Saturday Fulham Stuff (12/05/18)...

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Results

Friday
Derby	1 - 0	Fulham

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Head Coach Reaction

Following a narrow 1-0 loss at the hands of Derby County on Friday evening Slaviša Jokanović felt that the Whites deserved more from encounter.

After a cagey start to the game with his side enjoying long stretches in possession the deadlock was broken when Cameron Jerome rose well to head in at the back post in the 34th minute.

Despite pressing hard for the equaliser in the second half, Fulham were unable to peg the hosts back and will now return home to Craven Cottage on Monday night with all to play for.

"Definitely this is not the result that we deserved," Jokanović said. "But this is part of football to and we cannot be frustrated.

"We played some nice football and dominated Derby.

"They scored after one cross and Jerome (Cameron) scored a fantastic goal.

"We were not clinical enough and especially in the second half when we created many chances without scoring the goal to get things level.

"We must not let ourselves get too frustrated and remain confident as we showed quality and had a good mentality.

"What we want to do is now change this story and win the game on Monday night and fight for the opportunity to play at Wembley."

Returning home to the banks of the Thames looking to overcome the 1-0 deficit, Jokanović insisted his Fulham side must find their ruthless cutting edge from the off and stick to their style.

"It's dangerous for us and it's dangerous for them to," the Head Coach insisted. "We need to look forward and push to play our way. 

"We need to be more clinical than we were today. We showed today that we can play good football but we didn't score any goals.

"This is sometimes the way of football.

"I have to credit Derby as they caught us and took their chance very well.

"We must remain confident and trust we can change this story."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/may/11/head-coach-reaction

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Derby County 1-0 Fulham

Goalscorer Cameron Jerome has been promoted to the Premier League three times - twice with Birmingham and once with Norwich

Cameron Jerome scored his fifth goal in four games as Derby County gained the advantage in an intriguing Championship play-off semi-final against Fulham.

Jerome powered home a delightful header from Craig Forsyth's cross following a slick first-half move.

Fulham bossed possession throughout, but only managed two shots on target.

Kevin McDonald came closest to a leveller with a sumptuous first-time shot that hit the bar, but the Rams lead going into Monday's second leg.

A bright start by the Londoners, with midfielders Tom Cairney and Stefan Johansen prominent, set the tone for the first leg and suggested their final-day failure to clinch automatic promotion was not affecting them.

Derby seemed intent on keeping the early tempo high but struggled to get near the visitors, who had been unbeaten in 23 games before losing to Birmingham on Sunday and therefore missing out on a top-two spot.

The Rams soon settled, with the pace of winger Tom Lawrence, the power of striker Jerome and the movement of recalled 21-goal top-scorer Matej Vydra posing the greater goal threat.

First-half chances for either side were rare, but Derby led when Jerome rounded off an excellent move which saw Tom Huddlestone pick out Forsyth and the left-back send in the most inviting of crosses.

Fulham failed to score in a Championship match for the first time since 16 December

Fulham, who finished 13 points above the Rams in the final Championship table, had 70% possession in the first half but, like their hosts, only managed one effort on target.

Midfielder McDonald was desperately unlucky not to find the net from 20 yards after the resumption, while Floyd Ayite missed a glorious chance moments later when he volleyed over from Johansen's astute pass.

Cairney also went close with a fizzing shot that was well saved by Rams goalkeeper Scott Carson and a curled 20-yard strike that flew a fraction wide, while the excellent Lawrence came close to setting up a second for Derby on the break on several occasions.

Middlesbrough play Aston Villa in the second semi-final first leg on Saturday at 17:15 BST, with the winners of both ties meeting in the final at Wembley on Saturday, 26 May.

Derby manager Gary Rowett:
"It is only half-time so we won't get carried away.

"They give you a real conundrum, so as much as you want to press them up the pitch, you need to keep your shape.

"We need to show a bit more quality than we showed. We looked like we could counter-attack every single time but we just lacked the quality of that first decision or first pass to get you on the way. We had some really good opportunities on the break."

Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic:
"It's not a bad result but it is definitely not the result we deserved.

"We cannot be frustrated. We played all the football on the pitch and we dominated. They scored a fantastic goal. In the second half we created many things without scoring a goal.

"We must be confident. We showed our quality and a great mentality too. We have to change the story and win the game on Monday.

"We have to be a bit more clinical. That is the plan. We showed we can play good football but we didn't score the goals."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44024784

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Bullet header from Cameron Jerome gives Derby County slim lead over Fulham

Championship play-offs semi-final first leg, Pride Park - Derby County 1 (Jerome 34') Fulham 0

A bullet header from Cameron Jerome gave Derby County a slender 1-0 lead over Fulham after the first leg of their Championship play-off encounter.

Fulham – who missed out on an automatic promotion spot on the last day of the league season - started the match with real confidence but Derby came to life mid-way through the first-half and thanks to a bullet header from Cameron Jerome, the Rams led at the interval.

Tom Huddlestone received the ball 30 yards out, the crowd urged him to shoot but instead he switched the ball to Craig Forsyth on the right flank. The wideman delivered a quality cross to the back post and up climbed Jerome whose header was powerfully guided into the corner for his fifth goal in four games.

But Fulham saved their best for the second-half – like they have for much of the season – and would have been level had Kevin McDonald's thunderous effort been an inch or two lower; instead his shot from 25 yards cannoned off the crossbar.

Floyd Ayite and Tom Cairney also went agonisingly close to an equaliser as Fulham ramped up the pressure, but Derby held on for what could turn out to be a crucial victory.

The tie is perfectly poised for the second-leg which takes place on Monday night at Craven Cottage when Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic will be hoping for an improved performance, while Gary Rowett will ask for another professional display from his Derby side.

TALKING POINT

It's advantage Derby, but can they hold on? Thanks to years of failure at the business end of the season, the Rams have developed a somewhat harsh reputation of being the 'bottlers' of the Championship.

History threatened to repeat itself as Gary Rowett's side almost slipped out of the play-off positions after an eight-game winless streak across February and March, but they produced some big results to claim sixth-place, including an impressive victory over Cardiff.

Derby required another huge performance to overcome a Fulham side which has tasted defeat only twice in 24 games and while it feels like a significant result, it's important to remember that it's only half-time in this contest. The Rams will need another spirited effort in four days' time to reach Wembley for the first time since 2014 - or face their character called into question once more.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Curtis Davies (Derby): The centre-back had Aleksandar Mitrovic in his pocket for most of the evening - he never allowed the in-form Fulham striker an inch; it was an immense defensive performance.

PLAYER RATINGS

Derby: Carson 7, Keogh 7, Davies 9, Forsyth 8, Wisdom 7, Huddlestone 8, Johnson 7, Weimann 7, Vydra 6, Lawrence 7, Jerome 8. Subs: Anya 7, Hanson N/A, Nugent 6.

Fulham: Bettinelli 6, Fredericks 6, Sessegnon 5, Odoi 7, McDonald 6, Johansen 6, Cairney 6, Ayite 6, Ream 6, Targett 6, Mitrovic 6. Subs: Kebano 5, Norwood N/A, Piazon 5.

KEY MOMENTS

34' – GOAL! Derby 1-0 Fulham: The Rams are rewarded for their bright start with a goal. And what a goal. A quality delivery is swung in from Forsyth from the right flank, picking out Jerome. He leaps like a salmon and arrows his header into the corner, leaving Bettinelli with no chance.

54' - CROSSBAR! Agonisingly close to a Fulham equaliser! Mitrovic tees up McDonald and his venomous shot cannons off the top of the crossbar. What an effort.

55' - MISS! Another Fulham chance goes begging! Johansen cuts the Derby defence open with a delightful through-pass, Ayite tries to side-foot it in first-time but he leans back and scoops his shot over the bar with just the goalkeeper to beat.

