Sunday Fulham Stuff (20/11/11)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Inspired Schwarzer frustrates Sunderland

Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer earned Fulham a 0-0 draw at Sunderland with a superb save in stoppage time at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Schwarzer ensured the Cottagers returned to London with a point when he managed to block Stephane Sessegnon's goal-bound shot with his leg despite being sent the wrong way by a wicked deflection.

The former Middlesbrough star's heroics were tough on Sunderland, who had earlier hit the woodwork through Kieran Richardson and Jack Colback.

Sunderland have now won only two of their 12 Premier League games this season and, like Fulham, they remain just two points above the relegation zone.

The Black Cats might have gone in at the break two goals to the good, but equally could have headed for the dressing room trailing by the same margin after a half in which both sides created chances.

Richardson was the unlucky man with nine minutes gone when he met Sessegnon's left-wing cross with a header which wrong-footed Schwarzer, but clipped the top of the crossbar.

Seven minutes later, it was Colback who was left cursing the frame of the goal when he blocked Damien Duff's attempted clearance before spinning and drilling a left-foot shot against it.

Fulham striker Moussa Dembele had earlier forced a fine reaction save from Keiren Westwood after skipping past Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner on the edge of the penalty area.

Phil Bardsley helped Bobby Zamora's header out for a corner and then, when Sunderland old boy Dickson Etuhu met Duff's set-piece, Cattermole cleared off the line to ensure the sides remained locked together.

It took a good save by Westwood to deny Chris Baird after he had drilled in a low drive from Zamora's clever 51st-minute free-kick.

However, it took an even more stunning stop from Schwarzer to keep out Sessegnon's goal-bound effort after it had clipped Philippe Senderos with just seconds remaining.


http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=afp-fbl_eng_pr_sunderland_fulham_20111119

[WhiteJC]

 
Mixed Feelings

Speaking after Saturday's goalless draw at the Stadium of Light, Fulham Manager Martin Jol gave his post-match reaction.

"I've got mixed feelings because we wanted the three points and we could have nicked it at the end," said the Fulham Manager. "If you play away from home and create five or six chances then I feel you deserve something.

"They edged it in the first-half and they're a good team who put you under pressure. They had six or seven crosses in the first 20 minutes but we played better and created two very good opportunities, with Mousa and Dickson going close.

"In the second-half I thought we did well and we had a couple of chances. Danny, Chris Baird and Clint all had chances but they could have also won it in the end with a deflected shot.

"It's difficult to play away from home in the Premier League and we could have nicked it today. If you can keep a clean sheet away from home you always hope to come away with a win but it wasn't to be today.

"I can live with today's result considering we played four centre backs in defence. John Arne Riise's wife gave birth to a son today so he couldn't travel with us.

"We actually had four full backs out today. Grygera of course is a long-term injury, Stephen Kelly was injured and Matthew Briggs was not 100% fit. If you consider these problems we can be happy with a draw."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/November/JolSunderlandReaction.aspx?#ixzz1eENI2ec7

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Sunderland 0-0 Fulham: Pressure increases on Steve Bruce after home side produces disappointing display

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is under increased pressure after his side could only manage a goalless draw with the Fulham, despite hitting the crossbar twice in the first 15 minutes.

The first real chance of the match fell to Fulham during the first few minutes, with Moussa Dembele showing great skill on the edge of the area to beat two Sunderland defenders before striking straight at Black Cat's reserve keeper Keiren Westwood.

Minutes later, Stephane Sessegnon showed great ability in the wide role he has been given by Steve Bruce in recent weeks, managing to beat Aaron Hughes to chip a ball to the near post for Kieran Richardson, who directed a clever header onto the angle of the away side's goal.

The home side began to dominate possession in the midfield and repeatedly looked to threaten the Cottagers' defense. Jack Colback beat the offside trap after a clever pass by Nicklas Bendtner, but the young midfielder failed to find Stephane Sessegnon at the far post, with Mark Schwarzer gathering his attempted pass.

The home team then hit the crossbar for the second time in the opening 16 minutes. Egyptian Ahmed Elmohamady whipped a ball in to the far post, and Colback closed down Hughes' attempted clearance. The 22-year-old smashed a shot towards goal but could only find the crossbar.

Although the first half was largely dominated by the Black Cats, Martin Jol's men began to pile the pressure on in the run up to halftime, with two chances in quick succession minutes before the whistle. The first came from a corner which found Bobby Zamora's head, but Phil Bardsley managed to make the block.

