Tuesday Fulham Stuff (11/12/12)...

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Duff and Fulham back on track

Fulham 2 Newcastle 1: Damien Duff helped Fulham to victory over Newcastle United, when he laid on goals in each half for Steve Sidwell and Hugo Rodallega at Craven Cottage. Fulham's first victory in eight games keeps them 13th in the Premier League, three points and one place ahead of the visitors, who are without an away win in eight.

Newcastle equalised Sidwell's deflected opener through a brilliant 20-metre strike by midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, which flew into the net off the underside of the crossbar, but they were unable to strike back after Duff crossed for Rodallega to head home, though they did come close when Fabricio Coloccini's powerful shot struck the crossbar.

The Whites made five changes for tonight's game and started brightly, with winger Alex Kacaniklic shooting wide after just 55 seconds.

It was the first of a number of early Fulham half chances, although the Magpies soon settled. After a few warning shots, Papiss Cisse collected a poor Mark Schwarzer clearance and came close to finding Demba Ba.

The chance seemed to jolt Fulham into life and Rodallega came close with an acrobatic strike after collecting a ball from Duff. The pair linked up again in the 19th minute as Fulham ended their goal drought as the latter pulled back for Sidwell, whose strike took a deflection off Williamson and looped over Krul.

After waiting more than five hours for a goal, Fulham fans almost got to witness two in as many minutes.

Dimitar Berbatov cut out a weak Cheick Tiote pass and burst past Coloccini at the halfway line, only for Krul to thwart the Fulham frontman when through on goal. The former Manchester United striker was again denied by Krul in the 29th minute.

After only managing to palm a fierce Riether cross into the path of Berbatov, the Netherlands international did well to recover and deny the Bulgarian before Williamson cleared.

It began a spell of Newcastle pressure that saw them come close to levelling in the 31st minute, with Riether having to clear a powerful Coloccini header from the edge of the box off the line.

Newcastle were again cursing the German right-back on the stroke of half-time when he denied them on the line, with Ba the man frustrated this time.

The visitors continued in the ascendancy when the second half resumed, with Anita — managed by Fulham's Martin Jol during the pair's time at Ajax — flashed a 47th-minute strike just over the bar.

Berbatov fired into the side-netting when Fulham returned to the attack, before Schwarzer looked on as Ben Arfa struck a 54th-minute equaliser. The Frenchman marked his return to the starting line-up after four games out with a goal from 22 yards that curled in off the crossbar.

Krul was having no such problems and did well to deny Sidwell as he searched for a second.

The Netherlands international was soon beaten, though, as Duff curled in a free from the right and Rodallega nodded home unmarked from six yards.

Berbatov saw penalty appeals waved away soon after the 63rd-minute header, before Fulham sat back and waited for chances on the counter-attack.

Coloccini flicked clear as Berbatov threatened, before the Newcastle captain saw an exquisite curled strike hit the crossbar at the other end. Substitute Shola Ameobi, Ba and Jonas Gutierrez were all denied by Schwarzer as United pushed for a leveller, before Aaron Hughes blocked a late Ba strike.

Berbatov was denied a deserved goal as the game came to a close and substitute Mladen Petric clipped the post from distance.



http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2012/1210/1224327727575.html?

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High-octane Fulham too much for Newcastle

Fulham 2-1 Newcastle United

FULHAM turned in one of their most energetic performances of the season to lift themselves out their winless streak.

Hugo Rodallega (pictured) headed home his second goal for the club to bag the points after Hatem Ben Arfa had cancelled an early strike from Steve Sidwell.

Dimitar Berbatov was quoted in the matchday programme as saying he not care to see players 'puffing around the pitch' rather than express themselves with skill, but even Fulham's style guru would have to concede the water-carrying was essential for this win.

Martin Jol's men plumped for a high velocity performance, brimming with aggression and determination to close down the opposition.

At times the game had the feel of a cup tie, such was Fulham's urgency to end their recent slump ahead of the derby with QPR.

