Sunday Fulham Stuff (29/10/17)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Results

Friday
Leeds	1 - 2	Sheff Utd
Saturday
]Sheff Wed	1 - 1	Barnsley
Burton	1 - 2	Ipswich
Cardiff	0 - 0	Millwall
Fulham	1 - 1	Bolton
Norwich	1 - 2	Derby
Preston NE	2 - 3	Brentford
QPR	2 - 1	Wolves
Reading	0 - 2	Middlesborough
Sunderland	1 - 2	Bristol City
Hull	2 - 3	Nottm Forest

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham FC reveals design for proposed Riverside Stand development

Fulham FC has revealed fresh details of how it plans to create a new "leisure destination for use on match and non-match days" at the club's Craven Cottage stadium.

Global sports architects Populous have created a proposal for the club that its chair, Shahid Khan, claims will "transcend the customary standards of football grandstands" by "blending history and the contemporary like no stadium in the land or beyond".

The scheme would see the creation of riverside pubs and restaurants, event facilities, green spaces and public access to a river walk along the Thames, in addition to nine new apartments at either end of the site. The stand itself would be rebuilt with more seats, increasing the stadium's total capacity by 4,300 to 30,000. A new basement would make room for 'back of house' facilities and lounge space.

A new drawings released by Populous shows how the stand has been designed with an iconic roof design to better connect with the river. The architects were tasked with creating something sympathetic in scale to the adjoining stands and trees to the south, while reducing the impact of floodlighting on the river. They propose to achieve the latter by removing two existing floodlight masts and building a new system below the roof.

More new images are expected to be released next month.

The club initially secured planning permission to expand the Riverside Stand in 2013. It is currently in discussions with the council about its latest plans, and is collecting public feedback of the design - which has been on display at Craven Cottage. It seeks to submit an updated planning application at the end of November so that construction can begin early next year, and completed by 2021.

Studies have already taken place to measure the wind, noise and traffic impact of the scheme, with all found to be similar level to the previously approved plans.

In a statement, the club said: "Mr Khan wants a design based on a new concept that will deliver a wide range of benefits both now and for future generations. These include creating a high-quality new stand for our fans and a world-class leisure destination that significantly enhances the relationship with the River Thames."

Design firm Heatherwick Studio previously developed a broad concept for the Riverside Stand and its surrounding area as part of a business case study, but CLADglobal understands their involvement is now over, with Populous responding to a new brief.

By appointing Populous, Khan is reuniting with a firm he has worked with closely before. In May this year, the practice completed a stadium extension for US National Football League (NFL) franchise the Jacksonville Jaguars - a team Khan also owns.

Populous have designed a number of London's major football grounds, including Wembley Stadium, in collaboration with Foster + Partners; Arsenal's Emirates Stadium; West Ham United's London Stadium; and Tottenham Hotspur's forthcoming new-look White Hart Lane.

The practice also completed the new Warners Stand at Lord's Cricket Ground in May this year.



https://www.pitchcare.com/news-media/fulham-fc-reveals-design-for-proposed-riverside-stand-development.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

Tom Cairney scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time, as Bolton were denied a first Championship away win since April 2015 by drawing 1-1 at Fulham.

Having gone 31 away games without a win at this level, as well as 25 years without picking up all three points at Fulham, the odds were seemingly stacked against Wanderers, who took a 28th-minute lead against the run of play.

After latching on to a long clearance from Ben Alnwick, Sammy Ameobi beat the offside trap before drilling low into the bottom corner and put the visitors on course for victory.

Fulham dominated possession and were a constant threat as the game progressed, and it came as no surprise when they equalised in the fourth of six added minutes for stoppages, as Tom Cairney was found unmarked at the far post to beat Alnwick and ensure the game ended all-square.

After picking up four points from the previous two outings - against Sheffield Wednesday and Queens Park Rangers, respectively - Phil Parkinson named the same side for a third straight game, keeping faith with those who have helped to steady the ship in recent weeks.

The first chance of the afternoon fell the way of the visitors, as a deflected cross from Josh Vela brought a save out of David Button in the Fulham goal.

Vela was involved again moments later, winning a corner off the legs of Ryan Sessegnon, from which David Wheater blasted a strike narrowly over the crossbar.