89' - SO CLOSE! Great effort from Cairney but he doesn't quite get enough bend in his shot as the ball drifts agonisingly wide. Carson was beaten.

KEY STATS

    Derby have lost just two of their past 13 home games against Fulham in all competitions (W7 D3).
    The team to finish sixth in the Championship has won promotion via the play-offs in just one of the past 12 seasons - Blackpool in 2009-10.
    The side to finish third in the second tier has won promotion through the play-offs (current format) on 10 occasions (34%), more than any other position.
    This is Derby's seventh venture into the second-tier play-offs, only Ipswich Town (8) have taken part in more. They have only won promotion once in those previous six seasons in the second-tier play-offs (in 2006-07).
    Fulham are competing in the Championship play-offs for the second consecutive season after losing out to Reading in the semi-finals last term. The Whites have failed to win promotion in all three of their previous seasons in the play-offs in the English Football League (also 1988-89 and 1997-98).



https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/championship/2017-2018/_sto6749643/story.shtml

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Derby 1-0 Fulham: Cameron Jerome heads crucial goal as Gary Rowett's Rams take slender lead in play-offs

    Derby rode their luck to take a slender lead in the play-off semi-final encounter
    Cameron Jerome rose highest to head home the opener in an electric first half
    Fulham dominated for large spells but failed to score during a frustrating night
    The two sides meet again for the second leg on Monday night at Craven Cottage

Derby County were camped in their own third for so long towards the end on Friday night that Gary Rowett might as well have brought a tent and some pegs with him.

After Cameron Jerome's goal the onus was on holding that lead over anything else. Fulham's death by a thousand passes can make opposition mentally weary, Rowett claimed afterwards, and that they thwarted this irresistible attacking force is to the manager's tremendous credit.

Fulham registered 703 passes to Derby's 183, constantly working through midfield. Anxiety almost consumed Pride Park during an often excruciating second half but in the end they stood tall, led courageously by Curtis Davies.

Given what Derby have endured for the last decade, with so many disappointments and near misses, more than half an hour of sheer doggedness might look worth it in the long run.

Only time will tell, of course, but that they stopped Slavisa Jokanovic's side from scoring in a Championship match for the first time since December 16 is quite some achievement. We remain none the wiser as to who is off to Wembley heading into west London for Monday's second leg.

'Fulham give you a real conundrum,' said Rowett. 'You want to be brave and press but they just wait for you to lose your shape.'

Crucially, Derby did not lose their shape. Fulham had so much of the ball, relatively neat with it, but lacked midfielders willing to run beyond Aleksandar Mitrovic. Possession rarely stuck with the Serb, who came up against Davies in determined mood.

'We took a gamble, leaving Curtis one against one with Mitrovic,' said Rowett.

'He's so good at using his body and rolling. Defensively all game we handled them really well. You drop a little deeper and it's hard to get out.'

That is made more palatable with a lead and it came on 34 minutes. The home crowd screamed for Tom Huddlestone to force the issue but he knew better, instead dinking a pass to Craig Forsyth on the left, who found enough time to weigh up his options.

The best one was Jerome lurking at the back post. The cross was whipped with pace, Jerome had the run on Matt Targett and Marcus Bettinelli was left fishing a thumping header from his net.

Jerome's upturn in form has coincided with Derby's. There had been a threat of missing out on the top six altogether following a wretched run of two wins in 13.

The late rally, preventing Preston from usurping them, came at just the right time.

So did Jerome's header and from there it was all about defending the lead. Fulham's half chances came and went.

'It's not a bad result,' said Jokanovic. 'We didn't deserve it, though. We cannot be frustrated, we have to be confident. They had one shot and scored. It was a very good performance.'

It might have been better given Kevin McDonald thundered Carson's bar from distance and the Derby goalkeeper then swatted away Tom Cairney's vicious swing of the left foot. Floyd Ayite somehow conspired to volley over Targett's exquisite cross.