Fulham's high octane start, which set the tempo for the evening, brought them reward after 19 minutes when Sidwell clipped a shot in off the underside of the bar – his shot looping in off defender Mike Williamson.

And within a minute, it should have been 2-0, when a slip by Fabricio Coloccini gave Berbatov a clear run on goal from half way.

Even with his unhurried stride, nobody was going to catch him, but the Bulgarian – clad in black tights and gloves - met his match in keeper Tim Krul, who stood tall and palmed the shot away.

Rodallega, who played a part in the Fulham goal by slipping the ball through for Damien Duff to pull back to Sidwell, missed a good chance a moment before the opener – volleying too high after finding space to chest down a floated Duff cross from the right.

The chances kept coming. Rodallega and Sacha Riether combined to give Berbatov another chance, that Krul this time saved with his legs, more by luck than judgement.

Riether then proved his worth at the other end by heading off the line when Coloccini met a Vurnon Anita corner with a full-blooded header and later blocking a far post effort from Demba Ba following another set piece.

But the Geordies equalised on 54 minutes with a goal out of nothing, when Ben Arfa was allowed time to control the ball on the edge of the area and ping in a snap shot that deceived Mark Schwarzer and crept in off the underside of the bar.

Unfortunately for the Aussie stopper, it was not his only moment of uncertainty and he appears to be experiencing a dip in form, having been at fault for Tottenham's opening goal in the last match at the Cottage.

Back came Fulham and Sidwell, played through by Berbatov, was thwarted by Krul, who rushed off his line to smother, but moments later, Rodallega buried a free-kick from Duff with a simple near post header to restore the lead on 64 minutes.

Coloccini almost made it 2-2 with a curler than smacked the angle of crossbar and post as the game continued to flow from end to end.

Mladen Petric shaved a post moments after coming on for Rodallega as the game did its best to match last year's 5-2 scoreline. It may not have had seven goals in the end, but the result surely felt as sweet for Jol's men.

Line up: Schwarzer; Riether, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise; Duff, Baird, Sidwell, Kacaniklic (Dejagah 62); Rodallega (Petric87), Berbatov. Subs not used: Etheridge, Senderos, Karagounis, Richardson, Diarra. Attendance: 25,270



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2012/12/10/82029-32401994/?#ixzz2EiQef5UJ

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Fulham's Hugo Rodallega rises to quell Newcastle's fightback


Fulham's Steve Sidwell races across the pitch in celebration after scoring his side's
first goal against Newcastle. Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

This was a game that Fulham might have won several times over. And yet they did so only after Newcastle United had staged an improbable fightback.

One of the Fulham heroes was the full-back Sascha Riether, who made two goalline clearances and, in the end, they were grateful that Fabricio Coloccini, the Newcastle centre-half, hit only the top of the far post with a glorious, curling shot.

Coloccini best summed up the wackiness. At fault in the buildup to Steve Sidwell's opening goal, he was caught asleep by Hugo Rodallega's winner. But he was a threat in the other area and he saw a majestic, first-half header nodded off the line by Riether. The German's second heart-stopping clearance came before the interval from Demba Ba's shot.

Fulham had the majority of the chances, they had the game's outstanding performer in Dimitar Berbatov and they deserved to register their first win in eight Premier League games, even if Martin Jol admitted to catching a lucky break on Coloccini's late effort. The Newcastle captain's control and touch were matched by his vision and class to bend the shot tantalisingly close. "They could have had a result," the Fulham manager said.

Alan Pardew said pretty much the same. After Newcastle had struggled to get started and Fulham had produced a thrilling burst midway through the first half, Pardew's team fashioned a foothold. Hatem Ben Arfa, back after a hamstring injury, scored the equaliser in the second half with a shot from distance that flicked off John Arne Riise and bamboozled Mark Schwarzer. At the that point, Pardew felt that his team had "the game by the scruff of the neck".

It only made the dreadful concession to Rodallega more galling. From Damien Duff's whipped free-kick, Coloccini simply watched the Fulham striker move forward, rise and glance a free header past Tim Krul. "We've got no one to blame but ourselves," Pardew said. "That was a soft second goal."