Ameobi's first attempt of the game arrived with nine minutes on the clock, as he cut inside from the right before shooting wide with his left foot, shortly before Karl Henry became the first player to enter the referee's notebook for a late challenge on Cairney.

Fulham had the ball in the net on the quarter-hour, as Cairney put Floyd Ayite through on goal. His strike got the better of Alnwick and brought the home crowd to their feet, only for the celebrations to be cut short by the assistant referee's offside flag.

Cairney shot straight at Alnwick from the next attack, as he pounced on a breakdown in communication between Wheater and Andrew Taylor, shortly before Aboubakar Kamara volleyed over from an Aiyte cross.

An ambitious 25-yard effort from Adam Armstrong flashed narrowly wide midway through the half, moments before Oliver Norwood brought a comfortable stop out of Alnwick at the other end, but the deadlock was broken on 28 minutes with the goal going in favour of Wanderers.

A long clearance from Alnwick caught out the Fulham defence, who appealed for an offside flag to be raised against Ameobi. The referee's assistant ruled the Bolton winger to have been played onside, however, and after strolling his way through the challenge of Tim Ream, Ameobi picked out the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead.

Both sides had chances to alter the scoreline as the half moved on - with Armstrong shooting wide for Bolton, while Kamara clipped the top of the crossbar at the other end.

Kamara was by far Fulham's most threatening player at this stage, bringing another save out of Alnwick before the break, whilst also shooting inches wide of the far post, but it was Bolton who were all-smiles at the interval as they left the field with a 1-0 lead to their name.

There were no substitutions to either side as the players came out for the start of the second-half, although Wanderers were forced into an early change following the restart as Antonee Robinson came on in place of the injured Taylor.

After a stop-start period of play at the start of the half, the first chance fell the way of the hosts although Sessegnon's shot following a short corner was straight into the arms of Alnwick.

Bolton responded well and almost doubled their lead at the other end, with Armstrong once again dancing his way beyond multiple defenders before forcing a stop out of Button.

Wanderers survived a goalmouth scramble on the hour, with Wheater thumping the ball to safety, shortly before Neeskens Kabano fired over the crossbar as Fulham increased the pressure.

Darren Pratley sliced a shot wide against his former club as the clock reached the midway point of the half, moments before a poor clearance from Button fell kindly at the feet of Armstrong. The on-loan Newcastle United forward sent the ball back in the direction of the empty goal, only to see his shot bounce agonisingly wide of the target.

From that point on, it was pretty much all Fulham as they desperately pushed forward in search of an equalising goal.

Excellent goalkeeping from Alnwick, combined with outstanding defending from Wheater and Mark Beevers, ensured the hosts were kept at bay, although the breakthrough was finally made in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Cairney broke Bolton's resolve.

Unmarked at the far post, McDonald's cross picked out the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder, who made no mistake in finding the net from close range and ensure the game ended at 1-1.

Bolton's failure to end their miserable away run means they are still four points from safety at the foot of the Championship table. They lie two points below Sunderland on seven points, ahead of a meeting between the two sides at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.

Fulham: Button, Fredericks, Kalas (de la Torre 89), Ream, Sessegnon, Norwood (Johansen 70), McDonald, Fonte (Kebano 57), Cairney, Ayite, Kamara
Subs Not Used: Bettinelli, Odoi, Edun, Cisse
Booked: McDonald
Goals: Cairney 90+4

Bolton Wanderers: Alnwick, A Taylor (Robinson 49), Beevers, Wheater, Little, Pratley, Henry, Vela (Le Fondre 82), Ameobi (Morais 68), Armstrong, Madine
Subs Not Used: Howard, Noone, Osede, Darby
Booked: Henry, Wheater, Alnwick, Little
Goals: Ameobi 28

Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Attendance: 18,792



https://www.burndenaces.co.uk/2017/10/28/fulham-1-1-bolton-wanderers.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton goalkeeper Ben Alnwick is beaten by a Tom Cairney header in injury-time

Tom Cairney scored a 94th-minute equaliser for Fulham to deny Championship bottom side Bolton their first away win of the season.

Sammy Ameobi met a long clearance from goalkeeper Ben Alnwick on the edge of the area and spun between two defenders before rifling Bolton into the lead.

Aboubakar Kamara went closest to levelling before the break, hitting the woodwork with a chipped effort.

