Sunday Fulham Stuff (16/03/14)...

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Trotta sucker-punch for Brentford dents Orient automatic promotion prospects

League One: Leyton Orient 0 Brentford 1

Marcello Trotta's winner for 10-man Brentford on the stroke of half-time dealt Orient's automatic promotion hopes a blow in the lunchtime kick-off at Brisbane Road.

The Italian fired into the bottom corner out of the reach of Eldin Jakupovic to clinch the three points and leapfrog their London rivals into second.

Bees defender James Tarkowski was sent off early in the second half, picking up a second booking for fouling Romain Vincelot.

But the O's could not find a way back into the game and slip to third in League One. Vincelot recovered from a foot injury to start but the match came too soon for fellow Frenchman Mathieu Baudry, who is out with a hamstring strain.

Kevin Lisbie comes in for Chris Dagnall in the only change from the starting line-up from the win at Port Vale on Tuesday night.

For Brentford Adam Forshaw came in for Jake Reeves and Trotta replaced Will Grigg.

Orient could count themselves unfortunate to be trailing at half-time after having the better of the opening 45 minutes.

Cox was a constant presence in the first half, firing just wide from 30 yards and bringing a save out of David Button from the edge of the box.

And David Mooney tried to chip Button from 20 yards when he might have been better going for power.

But Brentford looked a threat on the break. Clayton Donaldson brought a save out of Jakupovic as he raced onto a through ball and Alan Judge fired over before Trotta's sucker-punch.

The game had a bit of needle throughout – Gary Sawyer and Donaldson were booked following a scuffle just before the break – so perhaps it was not a surprise that the game did not finish with its full compliment of players as Tarkowski received his marching orders.

But the O's struggled to break down their depleted visitors and Alan Judge almost sealed the win in stoppage time but hit the post after a quick break.

Alan McCormack twice cleared off the line after a goalmouth scramble, Lisbie fired over and Moses Odubajo brought a wonderful save out of Button with a low shot.

Russell Slade brought on Shaun Batt – who scored in the O's 2-0 win at Griffin Park in September – and Dagnall but they could not alter the course of the game.

Cox curled wide and both teams had decent penalty shouts turned down but Orient lost their fifth League One home game of the season.

Orient: Jakupovic; Omozusi, Cuthbert, Clarke, Sawyer (Batt 70); Odubajo, Vincelot, James (Bartley 88), Cox; Mooney, Lisbie (Dagnall 75). Substitutes not used: Larkins, Ness, Simpson, Lasimant.


http://www.london24.com/sport/league-1/leyton-orient/trotta_sucker_punch_for_brentford_dents_orient_automatic_promotion_prospects_1_3436415

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Fulham hit bar twice from Johnny Heitinga shot before goal disallowed against Newcastle United

[VIDEO LINK]

Talk about the luck going against you when you're down at the bottom.

Relegation-threatened Fulham saw the rub of the green go very much against them when they had a goal disallowed against Newcastle United – after a long shot from Johnny Heitinga hit the bar TWICE before bouncing out.

Pajtim Kasami was then flagged offside as he poked in the rebound – but the original shot, which goal-line technology later confirmed had not crossed the line, was the talking point.

The Cottagers did find something to celebrate soon afterwards, though, when Ashkan Dejagah gave the home side the lead at Craven Cottage.



http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/15/fulham-hit-bar-twice-from-johnny-heitinga-shot-before-goal-disallowed-against-newcastle-united-4593178/?

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Fulham 1 Newcastle Utd 0: Sorry Toon beaten by basement club


HEADS UP ... Fulham's Brede Hangeland and Newcastle United's Yoan Gouffran, left, battle for the ball.

BASEMENT club Fulham beat managerless Newcastle United 1-0 at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

Ashkan Dejagah scored the only goal of the game midway through the second-half.

The result saw the club drop one place in the Premier League to ninth, with Southampton having climbed above United.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, banned from the stadium for his headbutt on Hull City's David Meyler, was forced to watch a TV feed of the game.

And the fixture will have made for frustrating viewing for the 52-year-old.

Chances were few and far between for United, who were unahppy that a foul on Luuk de Jong wasn't penalised in the build-up to Dejagah's goal.

Referee Howard Webb also waved away appeals for a late penalty after Johnny Heitinga appeared to handle the ball in his own box.

The team's best two opportunities fell to the recalled Papiss Demba Cisse, who was twice denied by David Stockdale.

Teenage striker Adam Armstrong came off the bench late in the game to make his senior debut for his boyhood club.


http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/fulham-1-newcastle-utd-0-sorry-toon-beaten-by-basement-club-1-6501530

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Result: Fulham end 10-match winless run against Newcastle United

Ashkan Dejagah scored a 69th-minute winner against Newcastle United as bottom-of-the-table Fulham won for the first time in 10 Premier League games.

The Cottagers had previously had two goals disallowed before the Iranian international struck from 20 yards to earn Felix Magath his maiden win as Whites boss.

Newcastle, who were without Alan Pardew as their manager started his seven-game suspension, thought that they should have had a stoppage-time penalty when goalkeeper Tim Krul went down in the box.

