Sunday Fulham Stuff (27/04/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham throw away two-goal lead against Hull City to stay deep in trouble


Fulham's Ashkan Dejagah scores the opening goal against Hull City in the Premier League at Craven Cottage.
Photograph: Andrew Winning/Reuters

Fleetingly, Fulham had a sight of safety; but they took their eyes off the ball and are now staring relegation in the face again. A second-half transformation – during which they scored twice in three minutes – seemed set to lift Felix Magath's men out of the bottom three for the first time in nearly three months, but, symptomatic of a season in which their next mistake never seems far away, Fulham then conceded twice to leave Hull feeling safe instead.

"If we hadn't got this point today we would have still been in trouble," said a relieved Hull manager, Steve Bruce. "Thirty-seven points might not be enough, but it usually is." While his side can now think more comfortably of the FA Cup final, Fulham go into their last two Premier League matches fearing that they have made life prohibitively tricky for themselves. "We have to win the last two games," said a downcast Magath in barely audible tones. "As long as there is a chance, we have to take it."

Midway through the second half, Magath had been feeling far more upbeat, as had the Craven Cottage crowd, who were singing in giddy endorsement of their team's second-half turn-around. The first period had been eye-bleedingly boring, the tension of the occasion combining with the conservatism of both teams to produce a match of little incident. But Magath altered his team's personnel, attitude and formation, and was rewarded with two goals in three minutes.

The change in emphasis was almost instantaneous, as Hugo Rodallega volleyed over the bar from a corner straight after the break. That was closer than Fulham had come in the entire first half, during which their best chance had been from a cross by Fernando Amorebieta, with which Rodallega had failed to connect.

Lewis Holtby, returning to the side after missing last week's defeat by his parent club, Tottenham Hotspur, was expected to provide much-needed creativity to Fulham, but he was disappointing in the first period. His half-time replacement, Ashkan Dejagah, made a much bigger impact. His strong running down the right made him a regular threat and, in the 55th minute, he made a breakthrough in spectacular style. After collecting the ball on the right and feinting past David Meyler, the Iran international curled a wonderful shot into the top corner of the net from 16 yards out. That was fair reward for Fulham's new-found ambition.

Things soon got better for the hosts when another substitute Kieran Richardson swung in a delicious cross from the left that Amorebieta nodded into the net. The celebrations around the ground showed that Fulham fans believed Magath was in the process of inspiring an escape similar to the one Roy Hodgson had helped the club pull off in 2008.

Fulham had chances to extend their lead, but Darren Bent, another substitute, squandered one, before Steve Harper made an excellent block to deny Dejagah. "That was the turning point," said Bruce, who made changes to help Hull get back into the game. Fulham inadvertently helped too. Sascha Riether deflected a shot on to his own crossbar in the 75th minute and Nikica Jelavic headed in the rebound. Suddenly, Fulham's jubilation turned to jitters.

Two minutes later, the Fulham bar was rattling again, when a long shot from Sone Aluko took a nick off Scott Parker and beat keeper David Stockdale. This time the ball bounced to safety.

A frazzled Fulham survived another scare in the 85th minute, when Ahmed Elmohamady blasted a low shot against the post. The hosts could not hold on. Three minutes from time, Shane Long was allowed to meet Aluko's cross at the back post and headed into the net.

"If you are leading 2-0 at home you have to come through," said Magath. "You remember the Champions League final between Liverpool and Milan? It was 3-0 and, in the end, Liverpool were champions. It always seems to be comfortable when you are leading, but it isn't." It certainly isn't comfortable now for Fulham.



http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/26/fulham-hull-city-premier-league-match-report?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 2 Hull City 2: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Fulham and Hull City at Craven Cottage on Saturday, April 26, 2014


False dawn: Fernando Amorebieta (left) celebrates putting Fulham two goals up before Hull City launched their second-half fightback 
Photo: ACTION IMAGES

When Fernando Amorebieta put Fulham 2-0 ahead with half an hour remaining, their supporters started singing the theme from The Great Escape – a premature celebration, it transpired.