A second corner moments later saw Dickson Etuhu rise above the Sunderland defense and direct a powerful header towards goal, only for tireless midfielder Lee Cattermole to clear the ball off the line.

The Cottagers continued to pile the pressure on after the restart, and their first chance came after a free kick was awarded on the edge of the home side's penalty area. The ball was laid off for Chris Baird to fire in, but Westwood was equal to it, making a smart save low to his right.

Bruce's men showed resilience to hold off the visitors, and eventually managed to fashion some chances of their own, the best of which fell to Sessegnon. After Schwarzer flapped at a corner, the 26-year-old found the ball at his feet, but with his back to goal he could only manage to fire the ball wide.

The game continued to be a tight affair, with both sides creating half-chances. The first fell to substitute Andy Johnson, who managed to find some space on the right side of the penalty area and shot wide across Westwood. The ever-impressive Elmohamady then managed to fire in an early cross and find the head of Bendtner, who directed a tame header goal-ward which Schwarzer gathered with ease. 

Fulham had a chance to snatch a win after a Sunderland corner led to a two-on-one counter-attack in favor of the away side. Dembele squared the ball for Clint Dempsey who wastefully fired what was arguably the best chance of the match wide of Westwood's goal.

In the dying seconds, Sessegnon managed to fashion a shot which took a deflection on its way to goal. Schwarzer got down low to make a fantastic save and keep his side in the match. As the final whistle was blown, the players left the field to a chorus of boos from the home fans.

The result keeps the Black Cats and the Cottagers 15th and 16th respectively in the Premier League table



http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=goal-sunderlandfulhampressureinc

[WhiteJC]

 
Makeshift defence stifles Sunderland
by DAN on NOVEMBER 19, 2011

Given Fulham's laughably poor away record, another point on the road can't be sniffed at. Although Clint Dempsey might have sealed a second successive away win on a late counter-attack, Martin Jol will be pleased with the point, particularly as he had to depend on a makeshift back four to keep Sunderland quiet. Without John Arne Riise, Stephen Kelly or Zdenek Grygera to call upon, Jol fielded four centre backs across the back and, despite some lucky escapes, emerged with a creditable draw.

It was close at times. The under-pressure Steve Bruce will reflect on some untimely misfortune in front of goal as he side largely dominated proceedings but were thwarted twice by the woodwork in a bright start. Kieran Richardson, restored to midfield in the absence of the suspended Sebastian Larsson, glanced the top of the crossbar with a header from Sebastian Sessegnon's cross. The promising Jack Colback also smashed a shot against the woodwork. When they weren't denied by the frame of the goal, Sunderland found Mark Schwarzer throwing himself in their way. Most impressively, he improvised to keep out Sessegnon's deflected drive with his feet deep into injury-time.

Fulham were largely subdued, operating on the break. Moussa Dembele spurned their brightest opening, with Kieran Westwood sprawling to save his shot after the Belgian forward had burst past Michael Turner and Lee Cattermole. But clear-cut chances were at a premium for Jol's side in a first half where organisation and patience came to the fore. They almost led at the break having forced two openings at set-pieces. First, Bobby Zamora's downward header was blocked behind by Bardsley and then Cattermole cleared Dickson Etuhu's header off the line from the resulting corner.

Sunderland continued to press for that elusive opener in the second period. Sessegnon and Ahmed Elmohamady were posing plenty of problems for the Fulham defence, but couldn't find the telling final ball. Sessegnon saw a deflected shot moments after the restarted bundled to safety by Danny Murphy, but Bruce's side looked most dangerous from corners. Chris Baird cleared Wes Brown's goalbound header from inside the six-yard box before Sessegnon shot wide after Schwarzer had failed to claim a Bardsley delivery. The Australian keeper did redeem himself with a brilliant save with his feet to repel Sessegnon's shot, which looked to have beaten him once it deflected off Philippe Senderos.

The visitors will rue their missed second half chances on the counter. Westwood did well to claw away a Baird free-kick and Andy Johnson, who replaced the limping and largely ineffectual Bobby Zamora, saw a low drive deflected wide. The best chance came in the closing stages when Schwarzer's quick throw-out fed Dembele. The Belgian sped into the Sunderland half and released Dempsey with a raking pass, only for the American to snatch at the shot and send it wide of Westwood's goal – when a return ball to the onrushing Dembele might have been a better option.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-1-1): Westwood; Bardsley, O'Shea, Turner, Brown; Cattermole, Colback (Ji Dong-Won 73), Elmohamady (Noble 88), Richardson; Sessegnon; Bendtner. Subs (not used): Carson, Egan, Gardner, Vaughan, Meyler.