Nerves abounded. Rowett cried in anguish as Derby dropped deeper. Substitute David Nugent acted as an auxiliary coach on the touchline before his introduction. They just survived.

'We're going to try and be more clinical than this,' said Jokanovic. 'It's a dangerous score for us and dangerous for them, too. We must trust that we can change the story.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5719317/Derby-1-0-Fulham-Cameron-Jerome-heads-home-crucial-goal.html#ixzz5FGgOXQJr
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Former Fulham man backs Aston Villa to win the Championship play-offs - for one simple reason

Jimmy Bullard has Aston Villa as favourites to go up to the Premier League

Jimmy Bullard has backed Aston Villa to win the play-offs over former side Fulham.

Villa face Middlesbrough across two legs in the semi finals while Fulham take on Derby County.

And rather than tip his previous employers to reach the Premier League, Bullard reckons Villa are favourites to win promotion.

"The playoffs are brutal: it's agony for one side and ecstasy for the other," he said in his blog on BetBright.

"I want my old side, Fulham, to go up - but I actually think Villa are most likely to go up simply because players like JT [John Terry] and Snods [Robert Snodgrass] are conditioned to these scenarios and can deal with the pressure of the play offs.

"But regardless of whether Fulham get promoted, I think we'll be seeing young Ryan Sessegnon in the Premier League next season.

"If it doesn't happen for Fulham over the next few weeks I can see him going to a big club in the summer which will be great for him, of course."



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-fulham-man-backs-aston-14647996

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Jerome Secures First Leg Lead For The Rams

Derby County will take a lead to Craven Cottage on Monday night after Cameron Jerome's first-half header secured a 1-0 victory against Fulham in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi-Final first leg.

Pride Park Stadium erupted when Jerome found the net after 33 minutes, which means that he has now scored in four successive games for the first time since September 2005.

Fulham pushed forward in the second-half but Derby were strong and they battled to secure a slender lead ahead of facing Slavisa Jokanovic's side again on Monday.

Jerome looked sharp from the off and twice he got in behind the Fulham backline in the opening stages, but twice he was flagged offside.

In a half of few chances, Derby were compact and broke with frequency through their attacking trio, but the opening goal came from a more direct route.

Tom Huddlestone played a beautifully disguised ball into the path of Craig Forsyth, and the Scot bent a perfect cross towards the in-form Jerome, who powered his header into the corner.

Aleksandar Mitrovic had little service in the first-half but he fashioned an opening seven minutes before the break, with Scott Carson getting down well to save.

The Cottagers went inches away from levelling twice in the space of a minute as the second-half got underway. First, Kevin McDonald struck the bar after a neat one-two with Mitrovic.

Then, Floyd Ayite volleyed just over after he latched on to a searching ball over the top.

Just after the hour-mark, Carson stopped a rising effort from Tom Cairney as the pressure from Fulham began to build.

The Rams still looked a threat on the counter-attack, and substitutes David Nugent and Ikechi Anya added extra energy to the forward line.

Cairney then fired over the crossbar with his left foot, as defence and attack became all the more desperate with the clock running down, but Derby held on for what could turn out to be a crucial victory.

Derby County: Carson; Keogh, Davies, Forsyth; Wisdom, Huddlestone, Johnson, Weimann (Hanson, 90'); Vydra (Anya, 68'), Jerome (Nugent, 68'), Lawrence.

Substitutes not used: Roos, Palmer, Pearce, Ledley.

Fulham: Bettinelli; Fredericks, Odoi, Ream, Targett; Cairney, McDonald, Johansen (Norwood, 88'); Ayite (Piazon, 76'), Mitrovic, Sessegnon (Kebano, 76').

Substitutes not used: Button, Christie, Kalas, Kamara.

Major Moment...
Jerome made it five goals in his last four games with a bullet header, and it was just what he deserved for his work-rate and commitment in the first-half.

He worked to press the Fulham defence tirelessly and when Forsyth found him with a terrific cross, the striker made no mistake in the air to power beyond Marcus Bettinelli.