The trip home was a time for soul-searching. Two years on from Pardew's appointment, Newcastle find themselves frustrated, with rewards proving elusive. Pardew commented that they had played worse than this last season and got results. They sit four points above the relegation zone and face both Manchester clubs and Arsenal before the end of the month. "I am worried because we are not picking up enough points," Pardew said.

Berbatov wore tights. Any self-respecting, semi-naked Geordie would have confirmed that it was not that cold but Berbatov does what he wants. He played as if knocking about with mates on a synthetic pitch after work and, although he did not score, he thrilled when, to quote Pardew, he plucked balls out of the sky and made them "die on his toe".

"He was special," Pardew said. "The TV cameras were here and he was in the mood." Jol praised Berbatov for covering "more ground than ever before" and for linking Fulham's play "as a lower 10, as we would say in Holland".

Alex Kacaniklic had gone close in the first minute and Rodallega shot wastefully when well-placed before Sidwell's shot deflected decisively off Mike Williamson to beat Krul after Coloccini had botched a tackle on Duff.

Fulham should have been out of sight by the half-hour but Krul denied Berbatov one-on-one and the Bulgarian then saw a shot smuggled clear by a combination of Danny Simpson and Krul.

Newcastle's rally was startling. Riether distinguished himself on the line and, after Berbatov had hit the side-netting in the second half, Ben Arfa shimmied and tried his luck from the right-hand edge of the area to score.

Fulham, though, dug deep. Berbatov released Sidwell, who was thwarted by Krul, before Rodallega struck the winner. Coloccini so nearly made amends but Fulham finished strongly, with the substitute Mladen Petric skimming the crossbar from distance.



http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/10/fulham-newcastle-premier-league-report?

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Fulham manager Martin Jol admits he was relieved to see his team beat Newcastle 2-1 at Craven Cottage

Fulham manager Martin Jol admits he was relieved to see his team take the points with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle at Craven Cottage.

Jol was happy with Fulham's performance, and praised Bryan Ruiz, Hugo Rodallega and Dimitar Berbatov - although he felt the latter should have added to the goal tally on the night.

As it was, the Cottagers netted for the first time in four games with Rodallega scoring the winner after Hatem Ben Arfa had cancelled out Steve Sidwell's opening goal for the hosts.

Jol said: "I was so happy we could score the first goal - that was our problem the last couple of weeks.

"After the first goal we should have scored at least two or three. I think Berbatov should have scored.

"He was outstanding as a player but he should have scored and he didn't, we didn't - and I thought maybe it's one of these nights again that we drop points."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/8322899?

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Fulham boss Jol full of praise for star man Berbatov after Newcastle win

Martin Jol hailed the performance of striker Dimitar Berbatov in Fulham's 2-1 victory against Newcastle.

The Bulgarian was a cut above the rest in a dogged match between two sides in poor form and lurking towards the bottom of the Premier League.

And the Cottagers' Dutch manager was grateful for Berbatov's work rate on a brisk December night.

"Although he did not score he covered more ground than ever before so he was a bit tired when we needed him to score a goal but he is not moaning, he is not sulking about it," said Jol.

"I am very, very satisfied. He is a very good number 10."

The 31-year-old was pivotal in linking up play between defence and attack in a performance which will silence many of his critics.

Jol, who worked with Berbatov at a his former club Tottenham, feels after seeing so many high-profile departures it was important to capture the ex-Manchester United striker over the summer.

"For me the most important thing is after losing (Clint) Dempsey, Moussa Dembele and (Danny) Murphy I am very happy that he ended coming to this club."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_boss_jol_full_of_praise_for_star_man_berbatov_after_newcastle_win_1_1737586

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HUGO RODALLEGA IS HERO FOR FULHAM

HUGO RODALLEGA piled on the misery for Newcastle last night by scoring the winning goal for Fulham in their 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage.

Steve Sidwell ended Fulham's goal drought - they had not scored since November 18 - but Hatem Ben Arfa's effort gave Newcastle hope, before Rodallega headed home.

