Wednesday Fulham Stuff (09/08/17)...

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Fulham told to pay £9m for Braga striker Rui Fonte


Fulham target: Slavisa Jokanovic wants Fonte AFP/Getty Images

Fulham have been told they must pay £9million to sign Braga forward Rui Fonte.

Slavisa Jokanovic has targeted a move for the 27-year-old, the younger brother of West Ham defender, Jose. But Braga are refusing to sell unless Fulham meet their asking price.

Fulham signed French forward Aboubakar Kamara for £5m last month and Jokanovic wants another striker as he bids for promotion to the Premier League

Fonte scored 11 goals in Portugal last season and has played in England before. He spent three years at Arsenal as a teenager and made one senior appearance for the club in the League Cup in 2008. During his time at Arsenal, he played 10 times for Crystal Palace during a loan spell in 2009.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-told-to-pay-9m-for-braga-striker-rui-fonte-a3606746.html

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Match Reports
Report: Wycombe 0-2 Fulham

Championship side win Carabao Cup first round clash.



Second-half goals from Lucas Piazon and Denis Odoi secured Fulham's passage to the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win at Adams Park.

Wanderers kept the Cottagers at bay for the first hour and created a couple of half-chances to open the scoring themselves, but came unstuck when Lucas Piazon's superb strike from distance found the top corner.

Fulham's progress was then secured when Denis Odoi headed home from Piazon's corner, extending the Chairboys' wait for a victory in this competition to a sixth year.

Gareth Ainsworth made seven changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Lincoln in Saturday's opening league fixture, handing a professional debut to QPR full-back Jack Williams, while Fulham started with a completely different XI from the one that started in their 1-1 draw with Norwich.

As expected, the Championship side looked to impose themselves with some intricate passing play early on, though their unsettled side and some high energy pressing from the hosts meant that moves often broke down in the final third.

The Cottagers' first chance came from a set piece, with Denis Odoi meeting Marcelo Djalo's corner with a bullet header, only to be denied by a fine reflex save from Scott Brown.

Meanwhile for the Wanderers, their best chance fell to Max Muller at the back post, but he mis-timed his header from Joe Jacobson's free-kick and saw the ball sail over.

Then Cauley Woodrow drilled into the side netting at the other end after latching on to a forward pass which bounced kindly into his path, only for the striker to aim for the near post and miss the target.

Fulham's threat grew, and Denis Odoi went close again when he raced into the box to meet a pass and attempted a dinked finish over Brown, who was equal to it and tipped the ball behind for a corner.

His opposite number Marek Rodak needed to be alert to hold on to a speculative dipping drive from Michael Harriman as half-time drew nearer, and then Brown came to the rescue by clawing away Aboubakar Kamara's cross which seemed destined to land at the feet of Woodrow.

There was to be no more action before the interval, with the entertainment provided by a flock of partridges which soared into the away end and set up camp in the Fulham half, narrowly avoiding a grisly death by either the ball of the foot of an unaware Rodak.

Nathan Tyson came on at the break in place of Paris Cowan-Hall, who'd picked up a knock in the first half, and as the rain began to fall, Woodrow mistimed a header from a teasing Matt O'Riley cross before side-footing wide moments later from a low cross from the left.

Tyson was close to reaching a Paul Hayes cross following a misplaced pass in the Fulham backline but Rodak narrowly beat the forward to the ball, and the eyes of the crowd lit up when Marcus Bean let fly with a snapshot from 15 yards only for the ball to fizz past the post.

As the game became ragged with neither side able to impose themselves in the middle, it took a moment of magic to break the deadlock, and it arrived on 67 minutes from the right boot of Lucas Piazon. The Chelsea loanee found a yard of space 25 yards, dead centre, before pulling the trigger and finding the top corner, giving Brown no chance.

Keen for a quick response, Gareth Ainsworth introduced Adebayo Akinfenwa from the bench with Paul Hayes making way, just after Tyson had skipped away easily from Michael Madl and won a corner with a shot from a tight angle.

The final change then came when Nick Freeman replaced Jack Williams, but the winger had little time to make an impact before Fulham's second goal arrived.

There were just nine minutes left on the clock when Odoi met Piazon's corner with a glancing header which flew past Brown and into the net.

Akinfenwa looped a header over the bar moments later as Wycombe looked for an unlikely comeback, and then a loose ball fell into the path of Matt Bloomfield but his left-footed strike swerved wide from the edge of the box.

Tyson saw a late header tipped behind by Rodak following Jacobson's free-kick before Odoi and sub Ryan Sessegnon attempted to stretch the lead in stoppage time.

2-0 was how it finished though, as Wanderers turn their attentions back to league matters with the visit to Port Vale on Saturday.

