Saturday Fulham Stuff (21/04/18)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Ryan Sessegnon on target again as Fulham put the pressure on Cardiff

Ryan Sessegnon scored his 15th goal of the season as Fulham moved into second place in the Championship with a 3-0 victory at playoff-chasing Millwall.

The 17-year-old, recently voted Championship player of the season, reacted first to a Jordan Archer fumble to consign Millwall to their first league defeat since New Year's Day.

Kevin McDonald doubled the visitors' lead with a sensational long-range strike before Aleksandar Mitrovic's effort late on moved Fulham two points clear of Cardiff, who have two games in hand.

The defeat keeps Millwall in sixth place, a point clear of Derby, who face play-off rivals Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Millwall looked to assert themselves early on and almost had their reward after three minutes but Jake Cooper's free header at the back post cannoned off the crossbar.

The Lions thought they had the opening goal after 15 minutes when Jed Wallace headed down for George Saville to rifle home from close range but referee Andre Marriner adjudged Wallace had fouled defender Matt Targett.

It took 23 minutes for Fulham to finally come into the game and it was Sessegnon who was causing all the problems. The teenager did well down the left before driving in a low cross which just evaded Mitrovic.

Neil Harris' team were looking to cement their place in the top six and should have been in front in the 29th minute when Marcus Bettinelli pushed Ben Marshall's cross straight into the path of Wallace but the midfielder's effort was cleared off the line by Tim Ream.

Targett has scored once since arriving at Fulham on loan from Southampton in January and almost doubled his tally as his long-range effort clipped the bar.

Fulham needed a spark and they got it 45 seconds into the second half as Archer fumbled a long-range effort from Mitrovic into the path of Sessegnon who had the pace and the composure to thunder the ball underneath the goalkeeper.

Stefan Johansen almost doubled the lead two minutes later but the Norway international scuffed his effort wide after going through one-on-one with Archer.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side did not have to wait long for a second as midfielder McDonald created time and space to thunder a right-footed shot beyond Archer and into the top corner.

Mitrovic netted a third a minute from time as a driving run from substitute Tomas Kalas found the striker on the edge of the box and the Serbian smashed the ball home.



http://www.espn.co.uk/football/report?gameId=483175

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's Premier League push boosted by win at Millwall

LONDON (Reuters) - Fulham's relentless bid to reach the Premier League gathered more momentum on Friday as a rousing second-half performance earned them a 3-0 win at Millwall to thrust them into second place in the Championship.

After being largely outplayed in the first half, a rejuvenated Fulham emerged to score within a minute of the restart through their outstanding 17-year-old prospect Ryan Sessegnon.

Ten minutes later, midfielder Kevin McDonald hammered home a fine speculative shot from 25 metres and Aleksandar Mitrovic finished the job with a clinically-taken third in the 89th minute.

It sealed another accomplished victory for Fulham, who have now won 17 of their last 22 league matches in an extraordinary unbeaten sequence.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side also ended Millwall's 17-match unbeaten streak in the league to dent their London rivals' bid to gain promotion from England's second-tier league.

In the battle to earn the second automatic promotion place to the Premier League, with runaway leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers having sealed their spot, Fulham are second on 85 points from 44 games.

The win threw down the gauntlet to Cardiff City, who are on 83 points but the Welsh side have two games in hand, and can regain second spot if they beat Nottingham Forest at home on Saturday.

Millwall retained sixth spot, the last in the playoff zone, on 69 points.



https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-england-liv-henderson/europe-will-not-detract-from-liverpool-league-focus-idUKKBN1HR15D?rpc=401&;

[WhiteJC]

Three-star Fulham pass Millwall test
by Dan on April 20, 2018

Fulham returned to winning ways in emphatic style in south London this evening as they put a shaky first half display behind them to inflict Millwall's first defeat since New Year's Day by scoring three second half goals without reply at the New Den. Slavisa Jokanovic's side were put under real pressure as the Lions made most of the early running, roared on by their passionate home crowd, and could have easily been behind by the break but the Whites showed the kind of resilience that has typified their club record unbeaten run as goals from Ryan Sessegnon, a superb strike from Kevin McDonald and Aleksandar Mitrovic's after the interval transferred the pressure back onto Cardiff in the race for second place.