Cairney eventually earned Fulham a deserved point with a late header.

The goal, from Kevin McDonald's cross, ensured Cairney marked his first start since August after recovering from a knee injury, in influential style.

A share of the spoils in London extended the Trotters' unbeaten run to three matches, however, they remain without a victory away from home in the Championship in 32 matches, dating back to April 2015, the season before they were relegated from the Championship.

Fulham were bright early and were first to put the ball in the back of the net, only for Floyd Ayite to have his effort waved away for offside.

Ameobi, who ended Bolton's 640-minute goal drought in their win over Sheffield Wednesday earlier this month, then put Wanderers ahead with their first goal in six away matches.

After the break, Adam Armstrong almost made it 2-0 as he tested David Button from distance.

Neeskens Kebano then had two chances to equalise after coming off the bench, with Alnwick intervening once before Cairney eventually secured the draw.

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic:
"Floyd was onside and I don't know what the reason was for not allowing the goal. The game would have been different. It's a legal goal.

"We then slipped in one important moment and they scored without creating any chances.

"After this we tried to move the ball faster, especially in the second half. We had many chances, we arrived many times in the box. We just didn't find a clear way.

"This performance is not good enough for us. We're not performing to the level of expectation around this team."

Bolton Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson:
"It's disappointing we haven't got all three points. I felt our performance warranted it today. The lads gave absolutely everything.

"It was more than a battling performance, we had other chances to get that second goal. We just couldn't kill the game off.

"Obviously there's an air of disappointment in the dressing room but we've got to make sure that the late goal doesn't knock us because we're unbeaten in three games."




http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41703331

[WhiteJC]

 
Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was frustrated with his side's overall performance and Floyd Ayite's disallowed goal against Bolton Wanderers at Craven Cottage.

"In the end, it's not enough for us," stated Jokanović."This performance is not good enough, if you compare it to the expectations of the Club. We are not performing at the level that is expected.
"We came to win today, but if you score a goal that late, you must be relatively satisfied.

"We scored a late goal, but we scored an early goal too. Ayite was onside and I don't know what the reason was for disallowing the goal. If you score a legal goal, you expect it to stand.

"After this situation, we still complicated our life much more, with a slip at one important moment and they somehow scored a goal without creating any chances.

"We tried to move the ball faster, especially in the second-half. We created many chances and were alive in and around the box. We shot nineteen times, but we didn't find a clear way to score a goal."

"We gave them a chance to score an easy goal. The long balls are a problem for us. We're not solid enough in both boxes.

"I don't want to blame my players and complain – they showed fantastic spirit and pushed hard until the last second to get one point more. We need to keep going and continue to work hard to improve in both boxes."

Tom Cairney came back into the starting eleven after a spell on the side-lines and the Whites' Head Coach is pleased to have his captain back.

"It's very important to have Tom Cairney back," Jokanović said.

"It's been a tough start to the Championship for him, so it's very good for him to score a goal and very good for us to have him back him back in the squad."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/october/28/head-coach-reaction-bolton

[WhiteJC]

Immediate Reaction: Fulham 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
Wanderers denied a win at the last minute

Former Blackburn Rovers player Tom Cairney struck late on to deny Bolton Wanderers their first Championship away win in two and a half years.

The first half saw Fulham have plenty of possession (75% of it!), but failed to create a solid enough goal scoring chance to worry Wanderers. Saying that, Ayite did put the ball in the back of the net, but the linesman had already put his flag up for offside.

Karl Henry received an early booking for a foul on Cairney, which came as a total surprise to everyone watching. It's clear to see how much of an influence Henry, Vela and Ameobi have had on Wanderers since coming into the side over the past few weeks.

Wanderers were defensively solid, and were rewarded for their efforts just before the half hour mark. Ben Alnwick's long punt up field was touched down by Sammy Ameobi, who subsequently turned the defender to rifle the ball into the bottom corner.

Fulham ramped up the pressure second half, and were practically camped in Wanderers half of the pitch for the rest of the game.

Wanderers had the chances to double the lead, the best of which fell to Adam Armstrong. He was denied superbly by David Button for one, but should have scored when presented with an open goal.

Despite holding on valiantly until stoppage time, Fulham got their equaliser in the 94th minute, thanks to a Tom Cairney header.

Feels a bit like a loss, but you can't complain with a draw against a really strong Fulham side.