The Dutchman was called upon to deny Lewis Holtby's bending low shot in a first half of few chances, the best of which fell to Papiss Cisse, who saw his effort blocked by the recalled David Stockdale.

The pace quickened after the interval and there was plenty more goalmouth action, but Fulham were frustrated by the assistant referee as they were twice disallowed goals before the hour mark.

Steve Sidwell squared for Pajtim Kasami to covert from close range only to see the flag raised, while Cauley Woodrow was deemed offside when prodding the rebound of Jonny Heitinga's shot into the net.

Heitinga's long-range effort had bounced off the underside of the crossbar and appeared to have dropped over the goal line, but the hawkeye system revealed it to be inches away from a goal.

Fulham finally got a slice of luck when they benefitted from a Krul mistake midway through the second half, as Dejagah cut inside off the left and fired a low shot under the Newcastle stopper.

The Magpies pushed for an equaliser, but, in the absence of injured top-scorer Loic Remy, they rarely tested Stockdale in the second period, only then to nearly be gifted a lifeline in the final minutes.

Krul ventured forward for a stoppage-time corner and felt that he was impeded as he tried to meet the delivery, but referee Howard Webb was unmoved and soon blew the final whistle to Fulham's relief.

Results elsewhere this afternoon mean that the Cottagers remain four points from safety.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/result/result-fulham-end-10-match-winless-run_144422.html

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Instant Reaction Newcastle 0-1 Fulham

Newcastle played poorly for 90 minutes and it resulted in a loss to the last place team in the league.

Fulham got a goal from Ashkan Dejageh and Newcastle couldn't find their touch in a 1-0 loss at Craven Cottage.

The first half was, as the commentators put it, "rather uninspiring and error-laden." Tim Krul made a nice save and Papiss Cisse came oh so close to opening his account on the season, but outside of those two moments, the first half was full of not so near misses and bad giveaways. Newcastle continued to prove how vital Yohan Cabaye was to their side with a dreadful showing on free kicks. Luckily for the Mags, Fulham proved to be just as inept at corners and free kicks, and the Cottagers never truly threatened Krul's net.

The match did open up in the second half, with Fulham having two goals disallowed for offsides within the first ten minutes of the restart. Prior to the second disallowed goal, the ball appeared to be in Tim Krul's net, but the referee did not allow the goal and Howard Webb wasn't buzzed for a review. Much to the disdain of the Craven Cottage crowed, the scoreline remained scoreless. Upon review, the ball was not fully over the line.

Ashkan Dejagah gave Fulham a breakthrough in the 69th minute when his low shot got past Krul. The Dutch keeper should have had the save, but the ball dipped under his arms to give the Cottagers the lead. The goal came moments after Papiss Cisse was denied at the other end. A Fulham mistake saw Cisse come in on the keeper all alone, but Cisse could not make do with the golden chance. The resulting counter attack led to Fulham's goal.

Newcastle could not find the touches in the final third in the second half, and truly never had a decent crack at goal outside of Cisse's botched attempt.

Adam Armstrong did make his Newcastle debut, coming on with about 5 minutes left. The 17-year-old did get in a touch and a shot at goal, but it was well over the bar. Newcastle did manage a late corner kick, but it was lacking in quality. The ball found itself at the feet of Tim Krul, who had come up into the attack. Krul got a shot away, and appeals for a handball went unanswered and Fulham walked away with all three points.

There was no Alan Pardew today, as he began his suspension for the head butting incident last week against Hull. John Carver's turn at the helm saw another uninspiring Newcastle performance, though the caretaker manager can hardly be blamed for his side's lack of touches and seeming indifference to defending at times in the second half.


http://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/2014/3/15/5511918/instant-reaction-newcastle-0-1-fulham?

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Fulham 1 Newcastle United 0: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League match between Fulham and Newcastle at Craven Cottage on Saturday, 15 March 2014


Feels good: a delighted Ashkan Dejagah puts Fulham ahead at Craven Cottage
Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Ashkan Dejagah breathed fresh life into Fulham's fight against relegation when he delivered new manager Felix Magath's first victory in four attempts with a beautifully struck second-half winner against Newcastle.

It was as much as the Londoners deserved, for they always looked the sharper side and took full control after the interval. They remain bottom of the table, four points adrift of safety, but have closed up on the sides immediately above them, Sunderland and Cardiff City. They departed to a roaring ovation from a Craven Cottage crowd infused with new hope.

Newcastle's frustrations boiled over in the final, frantic minute, when the visitors piled everyone – including goalkeeper Tim Krul – forward for a corner. The visitors claimed the ball had struck the arm of Fulham full-back John Heitinga. Referee Howard Webb waved away their protests, to the particular fury of Krul, who confonted the official as he blew the final whistle.

It would all have been disappointing viewing for Alan Pardew, the Newcastle manager, watching a live feed back at the team hotel at the start of his seven-match ban for butting Hull City midfielder David Meyler two weeks ago.

