Sunday Fulham Stuff (23/03/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Inter Battle Fulham For Manchester City Striker

Inter will face competition from Fulham for the signature of Manchester City hitman Edin Dzeko.

The 28 year old Bosnian international has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium for sometime now and looks set for a move away in the summer.

The Daily Mail reports that Fulham may make a surprise swoop for Dzeko if they can manage to stay up in the top flight as they look to restructure their side.

Fulham are currently in last place with 24 points, four points away from safety, and have it all to do in the last eight games of the season.

Dzeko has netted 18 goals in 38 games this season for City in all competitions this seasons.


http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2014/03/inter-battle-fulham-for-manchester-city-striker/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Toure treble fells Fulham
Manchester City strolled to a 5-0 victory over Fulham as Yaya Toure netted a hat-trick at the Etihad Stadium to keep their Premier League title bid on track.

City struggled to find their best form in the first half but Toure provided the crucial breakthrough in the 26th minute with a coolly-taken penalty after Alvaro Negredo had been fouled by Fernando Amorebieta.

Amorebieta was then sent off early in the second half after bringing down David Silva to give City a second spot-kick, which Toure again tucked away with aplomb.

Toure completed his treble with a sublime curling effort from distance into the top corner on 65 minutes, before Fernandinho and Martin Demichelis got in on the act with late goals to keep Fulham rooted to the bottom of the table.

City rarely got into top gear in the first period although, aside from a couple of Fulham breaks, they were comfortably the stronger side.

Their pressure might have brought them two penalties inside the opening 12 minutes but each time Steve Sidwell, first for handball and then a possible trip on James Milner, escaped punishment.

Milner had City's first attempt on goal after a cross from Aleksandar Kolarov was blocked and headed towards him invitingly. The England international watched the bounce and struck his shot well but David Stockdale met it with a good save.

Fulham briefly caused a few problems and Kieran Richardson struck a free-kick into the wall.

Richardson then went closer to opening the scoring with a powerful left-foot drive that flew just wide after a Cauley Woodrow effort was blocked.

City finally got their penalty after Negredo chased a long ball from Milner and was kicked in the backside by Amorebieta.

Negredo may have made the most of the contact but referee Jonathan Moss gave his decision some thought before pointing to the spot.

Toure made no mistake as he sent the keeper the wrong way after Amorebieta was booked.

Fulham looked for a quick response but Sascha Riether spurned a good chance as he headed over from Richardson's cross.

City might have doubled their lead when the in-form Silva showed great footwork after being played in by Fernandinho and brilliantly lifted the ball over Stockdale, but Amorebieta headed off the line.

Kolarov then rattled the woodwork with a fierce drive, which Stockdale may have got his fingertips to, after being played in on the left by the impressive Milner.

City's next breakthrough came eight minutes into the second half as Milner cleverly slipped Silva through on goal and Amorebieta crudely brought the Spaniard down.

It proved the final act of Amorebieta's eventful afternoon as Moss brandished the red card.

Toure's second spot-kick proved a replica of his first and there was simply no way back for Fulham.

City applied more pressure and Milner shot narrowly over from the edge of the area after cutting onto his left foot following neat work by Silva.

Fulham could do little about Toure's hat-trick goal after Samir Nasri took a short free-kick.

The Ivorian, reprising his Capital One Cup final stunner, took aim from about 25 yards out and sent a wonderful curling effort into the tiny gap between the diving Stockdale and the post.

Fulham could have been overwhelmed quickly as Kolarov tested Stockdale with a fierce drive and Milner saw an effort deflected wide after combining with Negredo.

Toure got a standing ovation as he was withdrawn after 77 minutes and Demichelis almost netted as John Heitinga cleared his effort off the line.

The fourth came six minutes from time as a well-worked corner found its way to Fernandinho and the Brazilian smashed home from inside the box.

The pressure continued and Milner had a shot saved before Demichelis tapped in a rebound after Stockdale blocked from substitute Stevan Jovetic.

Negredo, without a goal since January, might have scored in injury time but missed from close range.


http://www.football365.com/match/3632737/report?