Thanks to Bristol City beating Sunderland, Wanderers have the chance to jump them when we play The Black Cats at The Stadium of Light on Tuesday.

We go again.



https://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/2017/10/28/16564014/immediate-reaction-fulham-1-1-bolton-wanderers-efl

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 1-1 Bolton Wanderers: Player ratings as Tom Cairney's late goal saves a point

Fulham's last minute equaliser saw them share the points with Bolton - but it was a poor performance from the Whites

Fulham 1-1 Bolton Wanderers: Player ratings as Tom Cairney's late goal saves a point

Fulham's last minute equaliser saw them share the points with Bolton - but it was a poor performance from the Whites

Fulham got off to a good start and thought they had the ball in the back of the net through Floyd Ayite, but the flag went up on the far side despite Ayite looking like he was on.

Ameobi gave the away side the lead when a lapse of concentration saw Kalas and Ream let him take the ball down and curl it into the bottom corner.

It was more of the same in the second 45 as Fulham dominated possession but were unable to find a breakthrough in a defensive Bolton side.

But cometh the hour, cometh the man as Cairney popped up in the six yard box to put his head to the ball and give the side the equaliser.

Here's how we rated the side:

Button 5: The only thing he really had to do in the first half was get the ball out of his net. Made a good save to stop Armstrong in the second half.

Sessegnon 5: Had the beating of his man down the left for the first half but struggled to get round Ameobi when the winger used his frame to shield the ball.

Ream 4: Lapse of concentration between him and Ream allowed Ameobi in to score the Bolton goal. Dealt well with the aerial threat in the second half. A few iffy moments from both him and Kalas meant Bolton had chances in the second.

Fredericks 5: Was getting down the right wing as always but didn't out in any balls of note for the most part, looked better in the second but couldn't pick anyone out.

Kalas 4: Along with Ream, their lapse of concentration gave Ameobi time to take the ball down before beating the pair of centre backs to score. Was strong in the air to deal with Bolton's long ball during the second 45.

McDonald 6: Dominant in the holding midfield once again and mopped up any Bolton attack that came his way. Tried to get further forward in the second period with Bolton keeping men back. Great cross to set up Cairney's equaliser.

Norwood 4: Got on the ball a bit in the first half but ghosted through the second period and was taken off for Stefan Johansen with 20 minutes left.

Cairney 6: What a difference the skipper makes. He dictated the tempo from that middle role for the first half but struggled to have that same impact in the second, although he was one of the better Fulham players. His goal grabbed a point for the side.

Ayite 6: Carried on his good form from Villa with another good first half and along with Cairney, looked most likely to make something happen.

Fonte 3: Struggled to get into the game in the first half as he came deeper and deeper to try get the football. Was replaced in the 56th minute after another disappointing game.

Kamara 5: Used his pace to good effect against the Bolton centre halves and down the channels during the first half.

Subs -
Kebano 4: His fist sighting of goal saw the substitute blaze over the bar. Should've scored when a lovely McDonald ball put him through, but he fired at the keeper.

Johansen 4: Didn't have much of an impact on the side going forward and settled into the same tempo the side had played all afternoon.

de la Torre N/A: Wasn't on the pitch long enough to get a mark.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-1-1-bolton-wanderers-13824552

[WhiteJC]

 
Next Up: Bristol City

Fulham are next in action this Tuesday, 31st October (kick-off 7:45pm), when they take on Bristol City in SW6.

Spend Halloween at the Cottage with tickets priced from just £20 adults and £10 juniors.

Supporters can secure their seat today online, by phone on 0203 871 0810 (opt 1) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/october/28/next-up-bristol-city

[WhiteJC]

Fulham young star Steven Sessegnon lifts World Cup as England U17s beat Spain

England came from two-goals down to lift the trophy in India with Steven Sessegnon excelling in the knockout stages

Steven Sessegnon is a World Cup winner after England U17s beat Spain 5-2 in the final of the competition - coming from two-goals down in India.

A Sergio Gomez double had put the Spanish in front and in a commanding lead, but Rhian Brewster got the Young Lions back in it just before the half time break.

Sessegnon added another assist to his name as he turned provider for Morgan Gibbs-White to get England level, before Phil Foden got the side ahead.