BOOKED: Cattermole.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Schwarzer; Hughes, Baird, Hangeland, Senderos; Etuhu, Murphy; Duff (Ruiz 87), Dempsey (Briggs 90), Dembele; Zamora (Johnson 68). Subs (not used): Etheridge, Gecov, Kacaniklic, Kasami.

BOOKED: Etuhu.

ATTENDANCE: 37,688.

REFEREE: Anthony Taylor (Manchester).



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/11/makeshift-defence-stifles-sunderland/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Sunderland 0 Fulham 0

Well I called this one wrong didn`t I?

Although I hinted that many media hacks anticipated that this would be a drab affair I suggested otherwise.

I hinted that it could be a thrilling encounter and that Fulham would notch up a second successive away victory in the Premier League.

Well I was wrong and they were right!

Martin Jol was forced to shuffle his pack following the injury sustained by Grygera last time out and also the late withdrawal of John Arne Riise. Into the defence came Philippe Senderos and Aaron Hughes. In midfield, Steve Sidwell didn`t recover from his injury in time and Dickson Etuhu was given his first start since August. Up front, Andrew Johnson could only make the bench alongside our expensive signing Bryan Ruiz.

It was a tedious affair that disintegrated into a dour midfield battle that saw neither side emerge as victors.

True, there were chances but they were few and far between.

In the first half our hosts rattled the bar twice, the better of the two coming when Schwarzer turned a shot from Colback onto the woodwork.

The closest Fulham came was when Etuhu saw his effort cleared off the line by Cattermole.

As the game descended into one of those affairs you can`t wait to end, the lack of real quality was emphasised by shots from Murphy and Sessegnon, both of which drifted wide.

Jol made a late effort to change matters by bringing on Ruiz with three minutes remaining (surely too late) but nothing was too change.

Don`t glance behind you - that relegation zone looks daunting even more so with in form Arsenal next on our Premier League agenda!



http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=262926

[WhiteJC]

 
Schwarzer saves Fulham at Stadium of Light

Sunderland 0 Fulham 0
Keeper Mark Schwarzer was Fulham's hero as he denied Sunderland victory with a remarkable injury-time save.

The Australia international, who had earlier seen both Kieran Richardson and Jack Colback rattle his woodwork in a bright start by the Black Cats, managed to block Stephane Sessegnon's injury-time shot with his leg despite being sent the wrong way by a wicked deflection.

However, while Steve Bruce's Sunderland created more than enough chances to win the game, they were also indebted to their keeper, Keiren Westwood, for two smart saves which kept out Moussa Dembele and Chris Baird.

Sunderland have now won only two of their 12 Barclays Premier League games to date this season and collected just 11 points from a possible 36, and a crowd of 37,688 trudged away knowing things will have to change quickly if they are to achieve their aim of a comfortable top-10 finish.

For Fulham, a point represented a decent return after three defeats in their last four league games in what was their 25th fixture of the season.

Sunderland might have gone in at the break two goals to the good, but equally could have headed for the dressing room trailing by the same margin after a half in which both sides created chances.

The Black Cats, however, will feel fortune was not on their side as they largely dominated, but were twice denied by the woodwork inside the opening 16 minutes.

Midfielder Richardson was the unlucky man with nine minutes gone when he met Sessegnon's left-wing cross with a header which wrong-footed Schwarzer, but clipped the top of the crossbar.

Seven minutes later, it was Colback who was left cursing the frame of the goal when he blocked Damien Duff's attempted clearance before spinning and drilling a left-foot shot against it.

Fulham striker Dembele had earlier forced a fine reaction save from Westwood after skipping past Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner on the edge of the penalty area.

But with Nicklas Bendtner and Sessegnon causing all sorts of problems for the visitors' defence, the traffic was heading mainly in the other direction.

Sessegnon directed a weak 23rd-minute header straight at Schwarzer and Phil Bardsley had a drilled long-range effort blocked by Brede Hangeland.

However, the visitors staged an injury-time flurry and might have taken the lead twice in quick succession.

First Bardsley helped Bobby Zamora's header out for a corner and then, when Sunderland old boy Dickson Etuhu met Duff's set-piece, Cattermole cleared off the line to ensure the sides remained locked together.

Sunderland returned in determined mood and Aaron Hughes had to cut out an Ahmed Elmohamady cross with Richardson looming before Danny Murphy hacked Sessegnon's deflected shot to safety within seconds of the restart.

It took a good save by Westwood to deny Chris Baird after he had drilled in a low drive from Zamora's clever 51st-minute free-kick.

