Monday Fulham Stuff (08/05/17)...

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Results

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

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Fulham will face Reading in the semi-finals of the Championship Play-Offs

Fulham will face Reading in the semi-finals of the Championship Play-Offs.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side are within three matches of securing a return to the Premier League, having been relegated from the top flight after the 2013-14 season.

Their result against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day, a 2-1 victory, proved irrelevant in the end as Reading's victory at Burton and Huddersfield capitulation against Cardiff finalised the final standings.

Fulham have been in fine form this season, but it's been their form away from Craven Cottage that has been especially impressive.

Only Newcastle and Brighton have collected more victories on the road this season than Fulham, who have only suffered four defeats away from home.

Championship Play-Off Fixtures
SEMI-FINALS
Saturday 13 May: Fulham vs Reading first leg (5:30pm kick-off)

Sunday 14 May: Huddersfield vs Sheffield Wednesday first leg (12:00pm kick-off)

Tuesday 16 May: Reading vs Fulham second leg (7:45pm kick-off)

Wednesday 17 May: Sheffield Wednesday vs Huddersfield second leg (7:45pm kick-off)


THE FINAL
Monday 29 May: Championship Play-Off Final (3:00pm kick-off)




http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-will-face-reading-in-the-semifinals-of-the-championship-playoffs-a3532636.html

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Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Fulham: Player ratings as Neeskens Kebano gives Fulham victory

The away side go into the play-offs having beaten one of their main rivals for promotion in their own backyard at Hillsborough

Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Fulham: Player ratings as Neeskens Kebano gives Fulham victory

The away side go into the play-offs having beaten one of their main rivals for promotion in their own backyard at Hillsborough

It was the home side who took the lead when Tomas Kalas tried to break out from the back, but he ran into trouble in the forms of the referee and a Wednesday player, who disposed him of the ball before feeding it to Sam Winnall who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Kebano was the man to equalise for Fulham when Denis Odoi's cross finally found its way into the Wednesday area, with the Congo international there to pounce first time and put it past Joe Wildsmith after 26 minutes.

Marco Mattias was sent off on the stroke of half time when he scythed down Aluko as he looked to break forward from the Fulham box - referee Graham Scott having no hesitation to give him his marching orders.

The second half was a more drab affair with Fulham having most of the chances, but without ever really testing Wildsmith in the Wednesday goal.

But Fulham got a second in comical fashion when Piazon's freekick was delfected into the goal, before being cleared, and after a period of no one knowing what exactly was happening the referee gave the goal.

Bettinelli 6 - Had very little to do in the second half as a result of the sending off, while he could do nothing about a good finish from Winnall.

Odoi 7 - After getting into the game saw lots of the ball out right in the first half, with his cross setting up Kebano for the goal. Struggled to beat the first man in the first half hour

Kalas 6 - Made a mistake for the goal but did a good job at the back with Ream but he seemed more likely of the two to make a silly foul when Wednesday were breaking. Dealt with the threat of Rhodes well in the second half.

Ream 7 - Another solid game from the American who looks very assured of himself at the moment. Under his leadership himself and Ream shackled Wednesday in the second half

Malone 7 - Was a threat in the first and second halves with his marauding runs forward causing Wednesday several problems. Looked the more likely in the second half to make something happen.

Piazon 7 - Was brought in in place of Johansen and played his part well - he was always eager to get onto the ball and his slight touches in and around the box caused problems for the Wednesday defenders trying to track the runs of Aluko, Kebano and eventually Ayite.

McDonald 7 - Was the glue in the Fulham midfield once again and stepped up to his role even more so with Stefan Johansen on the bench. Made a vital block in the first half to deny a certain goal.

Cairney 6 - Had a quiet game by his standards but Wednesday did look to crowd out the middle in the first half. Got on the ball more in the second but wasn't able to find that defence splitting pass we're used to seeing.

Kebano 7 - Was in the right place at the right time to connect with Odoi's cross to grab the equaliser. Caused problems down the right with his skill set too much for the Wednesday defence. Could well have got his head to the ball for the second goal.

Aluko 7 - Caused his markers on the right all manner of problems all game, with the sending off of Matias a by-product of is pace and skill doen the wing. Was replaced by Ayite on the hour mark in preparation for the play-offs.

Martin 6 - Struggled to make an impact on the game with Wednesday crowding out the 18-yard box, which didn't allow him the get in behind the defence.

Subs:

Ayite 6 - Had a shot deflected wide that looked goalbound but didn't really have that much influence on the game after coming on.

Fredericks 6 - Came on to keep it fresh but had no real impact on the tie. Put the ball on a plate for Piazon to make it three but the Brazilian couldn't connect.

Parker 6 - Replaced Cairney for the final 13 minutes of the game and showed a calm and level head which was needed after the away side took the lead.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/sheffield-wednesday-1-2-fulham-12997972

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Play-Off Opponents Confirmed

Fulham will face Reading in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs, after the Royals' victory over Burton Albion confirmed their third place finish.

The first leg will be played at Craven Cottage on Saturday 13th May (5.30pm), with the second leg following at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday 16th May (7.45pm).

Tickets for the first leg are on sale exclusively to 2016/17 and 2017/18 Season Ticket Holders (one ticket per person). Ticket sales will be staggered, and 2016/17 Season Ticket Holders have until 9am on Tuesday 9th May to keep their existing seat, whilst 17/18 Season Ticket Holders are now able to purchase any other seats which are currently available.

From 9am on Monday 8th May, 16/17 & 17/18 Season Ticket Holders will be able to purchase an additional four tickets per person. At this time, Members will also be given a priority window to purchase a ticket (one per Member), before all seats are then released and made available to all Season Ticket Holders, Members and supporters with a Booking History from 9am on Tuesday 9th May.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/may/07/play-off-opponents-confirmed

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Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 2 Fulham

Neeskens Kebano has scored seven goals for Fulham this season

Neeskens Kebano's double helped Fulham come from behind to beat 10-man Sheffield Wednesday in a match between two Championship play-off contenders.

Sam Winnall had struck low to put the Owls ahead early on, but Kebano equalised when he tucked home Denis Odoi's cross.

Just before the break, Marco Matias - in his second match of the season - was shown a red for a foul on Sone Aluko.

Kebano completed the comeback, turning in Lucas Piazon's delivery.

There was an outside chance of Fulham not making the play-offs prior to kick-off, but that would have required a defeat and a huge goal difference swing with seventh-placed Leeds United.

Wednesday, certain of a top-six finish, made 10 changes for the match and one of those was Winnall, who hit his third goal for the club into the bottom corner.

Kebano brought a side that have won five of their last six matches level before Matias was given his marching orders for a dreadful challenge on Aluko.