The young Fulham player then cleared off the line to keep the lead intact, with Marc Guehi finishing inside the area to give England a 4-2 lead.

Foden then made sure of the win with a second goal to crown England U17 World Champions in India.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-young-star-steven-sessegnon-13825766

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic believes Fulham aren't living up to the expectations surrounding the team

A last minute Cairney goal salvaged a point but it was a far from good performance against Bolton at the Cottage

Slavisa Jokanovic feels Floyd Ayite's disallowed goal should have stood but believes the side's performances aren't matching the expectation around the team.

Tom Cairney's last minute goal salvaged a point after Sammy Ameobi had put Bolton ahead and despite Fulham's possession, they were unable to break down the visitors over the majority of the game.

Ayite had thought he'd put the side ahead but was ruled out for offside but Cairney popped up in the last minute to grab a share of the points at the Cottage.

And the boss knows the side aren't living up to expectations that surround the side and believes they are still not clinical enough in both boxes.

He said: "We score a late goal but also an early goal any of these two players who are in the situation around the ball and Floyd was onside and I don't know the reasoning for disallowing the goal.

"After this situation we still complicate our life much more with slipping in one important moment and they score a goal without creating any chances - it was a ridiculous situation to concede the goal.

"We try to move the ball faster and in the second half we created many chances and we arrive many times in the box and shoot 19 times but we didn't find a clear way to score.

At the end it isn't good enough for us, this performance is not good enough and if we compare the expectation around this time at the moment we are not performing in the level of this excpectation.

"We must be relatively satisfied with the late goal but frustrated because we could win the game.

"We are not clinical enough or solid in both boxes and in the end all the long balls is a problem for us and we made many entrances in both sides but without finishing the action.

"Kevin McDonald was like a winger and crossed the ball for Cairney's head to score the goal, I expect other people to do the work in this game."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/slavisa-jokanovic-believes-fulham-arent-13826013

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's World Champion

England have won the Under-17 World Cup for the first time ever in Kolkata on Saturday evening.

They beat Spain 5-2 with Fulham's Steven Sessegnon helping reignite the Young Lions' hopes after going two goals down in the first half.

It was a comeback of epic proportions, with Sessegnon providing two class assists to bring the teams level after Sergio Gomez put the Spaniards in a commanding position.

It was Rhian Brewster who put away the first goal, and Morgan Gibbs-White who scored the second.

A perfect second half display saw England put their noses in-front, with Phil Foden scoring a brace and Marc Guehi getting one from a set piece.

England lost the European Championship final on penalties to Spain this summer, and this was the perfect opportunity to go one further.

The Young Lions almost scored in the first minute, Gibbs-White forced a save from Alvaro Fernandes from close range as Brewster crossed into the box.

However, it was Spain who took the lead in the 10th minute. Barcelona's Gomez scored his third of the tournament and first of the final.

Juan Miranda crossed the ball into the box, and Cesar Gelabert knocked the ball forward to Gomez, he flicked his shot into the back of the net to take the lead.

Sessegnon had a chance at goal himself in the 23rd minute, racing down the right hand side of the pitch in acres of space, he cut in on Cesar and rocketed a shot with his left wide of the post, it was England's best chance since the opening minute.

Spain doubled their advantage in the 31st minute and it was the same two Spanish front men who came together, Cesar with some fancy footwork chipped the ball to Gomez who slammed it into the back of the net.

The goal was against the run of play, as England were dominating possession and territory, the Spanish were clinical.

Two minutes before the break, Callum Hudson-Odoi cut in from the left, and at the edge of the area rattled the post. England were starting to dominate the game.

England crucially pulled one back going into half time. Sessegnon took the ball and beat Gomez in a one on one, and whipped a cross in from the right.

Brewster rifled his shot into the back of the net to put the Young Lions back in the match. It was Brewster's eighth of the tournament and Sessegnon's fourth assist.

England finally found their equaliser they deserved in the 58th minute. Sessegnon with another vital assist, latched onto a through ball on the right wing and picked out Wolverhampton Wanderer's Gibbs-White who shot on target, beating the keeper to make it 2-2.

In the 71st minute England made the impossible happen, they came from two goals down to put their noses ahead for the first time in the World Cup final.

Hudson-Odoi raced down the left wing, looked up and curled a ball across goal to the back post where Foden was sprinting onto the ball, he confidently slotted to take the lead.