Elmohamady's pace was proving too much for Baird at times, but too often the Egypt international failed to produce a telling final ball.

Bardsley, however, was providing much better service from a series of corners with Baird having to clear Wes Brown's goal-bound header and Sessegnon slicing wide after Schwarzer had come for, but missed, a right-wing cross.

Murphy might have put the visitors ahead when the ball broke to him on the edge of the Sunderland penalty area with 65 minutes gone, but he fired straight at Westwood.

Jol replaced Zamora with Andrew Johnson and Bruce sent on striker Ji Dong-won for Colback as they both looked for victory with the clock running down.

Neither Bendtner nor Elmohamady could get a touch on Sessegnon's 76th-minute cross as it flew across the penalty area, but both Johnson and Clint Dempsey shot just wide of Westwood's far post in a tense conclusion.

However, it took a stunning reaction save from Schwarzer to keep out Sessegnon's goal-bound effort after it had clipped Philippe Senderos with just seconds remaining.



http://www.eecho.ie/news/sport/schwarzer-saves-fulham-at-stadium-of-light-529029.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Sunderland 0-0 Fulham

SUNDERLAND WERE left frustrated by a combination of Mark Schwarzer's excellence between the posts and their inability to finish their chances.

The Black Cats hit the woodwork twice in the first half alone and saw Schwarzer deny them from point-blank range in the second half with an impossible block.

Steve Bruce brought Ahmed Elmohamady into the side for the suspended Sebastian Larsson whilst John O'Shea recovered in time to play at full-back.

Fulham were without John Arne Riise so Chris Baird was at left back with Aaron Hughes in from the wilderness down the right. Andy Johnson started on the bench despite his impressive recent form.

In a scrappy opening period of the game, Sunderland went closest by far when they twice hit the bar from close-range through Kieran Richardson and Jack Colback.

Fulham were restricted in chances and only looked like scoring when Kieren Westwood dropped a routine high-ball under pressure. The Irish 'keeoper was however able to recover.

Half-time: 0-0

The second-half continued in much the same vein with Fulham trying to hit the hosts on the counter with little success.

Sunderland continued to crank up the pressure with Stephane Sessegnon putting in a virtuoso display down the left-flank after Ji Dong-Won joined the action.

On more than one occasion the Benin international danced his way down the left before hooking in a tantalizing cross. The Black Cats though, were unable to convert from close-range.

Schwarzer somehow denied Sessegnon following Bardlsey's setup at the death after a heavy deflection appeared to have helped the ball home. The Australian 'keeper flung out a leg which succeeded in blocking the goalbound effort.

Fulham could've snatched all three themselves when Bobby Zamora drove forward before releasing Clint Dempsey on the break. The American talisman somehow dragged his shot wide when one-on-one though.

Full-time: 0-0

Not a classic encounter by any means, but Sunderland certainly came closest. The lack of a top-draw finisher is evident as the chances were being created but the final shot was somewhat lacking.

Sunderland: Westwood; O'Shea, Brown, Turner, Bardsley; Elmohamady (Noble), Cattermole (c), Colback (Ji), Richardson; Sessegnon; Bendtner.

Not used: Carson (gk), Vaughan, Egan, Meyler and Gardner.

Fulham: Schwarzer; Baird, Senderos, Hangeland, Baird; Dempsey (Briggs), Etuhu, Murphy (c), Duff (Ruiz); Dembele & Zamora (Johnson).

Not used: Etheridge (gk), Gecov, Kasami & Kacaniklic.

Attendance: 37 688

Referee: Mr A Taylor



Read more: http://www.sunderland.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=262931#ixzz1eEPFcv3C

[WhiteJC]

 
Report: Sunderland v Fulham

Schwarzer ensures stalemate Keeper Mark Schwarzer was Fulham's hero as he denied Sunderland victory with a remarkable injury-time save as it ended in stalemate.

The Australia international, who had earlier seen both Kieran Richardson and Jack Colback rattle his woodwork in a bright start by the Black Cats, managed to block Stephane Sessegnon's injury-time shot with his leg despite being sent the wrong way by a wicked deflection.

However, while Steve Bruce's Sunderland created more than enough chances to win the game, they were also indebted to their keeper, Keiren Westwood, for two smart saves which kept out Moussa Dembele and Chris Baird.

Sunderland have now won only two of their 12 Barclays Premier League games to date this season and collected just 11 points from a possible 36, and a crowd of 37,688 trudged away knowing things will have to change quickly if they are to achieve their aim of a comfortable top-10 finish.

For Fulham, a point represented a decent return after three defeats in their last four league games in what was their 25th fixture of the season.