The visitors had to wait until the 79th minute to press home their man advantage, as Piazon's cross was turned in, but the ball may have taken a final touch off Wednesday midfielder David Jones on the way in.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side now face a first leg at home to Reading next Saturday, while the Owls play Huddersfield away from home a day later.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvahal:
"I am happy with the way they fought at the end. This game was not important in the score line, it was important to give my players time ahead of the play-offs.

"It is our priority to try and protect players in terms of injuries and red cards for the play-offs - that is a priority. I would be a very stupid person to lose three or four players in a game that doesn't matter and not have them for the play-off semi-final.

"We will be ready, we had a fantastic season, we achieved with a good set of results - this is most important to us and now we are ready."

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic:
"We won the game, we finished the regular season very well. I must be satisfied.

"I am satisfied with the result and because no-one is injured after the game so we have a clear situation in front of us.

"We have a tough game against Reading. They are the favourites - they finished behind the two automatically promoted teams."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39760418

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Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was happy to finish the regular season with victory over Sheffield Wednesday, before attentions turn to the Play-Offs.

A brace from Neeskens Kebano saw the Whites defeat our fellow promotion hopefuls, and Jokanović was pleased with what he witnessed.

"We can be satisfied with our progress," he stated. "We finished the regular part of the season with style, we won the game. Now we put everything behind us and be ready for what's in front of us.

"Before the game Carlos [Carvalhal] thought about resting people, I found some space to rest some people too.

"I can be satisfied with the result, I have to be satisfied because nobody is injured after the game."

Reading's victory at Burton Albion means they will provide the opposition in the Play-Offs over two legs, starting at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

"This team finished third in the regular part of the competition," he said. "The table says they are favourites, but we are going to try and surprise them.

"It will be a tough two games for us, and for them too. We are confident, we believe we can play good football and win the games. With this mentality, anything is possible.

"It's going to be a very important 180 minutes for us. I expect we're going to be competitive, we're going to be focused, we're going to show the ambition and desire that we've shown this season."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/may/07/head-coach-reaction

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Burton Albion 2 Reading FC 4: Royals set up Fulham play-off with fine victory

Royals finished their league campaign in style with a superb win on Sunday afternoon

Reading FC secured a third-place finish in the Championship after beating Burton Albion on Sunday afternoon.

Goals by Joseph Mendes, Jordan Obita, Yann Kermorgant and Lewis Grabban ensured Royals finished their league campaign in style with a 4-2 win at the Pirelli Stadium.

Burton scored twice in three second-half minutes to set up a dramatic finish, but Jaap Stam's side managed to see out the game for their 10th away win of the season.

The victory sets the team up nicely for a play-off semi-final against sixth-placed Fulham next Saturday (5.30pm kick-off).

Stam made three changes to his team at Burton, with club captain Paul McShane, Tiago Ilori and Mendes all coming into the side.

It was McShane's first appearance since Saturday, March 11, when he played in the defeat by Preston and sustained a calf problem, causing him to miss the next eight matches.

Mendes gave Royals a fantastic start, latching onto a chipped ball into the box by Roy Beerens after a corner by Obita was only half cleared.

Michael Kightly almost equalised for the hosts after finding himself free inside the penalty box but he shot straight at Ali Al-Habsi.

Reading doubled their advantage when Obita struck a wonderful second from the right touchline on 21 minutes.

Burton pressed for a goal back into the game but despite getting into some good positions, they gave Al-Habsi little to do. Will Miller found himself through on goal but the Omani pounced on the ball at the feet of the striker.

McShane was replaced by Joey van den Berg at half time as the manager gave minutes to both on their returns from injury.

A stunning save by Al-Habsi denied Burton a way back into the game early in the second period. The 35-year-old tipped a swerving shot by Miller onto the bar.

Not to be outdone, the hosts continued to press and were rewarded for their efforts with two quick goals.

Ben Turner and then Corey Woodrow struck to set up a grandstand finale. But Grabban's close-range finish ended any hopes of a comeback by making it 4-2.

Royals nearly added a fifth when sub Danny Williams had a shot which was hacked off the line. The Royals fans behind the goal thought the ball had crossed the line but the linesman did not give the goal.

Liam Moore made a goal-line stop with his head to deny Luke Varney in the closing moments.

That was the final chance in what proved to be a highly entertaining game and a result which sets Royals up nicely for the play-offs.

Burton Albion : Bywater, Brayford, Mousinho, McFadzean, Turner, Sordell, Woodrow, Miller (Varney 77), Kightly (Dyer 63), Murphy (Sbarra 67), Irvine.

Subs : Campbell, Flanagan, Akins, Naylor.

Reading : Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, McShane (van den Berg 45), Ilori, Moore, Evans, Kelly, Beerens (Williams 74), Mendes (Grabban 65), Kermorgant.

Subs : Jaakkola, Swift, Blackett, Popa.

Referee : S Hooper

Attendance : 6,264



http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/burton-albion-2-reading-fc-12998061

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Star makes bold decision as Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton circle

FULHAM star Ryan Sessegnon has hired a top agent as the Premier League's elite battle for his signature.

The Sun say Will Salthouse's company will add the talented defender to their ranks.

It's suggested Salthouse is well connected - and that could leave Fulham sweating over their prized asset.


Fulham star Ryan Sessegnon is wanted by Liverpool

Liverpool, Everton and Chelsea have all been linked with raids for the left-back.

Reports last week suggested Jurgen Klopp is confident he'll secure Sessegnon's signature.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss has often played James Milner on the left flank this term.

But he's keen to use a specialist in that role and Sessegnon fits the bill.

Fulham are likely to demand up to £10m for the defender, who'll sign pro terms next month.

Since making his debut earlier this season, Sessegnon has made 23 appearances and scored five goals.




http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/612105/Fulham-Ryan-Sessegnon-Liverpool-Chelsea-Everton-transfer-news-gossip

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Two for Kebano as Fulham beat 10-man Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday 1 Fulham 2

Neeskens Kebano scored twice as Fulham came from behind to end the regular season with a win at Hillsborough, where both teams had already secured a play-off spot.

The Whites, who finished sixth in the Championship table and will face Reading in the play-off semi-finals, went behind early on when Sam Winnall fired Sheffield Wednesday ahead.

Kebano equalised on 25 minutes by finishing nicely from Denis Odoi's cross.

Wednesday were dealt a further blow just before half-time when they were reduced to 10 men by the sending-off of Marco Matias for a foul on Sone Aluko.

Kebano netted the winner 11 minutes from time after being set up by Lucas Piazon.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/two-kebano-fulham-beat-10-man-wednesday

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Sky Bet Championship play-offs: Fulham 7/4 favs

Fulham are the 7/4 favourites to win the Sky Bet Championship play-offs and earn promotion back to the Premier League.

The EFL sponsors have the form horses at the head of their market, despite the fact the Cottagers finished sixth – the lowest of the four teams involved.