Victory would have lifted Fulham out of the relegation zone, but it was not to be as Hull City stormed back to earn the point that should allow Steve Bruce's side to spend at least another season in the Premier League.

Fulham are back in the 'brown stuff' as Bruce put it, however, having wilted in the west London sun, and Felix Magath questioned the mental strength of his players.

Asked if his side were up to the physical challenge of playing Stoke and Crystal Palace in their remaining games, Magath replied: "It is not a problem of physical ability, it is a problem of the mind.

"It's disappointing because when you are 2-0 up at home, you expect to get through it. Victory could have pushed us to the next level, but now we know we have to win our next two games." Even six points may not be enough to save Fulham, who had a real chance of salvation but let it slip. Ashkan Dejagah and Amorebieta had given them a commanding lead with goals early in the second-half, after a forgettable opening 45 minutes, and they had chances to score even more.

But Hull showed the sort of never-say-die spirit that has taken them so far this season and Nikica Jelavic pulled one goal back before Shane Long equalised in the 86th minute.
Although Bruce will not celebrate survival yet, it would take a series of freak results to relegate Hull now. "Usually 37 points is enough, but as yet we don't know if it will be," he said.
"There have been some crazy games, and clubs below have given themselves a lifeline." But he was delighted with his players. "We had a crazy 12 minutes when we found ourselves 2-0 down after being in control, and when we hit the woodwork twice, you think it is not going to be your day.

"But all credit to them, they didn't give up, showed the spirit that has got them to 13th place and the FA Cup final, and got our rewards."

After a goalless first half, Magath sent on Kieran Richardson and Dejagah, who opened the scoring within 10 minutes. Receiving the ball on the right-hand corner of the penalty box, he curled a lovely left-footed shot into the far corner. The goal sparked raucous celebrations, and the noise rose three minutes later when Amorebieta made it 2-0. Richardson floated in a deep cross, and the Venezuelan glanced home a header from 15 yards.

Darren Bent wasted another chance for the hosts before

Steve Bruce sent on Sone Aluko. Hull promptly set home nerves on edge in the 75th minute. Riether intercepted a pass intended for Long but the ball flew towards his own goal. Stockdale tipped it on to the crossbar and Jelavic headed the rebound over the line.

Aluko hit the bar from long range as Fulham started to wobble. The home side could have made it 3-1 but Harper made a terrific save to keep out Dejagah. "The turning point," said Bruce.

Hull struck the woodwork again through Elmohamady before Long finally bagged the equaliser he deserved. Aluko floated a deep cross from the left, and Long stole in unmarked at the far post to score with a diving header. The goal sparked Hull's supporters to start chanting "We are staying up", while Fulham's crestfallen fans began to fear the worst.

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Stockdale 6; Riethe 6, Heitinga 6, Hangeland 6, Amorebieta 7; Diarra 6, Parker 6, Holtby 6 (Richardson h-t), Sidwell 6 (Bent 52), Riise 6 (Dejagah h-t), Rodallega 6 Subs Stekelenburg, Kasami, Woodrow, Roberts, Booked Diarra.

Hull City (5-3-2): Harper 7 Elmohamady 6, Chester 6, Bruce 6 (Aluko 66), Davies 7, Rosenior 6 (Sagbo 80), Meyler 6 (Boyd 80), Huddlestone 6, Livermore 7, Long 7, Jelavic 6 Subs Jakupovic, Koren, Fryatt, Quinn Booked Elmohamady, Jelavic, Livermore.

Referee L Mason (Lancashire).


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10789769/Fulham-2-Hull-City-2-match-report.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham throw away two-goal lead against Hull City to stay deep in trouble

Fleetingly, Fulham had a sight of safety; but they took their eyes off the ball and are now staring relegation in the face again. A second-half transformation – during which they scored twice in three minutes – seemed set to lift Felix Magath's men out of the bottom three for the first time in nearly three months, but, symptomatic of a season in which their next mistake never seems far away, Fulham then conceded twice to leave Hull feeling safe instead.