Attendance: 3,639 (1,365 from Fulham)

Man of the Match (sponsored by BP Collins): Matt Bloomfield

50/50 Draw Numbers
Blue £1: 01477
Prize Money: £325.00

Orange £2: 27851
Prize Money: £84.00



https://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/2017/august/match-report-for-wycombe-wanderers-vs-fulham-on-08-aug-17/

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Wycombe 0-2 Fulham: Lucas Piazon secures Carabao Cup win

Lucas Piazon scored one and set up the other as Fulham booked their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win at Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday.

It is the second time in three seasons the Cottagers have won at Adams Park at this stage of the competition and, in truth, the Championship side controlled the game.

Fulham had the game's first opening in the eighth minute when Wycombe goalkeeper Scott Brown did well to push away Denis Odoi's near-post header from Matt O'Riley's corner.

Cauley Woodrow then shot into the side netting after getting on the end of a long ball before Brown denied Odoi for a second time when he parried his effort wide.

The visitors continued to probe away in a goalless first half, with Brown clawing away Aboubakar Kamara's cross with Woodrow closing in and Adam El-Abd denying O'Riley on the rebound.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Odoi cut the ball back from the left only for Woodrow to scuff wastefully wide from close range.

But the Cottagers deservedly went ahead after 67 minutes when Piazon was given time to set his sights and sent a beauty from 25 yards into the top corner.

Nathan Tyson forced Marek Rodak into a save from a tight angle as Wycombe looked to force extra time.

But Fulham sealed the game with nine minutes left when the impressive Odoi won another header at the near post from Piazon's corner and this time it crept in.



http://www.skysports.com/football/wycombe-vs-fulham/373892

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Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was happy with Fulham's all round performance in the 2-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers.

A Lucas Piazon rocket into the top corner and a Denis Odoi header from a corner sealed the win for Fulham, who now advance into the Second Round of the Carabao Cup.

"The team was competitive and showed desire," explained Jokanović.

"We played well, although we missed a little quality in our final passes in the first-half. In the second-half we showed better ambition to win the game and scored a quality goal.

"Denis Odoi then killed the game and we finished the game in a comfortable manner - something we didn't do against Norwich, we found our killer instinct against Wycombe."

Fulham's Head Coach made eleven changes to the side that faced Norwich in the season opener, including a debut for Matt O'Riley.

"The boy is only 16-years-old and showed his quality," said Jokanović.

"It wasn't easy for him in the beginning, but at the end he showed quality, style and good technique. I believe in the end, he enjoyed his night as a player of the Fulham first team.

"He must continue working really hard for more important battles. It's just one step for him."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/08/head-coach-wycombe-reaction

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Lucas Piazon inspires Fulham to win over Wycombe

Brazilian midfielder Lucas Piazon scored one goal and made the other as Fulham safely booked a place in the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win at Wy

It is the second time in three seasons the Cottagers have won at Adams Park at this stage of the competition and, in truth, the Championship side controlled the game.

Fulham had the game's first opening in the eighth minute when Wycombe goalkeeper Scott Brown did well to push away Denis Odoi's near-post header from Matt O'Riley's corner.

Cauley Woodrow then shot into the side netting after getting on the end of a long ball before Brown denied Odoi for a second time when he parried his effort wide.

The visitors continued to probe away in a goalless first half, with Brown clawing away Aboubakar Kamara's cross with Woodrow closing in and Adam El-Abd denying O'Riley on the rebound.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Odoi cut the ball back from the left only for Woodrow to scuff wastefully wide from close range.

But the Cottagers deservedly went ahead after 67 minutes when Piazon was given time to set his sights and sent a beauty from 25 yards into the top corner.

Nathan Tyson forced Marek Rodak into a save from a tight angle as Wycombe looked to force extra time.

But Fulham sealed the game with nine minutes left when the impressive Odoi won another header at the near post from Piazon's corner and this time it crept in.



https://www.clubcall.com/fulham/lucas-piazon-inspires-fulham-to-win-over-wycombe-1859063.html

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Piazon puts Fulham into second round
by Dan on August 9, 2017

A splendid strike from Lucas Piazon set a youthful side on their way to the second round of the Carabao Cup as they eventually brushed aside a spirited challenge from League Two Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.

Just as in the corresponding fixture in this competition two years ago, the Championship side had to wait until well into the second half to make their quality count. Brazilian forward Piazon, who is at the start of a second successive season on loan from Chelsea, drove home a terrific strike from around 25 yards into the top right hand corner of Scott Brown's goal and the opener visibly relaxed the visitors. Fulham made sure of their progression with nine minutes to play when Denis Odoi glanced home Piazon's corner with a clever header at the near post.