In fact in the past decade, only one team – Blackpool in 2009/10 – have won promotion via the play-offs after finishing sixth.

Fulham, relegated out of the Premier League in 2014, will face Reading in the two-legged semi-finals with the Royals the outsiders of the quartet in terms of the promotion race at 5/1. Fulham are 1/2 to make it to Wembley and Reading, who finished third, 6/4.

Five times in the last 10 years has the team finishing third won the play-offs.

The other tie will see Huddersfield – long-time automatic promotion contenders who ended up finishing fifth – taking on Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls have been made slight favourites at 4/5 with the Terriers 10/11 shots to qualify.

Both sides can be backed at 5/2 to go up and join Newcastle and Brighton in the top flight in 2017/18.

Newcastle claimed the Championship title on a dramatic final day thanks to a 3-0 victory over Barnsley – and Brighton failing to win their game.

The Seagulls were on course to win the title when they led 1-0 at Aston Villa but a late, late goal for the hosts – courtesy of a goalkeeping howler by David Stockdale – handed the winners' medals to Newcastle.

The Magpies are 7/2 to be relegated next season and 1/6 to stay up. They are also 7/2 for a top-half finish and 1/6 to end the campaign in the bottom 10.

Brighton are expected to struggle more. They are just 11/10 to go straight back down – the current relegation market favourites - and 4/6 to survive.

At the bottom, Blackburn were relegated to League One with Nottingham Forest and Birmingham surviving on a nerve-shredding final day.

All three teams claimed victories but Forest's 3-0 thumping of Ipswich, coupled with a 2-1 win for Blackburn at Brentford, saw the former European champions stay up on goal difference – there were just two goals separating the pair come the final whistles.

Blackburn have been installed as the 13/2 favourites to win League One next season, while they are 2/1 to win promotion straight back to the Championship.

Meanwhile, Forest and Birmingham have both been chalked up as 6/1 shots to go down next season. Barnsley and Burton are the 2/1 favourites in that market as things stand.

The League One play-off final was also set on Sunday as Bradford and Millwall saw off Fleetwood and Scunthorpe respectively.

The duo cannot be split ahead of their Wembley showdown - it's 5/6 each of two in terms of who is promoted to the Championship on May 20.

That is perhaps no surprise given both of their encounters this season ended in 1-1 draws - at the Den in September and Valley Parade in January.

In the 90-minute betting, you can back either side at 17/10 with 21/10 on offer that the clash goes to extra time.

Sky Bet Championship play-off schedule:

May 13 (1730 BST) – Fulham v Reading
May 14 (1200 BST) – Huddersfield v Sheffield Wednesday

May 16 (1945 BST) – Reading v Fulham
May 17 (1945 BST) – Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield

May 29 (1500 BST) – Final (at Wembley)



https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/fulham-74-play-off-favourites/64241

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Reading fans lord it over play-off rivals after finishing highest

Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town and Fulham will all battle it out for the third remain promotion spot from the Championship after their positions in the table were confirmed on the last day.

It's Reading who come out as the best of the rest behind the automatic promotion spots, winning 4-2 away to Burton Albion to finish above their play-off rivals.

Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town and Fulham will all battle it out for the third remain promotion spot from the Championship after their positions in the table were confirmed on the last day.

It's Reading who come out as the best of the rest behind the automatic promotion spots, winning 4-2 away to Burton Albion to finish above their play-off rivals.

It's been a confidence boosting end to the season for Jaap Stam's men and they must be going into the knockout ties full of confidence.

The Royals will be up against Fulham in a two legged tie to decide who plays at Wembley and fans are confident they can do it after finishing third.

Fulham will be no pushovers though, unbeaten in their last six matches and winning five of those. It'll be a monumental tussle and it all kicks-off next Saturday at Craven Cottage.

After beating expectations to finish third, Reading fans took to Twitter to lord it over their promotion rivals, welcoming the challenge of sixth placed Fulham...



https://www.footballfancast.com/social-media/twitter/reading-fans-lord-it-over-play-off-rivals-after-finishing-highest

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Report: Wednesday 1-2 Fulham

Ten-man Wednesday went down by the odd goal in three to play-off rivals Fulham as the regular season concluded at Hillsborough.

The Owls took the lead through Sam Winnall before Neeskens Kebano equalised and Marco Matias was sent off for a late challenge on Sone Aluko.

Then just as it seemed the contest was ending all square, Kebano popped up with the winner 11 minutes from time.

The Owls made ten changes for the final fixture and up front, Winnall soon made his mark.

Taking a cute ball from Kieran Lee into his stride nine minutes in, the striker fired low and hard across Marcus Battinelli to give his side the perfect start.

Jordan Rhodes sprung the offside trap moments later but just fell short of controlling a fine high ball from Liam Palmer.

Fulham looked dangerous on the counter, which proved the case on 25 minutes when the Londoners levelled.

Denis Odil crossed from the right and Kebano ghosted into the penalty area to slide past Joe Wildsmith.

The Cottagers almost burst into the lead on the half-hour when Chris Martin was inches away from converting a Tom Cairney corner before Matias was dismissed after tangling with Aluko.

Still there was time for Wildsmith to deny Martin from close range with a brave block and the curtain came down on a first half full of incident.

The second period began with a similar spark and Fulham came close to making their numerical advantage count when Scott Malone crashed against the crossbar from six yards.

Wildsmith then acrobatically kept out a Malone curler as the Cottagers turned the screw and Martin missed a sitter only for his blushes to be spared by a linesman's flag.

Morgan Fox denied Floyd Ayite a certain goal with a well-timed tackle as Fulham continued to press.

The Owls had the next chance on 69 minutes when Vincent Sasso fired straight at Battinelli from an accurate pull-back from Sam Hutchinson.

But the visitors took the points on 79 minutes when Ayite delivered an accurate free kick into the mix and Kebano bundled home at the back post.

Kebano sprinted through on goal with three minutes to go only to be thwarted by a stunning save from Wildsmith, who tipped onto the bar to prevent what would have been a harsh 3-1 scoreline.

Wednesday: Wildsmith, Palmer, Sasso, Semedo, Fox, Matias (S/O 45), Hutchinson (Emanuelson 74), Lee (Buckley 61), Jones, Rhodes (Nuhiu 77), Winnable




Read more at http://www.swfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/report-wednesday-1-2-fulham-3708679.aspx#VSxxUyyRAPWLL3KH.99

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Fulham loanee Cauley Woodrow on ending his Burton Albion spell on a high

Cauley Woodrow celebrates his fifth goal for the Brewers

Cauley Woodrow was delighted to end a productive loan spell at Burton Albion with a goal and a man-of-the-match recognition.

The Fulham forward notched his fifth goal for the Brewers – all of which have come at the Pirelli Stadium – in Sunday's 4-2 defeat to Reading, with Ben Turner grabbing the hosts' other effort.