73 minutes in Curtis Anderson came off his line and missed the ball completely, Sessegnon was called into action and made a goal line clearance to keep the Young Lions' tenuous advantage.

The match was sealed in the 84th minute, Joel Latibeaudiere headed across goal from a Hudson-odoi free kick, Jonathan Panzo kept the ball alive before Guehi stabbed the ball past Fernadez to make it 4-2.

The cherry was put on the cake in the 88th minute and Enlgand could start celebrating. Hudson-Odoi saw Foden racing down the right and sent a long pinpoint ball forward.

Foden being chased down shot early, beating Fernandez for the 5th time in 90 minutes to complete the most remarkable of comebacks.

The full time whistle blew and the team sprinted down the pitch to celebrate with the bench. Brewster with his eight goal of the tournament won the Golden Boot.

It is the second England youth team to win a World Cup in 2017 with the Under-20s achieving the same feat. Fulham have had two other International Champions in 2017, with Steven's brother, Ryan, and team mate Tayo Edun winning the Under-19 European Championships this summer.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/october/28/fulhams-world-champion

[WhiteJC]

Cairney's late show salvages a point
by Dan on October 28, 2017

A point was far from what Slavisa Jokanovic envisaged when he implored his Fulham side to turn around their woeful home form against bottom-of-the-table Bolton Wanderers. But the Whites gleefully grabbed a share of the spoils thanks to returning captain Tom Cairney, whose header after a fine run from Kevin McDonald in the fifth minute of stoppage time, prevented the visitors from ending their 25 year wait for a league win at Craven Cottage.

For long periods of this attritional contest, Fulham looked likely to suffer another devastating blow to their promotion aspirations after Phil Parkinson's men defended heroically to hold onto a lead fashioned for them by a piece of fantastic finishing from Sammy Ameobi after another home defensive aberration. Parkinson was justified in pointing to the threat that Bolton posed on the break in the second half, when they could have put the game beyond doubt, and will rue the rare space his side afforded Cairney at the death that allowed Fulham's talisman, making his first start since August, to nod home McDonald's floated cross from close range.

For Cairney, who has had to endure a frustrating first three months of the season after he injured his knee at the end of Fulham's summer tour, this was blessed relief. Fulham's playmaker was largely nullified by Parkinson's central midfield pairing of Karl Henry, whose industrial early challenge on the Scottish international earned him a yellow card, and Darren Pratley, whose professional career began at the west London club's academy. Like most of his team-mates, Cairney struggled to thread a way through Wanderers well-drilled defence before he found himself in the right place to profit from McDonald's late rush to the byline.

Fulham's football never really recovered its early verve after Ameobi was allowed to saunter onto a long ball from Ben Alnwick once Gary Madine fell to the turf clutching his head. The former Newcastle forward punished Fulham's failure to play to the whistle and the inability of Tim Ream, Tomas Kalas and Ryan Fredericks to close him down by finding the bottom left corner of David Button's goal with a cool finish. McDonald's anger at the ease with which Ameobi worked himself into a scoring position was fully justified.

This was a largely frustrating afternoon for Jokanovic, who again opted to play Aboubakar Kamara and Rui Fonte as part of his front three, but the fluidity and movement was lacking. Floyd Ayite largely flattered to deceive, only producing a decisive contribution in the final third when the flag was wrongly raised against him for offside in the first half and Ryan Sessegnon, bombing on from left back, saw his snapshot early held by Alnwick. Kamara spurned the half's best opening – lifting a finish over the goalkeeper and the Putney End crossbar after being released by a searching Cairney pass – whilst Adam Armstrong whistled two curling efforts wide of the Fulham goal.

Fired up by a Jokanovic blast during the break, Fulham emerged with more of a spring in their step. Fredericks flashed a cross-cum-shot into the side netting and Sessegnon failed to get enough power behind a shot on the turn to unduly worry Alnwick, before Bolton went close to doubling their lead. The lively Armstrong linked up well with Pratley and curled an effort towards the top corner that Button did well to palm aside.

The visitors continued to defend manfully, as shown when Wheater threw himself in the path of the ball during a real scramble following an Ollie Norwood corner, and Kamara blazed wastefully over from close range after Fredericks' low cut back appeared perfect for the Northern Ireland midfielder to run onto. Alnwick produced a fine reaction save to deny substitute Neeskens Kebano when he was sent clear by a beautifully weighted pass from Kalas and a succession of corners were repelled by Wanderers' under-pressure defenders without much concern.