It was Fulham's first league win since New Year's Day, when they defeated West Ham United, and began to answer Magath's demand to turn Craven Cottage into a fortress. Fulham's next task is at Manchester City on Saturday but Magath believes Fulham can turn home advantage into crucial points in the run-in to emulate the club's great escape from the drop under Roy Hodgson in 2008.

Magath, sporting a pair of black-and-white framed spectacles that could become a cult item around Fulham, said: "I'm happy, proud, a good feeling. The atmosphere here was tremendous, so it was a very exciting afternoon. It wasn't just the result today, it was the game we played. We were the better team today and it can give us the confidence to avoid relegation. I am convinced we can stay in the league and after this victory I am even more certain."

John Carver, Newcastle's assistant manager, revealed that he had talked to Pardew during the afternoon: "I spoke to him coming off the pitch at half-time. It was only a couple of points, then I spoke to him towards the end of the game. We had an analyst in the hotel with the gaffer and one on the bench with us. It was pretty brief. He was really calm at half-time. The manager has been ok this week, he has been lively, he has had a big part to play this week on the traning ground. Other than him not being here for the three-and-a-half hours, he's been right at the front of things."

Fulham made a bright start, twice going close to scoring in the opening 10 minutes. Lewis Holtby's seventh-minute free-kick was delivered perfectly, but no team-mate was able to apply a killing touch. It was a similar scenario three minutes later when Alexander Kacaniklic's corner skidded across the exposed face of the visitors' goal.

Newcastle had won their previous two matches but without 13-goal striker Loïc Rémy, missing with a calf injury, the Tynesiders lacked a cutting edge and came under more sustaned pressure from Fulham after the break.

The home side were unfortunate not to go ahead in the 54th minute. Heitinga's 20-yard blockbuster took a slight deflection, clipping the underside of Krul's crossbar before being tucked away by Cauley Woodrow. Had Heitinga's blast crossed the line before bouncing to Woodrow? No, ruled Webb, despite Fulham claims, with a decision rapidly vindicated by television's goal decision system. And to add insult to injury, Woodrow's touch-in was ruled, also correctly, offside.

There could be no doubting the legality of Fulham's goal, which arrived in the 68th minute. Just seven minutes after being introduced as a substitute, Dejagah seized on to the ball, cut in from the left and from, just outside the penalty area beat Krul with a low drive into the far corner.

Such was Fulham's second-half spirit that they had fully deserved a reprieve moments before the winning goal. Fulham supporters were left with their hearts in their mouths when William Kvist's misplaced pass enabled Papiss Cisse to bear down on the home goal but David Stockdale, preferred by Magath to Maarten Stekelenburg, rose to the occasion, saving the Newcastle forward's shot.

Carver said: "It's been a difficult day and we lacked quality. Papiss gets in there but David Stockdale makes a fantastic save. Then it breaks, then Luuk de Jong gets caught from behind, then they break on us, we defend poorly, let the guy come inside on his right foot and we lose the game."

Match Details
Fulham ( 4-2-3-1) Stockdale; Heitinga, Hangeland, Amorebieta, Richardson; Sidwell, Kvist; Holtby (Riether 81), Kasami (Dejagah 61, Burn 87), Kacaniklic; Woodrow.
Subs Stekelenburg (g), Riise, Rodallega, Roberts.

Newcastle United ( 4-2-3-1) Krul; Yanga-Mbiwa, Williamson, Colocccini, Dummett; Anita (Marveaux 81), Tiote; Sissoko, De Jong (Armstrong 86), Gouffran; Cisse (Sh Ameobi 71)
Subs Alnwick (g), Gosling, Haidara, Taylor.

Referee: H Webb (S. Yorks).
Attendance 25,664


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10700123/Fulham-1-Newcastle-United-0-match-report.html

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Fulham 1 Newcastle United 0 match report: Late goal from Ashkan Dejagah gives Fulham vital win



If this result proves to be the turning point in Fulham's bid to avoid relegation, then their rivals may look back in anger on the decision of referee Howard Webb not to award a penalty with the last kick of the match.

Fulham were hanging on to the lead given them by the substitute Ashkan Dejagah when Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul, up for a corner kick, hit a shot that struck the outstretched arm of the Fulham defender John Heitinga. But Webb waved away appeals, blew the final whistle, and Fulham had their first League win since New Year's Day and – perhaps no coincidence – their first clean sheet since 8 December.

The home supporters, who had whistled for time and chanted the them tune from The Great Escape, cheered in relief. Fulham remain at the foot of the Premier League table, but they merited the points on their overall performance and have closed the gap on Cardiff City and Sunderland to a single point. Felix Magath, the manager, had his first victory since taking over from Rene Meulensteen four games ago, and had seen his team rise to the first leg of the challenge he had set them of winning their five remaining home games.

"I am relieved," Magath said. "It is a good feeling to have a win at the end of the game. If you don't get a win the players aren't confident, they don't have trust. So it was necessary for everyone. I'm convinced that we can stay in the league and after this I'm more confident. Not only the result today, but we were the better team."

If Webb's big call at the end was important, then so was the one made by Magath before the game to bench Maarten Stekelenburg, the Holland goalkeeper, in favour of David Stockdale, who made excellent saves in each half. "The idea is that Maarten is a quiet keeper and David is louder," Magath said. "Fortunately it worked. He was very good and we can thank him for his performance."