The Whites knew they would be in for a severe test at the Den this evening with Neil Harris having taken his unfancied side from a relegation battle earlier in the season to the cusp of the Championship play-offs in one of the division's most remarkable managerial jobs. The home side set about their visitors from the off, perhaps eager to examine whether there was any hangover from remaining from Fulham's failure to cling onto all three points against Brentford last weekend. Millwall, with the physical threat of their potent front two – Steve Morison and Lee Gregory to the fore – were making inroads almost immediately and might have mustered the dream start with a little more fortune.

Marcus Bettinelli did magnificently to touch a Jake Cooper header from Ben Marshall's deep corner onto the crossbar, but Fulham looked rattled by Millwall's incessant pressure. They looked especially vulnerable when Marshall was able to whip balls in with his right foot from the left and only escaped shortly afterwards when referee Andre Marriner disallowed George Saville's goal for a foul by Jed Wallace on Matt Targett. Another Marshall cross bent wickedly away from Bettinelli and Fulham were indebted to Tim Ream who cleared from just in front of his own line when Wallace seemed to set to give the Lions the lead.

Those narrow escapes seemed to briefly galvanise the visitors. Mitrovic headed a difficult chance over the bar from a Targett cross and, from Fulham's first sustained spell of possession, Stefan Johansen sent Sessegnon clear down the left but his low cross was scrambled away from Mitrovic by the covering Cooper. Fulham's presence in the Millwall box was fleeting and it might well have been unjust had Targett's rising drive flew under the crossbar rather than clipping it in the last minute of stoppage time, as the home side squandered further chances before the break with Morison heading over another dangerous delivery from Marshall.

Fulham recovered their composure during the half-time interval and needed no more than forty seconds after the restart to take the lead. Mitrovic found a rare pocket of space in front of the Millwall back four that gave him the time to spin and fire a speculative shot goalwards. Jordan Archer spilled the Serbian's effort and haring in was Sessegnon to steer home his fifteenth goal of the season in the blink of an eye.

The Whites sensed blood and moved quickly in for the kill. Johansen passed up a glorious chance to double the lead when he was sent through on goal moments later, but the vital second goal arrived, albeit from an unlikely source. Scottish midfielder Kevin McDonald, more lauded for his crucial interventions at the other end of the pitch than his goalscoring prowess, was allowed to drift onto his right foot 25 yards out and curl home a superb effort to double Fulham's lead. It might have been three when Sessegnon surged away from the Millwall defence but sent a first time narrowly wide of the far post.

With Fulham keeping the ball impressively in the Millwall half, Harris' side struggled to match the ferocious intensity of the first period. Tom Elliott and Tim Cahill were thrown in as the home side sought a foothold in the contest, but although Elliott won a few headers, Cahill's contribution matched Millwall's increasing frustrations. The Australian veteran was fortunate not to see a straight red for swinging an elbow at Ryan Fredericks before being booked for a late challenge on Tom Cairney.

Bettinelli didn't have to make a save of any note in the second half and Fulham's confidence was so high by the end of the evening that Tomas Kalas, introduced to strengthen their defence, found himself striding deep into Millwall territory with the ball at his feet. The Czech centre half had travelled more than 30 yards by the time he laid it off to Mitrovic and the Serbian picked his spot in the top left corner of Archer's net. This was a performance ruthless enough to make Jokanovic purr with satisfaction – and Fulham will now be hoping Cardiff will stumble with the finish line in sight.

MILLWALL (4-4-2): Archer; Romeo (O'Brien 87), Meredith (Cahill 77), Hutchinson, Cooper; Williams, Saville, Wallace, Marshall (Elliott 65); Morison, Gregory. Subs (not used): Martin, Shackell, Tunnicliffe, Onyedinma.