Sunderland might have gone in at the break two goals to the good, but equally could have headed for the dressing room trailing by the same margin after a half in which both sides created chances.

The Black Cats, however, will feel fortune was not on their side as they largely dominated, but were twice denied by the woodwork inside the opening 16 minutes.

Midfielder Richardson was the unlucky man with nine minutes gone when he met Sessegnon's left-wing cross with a header which wrong-footed Schwarzer, but clipped the top of the crossbar.

Seven minutes later, it was Colback who was left cursing the frame of the goal when he blocked Damien Duff's attempted clearance before spinning and drilling a left-foot shot against it.

Fulham striker Dembele had earlier forced a fine reaction save from Westwood after skipping past Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner on the edge of the penalty area.

But with Nicklas Bendtner and Sessegnon causing all sorts of problems for the visitors' defence, the traffic was heading mainly in the other direction.

Sessegnon directed a weak 23rd-minute header straight at Schwarzer and Phil Bardsley had a drilled long-range effort blocked by Brede Hangeland.

However, the visitors staged an injury-time flurry and might have taken the lead twice in quick succession.

First Bardsley helped Bobby Zamora's header out for a corner and then, when Sunderland old boy Dickson Etuhu met Duff's set-piece, Cattermole cleared off the line to ensure the sides remained locked together.

Sunderland returned in determined mood and Aaron Hughes had to cut out an Ahmed Elmohamady cross with Richardson looming before Danny Murphy hacked Sessegnon's deflected shot to safety within seconds of the restart.

It took a good save by Westwood to deny Chris Baird after he had drilled in a low drive from Zamora's clever 51st-minute free-kick.

Elmohamady's pace was proving too much for Baird at times, but too often the Egypt international failed to produce a telling final ball.

Bardsley, however, was providing much better service from a series of corners with Baird having to clear Wes Brown's goal-bound header and Sessegnon slicing wide after Schwarzer had come for, but missed, a right-wing cross.

Murphy might have put the visitors ahead when the ball broke to him on the edge of the Sunderland penalty area with 65 minutes gone, but he fired straight at Westwood.

Jol replaced Zamora with Andrew Johnson and Bruce sent on striker Ji Dong-won for Colback as they both looked for victory with the clock running down.

Neither Bendtner nor Elmohamady could get a touch on Sessegnon's 76th-minute cross as it flew across the penalty area, but both Johnson and Clint Dempsey shot just wide of Westwood's far post in a tense conclusion.

However, it took a stunning reaction save from Schwarzer to keep out Sessegnon's goal-bound effort after it had clipped Philippe Senderos with just seconds remaining.


http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/matchreports/report-sunderland-v-fulham-67681/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol hails veteran Schwarzer
Dutchman happy enough with away point

Fulham boss Martin Jol praised goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer after his instinctive save late on denied Sunderland all three points.

The 39-year-old prevented Stephane Sessegnon's deflected injury-time shot from nestling into the back of the net with a last-ditch block to help the Cottagers take a point back home to London.

That save capped off a solid performance in what was the Australian's 450th Premier League appearance.

"He does that all the time. He's got a lot of experience and great quality, so I am happy he is our goalkeeper," Jol said.

Crossbar

Schwarzer did have the crossbar to thank twice for preserving his clean sheet following efforts from Kieran Richardson and Jack Colback, however Jol seemed happy enough to have finished the Stadium of Light encounter with a hard-fought point.

"If you play well away from home and you have five of six chances, maybe you deserve something," the Dutchman said.

"They had a few good players up front, but I don't think it was good enough to say they should have won this game. Of course, they were playing at home with this crowd.

"I can't say it was pleasing because we needed the three points, but I can live with it because after the first 20 minutes and with the shot at the end, we could have lost it as well."


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7317900/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Sunderland 0 - 0 Fulham

Our deepest fears may not have rose to the surface, but, then again, neither did any morsel of merriment. A 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light, even one in which Mark Schwarzer was the most tested individual by a fair distance, is by all means a decent one. However, it is one that fails to to excite the masses and, most importantly, it is one that fails to lift us out of the bottom quarter of the Premier League.

It's always nice to prove Mark Lawrenson wrong, though.



While John Arne Riise endured the headache of a wife giving birth, Martin Jol had the headache of picking a suitable back four. In the end, with Kelly, Briggs and Grygera out, a back four consisting of four centre backs was selected, Baird and Hughes filling out the wide roles.