They were helped by a passive performance from Newcastle United, who missed not only the injured Loïc Rémy, without whom they have yet to win a league game this season, but also the passion that is usually brought to the sidelines by Alan Pardew. The Newcastle manager, of course, was serving the first game of a three-match stadium ban for letting his emotions run away with him in the match at Hull City on March 1. He watched the match on a live feed at the team hotel and cannot have been overjoyed with his team's display until they had gone behind.

"I spoke to him as we came off at half-time and again towards the end of the game," John Carver, his assistant, said. "It was very brief. He was really calm at half-time, People find it hard to believe but he is actually quite a calm guy. But he was gutted not to be here and we missed him."

In the first half Krul had to save from Lewis Holtby and the 19-year-old forward Cauley Woodrow, while Stockdale rescued his team after 36 minutes by palming Papiss Cissé's volley around the post. Fulham thought they had taken the lead after the break when Heitinga's deflected shot looped over Krul and down off the crossbar. The goal decision system revealed that the ball had not quite crossed the goalline, which seemed academic when Woodrow collected the rebound and put it in, but he was denied a goal by a flag.

Cissé, though, was gifted another chance when William Kvist's wayward pass allowed him a run on goal but Stockdale saved again, and within seconds the Iran midfielder Dejagah, an injury doubt before the match, cut inside Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and shot ferociously from 25 yards. The ball dipped under the body of Krul – possibly unsighted by Holtby, who looked yards offside – and into the far corner.

Now it was up to the Fulham defence to preserve the lead – not a prospect that filled Craven Cottage with confidence – but they did so thanks to Webb. Carver managed to control his emotions when seeking an explanation for the decision. "I certainly counted to ten," he said. "You have to – after what has gone on we had to be on our best behaviour. He said from the position he was in he couldn't see the ball hit his [Heitinga's] arm. A difficult day."

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Stockdale; Heitinga, Hangeland, Amorebieta; Richardson; Sidwell, Kvist; Kasami (Dejagah, 61; Burn, 87), Holtby (Riether, 81), Kacaniklic; Woodrow.

Newcastle Utd (4-2-3-1): Krul: Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett; Anita (Marveaux, 81), Tiote; Sissoko, De Jong (Armstrong, 86), Gouffran; Cisse (Shola Ameobi, 71).

Referee: Howard Webb.

Man of the match: Stockdale (Fulham)

Match rating: 5/10


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-1-newcastle-united-0-match-report-late-goal-from-ashkan-dejagah-gives-fulham-vital-win-9194638.html

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Fulham stun Newcastle as Ashkan Dejagah goal earns three crucial points


Fulham's Steve Sidwell tackles Cheick Tioté of Newcastle United in the Premier League match at Craven Cottage.
Photograph: Tony Marshall/Getty Images

One manager was absent, the other was beside himself with joy. As Alan Pardew began his three-match stadium ban for head-butting Hull's David Meyler, Felix Magath celebrated his first victory since taking charge of Fulham a month ago. "I am happy, proud, lucky!" gushed the German, whose insistence that Fulham can avoid relegation looks a little less ludicrous now, even if they remain four points below 17th-placed Crystal Palace and saddled with a ruinous goal difference.

"When you begin a new job it is extraordinarily important that you get a win," said Magath, who became Fulham's third manager of the season when he replaced René Meulensteen a month ago. "It gives the players confidence and trust, so it was very necessary for everybody that we got this win."

Not only was it the first victory of Magath's tenure, it was Fulham's first in the Premier League since New Year's Day, as a season of frequent changes on and off the pitch had yielded just one constant for Fulham: disappointing results. Magath made yet more alterations for this game, making five switches to the side that had lost last week to Cardiff City, and he may have found a timely formula for success. It was a match of meagre quality but Fulham at least displayed a verve and cohesion that gives them hope of climbing out of trouble.

Magath dared to omit expensive recruits, though he said that the £12m striker Kostas Mitroglou was injured and Darren Bent could not play "for private reasons". Their absence meant that the main scoring burden fell on 19-year-old Cauley Woodrow, who showed the mobility that the more experienced pair lack but, alas, arrived fractionally too late to prod the ball into the net in the seventh minute when a Lewis Holtby free-kick flew across the face of goal.

Fulham had the better of the play and a 20-yard curling shot from Holtby forced a good save from Tim Krul but Newcastle nearly scored on the counterattack in the 36th minute, only for David Stockdale to dive across his goal to tip away a shot from Papiss Cissé. Stockdale had an excellent game, contributing largely to Fulham's first clean sheet since early December and vindicating Magath's decision to drop Maarten Stekelenburg."

"Maarten is a quiet keeper, David is louder," explained Magath. "That was the idea, we needed someone who gives more excitement to the players."

Although Fulham were on top for the first half, Pardew, watching on a feed in the team hotel, did not see much to wind him up. He communicated only twice with his No2, John Carver, during the game. "He was really calm at half-time," said Carver. "We had an analyst in the hotel with the gaffer and we had one on the bench, speaking to Steve Stone, then on to me. It was pretty brief, just two conversations and that was it."