BOOKED: Hutchinson, Wallace, Cahill, Gregory.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks (Christie 90), Targett, Odoi, Ream; McDonald, Johansen, Cairney; Piazon (Kalas 82), R. Sessegnon, Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Button, Norwood, Kebano, Fonte, Kamara.

BOOKED: Ream.

GOALS: R. Sessegnon (46), McDonald (56), Mitrovic (89).

REFEREE: Andre Marriner (Birmingham).



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/04/three-star-fulham-pass-millwall-test/

[WhiteJC]

 
Sessegnon scores 15th as Fulham equals Man City unbeaten mark

Fulham equalled the longest unbeaten run in the English top four tiers this season as it defeated sixth-placed Millwall 3-0 on the road to increase its streak to 22 games without a loss and moving the club into position for automatic promotion.

The Whites have not lost since December 16th when they fell 1-0 to relegation-threatened Sunderland. The unbeaten streak matches Manchester City's run of 22 games to start the Premier League campaign before a 4-3 loss to Liverpool in mid-January broke the spell.

Highlighting the match was the game's opening goal from 17-year-old Ryan Sessegnon, the young defender's 15th goal of the Championship season. Just a week ago, Sessegnon was named a finalist for PFA Player of the Year alongside Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, and Raheem Sterling. Also scoring in the win was Newcastle loanee Aleksandar Mitrovic who has bagged 11 goals in 15 matches since moving to Craven Cottage on Deadline Day of the winter transfer window, sparking talk of a possible permanent move should the Whites find themselves promoted at the end of the season. Fulham has not trailed a single second since he stepped on the field for his club debut.

Manager Slavisa Jokanovic has the team firing on all cylinders, outscoring opponents 49-14 during the unbeaten streak and racking up 56 out of a possible 66 points, with just five draws blemishing an otherwise perfect record. The club has scored first in 15 straight matches, and has not trailed since drawing level in the closing minutes of a 2-2 draw with Hull City on December 30th. The only teams in the top four leagues to score more goals than Fulham since Jokanovic took over are Liverpool and Manchester City.

USMNT defender Tim Ream has been arguably the club's most valuable player during the streak, locking down a defense that has picked up 11 clean sheets during the unbeaten run. Ream has played in all but two league matches this season, completing the full 90 minutes in all 41 of his appearances thus far. He has been voted Man of the Match five times this season by the fans on the team's official website, most recently in a 1-0 victory over Reading on April 10th. He also grabbed the award in a 2-0 win over Championship title winners Wolves on February 24th, a game that saw the Whites out-possess and out-shoot the league champions. Ream had this stunning goal-line clearance in the victory over Millwall on Friday, saving Fulham's bacon with goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli on the ground after an acrobatic save.

Fulham still has work to do in the Premier League promotion picture, despite the spectacular form. They sit in 2nd position as it stands, leading Cardiff City by two points, but Cardiff has yet to play this weekend, giving them a massive two games in hand. Fulham could ultimately be done in by a slow start to the season that saw them win just twice in the first nine matches of the season as the squad adjusted to a host of new additions. In addition, Fulham suffered a disappointing draw last time out against Brentford as the Bees scored in the 94th minute to deny Fulham all three points, a massive blow to their automatic promotion hopes. Still, Fulham would be considered favorites in any potential playoff run, with Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, and Millwall currently the other teams in playoff positions.

There's plenty on the line for the club over the next few weeks. Should Fulham fail to gain promotion, it could be a massive blow to the club as Sessegnon could be lured away from Craven Cottage, with Jokanovic and playmaker Tom Cairney also likely to garner speculation of a departure over the summer if the club was to remain in the Championship.



http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/04/20/sessegnon-scores-15th-as-fulham-equals-man-city-unbeaten-mark/

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic proud at how Fulham handled visit to the New Den

Three second half goals ensured Fulham made it 22 games unbeaten and ended Millwall's run in the process

Slavisa Jokanovic was proud at how his side went about coming through a tough tie at The Den against Millwall.

Goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Kevin McDonald and Aleksandar Mitrovic ensured Fulham ended the Lions unbeaten run and extended their own to 22 games.