Fulham boss Martin Jol said: "I was so happy we could score the first goal because that has been our problem for the past couple of weeks."

Newcastle have still not won away from home this season and manager Alan Pardew, who reached two years in the job yesterday, said: "We have no one to blame but ourselves.



http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/363956?

[WhiteJC]

 
Return of Hangeland key to Fulham win, says team-mate

STEVE Sidwell highlighted the return from suspension of Brede Hangeland as a key factor in Fulham ending their lean run of seven without a win on Monday night.

The Whites failed to win during the three-game absence of the Norwegian, but once more looked a more solid outfit at the back as they overcame Newcastle 2-1.

The performance of the Fulham skipper also emphasised just how much his team-mates appreciate him and how much they want him to sign a new contract to keep him at the Cottage.

Obviously, he's a real stalwart for the club," said Sidwell, scorer of the first goal in a vital win.

"I'm not sure how many games he's missed in his time here, but when he doesn't play, he's sorely missed.

"Just having him around lifts the players and having him on the pitch, being the skipper, gives everyone a buzz. He defends from the back, pushes us up and I thought he was brilliant again.

"His partnership with Hughsie [Aaron Hughes] has been instrumental to the club's success in the past few years and you want to keep your best players to progress as a football club.

"Brede's a natural leader on the pitch. When we lost Murph [Danny Murphy] as skipper, it was natural for him to get it and you rarely see him have a bad game."

Sidwell said victory over Newcastle was a big moment in the club's season.

"We got together before the game and said tonight's massive and we have to get three points. We put ourselves under pressure to deliver and we did that today.

"It was a performance we needed really, because the table before the game showed a bit of a gap opening between us and the teams above, so it was important that we got three points to stick with them and start creeping away from the teams below us.

"We've been unlucky not to score in the last few games, so it was coming and I was delighted for Hugo today, because he's worked his socks off in training and he deserved that goal.

"Now we've got this win and two goals under our belt and hopefully we can kick on now. "


http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2012/12/11/82029-32402600/?

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Fulham wins to end dismal run

Fulham ended its long wait for a win as Hugo Rodallega's header proved enough to dispatch Newcastle United 2-1 in an entertaining encounter at Craven Cottage.

The Colombian's goal was the difference in a tight affair by the Thames in which the west London side ensured its winless streak would not stretch to an eighth match.

Fulham came into the game without a victory since mid-October but got off to an ideal start when Steve Sidwell's 19th-minute strike deflected off Mike Williamson and looped in.

It was the Cottagers' first goal in 317 minutes and they would have had several more was it not for some poor finishing and the fine form of goalkeeper Tim Krul.

Newcastle, though, was proving an increasing threat and Sascha Riether twice cleared off the line, before the returning Hatem Ben Arfa drew the visitor level in the 54th minute with a deflected effort.

However, Fulham was not to be denied and, nine minutes after the Magpies had drawn parity, Rodallega headed home a free-kick by former United midfielder Damien Duff to secure the host all three points.

The Whites made five changes and started brightly, with off-balance winger Alex Kacaniklic putting wide after just 55 seconds.

It was the first of a number of early Fulham half chances, although the Magpies soon settled.

After a few warning shots, Papiss Cisse collected a poor Mark Schwarzer clearance and came close to finding Demba Ba.

The chance seemed to jolt Fulham into life and Rodallega came close with an acrobatic strike after collecting a ball from Duff.

The pair linked up again in the 19th minute as Fulham ended its goal drought as the latter pulled back for Sidwell, whose strike took a deflection off Williamson and looped over Krul.

After waiting more than five hours for a goal, Fulham fans almost got to witness two in as many minutes.

Dimitar Berbatov cut out a weak Cheick Tiote pass and burst past Fabricio Coloccini at the halfway line, only for Krul to thwart the Fulham frontman when through on goal.

The former Manchester United striker was again denied by Krul in the 29th minute.

After only managing to palm a fierce Riether cross into the path of Berbatov, the Netherlands international did well to recover and deny the Bulgarian before Williamson cleared.