Reading took an early lead through Joseph Mendes, before Jordan Obita doubled that advantage just after the 20-minute mark.

Yann Kemogant looked to have put the Royals out of sight on the 64th minute, before Turner and Woodrow reigned them back in.

But substitute Lewis Grabban finished the Brewers off and made sure of Readings' third-place finish this season.

But the season finale at the Pirelli Stadium wasn't dampened by the loss, with the players lapping up the adulation of the Brewers faithful as they took the game to Reading.

With five goals to his name, including a crucial match-winner against Nottingham Forest in March, Fulham loanee Woodrow has been a fine addition to Albion's squad since the January window.

And with he and his six fellow loanees now set to return to their parent clubs, Woodrow was glad to end on a good personal note and as part of an eye-catching performance, despite the result.

"On a personal note it's a really nice achievement, obviously to get a goal as well, I'm really, really happy," said Woodrow.

"I think you've got to take into account Reading are third in the league and a really good side.

"But I think we probably played the better football today. We were probably on top more than they were. They were probably a little bit more clinical at times and that's probably why they are where they are in the league."

   Woodrow was also full of praise for his strike partner, Will Miller. Miller was called into action by boss Nigel Clough because the forward has seen his chances limited as a result of a cap on loan players in the starting XI.

The Tottenham Hotspur loanee set up Woodrow for his goal and he couldn't have been more thankful.

Woodrow said: "He's a really nice lad and obviously he's come from Tottenham and he's a really good player.

"He hasn't played a much since I've come here but he's done really well today and he set up my goal, and I was really thankful for that."



Read more at http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/fulham-loanee-cauley-woodrow-on-ending-his-burton-albion-spell-on-a-high/story-30317725-detail/story.html#O9c6Cb7fYAJWZu6l.99

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RYAN TUNNICLIFFE REFLECTS ON SCORING HIS FIRST LATICS GOAL AGAINST LEEDS UNITED

Midfielder reflects on Sunday's final day draw with Leeds United at the DW Stadium.

    Ryan Tunnicliffe reflects on Wigan Athletic's 1-1 draw with Leeds United.
    Tunnicliffe gave Latics the lead with sixth minute goal his first for the club.
    On loan Fulham midfielder says season ending at the wrong time for him.

Wigan Athletic's on loan Fulham midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe was delighted to open his account for the club during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Leeds United at the DW Stadium.

His goal in Sunday's game was the 24-year-old's fourth in over 160 career appearances and he admitted he surprised himself with the composure he showed as he rounded Rob Green and slotted home.

"Considering I don't score many, I was quite composed," Tunnicliffe said. "I took it around the keeper and it would have been embarrassing had I missed the open net so it was nice to score.

"It's a shame it couldn't help us to stay up with it being on the last day of the season but I felt we went out to give the fans something to cheer about."

Despite relegation to Sky Bet League One being confirmed last weekend, Tunnicliffe added that the players knew they had to put on a show for the fans on the final day of the season and he was disappointed they didn't win three points after Chris Wood scored his 30th goal of the season from the penalty spot following a controversial decision in which the former Manchester United man was adjudged to have fouled Eunan O'Kane in the penalty area.

"We said before the game that we had to treat it right; I know we are relegated but we're professionals and we owed the fans that," he explained.

"We played with freedom, tried to move the ball, got the early goal and defended well but the penalty decision is what it is and it's got them back in the game."

And after an impressive run of form in the team of late, Tunnicliffe admits the season has ended at a bad time for him.

"I spoke to the gaffer when I got back from my injury and he has told me to run for him - that's part of my game," he continued.

"When I first joined the club, I had not played for a while so I was just getting my fitness up before the injury came. I have got fit and feel like I have been playing well and helping the team but the season has probably come to an end at the wrong time for me."

As for the future, Tunnicliffe says his options remain open.

"I'll have a break now and, with my contract up at Fulham, I'll see what offers come in, speak to managers and see where the best fit is for me – I hope there's someone interested in me!"



Read more at http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/ryan-tunnicliffe-wigan-athletics-1-1-draw-with-leeds-united-3708940.aspx#bJCFSvIk3uDLpw3z.99

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Fulham form breathes confidence going into the Play Offs

Fulham's six-match upbeaten run in the Sky Bet Championship should see Slavisa Jokanovic's men go into the end of season Play Offs full of confidence.

The Whites have now won five and drawn one of their last six league matches including a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on the final day of the regular season.

Despite The Owls making many changes to their starting line-up after being assured of a place in the top six, Fulham got the job done with Neeskens Kebano netting a brace in a professional performance in South Yorkshire.

The Whites face a Reading side in the Play Off Semi-Finals who are unfancied by many to reach the Premier League and Jokanovic's men must be buzzing with confidence as they look forward to the two-legged clash after finishing the regular campaign as the form side in the division.

Fulham's victory over Sheffield Wednesday could also act as a huge psychological boost with The Owls having not tasted defeat in seven league outings themselves prior to their final day loss. Wednesday's defeat ended a run of six straight wins for the club and again Fulham will feel proud that they have ended that sequence even though their victory came against a much changed side.

The Whites are now the favourites for promotion and they look unstoppable in their quest for a return to the top flight.



http://the72.co.uk/80360/fulham-form-breathes-confidence-going-play-offs/

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Championship play-offs: Reading face Fulham and Huddersfield meet Sheffield Wednesday

Reading's final day win at Burton ensured they'll meet Fulham, while the other semi-final showcases a Yorkshire derby


Who will lead their side to glory? (Photo: Newcastle United/Action Plus/Getty)

Reading landed a 4-2 victory at Burton Albion on the final day of the Championship season to ensure a third place finish and a play-off semi-final clash against Fulham.

Jaap Stam's men made it four wins in their last five, winning comfortably at the Pirelli Stadium.

Joseph Mendes, Jordan Obita, Yann Kermorgant and Lewis Grabban all found the net, to hand the Royals victory.

That made sure that they would face Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham, already guaranteed to finish in sixth spot, in the play-offs.

Fulham won their final game at fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday, Neeskens Kebano scoring twice.

Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal made 10 changes to the side that won at Ipswich last time out, and is now likely to face FA action.

But it looked unlikely to matter when Sam Winnall found the net after nine minutes. However, Kebano equalised midway through the half, before Marco Matias was handed a straight red for a foul on the Congolese winger.

Kebano punished Wednesday in the second half with the winner.


Neeskens Kabano did the business for Fulham (Photo: Getty)

However, it mattered little to Wednesday, as Huddersfield suffered a 3-0 home reverse against Cardiff, a third defeat in four for David Wagner's men.

The Bluebirds took the lead through Kenneth Zohore inside eight minutes, before Terriers keeper Danny Ward was sent off after 20 minutes for deliberate handball outside his penalty area.

