Riise was going to be heading back to Fulham this week.

Whittingham said: "I think Bjorn's going to be going back now. Both Stuart (Gray) and I have said to him we're really grateful for what he did and sorry it didn't work out, but he has been a great pro. I think he's enjoyed his time down here and we've enjoyed having him."

We would like to thank Riise for his time at the club, and it was just really unlucky and bad timing, but Whittingham and Gray obviously don't believe he's worth hanging on to for another month or two and doesn't fit in to their plans after the arrival of Manchester City youngester Abdul Razak. Farewell Riise!



http://pompeypages.com/2011/11/06/riise-to-return-to-fulham-after-unlucky-loan-period/?

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Fulham bemoan their luck after penalty snub and another injury in Tottenham defeat

Fulham boss Martin Jol is sweating on the fitness of Zdenek Grygera, who was taken off on a stretcher against Tottenham after injuring his right knee.

The Czech Republic defender went to hospital for tests and Jol said: 'I haven't spoken to the medical staff but it looks bad.'

Meanwhile, Dickson Etuhu bemoaned referee Peter Walton's decision not to award Fulham a last-gasp penalty after Kyle Walker handled in the box.


Safe hands: Kyle Walker escaped censure for a clear handball in the penalty area

'I was right there and he handled it, the ref knows,' said Etuhu. 'I had a word with him and he said, "Listen I didn't see it and if it was a handball then I'm sorry".'

His manager echoed those thoughts.

'I felt we were a bit hard done by in the penalty situation. It was a penalty,' said Jol.

'We deserved at least a point,' said Jol. 'I won't say we played them off the park because they're too good a team, but we played well and put them under pressure


Fears: Zdendek Grygera was carried from the pitch on a stretcher after falling awkwardly

'Everyone played their part. Today Tottenham had seven or eight attempts at goal and scored three goals. We had 28 attempts on goal but scored once. Tottenham were very efficient but in the second half they had two attempts on goal.'

But Tottenham assistant coach Joe Jordan, standing in for manager Harry Redknapp who is recovering at home after undergoing a heart procedure, disagreed about the penalty.

'I don't think it was a penalty. There were a number of other areas where Fulham should look at. They had chances but they didn't take them,' said Jordan.




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2058363/Fulham-anger-Kyle-Walker-handball.html#ixzz1d0BSvlUF

[WhiteJC]

 
Jack Rodwell and Daniel Sturridge in England squad

England boss Fabio Capello has handed first call-ups to midfielder Jack Rodwell and striker Daniel Sturridge.

Everton's Rodwell, 20, and Chelsea's Sturridge, 22, are in the squad for the friendlies against Spain and Sweden.

Captain John Terry is in the squad despite being the subject of police and Football Association investigations over an alleged racist remark.

Wayne Rooney has been left out as he is set to miss the Euro 2012 group stage through suspension.

Former captain Rio Ferdinand has been overlooked, while Manchester City defender Micah Richards and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll are also missing from the squad which drew 2-2 in Montenegro last month.

Richards wrote on Twitter: "Well well well!!!! Disappointed is an understatement!!"

Fulham's Bobby Zamora and Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker keep their places, and there is a recall for Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Agbonlahor was last capped in a 3-0 win against Belarus in 2009.

Manchester United's Ashley Young is injured but Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott and Liverpool's Glen Johnson return.

Capello's side face world and European champions Spain next Saturday before facing Sweden on Tuesday, 15 November.

England squad to face Spain and Sweden: Joe Hart (Man City), Scott Carson (Bursaspor), David Stockdale (Ipswich); Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Gary Cahill (Bolton), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham); Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Man City), Adam Johnson (Man City), James Milner (Man City), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal); Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Bobby Zamora (Fulham), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd).



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15614738.stm

[WhiteJC]

 
All you got to live for is what you left behind...