Fulham, by contrast, were infuriated when they were given cause to curse the accuracy of technology just after the hour. A deflected John Heitinga shot from 25 yards struck the underside of the crossbar and then, according to the home fans and players, bounced down behind the line. But the referee, Howard Webb, signalled for play to continue. Incredulous gasps went around Craven Cottage when the giant screen showed the Hawkeye images that confirmed that the decision was correct.

Such fine margins can be the difference between success and failure but not this time, as Newcastle contrived to make Fulham feel better. First Cissé bungled when sent through on goal and then Krul erred to help the home side win. Askhan Dejagah's shot from 20 yards after he had cut in from the left was powerfully struck but Krul should have stopped it. Instead it went under his hands and into the net. Krul attempted to atone for that mistake when he came up for a corner in stoppage time. The ball broke to him on the edge of the area and his shot hit Heitinga's hand but no penalty was awarded, much to the anger of Newcastle. But this time they restrained themselves. "I certainly had to count to 10," said Carver. "After what's gone on in the last few weeks we have to be on our best behaviour."


http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/mar/15/fulham-newcastle-premier-league-match-report?

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Fulham find new hope as David Stockdale inspires win over Newcastle


David Stockdale was inspirational as Fulham defeated Newcastle United 1-0 (Picture: Getty Images)
It was the moment that quite significantly shifted the momentum of Fulham's season.

David Stockdale, faced with the prospect of a marauding Papiss Cisse, kept his body big, flapped out a hand and bathed in the collective sigh that engulfed Craven Cottage.

He had no defensive assistance – they had dropped him in it and abandoned him for good measure. It was just him and a multi-million pound striker. The Yorkshireman, and Fulham for that matter, came out on top.

It was very much the defining moment and Ashkan Dejagah – superb in his brief cameo role – was happy to exchange the relief at one end for euphoria at the other, powering an effort beyond Tim Krul.

What made this moment – this whole game, as it goes – so special and symbolic was that this squad – so derided for a lack of heart and desire – were fighting to the very end.

Cauley Woodrow reflected this with aplomb. His role was less about being the classy striker and more about making his presence known, holding up the ball, causing infinite problems to a Newcastle defence that were so much his senior.


Fulham's Pajtim Kasami, second right, and Lewis Holtby, center, celebrate the victory (Picture: AP Photo)
He did it magnificently and was justly rewarded with a full 90 minutes. Of all the players Magath has experimented with, he has perhaps impressed the most, encapsulating a combative spirit that his manager has been so keen to instill.

Defensively, too, there was much to be contented with. Nerves were telling, as Brede Hangeland in particular made some poor decisions, but as a unit they were nevertheless solid. John Heitinga, for example, appeared invincible.

And now, despite the indomitable Manchester City looming heavy over the horizon, there is a finite sense that if the brave attributes displayed here, against Newcastle, can be stretched over the remaining eight games, this club can indeed avoid relegation.

It's unlikely – let's get that straight. Our run-in is probably as favourable as it could possibly be but nothing in the Premier League is simple. Certainly not five wins from a team so unaccustomed to victory.

But this performance showed that there is something left in this Fulham tank – something that can be nurtured and moulded into some kind of late revival, unseen since the exhilarating days of Roy Hodgson in 2008.

Then, we were worse off than we are now.

Who says it can't be done?


http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/15/fulham-find-new-hope-as-david-stockdale-inspires-win-over-newcastle-4593497/?

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3 Crucial Saves: How Fulham's Unsung Hero Reignited Survival Bid vs Newcastle

Fulham picked up a crucial victory in their battle against relegation picking up a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at Craven Cottage with Ashkan Dejagah scoring the decisive goal with a left-footed effort.

The victory, their first in the Premier League since beating West Ham United on New Year's Day, does not move Felix Magath's side off the bottom of the table but does narrow the gap between them and safety to just four points although Crystal Palace, Sunderland and West Brom all have games in hand.

Newcastle, playing their first match after Alan Pardew's ban, drop to ninth, below Southampton.

Key Stats

The match was pretty even which is reflected in the match stats and the score line. Newcastle had the best of possession with 57% compared to 43%. The Magpies also bettered the Cottagers in both pass completion and tackles won.

There was only a difference of one in terms of shots taken with the home side managing 12 and Newcastle 11. Both sides had three efforts on target and three blocked. Fulham also had more corners, nine to seven.

Man of the Match

Fulham's man between the sticks, David Stockdale, was today's Man of the Match earning a Squawka Performance Score of 67 as well as a clean sheet.



Fernando Amorbieta was Stockdale's nearest rival with a score of 41 while Newcastle's best was centre back Mike Williamson who managed 34.

The Fulham 'keeper made three saves, won a headed duel and also completed 50% of his passes. His opposite number, Tim Krul, only saved two of three shots on target and completed just 47% of passes.

Performance Score


As already seen in the key stats the game was a close affair with the difference between both teams Squawka Performance Scores at full time just 17 with winners Fulham on 134 and Newcastle on 117.