It begun a spell of Newcastle pressure that saw it come close to levelling in the 31st minute, with Riether having to clear a powerful Coloccini header from the edge of the box off the line.

Newcastle was again cursing the German right-back on the stroke of half-time when he again denied it on the line, with Ba the man frustrated this time.

The visitor continued in the ascendancy when the second half resumed, with Vurnon Anita - managed by Fulham's Martin Jol during the pair's time at Ajax - flashing a 47th-minute strike just over the bar.

Berbatov fired into the side-netting when Fulham returned to the attack, before Schwarzer looked on as Ben Arfa struck a 54th-minute equaliser.

The Frenchman marked his return to the starting line-up after four games out with a goal from 22 yards that curled in off the crossbar.

The strike took a slight deflection off John Arne Riise but Schwarzer arguably should have done better, raising further questions about the Australian after a few mistakes of late.

Opposite number Krul was having no such problems and did well to deny Sidwell as he searched for a second.

The Netherlands international was soon beaten, though, as Duff floated in a cross from the right and Rodallega nodded home unmarked from six yards.

Berbatov saw penalty appeals waved away soon after the 63rd-minute header, before Fulham sat back and waited for chances on the counter-attack.

Coloccini flicked clear as Berbatov threatened, before the Newcastle captain saw an exquisite curled strike hit the crossbar at the other end.

Substitute Shola Ameobi, Ba and Jonas Gutierrez were all denied by Schwarzer as United pushed for a leveller, before Aaron Hughes blocked a late Ba strike.

Berbatov was denied a deserved goal as the game came to a close and substitute Mladen Petric fired close from distance.



http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/english-premier-league/news/1132653/Fulham-wins-to-end-dismal-run?

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Fulham v Newcastle United – Match Report

Newcastle found it a bit more difficult defending against 11 man Fulham rather than Wigan's ten men a week ago.

Both teams put on a show for the Monday night TV audience but that is little consolation when you come away with nothing.

At Craven Cottage Newcastle were a strange mix of some very good play going forward but slack play at the back and I lost count of the number of times our players lost the ball.

I don't think it would be any kind of a revelation to say the balance is all wrong in our eleven. Players like the returning Hatem Ben Arfa can paper over the cracks a lot of the time but even their brilliance can only go so far.

Watching players like Santon and Ben Arfa on the ball it is like they are playing a different game at times to players like Williamson and Simpson, which of course they are in reality.

When people have talked about whether Ba and Cisse can play together and should one be left out...tonight again proved to me that the problem is elsewhere.

With Ben Arfa coming inside more in the second half and feeding balls into the two strikers' feet in and around the box, it really brings them to life. Defenders know that one wrong move and it is a free-kick or penalty and so can't take a risk. Compare that to our standard play of launching long balls to Ba and Cisse where even if the ball reaches them they are isolated and outnumbered.

We need to improve the service to the two front men, not drag them off the pitch. Our midfield as a whole isn't good enough, Anita is improving but whether he would ever be good enough to be the playmaker to make up for Tiote's deficiencies in the creative area, is open to question. While Gutierrez' hard work is looking more and more like it might not be enough in this midfield.

The groans when Ben Arfa was taken off with twenty minutes to go said it all, fans understood that it was because he was just back from injury but they also knew his departure took away the best chance of Newcastle getting something out of this match.

Some very average defending had led to Fulham's opener by Sidwell via a Williamson deflection but Ben Arfa was always dangerous even though his rustiness a few times meant he lost possession.

His wonder strike levelled things though, with a hint of a deflection.

The winner came from a set-piece as Duff's header was put on the spot for Rodallega to give Krul no chance.