"If we hadn't got this point today we would have still been in trouble," said a relieved Hull manager, Steve Bruce. "Thirty-seven points might not be enough, but it usually is." While his side can now think more comfortably of the FA Cup final, Fulham go into their last two Premier League matches fearing that they have made life prohibitively tricky for themselves. "We have to win the last two games," said a downcast Magath in barely audible tones. "As long as there is a chance, we have to take it."

Midway through the second half, Magath had been feeling far more upbeat, as had the Craven Cottage crowd, who were singing in giddy endorsement of their team's second-half turn-around. The first period had been eye-bleedingly boring, the tension of the occasion combining with the conservatism of both teams to produce a match of little incident. But Magath altered his team's personnel, attitude and formation, and was rewarded with two goals in three minutes.

The change in emphasis was almost instantaneous, as Hugo Rodallega volleyed over the bar from a corner straight after the break. That was closer than Fulham had come in the entire first half, during which their best chance had been from a cross by Fernando Amorebieta, with which Rodallega had failed to connect.

Lewis Holtby, returning to the side after missing last week's defeat by his parent club, Tottenham Hotspur, was expected to provide much-needed creativity to Fulham, but he was disappointing in the first period. His half-time replacement, Ashkan Dejagah, made a much bigger impact. His strong running down the right made him a regular threat and, in the 55th minute, he made a breakthrough in spectacular style. After collecting the ball on the right and feinting past David Meyler, the Iran international curled a wonderful shot into the top corner of the net from 16 yards out. That was fair reward for Fulham's new-found ambition.

Things soon got better for the hosts when another substitute Kieran Richardson swung in a delicious cross from the left that Amorebieta nodded into the net. The celebrations around the ground showed that Fulham fans believed Magath was in the process of inspiring an escape similar to the one Roy Hodgson had helped the club pull off in 2008.

Fulham had chances to extend their lead, but Darren Bent, another substitute, squandered one, before Steve Harper made an excellent block to deny Dejagah. "That was the turning point," said Bruce, who made changes to help Hull get back into the game. Fulham inadvertently helped too. Sascha Riether deflected a shot on to his own crossbar in the 75th minute and Nikica Jelavic headed in the rebound. Suddenly, Fulham's jubilation turned to jitters.

Two minutes later, the Fulham bar was rattling again, when a long shot from Sone Aluko took a nick off Scott Parker and beat keeper David Stockdale. This time the ball bounced to safety.

A frazzled Fulham survived another scare in the 85th minute, when Ahmed Elmohamady blasted a low shot against the post. The hosts could not hold on. Three minutes from time, Shane Long was allowed to meet Aluko's cross at the back post and headed into the net.

"If you are leading 2-0 at home you have to come through," said Magath. "You remember the Champions League final between Liverpool and Milan? It was 3-0 and, in the end, Liverpool were champions. It always seems to be comfortable when you are leading, but it isn't." It certainly isn't comfortable now for Fulham.


http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/26/fulham-hull-city-premier-league-match-report

[WhiteJC]

 
Magath rues 'problem of the mind' after Fulham collapse

Late goals from Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long saw the Cottagers surrender a two-goal lead and be held to a draw which leaves them mired in relegation trouble

A dejected Felix Magath bemoaned psychological problems after witnessing his Fulham side throw away a two-goal lead and a vital win against Hull City at Craven Cottage.

The home side roared out of the traps for the second half and looked set to climb out of the Premier League's bottom three after goals from substitute Ashkan Dejagah and Fernando Amorebieta gave them a sizable lead.

But an opportunistic strike from Nikica Jelavic on 75 minutes raised the tension at Craven Cottage and Shane Long broke Fulham hearts with an 87th-minute equaliser which keeps them mired in the relegation zone.

And after the match Magath, visibly downbeat as he addressed the media, suggested mental weakness was responsible for his team's collapse.

"It was very disappointing how the second half went," he admitted. "Things went as we hoped and we had the 0-0 at half-time which wasn't bad, and then we wanted to go more forward and take more situations, and it worked very well.