Jokanovic had stayed true to his mantra of blooding youngsters in this competition and made eleven changes from the side that had started the Championship campaign with Saturday's frustrating draw against Norwich City. There were full debuts for Marek Rodak in goal, Steven Sessegnon at right back and Marcelo Djalo at the heart of the defence, whilst the eye-catching O'Riley also made his professional bow after featuring prominently under Jokanovic during pre-season. Both Aboubakar Kamara and Cauley Woodrow started in an offensively-minded side – and Fulham made all of the early running.

The Championship outfit fashioned the game's first opportunity on eight minutes when O'Riley's precise corner was headed towards goal by Odoi, only for Brown to make a smart save. Wycombe were competitive and tried to get the ball down and play, but their best chances came from set plays. Max Muller will feel he should have done better than send a free header from Joe Jacobsen's free-kick over the crossbar and, later in the half, Rodak comfortably fielded a long-range drive from Michael Harriman.

Fulham carried the greater threat going forward with the rampaging Odoi denied once again by Brown before defenders desperately flung their bodies in front of efforts from Woodrow and O'Riley. Kamara looked lively but struggled to find a yard of space inside the box with his best moment almost laying on a tap-in for Woodrow. The former Luton Town striker should have put Fulham ahead just after the break but scuffed horribly wide after being found by an intelligent cut-back from Odoi.

At the other end, Jokanovic's side survived a couple of close shaves. Wycombe substitute Nathan Tyson nearly reached a cross from the evergreen Paul Hayes, but Rodak bravely fisted the ball away from danger. The loose ball dropped to Marcus Bean around fifteen yards, but the midfielder's shot screwed wretchedly wide. The hosts were to pay for that miss when first Piazon – and then Odoi – seized their chances to underline Championship superiority in the score line.

Ainsworth's men almost produced a riposte in the dying embers of the contest. Tyson drew a superb reaction save from Roadk and then Jacobsen and Matt Bloomfield were also denied by Fulham's young goalkeeper. Rodak could point to a number of excellent saves and a clean sheet as he started his senior career in just the way he would have wanted to. Fulham missed some opportunities in the final three minutes of injry-time, with Ryan Sessegnon and Odoi going close again.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS (4-3-3): Brown; Harriman, Jacobson, Muller, Al-Hbt; Bean, Bloomfield, Dan Rowe; Cowan-Hall (Tyson 45), Hayes (Akinfenwa 72), Williams (Freeman 74). Subs (not used): Jombati, Gape, Richardson, Southwell.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Rodak; S. Sessegnon, Odoi, Madl, Djalo; Edun, Cisse, O'Riley (R. Sessegnon 82); Piazon, Woodrow, Kamara. Subs (not used): Button, Kalas, Norwood, Johansen, Ayite, Aluko.

BOOKED: Woodrow.

GOALS: Piazon (67), Odoi (81).

REFEREE: Gavin Ward (Surrey).

ATTENDANCE: 3,639



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/piazon-puts-fulham-into-second-round/

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Wycombe Wanderers lose 2-0 to Fulham in first round of Carabao Cup at Adams Park

Scott Brown was in impressive form against Fulham. Photo: ARM Images

Wycombe Wanderers bowed out of the Carabao Cup first round against Championship side Fulham 2-0 despite a gallant display at Adams Park.

The first goal of the game was a moment of magic by Lucas Piazon on 67 minutes when he unleashed a rocket into the top corner from 20 yards that gave Scott Brown absolutely no chance.

Denis Odoi the doubled the visitors lead on 81 minutes when he headed home Piazon's pinpoint corner.

Before that, Brown had been in good form between the sticks in a fairly even contest between Wanderers and their more illustrious opponents.

Fulham had the first chance on the night on eight minutes when Odoi met Matt O'Riley's corner with a bullet header but Brown produced an excellent save to deny him.

The first quarter of an hour was very quiet with neither side, apart from Odoi's chance, getting a foothold in the game.

Wanderers had their first opportunity on 21 minutes when Joe Jacobson played in an exquisite free kick but Max Muller could only head over when free at the back post.

Fulham were always threat with their pacey counter attacks and a ball over the top presented itself to Cauley Woodrow on 25 minutes but he blazed into the side netting.

Brown then came to the rescue four minutes later when he thwarted Odoi from point-blank range after a sublime through ball from O'Riley.

The Chairboys were playing some decent football of their own and Michael Harriman let fly from 25 yards on 36 minutes but his strike was comfortably held by Marek Rodak.

Wanderers were inching closer to the target and Jacobson's devilish corner was headed inadvertently just wide by Piazon.

Fulham came agonisingly close to scoring just before half-time when Brown missed Aboubakar Kamara's cross and O'Riley was denied three yards out by a brilliant tackle from Adam El-Abd.

Woodrow had two great chances to give the Cottagers an early second half lead but fluffed a header into the ground before scuffing a shot wide with the goal gaping.

The game started to open it up slightly and Nathan Tyson got in behind the Fulham rearguard but his cross looking for Paul Hayes was cleared.