Who Impressed...
Andre Wisdom has been in immense form since the switch to a back-three. Once again, he displayed renewed attacking energy but his defensive contribution was most impressive.

He kept the supremely talented Ryan Sessegnon quiet until he was replaced with a quarter-hour to play, and he won several aerial duels late on as Derby looked to keep Fulham quiet.

What's Next...
The Rams head to Craven Cottage for the second leg of this tie on Monday, kick-off: 7:45pm.



https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2018/05/derby-fulham-report-2

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Cameron Jerome header gives Derby slender advantage over Fulham

The side who finished sixth in the Championship have not won promotion through the play-offs since Blackpool managed it in 2010. Derby County have spent the intervening years seemingly finding new and more elaborate ways not to go up but they took a step towards the top flight with a battling 1-0 win over Fulham in the first leg of their semi-final on Friday night.

This was a granite solid performance from Derby, defending Cameron Jerome's first-half header as if the very future of the club depended on it, and keeping Ryan Sessegnon and Aleksandar Mitrovic, who have laid waste to the Championship at times this season, quiet all night.

"You have to do that against Fulham," said the Derby manager, Gary Rowett, afterwards. "We were very, very disciplined." And they were: this was the first time Fulham have failed to score in any game since January, drawing a blank here after producing a masterclass in 'sterile domination'. Statistics do not always tell the full story but that Fulham had 74% possession and lost sums up the evening nicely.

Fulham's manager, Slavisa Jokanovic, did not seem overly concerned, though. "It's not a bad result," he said afterwards. "Definitely not the result we deserved. This is a very good performance from my point of view."

The game started in that usual frantic, uncoordinated mess that these play-offs tend to. Both teams tried to start on the front foot, which is a sure recipe for entertaining chaos. Fulham tried surgically to pick holes in the Derby backline but without any real joy. A couple of fairly weak efforts was the best they could manage. The Rams showed little of the same intricacy, yet their more simple approach was brilliantly rewarded in the 34th minute.

Tom Huddlestone spread the ball to Craig Forsyth who, pinged over a superb cross from deep on the left, right on to the head of Jerome, who powered his effort into the net. Before the run-in Jerome had scored only once since joining Derby in January: that was his fifth in the last four games. When he signed it seemed like a curious move: now it looks inspired.

The Fulham of the first half looked more like the side of the past few weeks, when they have seemed tired and tense. It is tempting to think that extraordinary run, 23 games unbeaten that nearly won them automatic promotion, had come a tiny bit too early and had sapped their energy. One could tell the travelling fans were getting nervous: at the start of the second half they started booing a ballboy.

After the break their team showed more purpose: Kevin McDonald belted a shot against the bar, Floyd Ayite volleyed over from a terrific long pass by Matt Targett and Tom Cairney curled a shot just wide. Yet they struggled to create a significant chances of note.

Mitrovic, so often Fulham's brutal inspiration in the latter months of the season, struggled to find space to do much damage and began dropping deeper and deeper as he searched for the ball. Plenty of credit must go to Curtis Davies, who marshalled the big Serb superbly. "Defensively all game, we handled them really, really well," said Rowett.

Sessegnon, the boy wonder of the Championship, was also kept quiet. He was taken off with 15 minutes to go, his anonymous performance suggesting two things: that Andre Wisdom had done a fine job in neutralising him, and also that a rumoured call-up to the senior England squad is too soon for a player who does not turn 18 until next week.

On the touchline, as Fulham attack after Fulham attack was snuffed out, Jokanovic, in that brooding manner of his, cast his eyes towards the ground like a parent who was not angry, just disappointed. If this often thrilling side do not go up this season, it will be a shame but in truth they deserved no more from a game where they did not make enough of their theoretical domination. They will need to be more clinical in the return on Monday.