Parkinson's side found it far too easy to shut down Fulham's patient possession that lacked penetration until Fredericks and Sessegnon offered options out wide. Sessegnon was scythed down by a cynical challenge and Kebano was felled by Mark Little for a free-kick which Stefan Johansen, introduced as a substitute, crashed into the wall and it appeared that even Luca de la Torre's clever touches around the eighteen yard box was count for little as Bolton continued to smother the hosts' attacks. The visitors still had chances of their own with Armstrong twice almost profiting from comical defending, sidefooting wide after an atrocious Button clearance, and then nearly chipping the Fulham goalkeeper after robbing Kalas of possession.

The unlikely point arrived in the fifth minute of injury time when McDonald, who was earlier booked for remonstrating vigorously with referee Geoff Eltrincham, eventually decided to take matters into his own hands. The defensive midfielder carried the ball to the byline at pace and lifted his cross over Bolton's tall rearguard for Cairney to head home his first goal of the season to the relief of the Craven Cottage faithful. Jokanovic might have not been pleased with the quality of Fulham's performance, but he couldn't fault his side's spirit.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Button; Fredericks, R. Sessegnon, Kalas (de la Torre 89), Ream; McDonald, Norwood (Johansen 70), Cairney; Fonte (Kebano 57), Ayite, Kamara. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Odoi, Cisse, Edun.

BOOKED: McDonald.

GOAL: Cairney (90+4).

BOLTON WANDERERS (4-2-3-1): Alnwick; Little, A. Taylor (Robinson 49), Beevers, Wheater; Henry, Pratley; Ameobi (Morais 68), Armstrong, Vela (Le Fondre 82); Madine. Subs (not used): Howard, Darby, Noone, Osede.

BOOKED: Henry, Wheater, Alnwick, Little.

GOAL: Ameobi (28).

REFEREE: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham)

ATTENDANCE: 18,792.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/10/cairneys-late-show-salvages-a-point/

[WhiteJC]

'We were not good enough,' admits Jokanovic
by Dan on October 28, 2017

Slavisa Jokanovic admitted Fulham's performance against Bolton was 'not good enough' despite a late equaliser from the returning Tom Cairney salvaging a point against the Championship's bottom side.

Craven Cottage erupted in relief when the Fulham captain, starting his first game since August after a troublesome knee injury, headed home Kevin McDonald's cross in the fifth minute of stoppage time to cancel out Sammy Ameobi's first-half opener, but Jokanovic was far from impressed. The Fulham head coach told his post-match press conference:

    In the end, it's not enough for us. his performance is not good enough, if you compare it to the expectations of the club. We are not performing at the level that is expected. We came to win today, but if you score a goal that late, you must be relatively satisfied.

The Serbian was also furious that the Whites were denied the chance to go in front early in the first half but he felt was an errant offside flag.

We scored a late goal, but we scored an early goal too. Ayite was onside and I don't know what the reason was for disallowing the goal. If you score a legal goal, you expect it to stand.

Jokanovic also castigated Fulham's sloppy defending which presented Ameobi with the opportunity to open the scoring as well as his side's passive approach play.

    After this situation, we still complicated our life much more, with a slip at one important moment and they somehow scored a goal without creating any chances. We tried to move the ball faster, especially in the second-half. We created many chances and were alive in and around the box. We shot nineteen times, but we didn't find a clear way to score a goal.

    We gave them a chance to score an easy goal. The long balls are a problem for us. We're not solid enough in both boxes. I don't want to blame my players and complain – they showed fantastic spirit and pushed hard until the last second to get one point more. We need to keep going and continue to work hard to improve in both boxes.

The Fulham head coach did salute his captain's telling contribution, enthusing about the difference Cairney makes to his side.

It's very important to have Tom Cairney back. It's been a tough start to the Championship for him, so it's very good for him to score a goal and very good for us to have him back him back in the squad.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/10/we-were-not-good-enough-admits-jokanovic/

[WhiteJC]

Sessegnon lifts U17 World Cup
by Dan on October 28, 2017

Steven Sessegnon lifted the Under 17 World Cup this evening after helping England come from two goals down to defeat Spain 5-2 in a thrilling final in Kolkata.

