Sunday Fulham Stuff (18/12/16)...

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Results

Friday
Norwich	1 - 2	Huddersfield
Saturday
Blackburn	2 - 3	Reading
Bristol City	1 - 2	Preston
Burton	1 - 2	Newcastle
Cardiff	3 - 4	Barnsley
Fulham	2 - 2	Derby
Leeds	1 - 0	Brentford
Nottm Forest	0 - 2	Wolves
Sheff Wed	1 - 0	Rotherham
Wigan	2 - 3	Ipswich
Birmingham	1 - 2	Brighton

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Derby denied eighth straight victory by frustrating Fulham

Derby missed out on an eighth straight victory, and another clean sheet, as they were held to a 2-2 Sky Bet Championship draw at Fulham.

It was their second trip to West London in a week, and manager Steve McClaren made three changes from their win over QPR - the most notable being Craig Bryson given his first start since September.

However, it was the home side who started the game on the front foot.

Tom Cairney curled an effort over the bar after 12 minutes, while a Kevin McDonald volley just before the half-hour mark from a tight angle was well held by Scott Carson.

There was an early blow for Fulham, when Tomas Kalas was substituted soon afterwards.

This led to the first attack for Derby, who were able to stun their hosts with the opener.

Ragnar Sigurdsson sliced a clearance from a Johnny Russell through-ball, to allow Tom Ince to net his second goal in a week with a low drive past David Button.

Fulham reapplied the pressure after their major setback, and with two minutes of the first half remaining Lucas Piazon put his effort across the face of goal - but he was not able to find a home player to connect.

Their reward came in the first minute of stoppage time, when Floyd Ayite followed up his strike against Rotherham in the week with a tap-in thanks to good work by Ryan Fredericks.

The goal was the first scored against the Derby defence in six games, although it was little more than the home side deserved.

Fulham started the second half with a notable increase in confidence, although they were let down too often by a poor final ball.

The lead was taken just after the hour mark for the hosts, when Stefan Johansen pounced on a poor clearance to fire home. Derby almost equalised immediately when Button was forced to parry a Russell effort.

The game-tying goal came on 75 minutes, when Alex Pearce buried home a free header from a corner delivered by Ince.

Fulham again put on the pressure after conceding, and Piazon found his 84th-minute free-kick ricocheting off the crossbar.

Both sides looked to try for a late winner, to cap off a lively contest, but the final scoreline was a fair reflection of the game.


Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/fulham/derby-denied-eighth-straight-victory-by-frustrating-fulham-1834352.html

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Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was frustrated that his side's good performance was undone by two defensive errors on Saturday.

The Whites had much the better of the play against the division's in-form side Derby County, but were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.

"I cannot be completely satisfied," our Head Coach explained. "My team offered many interesting things but we paid a very expensive price after some mistakes. They didn't put us under stress, and scored two goals so easily.



"We played all the football, we were the dominant team, we created many chances and scored two goals, but it wasn't enough to win this game.

"It's not the first time, and we need to think about this problem and try and improve ourselves and be more solid and more competitive. So many times we paid an expensive price. We have to be stronger."

With Chris Martin ineligible against his parent club, Jokanović opted to play minus an out-an-out striker, and was content with how things went at that end of the pitch.

"We went with Floyd Ayité and Sone Aluko in this area," he stated. "Floyd scored the goal, we created many, many chances and we offered the better football.

"My side must be clinical after their mistakes, and this was the situation that we found today in the game. But from another side, I can be satisfied. In my opinion we played very good football.

"When we start being more solid and cut out these mistakes, we are going to be higher in the table, and we're going to be more competitive."

One major blow was the early departure of centre-back Tomas Kalas, and while a proper prognosis is yet to be made, he'll at least miss the remainder of 2016.

"It's a hamstring and at this moment I don't know exactly what happened with him," Jokanović revealed. "Guaranteed it will be two weeks he'll be out of the squad, but I don't have more information than that at the moment."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/december/17/head-coach-reaction

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Fulham 2 Derby 2: Rams' seven-game Championship winning run ends with Craven Cottage draw

Fulham were held to a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage as Derby missed out on an eighth straight Championship victory on Saturday.