Newcastle though spent much of the game as the better side and had the highest Performance Score in the opening ten minutes and between the 30th minute and the 70th minute except for a ten minute spell at the end of the first half.

The Cottagers moved back in front though just after their 68th minute goal with a score of 108 compared to 93 and they remained the better side for the final 20 minutes.

At one point in the second half, around the 55 minute mark, Newcastle's Performance Score was almost double that of Fulham but they were unable to turn this into dominance.

Key Observations
Fulham will be extremely happy with their win and the glimmer of hope it gives them in their bid to stay in the Premier League but there is still plenty of work to do if they are to build on this victory.

As shown earlier in the key stats they only managed three shots on target in the whole match, rarely resting the opposing goalkeeper and were second best when it came to passing, tackling and possession. A more clinical opponent would have seen them off.

Newcastle will be worried that about their prowess in front of goal without Loic Remy in the side. Papiss Cisse and Luuk de Jong started the game and both failed to find the net. De Jong, on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach, has yet to find the net for Newcastle while Cisse has just one goal in 17 Premier League outings.


http://www.squawka.com/news/2014/03/15/fulham-1-0-newcastle-united/2014031583409?

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A 'scrappy' game was the Fulham plan against Newcastle: Hangeland

Battling three points rekindles hope of avoiding the drop

Brede Hangeland made no apology for an ugly 1-0 Fulham win over Newcastle.

Quite the contrary, the Whites captain reckoned that was the game plan from the start, and for once in a struggling season it paid off.

He said: "It wasn't the best game of football – far from it. It was scrappy but we wanted it that way.

"The way to get out the situation we're in is not to play nice two-touch football, because confidence is a bit low, so the way we played today was the best way and battle together.

"It paid off and it was a vital win."

Askhan Dejagah's lone strike past the hour was the difference between Newcastle and the west Londoners.

Fulham were also denied by the thinnest of slivers from John Heitinga's thump against the bar that bounced down but not in – just.

But the first three points since January 1 will give Fulham doubters a mighty rush of confidence, Hangeland insists.

He added: "We've never doubted our abilities, and we've tried our very best but it does have an effect on confidence.

"I think in that sense it was also very important to get some confidence back in the team and we'll try to kick on from there."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scrappy-game-fulham-plan-against-6837621?

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Dejagah delivers precious points for Fulham
by DAN on MARCH 15, 2014

Fulham might still sit bottom of the Premier League tonight, but Ashkan Dejagah's winner has breathed new life into their survival bid, which appeared doomed after a feeble display at Cardiff last weekend. Felix Magath, Fulham's third manager of the season, shuffled his pack in response to that defeat and his reshaped side delivered a performance of fight, hunger and application that more than merited his first win since replacing Rene Meulensteen at Craven Cottage.

With goals a necessity, the German's decision to plump for youth over experience and expense in attack was a damning indictment on the form and fitness of Darren Bent and Kostas Mitroglou. Bent's underwhelming displays during his loan spell from Aston Villa have seen him almost as anonymous as the club's record signing, but the fact that neither made the matchday squad still raised a few eyebrows. Teenager Cauley Woodrow, who made his debut in Wales last weekend, was handed the responsibility of leading the line on his own and the nineteen year-old's energetic display fully repaid his manager's faith.

Magath also opted to replace Maarten Stekelenburg, responsible for Cardiff's second goal last week, with David Stockdale in goal and shifted John Heitinga to right back, with Fernando Amorebieta partnering captain Brede Hangeland at the heart of the defence. In midfield, William Kvist added a bit of ballast in place of the injured Scott Parker, with Pajtim Kasami and Alex Kacaniklic picked to raid down the flanks. Alan Pardew, who watched helplessly from a west London hotel after his altercation with Hull's David Meyler, made two enforced changes with Fabricio Coloccini and Pappis Cisse replacing the injured Mathieu Debuchy and Loic Remy.

The home side made the brighter start. Woodrow was a matter of inches away from connecting with Lewis Holtby's flighted free-kick as Newcastle were preocuppied with containing Hangeland, before the Fulham captain failed to reach Kacaniklic's dangerous corner. The Swedish winger wasn't far away with an ambitious effort from 35 yards, before Holtby brought the very best out of Tim Krul, who turned away his curling effort from the edge of the box. Stockdale, a spectator for much of the first half, made a splendid save to preserve parity nine minutes before the break, springing away to his right to push a close-range finish from Cisse around the post.

Fulham must have felt it was destined not to be their day when they were denied two goals in quick succession. An offside flag ruled out Kasami's instinctive finish after Steve Sidwell had strayed beyond the Newcastle back line to head a free-kick back across goal, whilst Heitinga's thumping drive from distance was ruled not to have crossed the line – and although Woodrow ensured the ball did finish up in the net, his finish was chalked off by another offside flag. The visitors should have added to Fulham's sense of frustration. Cisse galloped clear after collecting a horribly misdirected pass from Kvist, but Stockdale spread himself well to keep the contest level.