In the early exchanges, it seemed to be the relative positional inexperience of our back line that was causing the problems as Sunderland delivered cross after cross. Kieran Richardson was arguably the one who came closest from this opening pressure, scraping the bar with a header.

Not long later, Sessegnon forced a good save from Schwarzer while Colback struck the bar yet again. Clearly, Fulham didn't quite have the rub of the green.

Yet, as the game continued to flow, Jol's men finally began to stamp some meaningful authority on the game, forcing Sunderland into a myriad of long range shots. None of them troubled our Australian stopper to too much of an extent.

Just before half time, Dickson Etuhu almost opened the scoring. The midfielder, on a yellow card, rose highest from a corner but Kieran Westwood made an emphatic save to deny the Nigerian. The following Fulham faithful were all but ready to celebrate.

However, the sides went into the break on a stalemate and came out, seemingly, reinvigorated.

Bobby Zamora won a free kick just outside the home side's area, but yet again Westwood saved smartly from a finely struck Chris Baird shot. Clearly, this was an afternoon that the goalkeepers were winning.

Chris Baird and Aaron Hughes had clearly settled in their roles as full backs and were coping admirably with a wide threat from Richardson and Elmohamady. Steve Bruce's side were intent on scoring and taking the three points, but to Fulham's credit, they stood firm. Baird, as always, was the most competent.

Andy Johnson came on with 20 minutes remaining, presumably in a bid to snatch victory. On closer inspection, though, it looked as though Zamora had picked up a knock and Jol was simply hoping not to aggravate it.

Bendtner came closest to a teasingly placed cross late on, but he failed to connect while Fulham were now working on the counter.

It was doing so, however, that almost gifted Clint Dempsey the chance to break the deadlock. As he had done throughout the game, Moussa Dembele worked insatiably hard to win and keep the ball, covering 50 yards before laying the ball to Dempsey. The American's strike didn't quite reward Dembele's work though, as it drifted wide of the mark.

It was then down to Mark Schwarzer to save the point with a rather wondrous stop in the dying moments.

The fluctuating nature of the game was well summed up in a point all round, but it left both sets of supporters understandably frustrated. Fulham are now 16th.



http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2011/11/19/2573641/sunderland-0-0-fulham?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's Martin Jol content with goalless draw

Fulham manager Martin Jol admits Sunderland were the better team in the first half of their goalless draw at the Stadium of Light.

Jol describes goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer as the "best in the business" after he made a superb save with his legs to keep out Stephane Sessegnon's deflected shot.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15807874.stm?

[WhiteJC]

 
I'm certain we will move away from relegation zone - Fulham manager Martin Jol confident despite stalemate against Sunderland
Cottagers boss optimistic about future and admits to mixed emotions after goalless draw at Stadium of Light, with his side just two places above the drop zone



Fulham manager Martin Jol expressed confidence that his side would climb away from the relegation zone following the goalless draw against fellow strugglers Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Dutch coach remained bullish about his prospects for the season even though Fulham have still only won two Premier League games this term and remain just two points above the bottom three after the stalemate on Wearside.

"We are very confident we can climb away from the wrong end of the table," Jol told reporters in his post-match press conference.

"I am confident because if you saw us play at home against Everton at home no one could believe it that we did not win. It was the same against Spurs. They had three attempts at goal and scored three times.

"We had 28 and couldn't score. It was an own goal. That was harsh. Against West Brom we should have won. Against Wigan we got three points and today showed that it not always easy to play in the Premier League away from home.

"If you are in a situation where you keep a clean sheet you can always come away with a win and that is what I hoped for today but it wasn't to be.

"But that was out 25th game of season so there will be an element of fatigue. You want to do well in Europe but the Premier League is most important for us and it is not always easy."

Jol said he had mixed emotions over the result after watching both sides squander goalscoring chances.

"You always had mixed feelings because you need all three points but on the other hand it might have been a bit unjust if we had nicked it at the end with Clint Dempsey, especially as they had six or seven chances in the first 20 minutes," he added.

"Sunderland are a good team and they put a lot of pressure on you but we lived with it and in the second half we did well and had a few chances that fell to Chris Baird, Danny Murphy and Clint but they could have won it in the end with the deflected shot. Mark Schwarzer does that all the time. He has a lot of experience and great quality and I am happy that he is our goalkeeper.

"They had a few good players up front but they were not good enough to say they should have won this game. I can't say it is pleasing because we needed the three points but I can certainly live with it."

Jol, who took off Bobby Zamora due to a hip injury, revealed his resources were stretched as John Arne-Riise had been unavailable as his wife had given birth.