Other things:

Mark Schwarzer seems to be back to something like top form – very impressed

Nice how Stephen Kelly has won people over – another good game from him.  It's a shame about Zdenek Grygera though.  He's looked a fine defender and this doesn't look like a minor injury, so our thoughts are with him.  That sounded like serious pain.

(NB: we then had a 2,5,6,3 back four, just like in the olden days).

Baird and Hangeland look a fine partnership. Does Hughes go straight back in when he's fit?  Could Baird have done more for either of the first two goals?  Probably not. Bale's cross was violent, Lennon's run was how I imagine Stanley Matthews to have been, only at rocket speed. It was telling to see the TV footage later: Lennon's jink inside made Baird overplay him that way, but Lennon switched back and Baird could not.  Thrilling football.

Still unsure on Riise. We sit in the left back marauding area and a few times there were runs to be made (e.g. man in possession, space to the left) but Riise was about three seconds late taking off, if he went at all. Konchesky never had any bother getting into these areas at the right time, and perhaps this is what's tainting my opinion, but the timing and quantity of his runs seem wrong to me. Which is especially annoying as the team needs some width to avoid being funneled straight into opponents' busiest areas (and therefore having 47.5 shots, none of which were clean or uncontested...)

Thought Murphy had a really good game and his substitution messed things up a bit. I know why Jol did it, I think: with all the attacking players on the field, having Etuhu's athleticism was probably important in protecting us on the counter and chasing down Spurs raiders, but we lost a bit of momentum there

Sidwell did pretty well but Scott Parker showed himself to be the better player. Both took the 'Chelsea reserves' route to where they are now, of course.

Dempsey had a fine game, a constant threat and an extraordinary ability to anticipate chances and put himself in good positions. He was unlucky not to have scored and had the game gone into extra time (for some reason) I'm sure he would have.

Similarly, Dembele was terrific. There was one moment where he ran round Adebayor (literally right around him) for no great reason, but otherwise his driving runs and bullish defensive efforts really impressed.  There's something thrilling about having a player who can really dribble the ball (rather than just run with it). His jinks and twists and turns are a joy to watch.

Duff, like Murphy, slightly unlucky to come off, but to bring on Ruiz someone had to be sacrificed.  I'd have sent Duff to left-back and taken off Riise I think. Class player and good to see him back.

Zamora was up against King and Kaboul and therefore was always going to have a toughish time of it, but I thought he grew into the game and by the time the second half ticked around he was bullying his way about like it was 2009.

Ruiz looked class again. The through-ball to Dempsey was nicely weighted, and there's something of Dembele in the way he dribbles (not the fully Monty, but similarish). Time to find a way to get him in the side I believe, even if it means a Roma style 4-6-0 for a few games (not that you can or should drop Zamora... what to do? Move Dempsey deeper? Play Duff as a Dani Alves style left back?)

Etuhu gave his critics a nice air shot, and in truth didn't get into the flow of the game at all. Thing is, if our full-backs are to attack properly someone in the midfield needs to drop back and cover, and I still believe Etuhu is the second best player in the squad (behind Baird) to do this.



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/all-you-got-to-live-for-is-what-you-left-behind/?

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Fulham star: "We were robbed"

DICKSON Etuhu admitted Fulham's defeat to Spurs on Sunday felt like they had been robbed. Martin Jol's men dominated the 90 minutes and had a stonewall penalty appeal turned down as they were on the end of a 3-1 reverse at Craven Cottage.

"We were robbed. I thought we were the better team but didn't get the luck," said Etuhu.

"The handball incident was ridiculous. I had a word with the ref but he said he didn't see, and that if it was then he's sorry.

"If we got the penalty it would've been a tight game. But this is the Premier League and you get punished.

"We're doing the right things and are heading in the right direction and I'm sure we'll start creeping up the table soon."

Meanwhile, the Whites are set to discover the extent of Zdenek Grygera's knee injury after he was stretchered off in the first-half.

Etuhu added: "That touched me because it happened right in front of the bench and I heard him scream.