The win also saw the side back into second, although that could only be for a night if Cardiff City were to win their game tomorrow against Nottingham Forest, but Jokanovic insists he's satisfied with the win.

He said: "I must be proud about how my team played. The first 45 minutes, Millwall were strong and used their weapons, but we showed we could be solid. In the second half, we scored early and moved the ball a bit better.

"We stuck to our style and played a brilliant second 45 minutes. It's not easy to play football in this place. The last time Millwall lost here was in November.

"We normally trust our style and dominate possession of the ball. We showed great ambition and desire and stuck to our plan. I must be satisfied because my team followed the game plan and played with confidence. We deserved this result.

"I said nothing special. It's important for us to be focused and wait for our moment and it arrived at the right time, then we completely controlled the situation.

"I trust my players and my team trust me. Sometimes a plan works well, sometimes a plan doesn't work perfectly. They are professional.

"Everything Sess touches in the box, usually ends up in the back of the net.

"We didn't surprise them and they didn't surprise us. We knew what to expect. They pushed hard - they're a physically strong team. My team showed confidence, solidarity and found a solution. We did a great job."



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/slavisa-jokanovic-proud-how-fulham-14558382

[WhiteJC]

Jokanovic 'proud' of Fulham's 'solidarity'
by Dan on April 20, 2018

Slavisa Jokanovic lavished praise on his players after Fulham came through a serious test of their promotion credentials at Millwall tonight by passing with flying colours.

The Whites were distinctly second best in a first half that Neil Harris' men dominated but got the perfect start to the second period when Ryan Sessegnon fired them ahead within forty seconds. A stunning second from Kevin McDonald put the visitors further in front and what became a comfortable victory was sealed by Aleksandar Mitrovic's measured finish following a sublime forward run from Tomas Kalas. Jokanovic told his post-match press conference that he was delighted with how Fulham handled the pressure of a big fixture at the New Den:

    I must be proud about how my team played. The first 45 minutes, Millwall were strong and used their weapons, but we showed we could be solid. In the second half, we scored early and moved the ball a bit better. We stuck to our style and played a brilliant second 45 minutes.

    It's not easy to play football in this place. The last time Millwall lost here was in November. We didn't surprise them and they didn't surprise us. We knew what to expect. They pushed hard – they're a physically strong team. My team showed confidence, solidarity and found a solution. We did a great job.

    We normally trust our style and dominate possession of the ball. We showed great ambition and desire and stuck to our plan. I must be satisfied because my team followed the game plan and played with confidence. We deserved this result.

The Fulham head coach insisted he didn't provide stirring words of wisdom during the interval, but reminded his team to stick to the footballing philosophy that has underpinned their outstanding unbeaten run since mid-December.

    I said nothing special. It's important for us to be focused and wait for our moment and it arrived at the right time, then we completely controlled the situation. I trust my players and my team trust me. Sometimes a plan works well, sometimes a plan doesn't work perfectly. They are professional.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/04/jokanovic-proud-of-fulhams-solidarity/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss proud of players after derby triumph

Slavisa Jokanovic was full of praise for his players after their 3-0 win at Millwall.

Jokanovic's Fulham side are now 22 matches unbeaten in the Championship and their victory at The Den moved them back up into second place above Cardiff City, who play Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

"I'm very proud with how my team played," Jokanovic said. "The first 45 minutes was tough but we showed that we can be confident and solid.

"In the second half we scored early and then we started to move a bit better and we created more space.

"We stuck with our style and played brilliantly in the second half and we deserved the victory.

"This place is not easy to play football. They hadn't lost in 17 matches so it's not easy for anybody to play Millwall, especially here.

"We trust in our own style and keep possession. We showed great ambition and desire to stay with our philosophy.

"I just said [at half-time] to stay calm and be focused and wait for our moment. Our moment arrived early in the second half and after that we controlled the game."



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/place-not-easy-fulham-boss-praises-players-victory-millwall

[WhiteJC]

Millwall 0-3 Fulham: Player ratings
by Dan on April 21, 2018

Marks out of ten for Slavisa Jokanovic's men as Fulham ended Millwall's long unbeaten run with a big win at the New Den ...