The result leaves the second leg placed beautifully. "We can't go down there and try to protect the lead. We've got to try to win the game," Rowett said, expressing the requisite degree of caution. "It gives us a slender lead but, as we know, that can be cancelled out in a second. I didn't let them have the music on in the dressing room because we've got to be focused for the next game."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/11/derby-county-fulham-championship-play-off-match-report

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4 Things We Learnt As Derby Beat Fulham 1-0 To Take Narrow Lead Into Second Leg

Derby County take a precious advantage into the second leg of their Championship playoff semi final against Fulham next week after Cameron Jerome's first half header proved decisive at Pride Park.

The Rams started well and deserved their first half lead, but were reminded of Fulham's threat after the break and while they kept them at bay, Gary Rowett's men will be well aware their work is only half done.

Here are four talking points from a pulsating match up on Friday evening.

Cameron Jerome's goal provides crucial advantage for Derby

This was the meeting of the playoff bridesmaids, neither Derby nor Fulham have good memories of this mini-tournament; the hosts have been promoted this way just once before, while the visitors came into the game having never won a game, let alone a tie or even gone all the way. Both were looking to take the game from the scruff of the neck, and while Fulham settled into a pattern by dominating possession and getting the ball into their danger men Ryan Sessegnon and Aleksandar Mitrovic, it soon became clear that the game was being played in the way Derby will have wanted. Left winger Sessegnon, the Championship Player of the Year, saw an early shot sail over Scott Carson's bar, while Floyd Ayite had a tame header saved. Mitrovic's impact soon began to wane, too, as he couldn't escape the grasp of Derby captain Curtis Davies, though he did force Carson into a good save on the turn moments after Fulham went behind.

Rowett got his tactics spot on; every time his side got an opportunity, they broke forward at pace, winning the ball higher up the pitch as the first half went on. He stuck with three at the back and that allowed them to marginalise Fulham's midfield threat, namely Tom Cairney, who found himself being bested by Tom Huddlestone. The Derby midfielder's impressive passing range proved pivotal just after the half hour mark when he found Craig Forsyth, whose perfectly weighted cross was powered home by Jerome at the far post for his fifth goal in four games.

Fulham soon stepped it up after the break; for all his frustration, Mitrovic linked the play excellently, and he almost set Kevin McDonald up for the equaliser, only for his strike to crash against the bar moments before Ayite hit over after breaking the offside trap. They simply didn't threaten Carson enough over the 90 minutes, though.

Fulham looked nervous with Sessegnon on the periphery

Sessegnon huffed and puffed but for all of his best efforts, he couldn't get into the game, especially after Jerome gave Derby the lead. The 17-year-old doesn't officially reach adulthood until next week, but by the amazingly high standards he has set himself this season, he was poor, failing to get close enough to Mitrovic and giving Andre Wisdom, the Derby right-back, a much easier night than he will have anticipated. The most amazing stat of the evening was that Sessegnon had the fewest touches of any outfield player in the first half; just 19. To his credit, he began to make more direct runs, turning Wisdom toward his own goal, as Fulham began to exert more pressure.

Slovisa Jokanovic, who led Watford to the Premier League in 2015, cannot have been happy with either of his wide players. He was visibly frustrated with Ayite, who replaced Lucas Piazon in the side, because he wasn't effective enough in possession. Matt Targett was overpowered in the build up to the goal, but he was impressive in attack, keeping the width as Fulham's territorial approach changed, but the majority of their play was coming through the middle and the likes of McDonald and Cairney, who had previously looked as if the game was passing him by.

Derby will need to see more from Matej Vydra at Craven Cottage

All the talk before the game, and as the second half developed, was about Fulham's potency in attack. Mitrovic scored 12 goals in just 17 regular Championship games, nine of which had come against top half teams, and they were a threat until the end having scored 49 goals in the second half of games this season, and a staggering 22 goals in the last 15 minutes. Derby had scoring options of their own, though; not only had Jerome found form at exactly the right time, Matej Vydra was the top scorer in the league with 21 goals. Rowett would have needed more from his main man, who was brought off midway through the second half and replaced by David Nugent.