It was their second trip to West London in a week, and manager Steve McClaren made three changes from their win over QPR - the most notable being Craig Bryson given his first start since September.

However, it was the home side who started the game on the front foot. Tom Cairney curled an effort over the bar after 12 minutes, while a Kevin McDonald volley just before the half-hour mark from a tight angle was well held by Scott Carson.

There was an early blow for Fulham, when Tomas Kalas was substituted soon afterwards. This led to the first attack for Derby, who were able to stun their hosts with the opener.

Ragnar Sigurdsson sliced a clearance from a Johnny Russell through-ball, to allow Tom Ince to net his second goal in a week with a low drive past David Button.


(Getty Images)
Fulham reapplied the pressure after their major setback, and with two minutes of the first half remaining Lucas Piazon put his effort across the face of goal - but he was not able to find a home player to connect.

Their reward came in the first minute of stoppage time, when Floyd Ayite followed up his strike against Rotherham in the week with a tap-in thanks to good work by Ryan Fredericks.

The goal was the first scored against the Derby defence in six games, although it was little more than the home side deserved.

Fulham started the second half with a notable increase in confidence, although they were let down too often by a poor final ball.

The lead was taken just after the hour mark for the hosts, when Stefan Johansen pounced on a poor clearance to fire home.

Derby almost equalised immediately when Button was forced to parry a Russell effort.

The game-tying goal came on 75 minutes, when Alex Pearce buried home a free header from a corner delivered by Ince.

Fulham again put on the pressure after conceding, and Piazon found his 84th-minute free-kick ricocheting off the crossbar.

Both sides looked to try for a late winner, to cap off a lively contest, but the final scoreline was a fair reflection of the game.



http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-2-derby-2-rams-sevengame-championship-winning-run-ends-with-craven-cottage-draw-a3422971.html

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REPORT: Fulham 2-2 Derby County

Alex Pearce's towering header 15 minutes from time saw Derby County fight back to earn a 2-2 draw from an enthralling clash with Fulham in the Capital.

The 28-year-old defender leapt to meet Tom Ince's delivery and power it into the back of the net at the near post in front of the 3,000+ contingent of Rams fans that made the journey down to SW6.

It saw Steve McClaren's side battle back from a goal down to earn a result for the first time since the Derby manager's return in October, after the Cottagers themselves had fought back from Ince's opener to lead 2-1 at the hour mark thanks to strikes from Floyd Ayité and Stefan Yohansen.

Whilst the Rams' seven-game winning streak came to an end, Pearce's header does mean that the club are eight games unbeaten and on the fringes of the play-off positions going into Christmas.

Cagey to begin with, Fulham shadowed the early stages and created a host of half chances.

Pearce, in fine form at the back, was on hand to mop up several dangerous balls into the box, whilst Tom Cairney, the hosts' captain, took on an audacious effort from outside the box which Scott Carson watched fly over the crossbar.

After around five minutes of possession interchange, Cairney continued to force his mark on the game and was presented with a similar chance with his first, with his volley bringing the same result as it flew over.

On 24 minutes, though, Derby began to steady the ship and Ince began to grow in stature.

After swiping at an effort and sending it wide, he did open the scoring four minutes after the half hour mark as Johnny Russell's deflected pass fell to his feet. In form and full of confidence on the back of six goals in as many games prior to this meeting, Ince needed no second invitation as he slotted a right foot comfortably past David Button.

Despite the goal, Fulham were by no means out of the game and, for the remainder of the first-half, Slaviša Jokanović's went about seeking a reaction to draw level once again.

Arguably the Cottagers closest chance came almost immediately after conceding through Ryan Fredericks after the right back broke loose into Derby's area. His shot, though, proved to be nothing more than routine for Carson, who coolly caught his low drive at his near post.

On the cusp of half time, however, the hosts struck back. Fredericks was involved again as he took the ball on his right foot, drove into the area, and delivered a low centre that was converted by Ayité at the far post – giving Fulham a spur of confidence going into the half-time break.