"He's a tough man and for him to react like that it must be serious."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/11/07/fulham-star-we-were-robbed-82029-29733875/?#ixzz1d1ht0SY2

[WhiteJC]

 
Why would the FA want to comply with Fifa's poppy ban?

This situation is a disgrace. It's the first time England have been playing the day before Remembrance Sunday and it seems that the players may not be allowed to have poppies on their shirts because of an old rule about political, religious or commercial messages. Well, this is 2011 and while you don't want to flout the laws, this is a draconian rule and who is going to punish us if we do wear poppies? Maybe they could wear black armbands with poppies on or something like that?


http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,,12086_7297033,00.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Bobby Zamora's right for England

Brede Hangeland believes team-mate Bobby Zamora deserves his place in the England squad, even though the Fulham striker drew a blank in front of Fabio Capello during the 3-1 defeat to Tottenham.

A couple of hours after yesterday's Craven Cottage match, Capello included Zamora in a 25‑man group for Saturday's friendly against Spain and the match with Sweden three days later.

Zamora has scored five times in 18 games this season and despite having just one cap, Hangeland believes his colleague is right for the international stage.

"The way Bobby played, he is definitely a very good player," he said. "If he is not worthy of a spot in the England squad, there must be some great strikers about."

At 30, Zamora is the oldest of the five forwards in the squad with the others being 27-year-old Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor, 25, Daniel Sturridge, 22, and Danny Welbeck, 20.

Wayne Rooney was also left out as Capello targets alternatives with the Manchester United striker currently banned for the entire group stage of Euro 2012 as the Football Association wait on an appeal hearing. The England boss is expected to include Sturridge and Welbeck as well as 19-year-old defender Phil Jones in an experimental line-up against Spain and wants his youngsters to relish the clash against the best side in the world.

"It will be difficult for us because Spain have improved a lot," said Capello. "They won Euro 2008, they won the World Cup and the confidence in their style and their players is really big. It is important for the players that will play on Saturday to know the value of the World Cup winners.

"Daniel has been selected, Welbeck too and Jones, who played really well against Montenegro. I want to see something different. It will be interesting to see these players play a really important game at a sold-out Wembley."

Despite the police investigation into allegations John Terry made a racist comment to Anton Ferdinand, the Chelsea defender is in the squad. However, Terry will not feature in Saturday's clash against the world champions.

England squad to face Spain and Sweden: Joe Hart, Scott Carson, David Stockdale; Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott, Kyle Walker; Frank Lampard, Jack Rodwell, Stewart Downing, Gareth Barry, Adam Johnson, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott; Darren Bent, Daniel Sturridge, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Bobby Zamora, Danny Welbeck.



http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-24007057-bobby-zamoras-right-for-england.do?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham and Blackburn boosted in hunt for Ajax outcast



Premier League duo Fulham and Blackburn have been boosted in their hunt for Ajax outcast Mounir El Hamdaoui, after the Dutch outfit hired a British based agent to help them offload the Morocco international.

El Hamdaoui joined Ajax in the summer of 2010 from Eredivisie rivals AZ Alkmaar, but despite notching up an impressive tally of 30 goals in just 57 games, manager Frank De Boer told him to find a new club in June.

Former boss Martin Jol, who signed the 27-year-old for the Amsterdam club, was hopeful of taking the poacher with him to Fulham, but a move broke down after the Cottagers baulked at the £3million asking price.

A deadline day switch to Espanyol then appeared to be on the cards but, with Ajax refusing to sanction a loan with a view to a permanent deal, that transfer also fell through.

Now, in a bid to get El Hamdaoui off the wage bill, De Boer has hired a British based agent to help find a buyer in England.

Blackburn and Swansea have already expressed a tentative interest, while Fulham would also return to the table if Ajax were prepared to accept a cut price fee of around £2million.

That now looks likely, with El Hamdaoui all but certain to leave in the January transfer window.



http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/1260/48/fulham-and-blackburn-boosted-hunt-ajax-outcast?