That proved crucial as Fulham found the breakthrough with their next attack. Substitute Ashkan Dejagah's speculative shot from the left edge of the penalty area crept under Tim Krul's body and into the corner to send Craven Cottage into ecstacy. The Newcastle goalkeeper will feel he should have saved such a tame shot, but Fulham's endeavour was finally rewarded. Magath sent out Sascha Riether to shore up the midfield and the towering Dan Burn replaced Dejagah after the goalscorer tweaked his groin, but the league's worst defence held out with few alarms until late into injury time, when Krul was incensed that Howard Webb didn't award a penalty for handball against Heitinga from a late Newcastle corner.

Survival is still a long way off for Magath and Fulham, but this was progress. Their first win since New Year's Day brought the Whites back towards their relegation rivals and a first league clean sheet since December 8th hinted at the kind of resoluteness that will be required at Manchester City next weekend. Belief might have been in short supply prior to kick off at Craven Cottage, but by 5pm optimism abounded.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Stockdale; Heitinga, Richardson, Hangeland, Amorebieta; Kvist, Sidwell; Holtby (Riether 80), Kacaniklic, Kasami (Dejagah 60; Burn 86); Woodrow. Subs (not used): Stekelenburg, Riise, Roberts, Rodallega.

BOOKED: Dejagah.

GOAL: Dejagah (67).

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-2): Krul; Yanga-Mbiwa, Dummett, Williamson, Coloccini; Anita (Marveaux 81), Tiote, Sissoko, Gouffran; de Jong (Armstrong 85), Cisse (Shola Ameobi 71). Subs (not used): Alnwick, Haidara, Taylor, Gosling.

REFEREE: Howard Webb (South Yorkshire).

ATTENDANCE: 25,664


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2014/03/dejagah-delivers-precious-points-for-fulham/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Magath proud of Fulham's fighting spirit
by DAN on MARCH 15, 2014

Felix Magath praised the fighting spirit of his players after Fulham recorded their first win under their new manager and breathed new life into their survival bid with a narrow win over Newcastle this afternoon.

Ashkan Dejagah's second-half strike was enough to secure three crucial points against the Magpies and cut the gap between Fulham and their relegation rivals at the wrong end of the Premier League table. A relieved Magath told Sky Sports that this could be the turning point in Fulham's dismal season:

I'm so glad after getting my first win. I'm very happy and proud and glad we managed to do it. This will give the players a lot of confidence.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2014/03/magath-proud-of-fulhams-fighting-spirit/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Magath 'convinced' Fulham will survive

Felix Magath earned his first win as Fulham coach, 1-0 against Newcastle United, before reaffirming his belief that the club will stay up.

Ashkan Dejagah's second-half strike ended a nine-match winless run in the Premier League for the hosts, handing a much-needed boost to their survival hopes.

And Magath, who has taken charge of just four games, wants to now build on a crucial three points as the race to avoid the drop heats up.

"I told you before the game I am convinced we can manage it and stay in the league, and after this victory I am even more convinced," he said.

"It is a good feeling to have a win at the end of the game. I think the atmosphere was tremendous the fans supported us very well.

"If you begin a new job you know you need a win, it's extraordinarily important that you have a win as the players are not confident and they need confidence."

With rivals West Brom, Sunderland and Crystal Palace also picking up points, the win was even more important for Fulham - who remain four points adrift of safety with eight games remaining.

But Magath is focussed on his own side's form, rather than looking at what those around them are doing.

"I don't care much about the other results because we have to do our work and get our results," he added. "It's not only the result today, it's the game we played, we were the better team.

"It will give us the confidence that we can avoid relegation and stay in the league."



Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/magath-convinced-fulham-will-survive#ttduYFcqURaRjl3E.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 1-0 Newcastle – If Anyone Can, Ash-Kan; Dejagah Fires Whites To Priceless Win At The Cottage

Fulham's gifted Iranian forward Ashkan Dejagah was the match-winner for Felix Magath's struggling side on Saturday, with the sub firing home the only goal of the game on 68 minutes at Craven Cottage. It could've been 2-0, when ex-Everton 's Johnny Heitinga hit the cross as the Cottagers ballted hard for the points.

Dejagah's goal cam eafter mis-firing Magpies' striker Papiss Cissé had fluffed his lines with only the 'keeper to beat as the Whites ultimately took all three points, points which move to within one point of 18th and 19th placed Sunderland and Cardiff.



http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/fulham/186583/fulham-1-0-newcastle-if-anyone-can-ash-kan-dejagah-fires-whites-to-priceless-win-at-the-cottage-photos-highlights.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss explains keeper decision

Fulham manager Felix Magath said he dropped Maarten Stekelenburg because David Stockdale is a more vocal goalkeeper.

Stockdale, 28, has been second choice to Stekelenburg since the Dutchman signed last summer, but produced a superb display as the Whites beat Newcastle 1-0.

"The idea was that Maarten is a quiet keeper and David is louder and more exciting. I thought we needed someone who gives more excitement to the players," Magath explained.

"It was a hard decision for Maarten but he has taken it very well. Fortunately it worked and David made some excellent saves. He was very good and we can thank him for his very good performance."