[WhiteJC]

 
Manchester City 5 Fulham 0: Yaya Toure hat-trick helps sink 10-man Cottagers

Yaya Toure claimed a hat-trick as title-challenging Manchester City swept aside 10-man strugglers Fulham 5-0 in the Barclays Premier League.

Toure struck twice from the penalty spot and curled in a stunning third before Fernandinho and Martin Demichelis completed victory at the rain-sodden Etihad Stadium.

City were not at their best but the result became a certainty after Fernando Amorebieta - who conceded the first penalty - was sent off for hacking down David Silva for the second spot-kick early in the second half.

From then on it became an exercise in damage limitation for Felix Magath's relegation-threatened side but they could do little to keep out Toure's sublime long-range effort and Fernandinho's piledriver.

Demichelis tapped in the fifth, his first City goal, two minutes from time.

Toure's goals made him the third City player to reach 20 goals for the season after Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo, leaving Edin Dzeko, who missed the game through illness, behind on 18.

City rarely got into top gear in the first period although, aside from a couple of Fulham breaks, they were comfortably the stronger side.

Their pressure might have brought them two penalties inside the opening 12 minutes but each time Steve Sidwell, first for handball and then a possible trip on James Milner, escaped punishment.

Milner had City's first attempt on goal after a cross from Aleksandar Kolarov was blocked and headed towards him invitingly. The England international watched the bounce and struck his shot well but David Stockdale met it with a good save.

Fulham briefly caused a few problems and Kieran Richardson struck a free-kick into the wall.

Former Manchester United player Richardson then went closer to opening the scoring with a powerful left-foot drive that flew just wide after a Cauley Woodrow effort was blocked.

City finally got their penalty after Negredo chased a long ball from Milner and was kicked in the backside by Amorebieta.

Negredo may have made the most of the contact but referee Jonathan Moss gave his decision some thought before pointing to the spot.

Toure made no mistake as he sent the keeper the wrong way after Amorebieta was booked.

Fulham looked for a quick response but Sascha Riether spurned a good chance as he headed over from Richardson's cross.

City might have doubled their lead when the in-form Silva showed great footwork after being played in by Fernandinho and brilliantly lifted the ball over Stockdale, but Amorebieta headed off the line.

Kolarov then rattled the woodwork with a fierce drive, which Stockdale may have got his fingertips to, after being played in on the left by the impressive Milner.

City's next breakthrough came eight minutes into the second half as Milner cleverly slipped Silva through on goal and Amorebieta crudely brought the Spaniard down.

It proved the final act of Amorebieta's eventful afternoon as Moss brandished the red card.

Toure's second spot-kick proved a replica of his first and there was simply no way back for Fulham.

City applied more pressure and Milner shot narrowly over from the edge of the area after cutting onto his left foot following neat work by Silva.

Fulham could do little about Toure's hat-trick goal after Samir Nasri took a short free-kick.

The Ivorian, reprising his Capital One Cup final stunner, took aim from about 25 yards out sent a wonderful curling effort into the tiny gap between the diving Stockdale and the post.

Fulham could have been overwhelmed quickly as Kolarov tested Stockdale with a fierce drive and Milner saw an effort deflected wide after combining with Negredo.

Toure got a standing ovation as he was withdrawn after 77 minutes and Demichelis almost netted as John Heitinga cleared his effort off the line.

The fourth came six minutes from time as a well-worked corner found its way to Fernandinho and the Brazilian smashed home from inside the box.

The pressure continued and Milner shot saved before Demichelis tapped in a rebound after Stockdale blocked from substitute Stevan Jovetic.

Negredo, without a goal since January, might have scored in injury time but missed from close range.


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/manchester-city-5-fulham-0-yaya-toure-hattrick-helps-sink-10man-cottagers-9209982.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Manchester City's Yaya Touré hits hat-trick in romp over Fulham

There was no margin for error against bottom-of-the-table Fulham in Manchester City's quest to hunt down Chelsea at the Premier League summit. Ultimately there wasn't even a contest as Yaya Touré's first hat-trick in English football sparked a rout of Felix Magath's seemingly condemned men.

City's biggest league win since November resembled a training exercise at times as they prised apart Fulham without performing anywhere near their fluent, destructive best. Manuel Pellegrini was even able to withdraw Touré, David Silva and Samir Nasri in the closing stages to give the influential trio a breather before Tuesday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Fernandinho and Martín Demichelis completed the scoring against a visiting team reduced to ten men when the hapless Fernando Amorebieta was sent off early in the second half.