After play resumed for the final half, Fulham picked up where they left off and Sone Aluko almost doubled his side's lead after he chanced his arm from range – swerving the ball past the wrong side of Carson's far post.

It wasn't until just after the hour mark that there was anything of note to report. Nevertheless, the game's action returned in the form of a goal and it was the hosts who made their pressure count and were celebrating after Johansen marked a dominant spell for Fulham with a goal, with a low shot into the corner.

Derby looked to reply almost immediately after going behind and Russell very nearly did for the visitors, but he saw his fierce hooked effort turned behind for a corner by Button at his near post.

With time running out, the game opened up once more as both sides searched for the goal which looked sure to determine the match outcome and it was Derby who were able to grasp it after Pearce rose highest to head home Ince's corner delivery on 75 minutes.

All still to play for, Fulham were presented with a golden opportunity to take the lead on after 85 minutes after they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box.

It was Lucas Piazon who stepped up to deliver the set-piece and he very nearly made it three for Fulham, but the crossbar came to the Rams' rescue as they held on to claim a big point in the Capital and maintain their unbeaten run under McClaren.

In the end, though, it was a game that saw the two teams unable to be separated over the 90 minutes and they were forced to share the honours.

Fulham: Button, Fredericks, Malone, McDonald, Cairney (C), Ayité, Johansen, Sigurdsson (Parker, 45), Piazon, Aluko (Humphrys, 87), Kalas (Madl, 31)

Substitutes not used: Bettinelli, Odoi, Kebano, Smith,

Derby County: Carson, Baird, Keogh (C), Pearce, Olsson; Johnson, Butterfield, Bryson Ince (Weimann, 90), Vydra (Bent, 65), Russell (Camara, 65)

Substitutes not used: Mitchell, Shackell, Hughes, Hanson

Attendance: 18,748


Read more at http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/report-fulham-vs-derby-county-3473513.aspx#JEJIv0xMtyGm7RjU.99

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Ayite scores again as Fulham end Derby's winning run

Fulham 2 Derby 2

Fulham ended Derby's seven-match winning run but Alex Pearce's equaliser meant the Whites had to settle for a point.

Tom Ince's seventh goal in as many matches but the visitors ahead before Floyd Ayite equalised in first-half injury time and Stefan Johansen put Fulham ahead just after the hour mark.

Derby hit back when defender Pearce headed home Ince's corner with 15 minutes remaining.

Fulham made a bright start but were undone by Johnny Russell's ball through to Ince, who applied the finish.

Ayite has also been in good scoring form and his goal – set up by Ryan Fredericks – was his fourth in three games.

Johansen's shot from the edge of the box left Derby in danger of only their second defeat since Steve McClaren returned for a second spell as manager.

But they found an equaliser and then rode their luck when Lucas Piazon's late free-kick hit the bar.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/ayite-scores-fulham-end-derbys-winning-run

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Fulham and Derby share spoils - but there are injury worries for Chelsea loanee
Whites make it 20 goals in the last four matches in a 2-2 draw where they led and were pulled back by in-form Rams


In the thick of it: Scott Malone

Fulham had to settle for just a point in a game they should have won.

A terrific hit from Stefan Johansen and a fifth in seven days from Floyd Ayite were cancelled out by goals from Tom Ince and Alex Pearce.

In truth, Whites deserved more. Even though Ince gave Derby the lead, it was the hosts that did most of the pressing and the Rams equaliser as the hosts led 2-1 was down to criminal marking.

Fulham applied the early pressure with the ball pinging across the Derby box.

Scott Malone's telling cross just eluded a Whites boots, and then Ince was in the clear to force a rebound of David Button and plant the ball into the net only to see the offside flag raised.

Tom Cairney curled wide, but the real worry was the sight of Tomas Kalas limping off after half an hour to be replaced by Michael Madl.

It went from bad to worse when Ragnar Sigurdsson slipped and saw the ball fly past him, into the path of Ince on the right who made no mistake to rifle low past Button from 10 yards.


Pace: Ryan Fredericks against Derby

Shots on the angle from first Kevin McDonald and Lucas Piazon had zip, but both were straight at the well placed Scott Carson to gather with ease.