"John Arne-Riise could not travel up because his wife has just given birth to a son this morning. We had four full-backs out we played with four centre-backs so you can be happy with a draw."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/11/19/2764145/im-certain-we-will-move-away-from-relegation-zone-fulham-manager-?

[WhiteJC]

 
U18s see off Ipswich
by DAN on NOVEMBER 19, 2011

Fulham's Under-18s brushed off their defeat at Chelsea last week as they returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Ipswich at Motspur Park this morning.

Goals from Cauley Woodrow, Mahrez Bettache and Muamer Tankovic secured the three points. The win took Fulham back to the top of the Group A. The Whites sit a point ahead of Arsenal, with a game in hand.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/11/u18s-see-off-ipswich/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Crowd begin to turn on Bruce after Sunderland labour
Sunderland 0 Fulham 0

John Arne Riise was a notable absentee from the visitors' starting line-up on Wearside yesterday. "He gave birth to a son this morning," the Fulham manager Martin Jol reported afterwards, adding hastily, "with his wife." On the pitch there was no end to the pregnant pause and the hard labour.

Sunderland squandered a hatful of first-half chances, missing gilt-edged opportunity to kick start their season. They finished to a hail of boos, and to isolated chants of "Bruce Out", after a stagnant second-half. Steve Bruce's side have won only two of 15 home games in League and cup since New Year's Day. Ultimately, they were denied in injury time when a deflected Stéphane Sessègnon shot drew a fine reflex save from the 39-year-old Mark Schwarzer. "They could have won it at the end but I didn't think they were good enough," Jol reflected.

There might have been a goal at either end in the opening 10 minutes. First Moussa Dembélé jinked past Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner on the right edge of the Sunderland penalty area and unleashed a left-foot drive that Keiren Westwood saved with his chest. Then Sessègnon teed up Kieran Richardson for a header that rattled off the angle of bar and post.

Sunderland fashioned another couple of clear openings orchestrated by Nicklas Bendtner. First the roving Danish forward dropped deep into midfield to thread a pass that put Jack Colback through on the right side of the Fulham area only for the red-haired midfielder to square a pass into the arms of Schwarzer.

Then Bendtner supplied Ahmed Elmohamady for a cross from the right that culminated in Colback turning smartly and smacking a left foot drive against the bar.

Schwarzer also saved a header from Sessègnon and Sunderland might have counted the cost as Fulham built up an attacking head of steam late in the first half but Cattermole came to the rescue, nodding a header from Dickson Etuhu off the line.

It was Fulham who started the brighter in the second-half, left-back Chris Baird firing a stinging grass-cutter that had the diving Westwood at full stretch to save.

Roused by the home crowd, the Black Cats did get their claws into the visitors but only fleetingly, Baird nodding a Sessègnon header out of the goalmouth just after the hour. Not long after came the wincing sight of Michael Turner, the Sunderland central defender, having stitches applied to a head wound in full view of the audience at pitch-side. The contest itself never lacked needle. Indeed, the combative Etuhu was fortunate to avoid a second yellow card on his return to the Stadium of Light.

The match continued to lack a decisive touch, though. Five minutes from the end Clint Dempsey fired a shot across the home goal. Then, in injury time, Schwarzer brilliantly saved a deflected Sessègnon shot with his legs.

Sunderland (4-4-2): Westwood; O'Shea, Turner, Brown, Bardsley; Elmohamady (Noble, 88), Cattermole, Colback (Ji, 73), Richardson; Sessègnon, Bendtner.

Fulham (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Hughes, Senderos, Hangeland, Baird; Duff (Ruiz, 86), Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey (Briggs, 90); Dembélé; Zamora (Johnson, 68).

Referee Anthony Taylor.

Man of the match Westwood (Sunderland).

Match rating 5/10.



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/crowd-begin-to-turn-on-bruce-after-sunderland-labour-6264994.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham price Bobby at £15m
by DAN on NOVEMBER 20, 2011



Fulham have put a £15m price tag on striker Bobby Zamora in a bid to ensure the England striker doesn't leave Craven Cottage in January.

The People reports that Fulham are concerned by QPR's continued interest in the 30 year-old forward, who made his first start for his country against Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday night. Neil Warnock has been handed a substantial budget by Rangers owner Tony Fernandes as he looks to build on his side's strong start on their return to the top flight and Zamora reportedly features on his wishlist as does unsettled Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka.