With Sergio Agüero hamstrung and Edin Dzeko falling ill before the game, Pellegrini gave Álvaro Negredo an opportunity to lead the City attack and to end a run of eight appearances without a goal. The Spanish striker responded with a hard-working display, albeit lacking finesse in front of goal, and a pivotal part in breaking Fulham's early resistance when he won a soft penalty under a touch from Amorebieta.

City laboured throughout a first half played in pouring rain, the ball skimming off the surface and away from feet as a consequence, and were fortunate not to fall behind when the former Manchester United midfielder Kieran Richardson shot inches wide when a blocked Cauley Woodrow effort rolled his way on the edge of the area. David Stockdale, the visiting keeper, was only troubled by an angled drive from James Milner before Fulham were dealt a telling blow by a penalty award out of nowhere.

Negredo showed good determination to beat Amorebieta to Milner's long ball into the box but looked as though he had been slain by an assassin's bullet when he got there. The referee, Jon Moss, was unmoved but his assistant, Ian Hussin, spotted a slight touch on Negredo's backside from the Fulham defender's boot and signalled for a spot-kick. Once the protests had subsided, Touré sent Stockdale the wrong way from 12 yards.

There was little fluency to the home side's attacking play yet they could have been three goals ahead by the interval. Not a bad sign when pursuing the title. Amorebieta's one positive contribution was to head off the line from David Silva after the midfielder had collected Fernandinho's pass, wriggled free inside the area and clipped over the advancing Stockdale. Aleksandar Kolarov also side-footed against the bar from Silva's lay-off down the left.

After the interval, however, the rain stopped, the sun appeared and City cruised towards victory without appearing to break sweat. There may have been doubt over the first penalty decision but Amorebieta gave Moss no alternative but to point to the spot for a second time and dismiss the already-booked Venezuelan when he sent Silva sprawling. The spot-kick routine did not change; Stockdale went low to his left as Touré converted to the goalkeeper's right.

Touré completed his hat-trick in stunning fashion shortly afterwards. Samir Nasri played a free-kick square to the midfielder and, from 25 yards down the centre of the Fulham goal, he curled an exquisite shot beyond the despairing dive of Stockdale. City's fourth was also impressive as Milner picked out Fernandinho from a clever corner and the Brazilian surged behind the Fulham defence before sending an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

Milner merited a goal for a tireless contribution but was thwarted by a fine Stockdale save. The onslaught was not over for sorry Fulham, however, and Demichelis tapped into an open net from a yard out after the keeper parried substitute Stevan Jovetic's shot into his path.


http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/mar/22/manchester-city-fulham-premier-league-match-report

[WhiteJC]

 
Now If We Win Our Home Games.....
   
Well, those who follow the scenario will know that my quid bet went up in smoke.

Instead of coining it in with odds of 18-1 for a Fulham win I`m left to contemplate on how a fool (me) and his money were easily parted.

A hat-trick from Yaya Toure, including two from the penalty spot, set City on their way and the result was compounded with further goals from Fernndinho and Demichelis.

But after the game, in his post-match interview, Felix Magath was still full of hope that Fulham will avoid relegation with the German remarking,

'Until the first penalty it was not bad. Unfortunately when you gift the first penalty, in my opinion it was not a penalty, that gifts Man City the power. The team does not seem to believe we can win after the first goal."

'Until the first penalty we were in the game. Such a penalty changed the whole atmosphere. The players didn't have the confidence to change the situation."

'No one expected we would win at Man City. We have to win our home games, that is the most important work we have to do. We start next week again against Everton. Win at home and we are able to avoid relegation.'

I wish I shared his optimism!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=353673#ixzz2wie4Qq8L

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss Felix Magath: 'Penalty changed the game'

Fulham manager Felix Magath has insisted that Manchester City's early penalty in their 5-0 win over his side is what changed the game.

City opened the scoring when Fernando Amorebieta was adjudged to have fouled Alvaro Negredo in the box, allowing Yaya Toure to fire home, but Magath believes that the referee made the wrong call.