Gareth Ainsworth's men were beginning to get a grip on the game and Marcus Bean slashed a shot wide after Jacobson's corner wreaked havoc on 55 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Blues on 67 minutes, Piazon turned the game on its head with a piece of individual brilliance.

However, the Blues were determined to claw their way back into it and the pace of Tyson was causing a real headache to the Fulham defence as he got in behind but was denied by Rodak.

Matt Bloomfield and substitute Adebayo Akinfenwa had chances to pull a goal back but were wayward with their accuracy.

Tyson then produced the best out of Rodak on 88 minutes when his firm header was tipped away by the Fulham stopper.

So yet another defeat for Wycombe in the first round of this competition but Ainsworth should not be too disheartened with his side after a competitive showing.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Brown, Harriman, Muller, El-Abd, Jacobson, Williams (sub: Freeman, 74), Bean, Rowe, Bloomfield, Cowan-Hall (sub: Tyson, 46), Hayes (sub: Akinfenwa, 71). Subs: Richardson, Jombati, Gape, Southwell.

FULHAM: Rodak, S.Sessegnon, Madl, Djalo, Odoi, Edun, Cisse, Piazon, O'Riley (sub: R.Sessegnon, 81), Kamara, Woodrow. Subs: Button, Johansen, Ayite, Norwood, Kalas, Aluko.

ATTENDANCE: 3,639

REFEREE: Gavin Ward




http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/15461347.Wycombe_knocked_out_of_Carabao_Cup_despite_decent_performance/

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Piazon: 'Wycombe strike was one of my best'
by Dan on August 9, 2017

Lucas Piazon was delighted to get off the mark for Fulham this season with a special goal that settled the nerves of a young side last night at Wycombe Wanderers.

The Brazilian forward, beginning a second successive loan spell from Chelsea, was one of the more experienced faces in a youthful line-up selected by Slavisa Jokanovic for the League Cup tie at Adams Park and his rasping 25 yard drive eventually emphasised Fulham's Championship quality. Speaking to FulhamFCTV after the game at Adams Park, Piazon was pleased with how his team-mates stuck to the task:

    I think it went well. It was not an easy game, in the first half we had a few problems but I think we created a few chances as well and we just tried to keep playing in the second half and tried to get the goals.

Piazon described his excellent strike, after being teed up by a clever pass from Cauley Woodrow, as one of the best he'd ever scored.

    I just tried to hit it as hard as I could and I was really happy. The touch was the most important part for me. I saw that I had the space and Cauley could find me in a good position. I just tried to get the best touch that I could and then just tried to hit as hard as I can and I was happy with the finish, It was definitely one of my best goals I have scored.

The loanee, who filled the number ten role often occupied by skipper Tom Cairney last night, spoke again of his delight of being back at Craven Cottage for another year.

    We all had a good season last season and I was really happy to come back. I am just trying to keep improving and hopefully we will have the same success we had last season.

    It was a hard one to take. We were very disappointed after the Reading game. We felt a bit unlucky as well, so it made it even worse for us. The season just started. We have the opportunity to go again and we will work hard and do our best every game, week-by-week and try to be promoted.

Piazon was full of praise for Fulham's three academy graduates who made their professional debuts last night – goalkeeper Marek Rodak, full-back Stephen Sessegnon and midfielder Matt O'Riley.

    I believe they did very well today. They had a good opportunity to be playing first-team football and I believe they did a very good job. I'm happy for them.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/piazon-wycombe-strike-was-one-of-my-best/

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Jokanovic draws confidence from Cup win
by Dan on August 9, 2017

Slavisa Jokanovic was pleased with Fulham's 'ambition' and determination in the League Cup at Wycombe Wanderers last night – and he felt that his side would take confidence from the strong manner in which the Whites finished the game.

The Serbian head coach selected a young side for the trip to League Two Wycombe and was rewarded with composed performances by all three of his academy graduates. Jokanovic felt that Fulham were a little nervy in the first half, failing to find the final ball, but proved much more clinical after the break – seizing the opportunity to settle the contest, which he said was an improvement on Saturday's frustrating draw with Norwich City.

    The game was competitive and we played well despite missing a bit of quality in the final passes in the midfield in the first 45 minutes, when we had possession but we didn't score the goal. In the second half, we showed our ambition for winning the game and we scored a quality goal and after that we scored the second and killed the game.

    It allowed us to finish the game comfortably, which is something we didn't find in the first game against Norwich. I think it will give us big confidence, scoring the second goal, because we missed this situation in our first game and we found it today.

Jokanovic also suggested that his side were not at their strongest in the early weeks of the new season but he was pleased with the fitness and application of his players.

    It's the beginning of the season and this is not our best, I'm sure, right now, but the players need to compete and gain the minutes in the field and I didn't have to make so many substitutions today.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/jokanovic-draws-confidence-from-cup-win/