Ashkan Dejagah's second-half wonder-strike clinched Fulham's first win since New Year's Day and Magath's first victory since he took charge last month.

"We are happy. It's extraordinarily important to get a first win and I am more convinced than ever we will stay up," he said.

"It was a brilliant result. We were the better team today and it will give us the confidence that we can avoid relegation."


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-boss-explains-keeper-decision?

[WhiteJC]

 
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here are some of the designs available...

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and using FoF as a discount code. It's case sensitive so fof or FOF won't work it must be FoF

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WhiteJC

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[WhiteJC]

 
Win over Newcastle can be the catalyst for Fulham's Premier League survival bid, insists boss Felix Magath

The Cottagers picked up three points for the first time since New Year's Day and Magath believes it will give his players the confidence they desperately need


Match-winner: Dejagah celebrates scoring the only goal of the game
Fulham manager Felix Magath believes his side's 1-0 win over Newcastle can kickstart their fight against relegation.

Ashkan Dejagah's second-half strike was enough to secure all three points for the Cottagers - their first league win since beating West Ham on New Year's Day.

They are now just four points away from safety and Magath believes the success will give his players the boost they need in their quest for survival.

He said: "It will give us the confidence that we can avoid relegation and stay in the league.

"I'm convinced that we can manage it and stay up. After this game and this victory, I am more than convinced.

"I don't care about the other results. We have to do our work and we have to get the results."

The defeat at Craven Cottage was the first of Alan Pardew's seven-match ban, with the Newcastle boss watching the action from a nearby hotel.

He will have seen his side denied a last-gasp penalty after John Heitinga appeared to handle the ball in a goalmouth melee, involving Magpies' goalkeeper Tim Krul.

Pardew's assistant John Carver admitted he had to keep his composure at the final whistle.

He said: "I had a nice, sensible conversation with Howard Webb and he explained the reasons to me and I accepted that.

"Tim was a bit animated. He wanted to go to see him but I said no. It's not worth it."



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/win-over-newcastle-can-catalyst-3246886#ixzz2w7CEnjQR
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[WhiteJC]

 
Lewis Holtby posts Facebook picture from the tube after Fulham win, wishes Spurs luck for NLD

What a Relief!! Very happy to have won today:-))) as u probably notice "smile"
Still.. Next Station, Home!;-)))))
Thx for The brillant Support, amazing Spirit at craven cottage!
For tomorrow...
COYS!!!!! Big Big Game tomorrow ...See More





There is a lot of love for Lewis Holtby from Tottenham fans and now Fulham supporters are also beginning to treat the German midfielder with affection despite the fact he doesn't belong to the Cottagers.

And, it isn't just because of his desire on the pitch where he appears to give every drop of sweat for the cause.

Today, Holtby played 82 minutes of Fulham's 1-0 win over Newcastle, a massive result for Felix Magath's side in their battle to avoid the drop.

Fulham are still bottom but are now in touching distance of the other sides facing relegation and will be hopeful of a turnaround in fortunes.

Holtby took the tube home and posted a Facebook update that will no doubt endear himself further to both Fulham and Spurs fans.

Presumably Holtby will be at Spurs to cheer them on for the north London derby...


http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/lewis-holtby-posts-facebook-picture-from-the-tube-after-fulham-win-wishes-spurs-luck-for-nld/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's Cauley Woodrow: First Impressions

When a young player first appears in the Premier League, one of two things usually happens: either he's patronised with hyperbole, or he's assessed in banal generalities relating to work-rate and energy.

What kind of player Cauley Woodrow will eventually be is anybody's guess, because nobody has seen enough of him to make a sensible estimate. That being said, he clearly possesses some promising – albeit embryonic – attributes.

Yes, he shows enthusiasm, and yes, he has the kind of tangible desire that Fulham have been missing this season, but those qualities aren't worth all that much by themselves. Young forwards making their home debuts are liable to chase the ball rather aimlessly and to sacrifice their tactical responsibilities in pursuit of making a name for themselves – and maybe the most impressive part of Woodrow's game today was that he didn't fall into that trap.

A lone forward has all kinds of offensive obligations, but that role also requires a certain level of discipline when the opposition are in possession. Woodrow hassled Newcastle's back-four this afternoon, but in a measured and reserved way and with an awareness of the passing-channels that he was closing-off.

When Fulham did have the ball, his ability to drop into the play and recycle possession was surprisingly astute and whilst Felix Magath's side were far from fluid, Woodrow demonstrated a good awareness of the game around him and an understanding of when and how to lay the ball off to his teammates.

Cauley Woodrow: Distribution vs Newcastle.

These bits and pieces are just building blocks and they don't necessarily relate that pertinently to how good Woodrow is ultimately going to be, but Fulham must be delighted to have a forward with such a sound basic understanding of the game.

He needs to put on some weight and become a slightly more physical proposition for opposing defenders, but even though he's currently quite willowy he still protects the ball well with his back to goal – and it's quite rare to see that in someone so young.

There's no need to go overboard with the praise, but he's made a promising start to his top-flight career.


http://thepremierleagueowl.com/fulhams-cauley-woodrow-first-impressions/