"Until the first penalty it was not bad. Unfortunately when you gift the first penalty, in my opinion it was not a penalty, that gifts Man City the power. The team does not seem to believe we can win after the first goal," BBC Sport quotes him as saying.

"Until the first penalty we were in the game. Such a penalty changed the whole atmosphere. The players didn't have the confidence to change the situation.

"No one expected we would win at Man City. We have to win our home games, that is the most important work we have to do. We start next week again against Everton. Win at home and we are able to avoid relegation."

Toure went on to complete a hattrick, with Fernandinho and Martin Demichelis also finding the net.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-city/news/magath-penalty-changed-the-game_145714.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier League: Fulham boss Felix Magath felt they stopped playing at Man City

Fulham boss Felix Magath admitted he did not expect to beat Manchester City, but was unhappy with the way his 10-man side capitulated in a 5-0 defeat.

Yaya Toure scored a hat-trick, with the first two coming from the penalty spot, before Fernandinho and Martin Demichelis added further goals against the Premier League's bottom club.

Fernando Amorebieta saw red early in the second half after receiving two bookings for conceding the two penalties following fouls on Alvaro Negredo and David Silva.

But with the five teams immediately above them also failing to pick up points, Magath felt the result was not too damaging, although Fulham remain four points from safety.

Magath said: "Nobody expected a win here at Man City, so if we lost it is normal. Nobody will care about it.

"But I am not happy with our performance after the second goal. Sure, it was a bad moment for us and we lost a player but that is no reason to stop playing.

"I think we have to play for 90 minutes here with 10 or 11 players. It doesn't matter."

Fulham have seven games remaining to save their top-flight status, starting with next week's home clash against Everton.

Magath said: "That we lost here is not a problem. We have to win our home games and that is important for us.

"We can look forward to next week but we have to talk about this situation, that we don't fight to the end of the game.

"It is not correct, especially for our fans. They came to Manchester, like us, to win and make a good game.

"We have to fight for 90 minutes and not only 60."


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/9227492?

[WhiteJC]

 
A predictable Manchester mauling
by HARRY FREMANTLE on MARCH 22, 2014

I'm writing this on the coach back from Manchester after a predictable Fulham capitulation. Having visited five new Premier League grounds this season with all five ending in defeat and an accumulative 22 goals conceded, I can't help but look forward to the Championship. An injection of exciting young players and potentially winnable games make the prospect of dropping down a division seem not all doom and gloom.
Moving onto today's game, it's hard to understand how we so regularly manage to completely fall apart in the second half of matches. Going into the break we were down just the solitary goal, a Yaya Toure penalty, and far from out of the game. With Lescott and Demichelis at the back for City, there was always a chance of taking a half chance. But the almost comedic defending later on in the game seems to be an unsolvable problem as I'm sure Jol, Meulensteen and Magath will all testify to. Obviously you have to consider that we were playing Manchester City and for a large period of the game with 10 men. However, the amount of space afforded to Yaya Toure to cooly pick his spot for his third goal was laughable. It's hard to reflect on that performance with any sort of positivity apart from 19 year old Cauley Woodrow's tireless efforts. The youngster showed his physicality by frequently out jumping the City centre halves. Additionally, he showcased his ability with the ball at his feet by linking up well and retaining possession admirably. The introduction of Patrick Roberts mid way through the second half will also provide hope for the future for Fulham fans. The exciting young talent looked lively, linking up well with Holtby and offering far more than Kacaniklic did.

I can't help but question what has stunted Kacaniklic's development so significantly. 2 years ago he was an exciting player with a great future ahead of him. Nowadays, he picks up the ball and gets nonchalantly muscled off the ball. When he does manage to find a bit more space, his final ball is nothing short of abysmal. Let's hope the same doesn't happen with Roberts. I'm still not sure whether Stockdale is good enough to play at the top level or not. As per usual, some good saves mixed with appalling distribution. At Championship level I'm sure we'll have no problems with Stockdale, but for the Premier League I think he falls just shy. There's not really too much more that can be said about that performance, two rash challenges from Amorebieta cost us in the form of two penalties and a red card. It was always going to be an impossible task from that point against such a ruthless attacking side. Our focus should always have been on Everton at home where we'll have a significantly greater chance of picking up a point or three.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2014/03/a-predictable-manchester-mauling/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Felix Magath admits his Fulham side paid the penalty for gifting Manchester City two spot kicks

Yaya Toure helped himself to a hat-trick before Fernandinho and Maartin Demichelis also netted as the title chasers made short work of the lowly Cottagers

Felix Magath was left ruing gifting Manchester City two penalties in a lop-sided defeat at the Etihad.