The stunning victory represented England's first ever global success at this age group level and capped a remarkable month for the Fulham full-back, who wasn't even in coach Steve Cooper's first eleven at the start of the tournament. Sessegnon impressed in the final group victory over Iraq and retained his place for the rest of the championships – and he certainly made his mark in an end-to-end final.

Sessegnon supplied two assists as the Young Lions roared back from 2-0 down, including a crucial intervention on the stroke of half-time that turned the tide of the contest after Sergi Gomez had put the Spaniards firmly in control. The teenager showed plenty of confidence to skin Gomez down the right and deliver a low cross which Rhian Brewster clinically converted. He was at it again thirteen minutes after the interval producing a fine centre for Morgan Gibbs-White to score following a trademark overlapping run.

Manchester City's Phil Foden put England ahead for the first time with 19 minutes remaining but the Young Lions were indebted to Sessegnon for a superb goal-line clearance just afterwards when goalkeeper Curtis Anderson completely missed a cross. England sealed their famous victory in the final six minutes as, first, Marc Guehi stabbed home from a set-play, and then Foden fired home the fifth to spark wild celebrations.

The victory was fitting reward for Sessegnon's own tenacity in getting his development firmly back on track after two serious injuries during his formative years at Fulham's Motspur Park academy, when he has had to watch his twin brother Ryan explode on the professional scene. Sessegnon, already handed his senior debut by Slavisa Jokanovic earlier this season, will now turn his attention to gaining a regular spot in the Fulham first team.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/10/sessegnon-lifts-u17-world-cup/

[WhiteJC]

Cairney calls for Fulham to 'keep the belief'
by Dan on October 29, 2017

Tom Cairney urged Fulham 'to keep the belief' after his stoppage-time header earned a point against Bolton Wanderers yesterday afternoon.

The Fulham captain, sidelined for much of the season by a knee problem, headed in a late cross from Kevin McDonald to salvage a point at death when Bolton seemed set to claim their first league win at Craven Cottage in a quarter of a century thanks to Sammy Ameobi's first half finish. After the final whistle, Cairney told FulhamFCTV that he was delighted to mark his return to the starting line-up with such a precious goal:

    I don't get many headers, but Kevin McDonald gets down the left and a chance like that you've got to get in the box and hope something ricochets your way, but it feel to me nice and, yeah, I just closed my eyes and it went in!

    Obviously I haven't been involved lately but I feel like we did play well, especially second half, we were attacking. You've got to give a lot of credit to them – I think they defended the box very well and set pieces were always going to be tough to score because of how big they are. We wore them down, tried to break them down and managed to nick the draw in the end.

    We are obviously disappointed not to win the game. We didn't have as many goal attempts, shots as we should have done in the first half. Second half, definitely 100%, we kind of battered them in every way, we just couldn't score early enough to get the winner. We'll take the point.

The Scottish international revealed his frustration at having to manage such a frustrating injury – the like of which he hasn't suffered before – and hopes he can now play a key role in getting Fulham's promotion push back on track.

    I'm quite sore right now. I think the second half was tough. It's just one of those things I've got to try and get through at the minute. I feel like I was moving similar to last season, but I've just got to try and block it out and try and before. I've never experienced this before, I was hardly ever injured – touch wood – it's just one of these weird things in football. I was lucky last season. I played 51 games with hardly any knocks.

    It's just one of things I've got to try and get over and get over quickly. I've got 75 bags of ice down there! I'll be in the training ground tomorrow morning, try and get on top of things and take it from there. It's another big week. We know how this league is – it's relentless. If the manager plays me, I'll try and do what I did today and hit the heights of last season if I can.

Cairney eluded to the lift his side gets from playing towards the Hammersmith End in the second half and asked the Fulham fans to stick with the team, despite the disappointment of a stuttering start to the season.

    Always kicking that way, it feels like they suck it in a little bit. It's brilliant to play, especially when we're playing attacking football. We've just to try and keep that momentum a little bit. I know we're not in the top six or anything but we've got to keep the belief and keep the ball. We do play some really good stuff at times and I can understand people being frustrated, but we've just got to stick together.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/10/cairney-calls-for-fulham-to-keep-the-belief/