On the half hour, Joe Bennett doubled the away side lead, and Bennett added a second 20 minutes from full-time.

That result ensured Huddersfield finish fifth, handing Wednesday home advantage in the second leg of their semi-final meeting.

Schedule

Saturday May 13: Fulham vs Reading (5:30pm)

Sunday May 14: Huddersfield vs Sheffield Wednesday (12pm)

Tuesday May 16: Reading vs Fulham (7:45pm)

Wednesday May 17: Sheffield Wednesday vs Huddersfield (7:45pm)

Play-off Final: Monday May 29

TV information

All the action will be live on Sky Sports, including the final from Wembley on May 29.

Betting odds

Oddly enough, despite finishing the season third and in form, Reading are the outsiders for promotion.

Meanwhile, Fulham, who finished sixth, are favourites to go up.

Fulham - 7/4 fav

Sheffield Wednesday - 5/2

Huddersfield Town - 11/4

Reading - 5-1



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/championship-play-off-dates-times-10374790

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham continue fine form ahead of play-offs with victory at Sheffield Wednesday while Huddersfield crash to three-goal defeat against Cardiff

    Fulham beat Sheffield Wednesday to ensure they head into play-offs on a high
    Reading put four past Burton to earn three points, despite late Brewers fightback
    Huddersfield endured dreadful day as Neil Warnock's Cardiff put three past them
    Wes Hoolahan continued his fine season with two goals as Norwich beat QPR 4-0
    Rotherham were close to victory on final day but Derby nicked a late 1-1 draw
    Chris Wood secured draw for Leeds after they went behind in game at Wigan
    Danny Batth's early strike secured 1-0 victory for Wolves against Preston

On a topsy-turvy final day of the Championship season, Newcastle were crowned champions and Blackburn were condemned to relegation from the second tier.

Brighton were left distraught as a late Jack Grealish goal meant they had to cancel their title parade, while it was a day of pure delight for Nottingham Forest and Birmingham as they survived by the skin of their teeth.

Here, Sportsmail gives you a run-down of what happened elsewhere...


Newcastle's players celebrate winning the Championship after Jack Grealish's late goal


Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Fulham

Sheffield Wednesday will meet Huddersfield in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs after finishing the regular season with a 2-1 defeat to Fulham, who play Reading.

Wednesday, who were assured of their top-six berth before the Hillsborough clash, will travel to the John Smith's Stadium next Sunday after finishing fourth while the Londoners host the third-placed Royals the day before.

Sam Winnall scored an early opener for Wednesday, who had Marco Matias sent off, but Neeskens Kebano's double gave Fulham the win, though the dubious goals panel may be taking a look at his second which may ultimately be awarded as an own goal.


Neeskens Kebano of Fulham scores his goal to make it 1-2 at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday

Although this game was no longer the shoot-out for the last play-off spot that it looked like being a few weeks ago, the Owls were still jostling for position in the top six, with third, fourth and fifth possible ahead of kick-off while Fulham had to avoid defeat and an unlikely swing in goal difference in Leeds' favour to drop out of the mix.

Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal's 10 changes hinted he was not too bothered where his side finished, but Wednesday's start suggested otherwise as they took a ninth-minute lead.

Kieran Lee won possession in the middle of midfield and slipped in Winnall, making his first start since April 1, to fire in a low shot across goal into the bottom corner.

Fulham began to dominate and were rewarded with a leveller in the 25th minute with a nice team goal.

They worked the ball out to Denis Odoi on the right and he advanced and cut the ball back to Kebano, who swept home with a low finish past Joe Wildsmith.

Much of the remaining 20 minutes of the first half was played in Wednesday territory and Fulham came close to taking the lead as Chris Martin saw a header from a corner drift just wide.

There was a decisive moment of drama in first-half injury time as Wednesday were reduced to 10 men after a shocking tackle by Matias on Sone Aluko and Fulham almost took immediate advantage but Martin was denied by a block.


The Fulham players celebrate their second goal; they go into the play-offs in impressive form

With the numerical advantage the visitors assumed total control after the restart and should have been ahead.

The dangerous Scott Malone was at the heart of everything Fulham were doing and had the best chance just two minutes into the half when a loose ball fell to him six yards out but he cushioned his effort against the crossbar while also seeing Wildsmith save another good chance shortly after.

Slavisa Jokanovic's men were lining up to put their side ahead but they had to wait until the 79th minute to find the winner when Kebano got to Lucas Piazon's free-kick first, though the last touch may well have come off Wednesday midfielder David Jones.

Kebano would have had a hat-trick had it not been for a superb save from Wildsmith, who brilliantly tipped his curling effort on to the crossbar.

The late action did not affect the play-off positions as Reading beat Burton and Huddersfield were downed by Cardiff.


Burton 2-4 Reading

First-half goals from Joseph Mendes and Jordan Obita set Reading on their way to a third-place finish in the Sky Bet Championship as they won 4-2 on their first ever visit to the Pirelli Stadium.

When Yann Kermorgant made it three midway through the second half it seemed a stroll towards a two-legged semi-final with Fulham for the men from Berkshire.

However, a determined fightback from the Brewers thanks to goals from Ben Turner and Cauley Woodrow kept the Royals fighting for victory to the very end.

Reading substitute Lewis Grabban eventually guaranteed victory for the Royals from close range on 85 minutes after Stephen Bywater had denied Liam Kelly.


Burton Albion's Cauley Woodrow tries a shot at the Reading goal during the match

Mendes gave Jaap Stam's side a third-minute lead, bundling in Kelly's chipped ball into the box having seen Bywater make an excellent save to deny him just moments earlier from a headed effort.

Albion, despite conceding the early goal looked bright in attack although the ball was not falling as kindly for them as it did for Mendes' opener.

It was somewhat harsh on Nigel Clough's side when Reading doubled their advantage after 21 minutes through something of a fluke. Kelly worked the ball out to the right-hand side where Obita was still positioned having taken a corner moments earlier. The winger sent in a curling left-footed cross that to everyone's surprise clipped the inside of the post and bounced in.

Burton's best chance in the first half fell to on-loan winger Michael Kightly who only found the waiting arms of Ali Al-Habsi from the centre of the penalty area.

Al-Habsi was having an excellent afternoon in the Reading goal. A fingertip on a Kightly cross was just enough to prevent Turner from putting his header on target and Tottenham loanee Will Miller was denied the second goal of his Burton spell by an excellent save from the Omani on 52 minutes as Albion started the second half very much on the front foot.


Lasse Vigen Christensen shoots, but his effort is saved by Reading keeper Ali Al Habsi

Kermorgant's strike on 64 minutes finally seemed to have put the game beyond Clough's men, a clever run from Roy Beerens teeing up the Frenchman for a clinical finish from 12 yards.