Yaya Toure grabbed a hat-trick before Fernandinho and Martin Demichelis sealed a routine home win for the title-chasers.

Magath felt his side were well in the game prior to the first penalty, but were distinctly second best thereafter.

"Until the first penalty it was not bad. Unfortunately when you gift the first penalty, in my opinion it was not a penalty, that gifts Man City the power.

"The team does not seem to believe we can win after the first goal.

"Until the first penalty we were in the game. Such a penalty changed the whole atmosphere. The players didn't have the confidence to change the situation."

Despite the defeat leaving the lowly Cottagers rooted to the foot of the table, Magath still believes his side can do enough to avoid relegation.

"No one expected we would win at Man City. We have to win our home games, that is the most important work we have to do. We start next week again against Everton. Win at home and we are able to avoid relegation."



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/felix-magath-admits-fulham-side-3272781#ixzz2wlOoyD2w
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook

[bill taylors apprentice]

Inter Battle Fulham For Manchester City Striker

Inter will face competition from Fulham for the signature of Manchester City hitman Edin Dzeko.

The 28 year old Bosnian international has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium for sometime now and looks set for a move away in the summer.

The Daily Mail reports that Fulham may make a surprise swoop for Dzeko if they can manage to stay up in the top flight as they look to restructure their side.

Fulham are currently in last place with 24 points, four points away from safety, and have it all to do in the last eight games of the season.

Dzeko has netted 18 goals in 38 games this season for City in all competitions this seasons.


http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2014/03/inter-battle-fulham-for-manchester-city-striker/?

Laugh, I nearly wet myself!

[Me-ate-Live, innit??]

Inter Battle Fulham For Manchester City Striker

Inter will face competition from Fulham for the signature of Manchester City hitman Edin Dzeko.

The 28 year old Bosnian international has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium for sometime now and looks set for a move away in the summer.

The Daily Mail reports that Fulham may make a surprise swoop for Dzeko if they can manage to stay up in the top flight as they look to restructure their side.

Fulham are currently in last place with 24 points, four points away from safety, and have it all to do in the last eight games of the season.

Dzeko has netted 18 goals in 38 games this season for City in all competitions this seasons.


http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2014/03/inter-battle-fulham-for-manchester-city-striker/?

Laugh, I nearly wet myself!

Well hang about, 
Felix and Dzeko have previous and he cannot pull the Manchester trees ................
http://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=37948.0

[Me-ate-Live, innit??]

Lovely interview with Kvist

Kvist: Game To Forget

[Rhys Lightning 63]

Really? We're just going to ignore the Lewis Holtby story?

[HatterDon]

Inter Battle Fulham For Manchester City Striker

Inter will face competition from Fulham for the signature of Manchester City hitman Edin Dzeko.

The 28 year old Bosnian international has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium for sometime now and looks set for a move away in the summer.

The Daily Mail reports that Fulham may make a surprise swoop for Dzeko if they can manage to stay up in the top flight as they look to restructure their side.

Fulham are currently in last place with 24 points, four points away from safety, and have it all to do in the last eight games of the season.

Dzeko has netted 18 goals in 38 games this season for City in all competitions this seasons.


http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2014/03/inter-battle-fulham-for-manchester-city-striker/?

I had no idea that there was an Italian version of "The Onion."

[Tonywa]

The Dzeko 'story' stems from a joke Magath made the other day.  In one of the interviews leading up ti the City game it was reported that Dzeko was unhappy with the amount of game time he had been getting recent;y. Felix laughingly replied 'Well perhaps he would be better off at Craven Cottage.  I expect he would play regularly for us' ;-)  From that litle quip the press extrapolate that Fulham will be in for Dzeko in the summer.  What a farce.

[win-dup]

mmmm Inter or Fulham to choose from? I bet that will keep Dzeko awake at night.