But the blistering pace of Ryan Fredericks down the right a minute before half time made all well again.

He squared up Marcus Olsson and sprinted past him to pull the back low for Ayite to convert from a yard.

Whites started the second half like they started the first.

That said, an innocuous back pass from sub Scott Parker caused Button to get in a tangle that forced him to hack the ball away in a panic.


Attack: Sone Aluko sprints down the wing

Balls then rained in the Rams' box to met with blocks, but there was a boot to many in the mix for Fulham's second goal.

Aluko's pull-back from the byline was picked up by Stefan Johansen who thrashed a shot low and true past Carson that took a hefty deflection off Pearce on its way in.

It was all square again on 75 minutes when woeful Fulham marking at a corner gifted Pearce a free header and atonement. From two yards out he could hardly miss.

Whites pressed for a winner, but in the end eight points from the last 12 said much about a renewed spirit in the side


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-derby-share-spoils-injury-12336300

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Chelsea loanee at Fulham out for minimum 'two weeks' - as Slavisa Jokanvoic berates mistakes against Derby
It ends 2-2 at Craven Cottage with Whites sharing 21 goals in the last four matches

Slavisa Jokanovic was made to count the costs of a missing defender and a late Derby equaliser.

The Fulham boss suffered Tomas Kalas limping off in the 2-2 draw with a hamstring strain that will keep the Czech international out for two weeks at least.

Whites came from behind to lead 2-1, but a rearranged defence marked thin air at a 75th minute corner and Alex Pearce headed in to levell.

Fulham also started without a recognised striker. Chris Martin was unavailable to both sides - his parent club and his loan side under the terms of his spell at Craven Cottage.


Injured: Tomas Kalas

"We went with Floyd Ayité and Sone Aluko in this area," Jokanovic said. "Floyd scored the goal, we created many, many chances and we offered the better football.

"My side must be clinical after their mistakes, and this was the situation that we found today in the game. But from another side, I can be satisfied. In my opinion we played very good football.

"When we start being more solid and cut out these mistakes, we are going to be higher in the table, and we're going to be more competitive."

Kalas will miss the remainder of 2016.

"It's a hamstring and at this moment I don't know exactly what happened with him," Jokanović revealed.

"Guaranteed it will be two weeks he'll be out of the squad, but I don't have more information than that at the moment."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chelsea-loanee-fulham-out-minimum-12337121

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Fulham and five notable things from Derby draw
This is what made the latest Whites goal fest

Fulham ended a big week with five points from nine after the 2-2 draw with Derby.

It also brought 21 goals in the last four games, so it's pretty obvious where the goalmouth action is right now.

But what of the game?

Jokanovic can't make up his mind which centre back he wants to partner Tomas Kalas

That said, injury has done for the Czech international. When he went off clutching his hamstring in the first half it looked ominous, and the Fulham boss confirmed a hamstring strain - and two weeks off at least.

The latest switch before Kalas got crocked saw Ragnar Sigurdsson regain his place from Michael Madl who took it from Tim Ream who took it from Sigurdsson.

Both sides missed Chris Martin

How many times can you say that the same player was missed by both teams: the loan club and the parent club.

In fact, neither side played with a recognised striker making do in Fulham's case with Sone Aluko and Floyd Ayite as the main focus up front.

Floyd Ayite is like a London bus...

...nothing for ages then loads at once, boom, boom.

The man signed from Bastia in the summer has taken his time to get in the groove. But he looks as if he's finally arrived.

No goals in 12 matches, and then four in seven days including the one he converted before half time.

Happy Christmas Darren Bent

The Derby striker's arrival on 65 minutes was met with a chorus of boos from Fulham fans.

Could this have anything to do with the 2013-14 loan striker's stint at Craven Cottage where he netted only six goals in 30 matches, and Fulham were relegated into the Championship.

We think it does.

What must Matt Smith be thinking?

No place for the big forward even though Fulham didn't have one in their side, but a debut for 19 year-old Stephen Humphrys off the bench in the last three minutes.

Smith had better send his boss a Christmas card.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-five-notable-things-derby-12336345