A tap in from Turner on 69 minutes gave the popular Burton defender his first goal in Albion colours. The big centre back could hardly miss as substitute Lloyd Dyer tricked his way deep into the six-yard box before serving the ball up on a plate to spoil Al-Habsi's clean sheet.

When Woodrow headed home on 72 minutes from Milller's cross it set up a close finish. The Fulham loanee was in the perfect place to power home inside Al-Habsi's near post but Grabban's late goal from a goalmouth scramble sealed victory for the Royals.


Huddersfield 0-3 Cardiff

Danny Ward was sent off as Huddersfield lost 3-0 against Cardiff to go into the play-offs on the back of successive defeats.

Wales goalkeeper Ward, on loan from Liverpool, saw red for handball outside the box in the first half and faces a ban.

By that point, Kenneth Zohore had already struck for Cardiff, and with the extra man he set up two more for Joe Bennett.

Town, with their play-off place secured, fielded a strong side but were never in the game.

The defeat leaves them fifth in the table, setting up a play-off semi-final against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

Huddersfield coach David Wagner had come in for criticism after making 10 changes for the 2-0 defeat at Birmingham last week - with the Football League asking for his observations on his team selection - and he raised more eyebrows by making nine changes here, with only Tommy Smith and Collin Quaner keeping their places.

But restoring several regulars did not have the desired effect as Cardiff looked the more motivated from the start and went ahead in the seventh minute.

A quick breakaway move saw Anthony Pilkington play the ball through the middle for Zohore to accelerate away and draw Ward before slotting the ball into the far corner.

Cardiff continued to press and Aron Gunnarsson forced Ward into a save with Bennett and Pilkington ready to pounce.

Chris Lowe's great ball over the top set up Izzy Brown who was unmarked in the box but the on-loan Chelsea star could not keep his feet and his finish lacked power.

The home side suffered a major blow in the 20th minute when Ward was sent off.

The keeper came way out of his box to challenge Junior Hoilett but appeared to handle the ball as he slid in.

Substitute goalkeeper Joel Coleman came off the bench, but nine minutes later he was picking the ball out of the net as Cardiff went 2-0 up.

Zohore turned creator this time, squaring the ball from the left for Bennett to fire home first time, high into the net giving Coleman no chance.

Huddersfield should have pulled a goal back a minute before the break when Quaner was on the end of a Brown cross but keeper Brian Murphy got enough on the striker's finish to deflect it wide.

Huddersfield were no better in the second half as Cardiff remained in control. Zohore, who signed an extended contract at the end of April, set up Hoilett who curled just over.

Cardiff scored again in the 71st minute when subs Mark Harris and Peter Whittingham set up Zohore on the left. He beat Lowe and crossed for Bennett to fire past Coleman and send Huddersfield into the play-offs on a downer.


Norwich 4-0 QPR

Wes Hoolahan celebrated his first Norwich player-of-the-season award with two goals as his side beat QPR 4-0 to secure an eighth-placed finish in the Sky Bet Championship.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder opened the scoring in a low-key final-day fixture midway through the first half, and second-half strikes from Alex Pritchard, Josh Murphy and Hoolahan again completed a comfortable win for the hosts.

Rangers improved after a dreadful start but rarely threatened to work their way into the game, with the defeat leaving them grateful they had beaten Nottingham Forest last weekend to steer themselves away from the relegation mire.

It took a goal-line block from Joel Lynch to prevent Nelson Oliveira from opening the scoring in the second minute - and the one-way traffic continued in the opening stages.

Alex Smithies pulled off a superb stop low to his right to keep out Murphy's snap-shot, while the flying winger then clipped the crossbar from long range.

John Ruddy, making his final appearance for Norwich after his release was announced in midweek, was then forced into action to keep out a low drive from Conor Washington, but it was the hosts who were dominating proceedings.

A goal just had to come and it duly arrived in 22nd minute. The Rangers defence stood back and looked on as Hoolahan picked up the ball in central midfield and he had all the space he needed to jink his way through before firing low into the corner from just outside the box.

Later in the half Pritchard also tried his luck by running at the heart of a ragged visiting defence, and got in a shot that was deflected just wide.

The Canaries had dominated the opening period, but it required an excellent fingertip save from Ruddy to prevent the visitors from drawing level as he tipped a rising drive from Pawel Wszolek onto the bar.

It was a more even game after the break, with substitute Luke Freeman curling a free-kick just wide for the visitors, but it was Norwich who doubled their advantage on the hour mark.

When Hoolahan found Pritchard in the box, the midfielder's first effort was blocked but the ball bounced back to Pritchard and he made no mistake with his second effort, volleying the ball past Smithies.

Hoolahan then had a powerful shot saved by the Rangers goalkeeper as Norwich upped the tempo and several more chances came and went before Murphy drilled the ball home in the 85th minute after being put through by Hoolahan.

The Irishman then fittingly had the final say in stoppage time, sending the ball into an unguarded net after the chance had been set up by substitute Cameron Jerome.


Rotherham 1-1 Derby

A late Derby penalty ensured Rotherham's final game of their relegation season in the Sky Bet Championship ended in a 1-1 draw.

Rotherham were marginally the stronger side in a typical end-of-season affair which saw neither side create many clear-cut chances.

The hosts went ahead through skipper Lee Frecklington in the 66th minute before Tom Ince converted from the spot with six minutes left to earn Derby a point.

Derby threatened early with a series of corners but Rotherham's Richie Smallwood was the first to have a sight of goal when his shot was well blocked by Alex Pearce.

Substitute Ben Purrington, who replaced the injured Jon Taylor in the opening 15 minutes, created a good chance for Jonson Clarke-Harris but the striker headed wide.

Clarke-Harris then ran at the Derby defence menacingly before disappointingly firing his effort into the stands from the edge of the box.

Ince had Derby's first effort on goal but his 20-yard strike was palmed away by goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell.

There were few chances in the game but most were falling to Clarke-Harris and he fired a free-kick straight into the wall at the start of the second half.

Tom Adeyemi did better but Derby goalkeeper Scott Carson claimed easily.

Darren Bent was brought on from the bench in order to give Derby more of an attacking threat and the former England international had a chance to score right away.

Ince's through-ball was controlled by Bent in the box but Semi Ajayi nipped in swiftly before the frontman could get a shot away.

Smallwood's free-kick was then headed towards goal by Richard Wood but Carson was well placed to gather.

The next big chance of the game was to fall to Derby with David Nugent unselfishly playing in Bradley Johnson when well placed before the midfielder sliced his shot wide.

They were made to pay moments later when Rotherham went ahead through Frecklington. The captain met a cross to the back post from Joe Mattock and finished neatly beyond Carson.

Rotherham had a good opportunity to double their advantage when Will Vaulks' cross was only partially cleared by Richard Keogh and Adeyemi failed to squeeze the rebound under Carson.