Marcus Bettinelli: The only reason the Whites were in the game after the shakiest of starts in the south London cauldron was due to the Fulham number one's decisive keeping. His superb reflexes to push Jake Cooper's early header onto the woodwork proved absolutely vital and, looking vulnerable against some teasing Ben Marshall crosses, Bettinelli kept Jokanovic's men afloat until their passing game began to function. Another clean sheet. 8

Ryan Fredericks: The adventurous right back, who enjoyed a successful loan spell with Millwall back in 2014, found it difficult to get on the front foot initially as the Lions put their prey under serious pressure early on. He had to be defensively disciplined as Marshall's excellent crosses posed a serious threat, but bombed with great success once Jokanovic's men took control in the second 45 minutes. Fredericks is such an asset at both ends of the pitch and will be sorely missed if Fulham fail to make it back to the top flight. 8

Matt Targett: Another splendid showing from the Southampton loanee. Offered width and a rare chance to get forward in a first half were Fulham's forays into attacking territory were few and far between. Fashioned the first chance with a floated cross that found Mitrovic and clipped the top of the bar on the stroke of half-time with fine drive from distance. Had little serious defending to do after the break but oozed Premier League quality as he has since January. 8

Tim Ream: The former Bolton centre back was as commanding as ever at the heart of the Fulham defence looked unflustered by the raucous Den atmosphere that has tested many a top player in the past. The Whites were indebted to Ream for his terrific anticipation and agility as to clear off the line with Bettinelli beaten – another pivotal moment – and he was always on hand to distribute the ball with confidence from the back. 9

Denis Odoi: Outstanding at centre back, repelling the aerial threat of Morison and Gregory time and time again, which is no mean feat for a diminutive defender, who is more regularly seen at full back. Became more assertive as the evening wore on and relieved the pressure that the Fulham back four were under with a willingness to knock the ball around and carry it forward on occasions. 8

Kevin McDonald: The Scot's sensational strike from fully 25 yards showed that he certainly has the ability to produce a moment of magic usually credited to his midfield colleagues. McDonald's magnificent second gave Fulham the comfort of a two-goal cushion, which they never really looked like relinquishing, and capped an excellent night for the key man at the base of the visitors' midfield. His positional sense and calmness counted for plenty when the Whites were under the cosh during a difficult first half. 9

Stefan Johansen: The Norwegian's energy and verve helped Fulham survive Millwall's frenetic start and gradually gain a foothold in the contest. He played a lovely defence splitting ball to send Ryan Sessegnon in after Jokanovic's side had enjoyed their first serious spell of possession in the Millwall half, but will rue his lack of composure in front of goal when he snatched at a volley off his normally trusty left peg right. It mattered little – as the Whites went on to dominate regardless. 7

Tom Cairney: Had to come through the usual physical battering before being able to dictate his side's pretty passing football from his deep-lying midfield position, but the Fulham skipper is made of strong stuff. As soon as Cairney got on the ball, you could see his team-mates start to relax and his influence only increased once Sessegnon put the visitors in front seconds after the break. This wasn't a game where Cairney's importance as Fulham's creative hub was glaringly obvious but he managed proceedings brilliantly. 8

Lucas Piazon: The Brazilian was the only one in a Fulham shirt who failed to really impose himself on this encounter. Didn't have the pace to threaten a spirited Millwall side in behind and struggled to have much of an impact between the lines. You can't fault the Brazilian's desire or passion but it hasn't really happened for him since he came back into the side. 6

Ryan Sessegnon: The teenager found it tough to start with against Millwall's promising full back Mahlon Romeo, one of the few defenders in the division who looked like he might be able to match the seventeen year-old stride for stride. But Romeo's reactions were nowhere near as quick as Sessegnon's when Jordan Archer failed to hold Mitrovic's speculative shot and his fifteenth goal of the season was absolutely critical in the final reckoning. He could have scored twice more after that and the Den was reverberating to the Fulham fans singing his name following the final whistle. 8