Newcastle deserved a point but as the only team in the Premier League to still not score from a set-piece, it was a reminder of one of the many weaknesses that are undermining the chance of reclaiming this season.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise, Duff, Sidwell, Baird, Kacaniklic (Dejagah 62), Berbatov, Rodallega (Petric 87)

Newcastle United: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Anita (Marveaux 86), Tiote (Bigirimana 86), Gutierrez, Cisse, Ba, Ben Arfa (Shola 70)

Unused Subs: Harper, Tavernier, Ferguson, Perch

Ref: Lee Mason




http://www.themag.co.uk/match-reports/fulham-v-newcastle-united-match-report/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Rodallega's Reflection

Hugo Rodallega praised his side's performance on Monday night and insists Fulham can build on the 2-1 defeat of Newcastle United at Craven Cottage.

The Colombian international certainly played his part; linking well with Dimitar Berbatov, stretching the visiting defence and ultimately scoring the winning goal as the Whites secured their first win in eight games.

"This was an important win for us," explained Hugo to fulhamfc.com. "We hadn't won for a little while, so we needed three points. Newcastle are a good side and have some very good players, so this was a fantastic win.

"We played some great football and could have had a few more goals. But the most important thing is that we won, because we hadn't won for a little while. 

"We certainly deserved the points and hopefully we can build on that and get back to where we want to be – in the top 10. There are a lot of matches coming up now, so we have the chance to do that."

The 27-year-old's second half goal proved the difference after Hatem Ben Arfa's strike had cancelled out Steve Sidwell's opener. Rodallega got on the end of Damien Duff's inviting free-kick to head home from close range on 63 minutes.

"On a personal level, of course it was nice to score the winning goal," he said. "I have confidence that I can do that and it made me happy to celebrate with my teammates. I had a good chance in the first half, so it was good that I could make up for that.

"It was a great cross from Duff, he's probably the best in the Team for delivering balls like that into the box. I knew exactly where he was going to put it and managed to get in front of my marker – I had a feeling that I would score, and I did.

"It was my second goal for Fulham and my first at Craven Cottage, so that made it extra special. Hopefully I can score a few more over the course of the season.

"I'm really enjoying my time at the Club, although I know that competition for a place in the starting XI is very high. I work hard every day in training and want to do all I can to make sure that I am in the Team on a matchday. That's all you can do."

Rodallega has targeted another three points this coming weekend, with Fulham making the short trip to Queens Park Rangers' Loftus Road.

"It was good to get back to winning ways, but now we need to build on that," he added. "We want three points against QPR this Saturday. It's a big game, and as a derby it is one everyone wants to win.

"We know that this is a game that means a lot to the fans, so hopefully we can make them happy with another victory. QPR have had a difficult season so far, but we will take nothing for granted.

"They will be hungry for the points, but we have to make sure that we want them even more. It will be a tough game, but we will be ready to take them on."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/december/11/rodallegas-reflection?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 2-1 Newcastle

by EWEN
After seven games without a win and three games without a goal, Fulham finally got back to winning ways, last night, with a hard-fought victory over fellow bottom half occupants, Newcastle United.After much experimentation with the midfield and Senderos deputising in defence, Jol opted for a team that had previously won games against West Brom at home and Wigan away. Brede Hangeland returned after a three match suspension and Mahamadou Diarra made way for Chris Baird, who only made the bench for the 0-3 loss to Spurs. Davide Santon, Demba Ba, Ben Arfa and Cheick Tiote all started, despite injury concerns. Goals from Steve Sidwell, a deflected effort set up by Damien Duff, and a Hugo Rodallega header, also assisted by the Irishman, decided the game, despite a fantastic equaliser from Newcastle's best player on the night: Hatem Ben Arfa.
The decision to bring off Ben Arfa midway through the second half was understandable, having only just returned from injury, but when Shola Ameobi entered the frame, Newcastle might as well have been playing with ten men. Without any standout creative player in the midfield, Newcastle were out of ideas. Pardew's team resorted to long balls into the box towards the trio of Ba, Cisse and Ameobi for the last twenty minutes but Hangeland was having none of it – silencing his many doubters this season with a resilient defensive display. Cisse was non-existent, as he has been so much, so far this season; a shadow of the player we saw towards the end of the last campaign.