Derby put together a late rally with Jacob Butterfield having a dangerous cross cleared behind for a corner. And from the resulting set-piece Derby won the spot-kick, with Will Hughes being tripped by Clarke-Harris. Ince sent O'Donnell the wrong way.

Substitute Nick Blackman could have won it for the visitors but his late shot was hit straight at O'Donnell and then Ince's free-kick was gathered at the second time of asking by the Rotherham stopper.


Wigan 1-1 Leeds

Wigan finished their single-season stay in the Sky Bet Championship with a 1-1 draw against Leeds at the DW Stadium.

The hosts edged in front inside six minutes as Ryan Tunnicliffe raced clear before rounding goalkeeper Rob Green and slotting into an empty net.

Leeds drew level within five minutes of the restart, with Chris Wood converting from the spot after Eunan O'Kane has been fouled inside the box.

The visitors could have won it when Kemar Roofe fired against the bar and then saw a header well saved by Wigan goalkeeper Matt Gilks.

The campaign ended in disappointment for both sides, with Leeds missing the play-offs and Wigan finishing nine points adrift of safety.

Leeds made the brighter start in the Lancashire sunshine, with Roofe seeing a shot deflected just wide with only two minutes gone.

Moments later, O'Kane played in an intelligent ball to Pablo Hernandez, who fired wastefully wide from 15 yards.

But the visitors were rocked when Wigan took the lead with their first attack on six minutes.

Michael Jacobs played a lovely ball through to Tunnicliffe, who showed great composure to round Green before steadying himself and slotting home from close range.

Leeds were claiming a penalty on the 15-minute mark when Wood went down under the challenge of Jamie Hanson, although the referee waved play on.

Omar Bogle, having been restored to Wigan's starting line-up, fired over from the edge of the box, before Wood warmed the hands of Gilks at the other end.

After a relatively quiet first half, the game burst into life just after the restart.

The visitors were awarded a spot-kick just four minutes into the second period, when O'Kane took a tumble inside the Wigan box.

Wood stepped up to score his 30th goal of the season, and it was almost 2-1 Leeds within three minutes when Roofe's shot from 25 yards hit the bar.

Wigan were claiming a penalty of their own on 53 minutes when Bogle took advantage of a mistake in the Leeds backline and wriggled his way past Green.

But as he tried to slot the ball home, he was felled by a challenge from Leeds skipper Kyle Bartley, which referee Scott Duncan ruled was fair game.

Gilks had to move his feet quickly to keep out a flick header from Roofe, before both sides made a raft of changes that took some of the sting out of the game.

Wigan had one more chance to win it at the death, but Max Power's shot floated inches wide of the far post.


Wolves 1-0 Preston

Wolves captain Danny Batth's early strike secured a 1-0 Sky Bet Championship victory against Preston at Molineux.

Central defender Batth struck in the second minute as Wolves picked up only their eighth home win of the season.

Preston were caught cold by Batth's close-range header as their campaign ended in disappointing fashion. They lost five of their last six games, taking a solitary point from the 18 on offer.

Wolves made the perfect start when a run into the area from Jordan Graham forced the visitors to concede a corner.

Graham, who was making his first start since January 2016 following his long road back to fitness following a knee injury, floated over the cross which Batth met with a powerful header at the far post.

Preston sought a quick response but skipper Paul Gallagher flashed his 11th-minute free-kick well wide.

Batth was then inches away from doubling Wolves' advantage when he flashed another header narrowly wide following a centre from Andreas Weimann.

Preston found clear chances hard to come by and the closest they came to a first-half equaliser was six minutes before the interval when Stevie May tried his luck for 25 yards.

May, who was making a second successive start as he continues his comeback from the career-threatening knee damage that he suffered against Fulham in November 2015, drilled in a low shot that had goalkeeper Andy Lonergan scurrying across his goal before the ball flew past his far post.

Wolves were by far the more positive-looking side and they should have made the game safe in a frantic start to the second period.

Nouha Dicko dispossessed Preston defender Alex Baptiste in the 48th minute and rolled the ball across the face of goal only for Bright Enobakhare to crash his shot off the foot of Chris Maxwell's post.

Three minutes later, Dicko was presented with an excellent chance by a neat pass from Dave Edwards.

But he was denied by Maxwell who spread himself well to turn away his shot.

Maxwell did well again to keep Preston in the game on the hour when he stuck out a foot to save Enobakhare's low drive.

Preston finally mounted a flurry of their own that was spearheaded by Jordan Hugill who had two headers - one wide and one saved in the top corner by Lonergan.

Substitute Daryl Horgan then forced Lonergan to tip his stoppage-time strike over the bar as Wolves successfully protected Batth's early strike.




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[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 'ready for everything' in play-offs

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic is confident his side can overcome Reading and reach the Championship play-off final.

The Whites will face Reading over two legs for a place at Wembley, with the first leg at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Jokanovic declared: "We must be ready for everything. This team (Reading) finished third and that shows their level.

"The table says they are favourites and we are going to try to surprise them. We must be ready.

"It's going to be a tough two games for us and for them too. We are confident and believe we can play good football and win."

Fulham ended the regular season on a high, winning 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday, who will also be involved in the play-offs.

It again underlined the scale of the improvement under Jokanovic, who took charge of a struggling team last season.

"We've shown some important progress. We won 10 more games than we did last season and finished in the top six," he said.

"We can be satisfied with our progress. We finished the regular part of the season with style.

"Now we have to put everything behind us and be ready for what is in front of us.

"The regular season is behind us and we now have to be focused for important games we are going to play."



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/confident-fulham-boss-ready-everything-play-off-clash-reading

[WhiteJC]

 
Kebano double lifts Fulham past Owls

by Dan on May 7, 2017

Fulham warmed up for a first taste of the play-offs in nearly two decades with a first win at Hillsborough since December 1973. Viv Busby, John Conway and Les Barrett were on target the last time the Whites had taken three points away from a trip to Sheffield Wednesday and Slade topped the Christmas charts – and this timely result was all the more impressive given that Slavisa Jokanovic's side had surrendered the lead following a precise Sam Winnall strike. The visitors took an awful long time to get going, but Neeskens Kebano drove home a first-time shot after good work from Denis Odoi and, after Marcas Matias had seen red for a spiteful lunge at Sone Aluko, the Tologese winger headed home Lucas Piazon's free-kick with eleven minutes remaining.

There was the slimmest of chances that the away side might not have made the top six, but any hopes of a seismic goal swing in Leeds' favour, evaporated when Fulham midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe put Wigan in front against Garry Monk's side. Tunnicliffe's parent club looked like the side who had made a host of changes in the early stages in south Yorkshire as Carlos Carvahal's heavily-rotated Wednesday made a bright start, with strike pairing Jordan Rhodes and Winnall making an early impression against the Fulham side. By contrast, Jokanovic's side were uncharacteristically sluggish – perhaps missing the midfield energy of the rested Stefan Johansen – and horribly sloppy in possession.