"We scored twice and and it seemed as if everything was alright, but unfortunately we are taking more or less an own goal, and that brought pressure for us.
"It is not a problem of physical ability, it is a problem of the mind. They were well in the second half, things were good and now we have to take the result from today and stand up for Stoke and try to win.

"A victory would have pushed us to the next game, but we have to take the situation as it is; to stand up and show we can play as well away as at home."

Hull City boss Steve Bruce, meanwhile, heralded the comeback as further evidence of the qualities which have all but led his team to Premier League safety and set up an FA Cup final date with Arsenal at Wembley next month.

"We thought it wasn't going to be our day - we hit the bar twice, we hit the post - but there's a reason why we're 13th and in a cup final, and you witnessed it again. They just don't give up. They kept going and rightly got their rewards.

"If we hadn't have got [a draw] we might still have been in [the relegation battle]. 37 [points] might be enough, it usually is, but we've got three games to go.

"We've had a remarkable year. To be around 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th since last September, and get to a cup final and be - hopefully - safe with three games to go is a remarkable achievement."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2014/04/26/4777607/-?

[WhiteJC]

 
Magath - We Can Still Do It!
   
It was a game that we had to win, but we didn`t.

Leading 2-0 against Hull, everything looked hunky-dory but it all went pear-shaped when we conceded two goals in the last fifteen minutes.

The point gained from this game means we still, quite probably, need two wins from our last two fixtures, but Felix Magath, despite the setback, remains confident we can still steer clear of relegation with the boss remarking during his post-match press interview,

'It's not the result we wanted so we are disappointed. We were leading 2-0 so it seems we would get the three points but unfortunately we scored what was almost an own goal.

'After getting a goal they had some pressure and we took only one point. Besides the two goals we scored, we had two or three great chances to score again but we didn't manage it.

'We have lost two points we so have to win the next two games. We can do it.'

Can we?

I have my doubts!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=357276#ixzz304jRxNkZ

[WhiteJC]

 
SW6 Points donation service

To a degree I think I fell into the trap of assuming everything would work itself out. We know that every season someone goes all jetpacked and gets out of a sticky problem, and we've seen Fulham do it, and what with Magath, a softish run-in and a general tendency towards optimism this one looked like a home banker.

But Fulham well and truly ballsed it up.

1) Magath went again for his "tight until half-time, then kill it" approach and it seemed to work. Dejagah and Richardson are fine substitutes to be able to bring on after all. Taking off Holtby felt slightly iffy given his ability to take the ball, keep it and perhaps do something with it, but it's fair to say that he hasn't been in top form since Magath came in.

2) The fatal mistake seemed to be using up a third sub on Darren Bent when Sidwell got injured. That left us with a willing but only 80% able Diarra and Scott Parker to control the midfield, with Rodallega (having one of his "Oh, I thought he was in good form... what's this about?" games) and Bent, who I'm sorry, is a waste of space (I am never negative about footballers here but if you were to plot talent v expected impact v impact v apparent desire to do something about this imaginary chart's unflattering conclusion you see that he has simply not been worth his share of Motspur Park canteen grub, let alone whatever idiotic salary we are paying him.)

3) EVEN WITH THIS SETUP RIETHER WAS BOMBING ON WHEN WE WERE 2-0 UP. HE WAS GOALSIDE IN HIS CROSSBAR INCIDENT.

4) So anyway, we concluded the game with not much up front, not really much in central midfield, and our beloved back four of doom.

5) It was a clever run by Shane Long, that, bending round into a gap at the far post but honestly, how often do you see Premier League teams undone by crosses from there to there? Shambles, it really was.

6) so yes, we screwed that up royally. All this "too deep" nonsense... honestly, you don't necessarily concede by being too deep. If you keep your shape and sit deep really there's not enough room on the pitch to get through. The problem comes when you try to be something other than what you need to be, in this case a team holding a two goal lead playing a fkng ridiculous open game. Just sit on it, don't leave space behind you. Honestly, at this level you can hold a 2-0 lead just by being sensible. You can. Don't give up all pretense of attacking but don't take risks, either.

7) sigh. Really we deserve to go down after that. We do.


http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2014/04/26/sw6-points-donation-service/?