Aleksandar Mitrovic: The Serbian had to feed off scraps in a first half where he was largely nullified by former Fulham defender Shaun Hutchinson, but he needed less than half a minute to make an impact in the second period. Just like against Brentford, there seemed little danger when he turned a hopeful pass forward into a shooting chance – and Sessegnon pounced to put the Whites ahead. Both Huchinson and Cooper failed to disrupt his fine hold up play to another degree after half time and the Newcastle loanee added a third before the end with an unerring finish into the top corner. 8

Substitutes:

Tomas Kalas (on for Lucas Piazon, 82): Brought on to ensure there would be no repeat of Fulham's folding from a winning position in their two previous London derbies, the on-loan Chelsea defender ended up making a real difference at the other end of the pitch. Nothing appeared to be on when he picked up the ball on the halfway line but Kalas' sense of adventure carried him to the edge of the Millwall box – where he had the presence of mind to slip in Mitrovic for the third. 7

Cyrus Christie (on for Ryan Fredericks, 90): Sent on to see out stoppage time with Fulham in front – a decision that went a little better than when Jokanovic tried it last week.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/04/millwall-0-3-fulham-player-ratings/

[Fulham1959]

Fantastic to read all these reports, and so early in the day, too.  Great work, White JC - thanks, as always.

[sunburywhite]

Spanish La Liga giants eyeing move for Fulham teenager – scouts watched

Barcelona have joined the race to sign Fulham's teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon, according to The Mirror.

The left-back, who can also play on the wing, has scored fourteen goals for the Cottagers this season, as well as registering six assists.

At Sunday's EFL Awards ceremony, Sessegnon won five Gongs in an impressive haul including the Young Player of the Year and Championship Player of the Year. Sessegnon also featured in the Championship Team of the Season  and has been named on the six-man shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

The youngster broke into the Fulham first team last season, making thirty appearances and scoring seven goals. He has now made over seventy appearances in total for the London club and manager Slavisa Jokanovic is deploying him in a more attacking and advanced role on the left side of midfield.

It is being reported that Scouts from Barcelona have travelled to England to watch the teenager in action, but they would have to battle with top clubs around the world, with Tottenham Hotspur believed to be favorites to sign the Fulham man. Sessegnon's brother currently plies his trade with Spurs and Pochettino has already shown that he is willing to give youth a chance in the first team, by playing the likes of Dele Alli and Harry Winks.

Fulham turned down a number of offers for their prize asset in January. However, they may be resigned to losing Sessegnon if they fail to gain promotion to the Premier League come the end of the season.

When did his brother sign for SPurs?

Lazy reporting

[Barrett487]

Spanish La Liga giants eyeing move for Fulham teenager – scouts watched

Barcelona have joined the race to sign Fulham's teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon, according to The Mirror.

The left-back, who can also play on the wing, has scored fourteen goals for the Cottagers this season, as well as registering six assists.

At Sunday's EFL Awards ceremony, Sessegnon won five Gongs in an impressive haul including the Young Player of the Year and Championship Player of the Year. Sessegnon also featured in the Championship Team of the Season  and has been named on the six-man shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

The youngster broke into the Fulham first team last season, making thirty appearances and scoring seven goals. He has now made over seventy appearances in total for the London club and manager Slavisa Jokanovic is deploying him in a more attacking and advanced role on the left side of midfield.

It is being reported that Scouts from Barcelona have travelled to England to watch the teenager in action, but they would have to battle with top clubs around the world, with Tottenham Hotspur believed to be favorites to sign the Fulham man. Sessegnon's brother currently plies his trade with Spurs and Pochettino has already shown that he is willing to give youth a chance in the first team, by playing the likes of Dele Alli and Harry Winks.

Fulham turned down a number of offers for their prize asset in January. However, they may be resigned to losing Sessegnon if they fail to gain promotion to the Premier League come the end of the season.

When did his brother sign for SPurs?

Lazy reporting

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[Sgt Fulham]

The irony that Sunderland was the start of our unbeaten run, and Sunderland could be the end of it, preventing us overtaking Man City to set the record. Please no Fulhamish (more so for the 3 points than the record of course).