Zamora, whose contract at Craven Cottage runs until 2014, has been the subject of newspaper reports suggesting he hasn't seen eye-to-eye with new manager Martin Jol this season but it is believed that Fulham's extraordinarily high valuation should ward off potential suitors. A much more likely transfer target for QPR is Andy Johnson, who the People claim is also interesting a number of MLS franchise. Johnson has turned down a new deal with the Whites – and with his contract expiring at the end of the current campaign – has been linked with a move to Loftus Road, either in January for a cut-price fee or on a Bosman in the summer.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/11/fulham-price-bobby-at-15m/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham mull move for Simpson
by DAN on NOVEMBER 20, 2011



Fulham are planning a move for Newcastle full-back Danny Simpson as the right back looks likely to turn down a new contract with the Magpies.

According to the People, The 24 year-old is apparently dismayed that the five-year contract offered to him by Newcastle will still leave him as one of the current squad's lowest earners. The former Manchester United defender, who has stalled for some time on signing an extension to his present deal – which has 18 months to run – has made 15 appearances for Alan Pardew's side this season, scoring in their League Cup victory over Nottingham Forest.

Fulham, who are searching for cover at right back after a long-term injury to Zdenek Grygera, will likely be joined in the race for Simpson's signature by QPR and West Ham. The Hammers have been admirers of the attacking full-back for some time whilst Joey Barton has apparently been encouraged Rangers boss Neil Warnock to make a concrete offer for Simpson.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/11/fulham-mull-move-for-simpson/?

[WhiteJC]

 
SUNDERLAND 0 - FULHAM 0: ACE KEIREN WESTWOOD TURNS ON STYLE TO FOIL FULHAM

IT'S easy to see why these two sides are languishing in the Premier League's lower reaches.

For all their attractive approach play, neither could land the killer blow. Sunderland's goal famine against Fulham now stretches to five games – and they have netted only once in their last seven meetings.

A more worrying statistic for Black Cats boss Steve Bruce, who again faced isolated calls of "Bruce out!'' from dissenting fans, is that his struggling side have tasted victory just twice in their last 15 league and cup matches on Wearside.

Fulham threatened in the seventh minute. Damien Duff fed Bobby Zamora, whose deft touch found Moussa Dembele. The Belgium forward beat Michael Turner, but keeper Keiren Westwood (above) made a fine block.

Sunderland hit the woodwork twice early on and Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer pulled off a terrific reaction save with his leg to deny Stephane Sessegnon a deflected goal at the death. They were still booed off.

Bruce's side had rookie striker Ryan Noble among their substitutes and it was their midfield men flooding forward who caused Fulham problems.

On nine minutes Sessegnon chipped the ball in and Kieran Richardson's header glanced off the bar. Moments later, Nicklas Bendtner released Jack Colback, but his low centre was cut out by Schwarzer.

Colback was unlucky to see a tremendous shot hit the bar as the Black Cats gained control. That is not a word you would apply to Lee Cattermole when it comes to his combative instincts. The Sunderland skipper went through Dembele with a tackle that brought him his fourth booking this season.

There may have been a measure of revenge dished out by former Sunderland midfielder Dickson Etuhu when he, too, was shown a yellow card for a dangerously high challenge on Cattermole.

And Etuhu was fortunate not to be making the long walk for another poor tackle, referee Anthony Taylor showing remarkable leniency.

That would have been even more contentious had Etuhu scored seconds before half-time. With heavy irony, it was Cattermole who blocked his header on the line.

Sunderland had to survive again when Zamora tapped a free-kick to Chris Baird, whose drive was brilliantly turned aside by Westwood.

When opposite number Schwarzer missed his punch from Phil Bardsley's right-wing corner, Sessegnon shot wide.

Fulham skipper Danny Murphy passed up a great opportunity with a weak shot straight at Westwood.

Sunderland were disrupted when Turner needed touchline treatment for a cut on the nose.

Fulham boss Martin Jol decided on a change, Zamora making way for Andy Johnson. But their best chance in the second period fell to Clint Dempsey, who pulled his shot wide after being set up.

Bruce said: "The home form is disappointing. You want to play well in front of your own fans.

"I think the vast majority know what we're trying to do, but we must improve. Pressure is always here. The size of the crowd was absolutely terrific. If we have an Achilles heel, it's scoring goals.''

Jol said: "We could have nicked it through Clint near the end. In the second half, I think we did well and had chances.

"If you come away from home and have five or six chances, you deserve something.

"After the first 20 minutes Sunderland had and the shot at the end, you have to be happy with a point. Mark does that all the time – he has the experience and quality.''

Jol said Zamora had been forced off with a hip problem.



http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/284887/Sunderland-0-Fulham-0-Ace-Keiren-Westwood-turns-on-style-to-foil-Fulham?