Danny Simpson, statistically the best right back from last season, had an excellent game. Nullified the threat of Kacaniklic well and supported Ben Arfa, overlapping at any opportunity he got. His delivery was consistent throughout the game but there was no one to head the crosses in. Vurnon Anita looks to be finally settling in on Tyneside, with another solid performance in the centre of midfield next to Tiote. The Ivorian had surely one of his worst games in a Newcastle shirt. The amount of times he passed to a player in white was astonishing. The constant harrying from Steve Sidwell didn't make his night easy, though. The former Arsenal trainee  was breaking up attacks, getting forward plenty, played through killer passes and scored Fulham's opener to cap off a man of the match performance.

With the removal of Kacaniklic and the introduction of Dejagah, prompting Damien Duff to move out to the left wing, Jonas Gutierrez was having a lot of joy against Fulham's summer signing from Wolfsburg. His defensive qualities, well, they're not there; something he'll surely need to work while playing in a team with marauding fullbacks such as John Arne Riise and Sascha Riether. Turned his back, lazily stuck his leg out, and didn't even look where the ball was going. That said, Dejagah's pace and trickery was there for all to see when the Cottagers got forward on the counter. Riether gave another five star performance. Many will believe Pablo Zabaleta to be the most consistent right back of the season so far, but the tenacious German surely gives Zabaleta a run for his money. His attacking qualities equal his steely defensive work and Fulham would be foolish not to get a permanent deal sorted out.

Without Ruiz to play the trequartista role, Jol's most succesful combination is surely Dimitar Berbatov playing off Hugo Rodallega. As good a player Petric is, the attack is often too slow and too predictable when he plays in front of Berbatov. In Rodallega, you get a player who is willing to run non-stop for 90 minutes and has the ability to run off the back of the last defender. Given too much time, though, the Colombian will often make the wrong decision. He's a confidence player who relies on instinct and his aerial ability to get him goals; could well have eight or nine to his name, come the end of the season if he plays in that same system. Coloccini, another one who's looked out of sorts in many of the matches he's played in so far, lost out in most aerial contests when up against Rodallega. The former Deportivo defender did make some vital blocks towards the end of the match, denying Fulham chances to widen their lead. There's no doubt that it's just a blip for the former Deportivo defender. At only 30 years old and pace never having been a part of his game, Coloccini will go on for a while in the Premier League. I guess you would be a bit slow if you had to carry Mike Williamson for ninety minutes.

Newcastle are in desperate need of another centre back to lighten the burden on Coloccini. He's been their most consistent defender for a while now and there's only so long you can go on for, playing at such a high level. Pardew needs to make sure that Newcastle are in a position to attract names in January and that's not going to happen if they're lurking around the bottom three.  All is not lost with Bryan Ruiz, it seems. Berbatov can of course play as the number ten, but it's down to Rodallega to work on things such as his first touch and his finishing in order to make sure Fulham don't miss the Costa Rican too much. Talk of Pardew falling asleep due to the monster eight year contract is nonsense – he's a fighter. They'll be shooting up the table soon enough but they need to strengthen in the transfer window.



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=231

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Fulham star aiming to inflict more misery on QPR

Hugo Rodallega is looking forward to Fulham's trip to QPR on Saturday after scoring the winning goal in their 2-1 win over Newcastle last night.

The former Wigan man headed home from Damien Duff's free kick to give the Cottagers a much needed win and he is now aiming for another three points at Loftus Road.

It promises to be a fiercely contested encounter, with struggling QPR desperate for a good result themselves having gone a record-breaking 16 games without a win this season.

"It was good to get back to winning ways, but now we need to build on that," Rodallega told Fulham's official website.

"We want three points against QPR this Saturday. It's a big game, and as a derby it is one everyone wants to win.

"We know that this is a game that means a lot to the fans, so hopefully we can make them happy with another victory.

"QPR have had a difficult season so far, but we will take nothing for granted.

"They will be hungry for the points, but we have to make sure that we want them even more. It will be a tough game, but we will be ready to take them on."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_star_aiming_to_inflict_more_misery_on_qpr_1_1738006