The Owls got the goal their lively start merited after nine minutes, although referee Graham Scott gave them a helping hand by intercepting a pass from Fulham centre back Tomas Kalas, who had began a promising excursion up field. Wednesday broke quickly, with Kieran Lee releasing Winnall, who surged into the penalty area and squared up Tim Ream, before shooting clinically across Marcus Bettinelli to notch his third goal since joining from Barnsley in January. A splendid ball over from the top from Liam Palmer sent Rhodes haring down on goal moments later, but Bettinelli was quickly off his line to scoop up the danger.

Fulham's passing lacked its usual precision but, with Kevin McDonald to the fore, the visitors become recovering some of the rhythm to their football and built up a fair bit of pressure. Returning right back Odoi had struggled to beat the first man with a number of low crosses from the right, but when he did, Kebano was perfectly placed to power an excellent finish beyond Joe Wildsmith. The Wednesday goalkeeper, making a rare start in place of the Owls' player-of-the-season Kieran Westwood, was entitled to feel aggrieved as he hadn't been tested prior to picking the ball out of the net.

The visitors should have got in front just before the half-hour mark. Tom Cairney's inswinging corner befuddled the Wednesday defence only for Chris Martin, making his return after his sending off at Carrow Road on Good Friday, to guide his header wide of goal from six yards out. The context of the contest had completely changed and Fulham's crisp passing was creating plenty of openings, with a sweet move involving Cairney, Kebano and Aluko culminating in a first-time effort that Piazon pulled wide.

Wednesday certainly weren't out of it and might have felt disappointed not to be back in front before the break. Rhodes pulled away into the left wing position, outfoxing Odoi and sending a cross towards the back post where Winall's effort was blocked at source, before McDonald managed to produce a goal-saving intervention to deflect Lee's follow-up fractionally wide of the far post. The game turned decisively in first-half stoppage when Matias, in what might be his final act as a Wednesday player, reacted to Aluko stripping him of possession by recklessly taking his retribution on the Nigerian winger with a two-footed tackle from behind and earning his marching orders. It was a particularly brainless tackle as Aluko was under pressure bringing the ball away from his own box.

Martin should have put Fulham ahead before the half-time whistle when he brought down a high ball majestically only to be denied by an excellent reaction save from Wildsmith and the Scottish striker was also repelled early in the second period by the Wednesday keeper before Scott Malone smashed an effort against the crossbar from five yards out after his own cross had been deflected back towards him. Fulham were suddenly rampant with the goalkeeper excelling himself again to turn away Piazon's curling effort and Lee superbly blocking a shot from the recently introduced substitute, Floyd Ayite, before Malone somehow failed to put the finishing touch to another flowing Fulham move.

Against all the odds, the ten men of Wednesday built up a real head of steam midway through the second period. Winnall and Rhodes were a real focal point against a rejigged Fulham back five and the hosts could have restored their lead when Sam Hutchinson surged into the space down the left and delivered an inch-perfect cut back for Vincent Sasso, only for the defender to shoot straight at Marcus Bettinelli.

Both managers made further changes, with Jokanovic's decision to replace Cairney after Kebano had won an attacking free-kick infuriating Malone and Piazon, who had earmarked the Fulham captain as the target for a special routine on the edge of the box. The Serbian head coach had the last laugh, though, as when Piazon whipped the ball in, Kebano climbed to flick a header over the advancing Wildsmith that was diverted over his own goal-line by David Jones.

Piazon should have added a Fulham third a minute later after substitute Ryan Fredericks powered his way down the right to produce a great cross which the Brazilian volleyed wide. The visitors, with Scott Parker dictating the slower pace of proceedings now from the middle of the park, were content to utilise their numerical advantage on the vast Hillsborough pitch, stroking the ball around at will before McDonald sent an ambitious 25-yard drive over the bar. Fulham could have wrapped things up in stoppage time after Kebano ran fully seventy yards with the ball, sprinting into the penalty area – only for Wildsmith to pull off a stupendous fingertip save to deny him a hat-trick, although both Martin and Piazon wanted the ball worked square where they were in oceans of space.

Fredericks and Parker both gave away silly free-kicks in a finale that was tenser than it should have been – but Ream and McDonald won important headers to clear their lines and Fulham held on to record Wednesday's first defeat in seven matches. Jokanovic insisted Fulham were ready to take on all-comers afterwards and, given their sensational end to the season that has seen them overturn an eleven-point deficit on Leeds, few would argue with him.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (4-4-2): Wildsmith; Palmer, Fox, Sasso, Semedo; Hutchinson (Emanuelson 74), Jones, Matias, Lee (Buckley 61); Winnall, Rhodes (Nuhiu 77). Subs (not used): Dawson, Hunt, Bannan, Reach.

SENT OFF: Matias (45).

GOAL: Winnall (9).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Bettinelli; Odoi, Malone, Kalas (Fredericks 69), Ream; McDonald, Cairney (Parker 78); Aluko (Ayite 61), Kebano, Piazon; Martin. Subs (not used): Button, R. Sessegnon, Johansen, Cyriac.

BOOKED: Kalas.

GOALS: Kebano (25, 79).

REFEREE: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire).

ATTENDANCE: 33,681.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/05/kebano-double-lifts-fulham-past-owls/

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanovic – Fulham are 'ready for anything'

by Dan on May 7, 2017

Slavisa Jokanovic lauded the achievements of his players for reaching the play-offs after they came from behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on the final day of the season – and insisted that Fulham were 'ready for anything' that the end-of-season drama throws up.

The Serbian head coach was delighted with his side's resilience and application in south Yorkshire, especially as they recovered from conceding an early goal to Sam Winnall, to go on and win the game against one of their play-off rivals.

    We can be satisfied with our progress. We finished the regular part of the season with style, we won the game. Now we put everything behind us and be ready for what's in front of us. Before the game [Sheffield Wednesday manager] Carlos [Carvalhal] thought about resting people, I found some space to rest some people too. I can be satisfied with the result, I have to be satisfied because nobody is injured after the game.

Jokanovic was also in no mood to take the challenge of Reading lightly after the Royals were confirmed as Fulham's semi-final opponents following their 4-2 win at Burton Albion.

    This team finished third in the regular part of the competition. The table says they are favourites, but we are going to try and surprise them. It will be a tough two games for us, and for them too. We are confident, we believe we can play good football and win the games. With this mentality, anything is possible.

    It's going to be a very important 180 minutes for us. I expect we're going to be competitive, we're going to be focused, we're going to show the ambition and desire that we've shown this season.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/05/jokanovic-fulham-are-ready-for-anything/