Vydra ran the channels and put the work in, but he did not get a clear-cut chances to add to his tally for the campaign. Fulham's intensity, shape and ability in possession makes it easy to see why they are so effective late in games, and Derby's directness on the counter attack began to wither, resulting in Vydra's withdrawal. While they became only the second team after Southampton in the FA Cup to stop Fulham scoring in 2018, it will be even tougher to repeat the feat at Craven Cottage next week, so they will need Vydra to find his scoring boots again.

Fulham's dismal playoff record continues but the tie is far from over

It wasn't Mitrovic's night, or Sessegnon's, or Ayite's; Cairney struggled to influence proceedings too. Derby had much more playoff experience in their side, and perhaps it showed. Davies and Huddlestone were excellent in helping see the game through, but the home side only take a slight advantage into the second leg. Fulham, while still waiting for a first playoff win, will be confident they can turn it around and reach Wembley.

All that said, Rowett and Derby know what they need to do; the second half showed how Jokanovic will get his side to play, and a repeat performance could be enough to get the job done on Monday.



https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/4-things-we-learnt-as-derby-beat-fulham-1-0-to-take-narrow-lead-into-second-leg

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Second Leg Tickets

Be there as Fulham and Derby County meet in the Second Leg of our Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi-Final on Monday evening.

Show your support and get behind the Whites, with tickets for the fixture on Monday 14th May, 7:45pm, on sale now to Season Ticket Holders, Members and supporters with a Booking History.

Prices are £19 for adults, £9 for concessions and £5 for under 18s, with fans invited to donate £1 on every ticket to the Club's charitable arm, Fulham FC Foundation.

With the ability to purchase up to four tickets each, fans are advised that blocks P1-P4 in the Putney End are home areas, with the Mixed Area not available. Matchday Hospitality packages also remain available to purchase.

Tickets and Matchday Hospitality will be available to purchase online, by phone on 0203 871 0810 (opt. 2) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

Supporters are advised the Home Cup Tie scheme is not in operation for this match, and as such all fans must purchase a ticket. Fans will receive a paper ticket for this fixture.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/may/11/second-leg-tickets

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Jerome soars to give Derby slim play-off advantage

In-form Cameron Jerome gave Derby a priceless play-off advantage as they beat Fulham 1-0 in the race to reach the Premier League.

The striker scored his fifth goal in four games to claim a narrow victory for the Rams in Friday's Sky Bet Championship play-off first leg at Pride Park.

Fulham hit the bar through Kevin McDonald and dominated the second half but they must recover on Monday to avoid more play-off heartbreak.

They lost in the semi-finals to Reading last season and also missed out on automatic promotion to Cardiff on the final day this year.

Derby only booked their play-off spot last weekend - finishing 13 points behind Fulham - but will go to Craven Cottage ahead after an excellent defensive display.

Ryan Sessegnon and Floyd Ayite were off target for Fulham during an opening half an hour which was low on chances and quality.

The visitors, while they had the bulk of the possession, were sloppy on the ball and Derby's pressing failed to yield a break.

Aston Villa or Middlesbrough await the winner of the tie and neither side would have been particularly fearful.

But Pride Park exploded into life after 34 minutes when Jerome continued his hot streak to hand the Rams the lead.

A smart move eventually found Craig Forsyth on the left and his glorious deep cross was met by the on-rushing Jerome to power a header past Marcus Bettinelli at the far post.

The goal settled the hosts, despite Scott Carson being forced into saving Aleksandar Mitrovic's low drive.

Fulham have failed to win promotion in all three of their previous play-off appearances but nearly levelled nine minutes after the break.

The Cottagers needed to find an extra gear and almost grabbed it when McDonald smacked the crossbar from the edge of the area.

Ayite then volleyed over a minute later but the visitors refused to panic and continued their methodical passing approach.

But Curtis Davies and Andre Wisdom shackled Sessegnon and Mitrovic well, leaving Fulham to rely on efforts from distance.

Carson beat away Tom Cairney's drive after 63 minutes as the Cottagers' threat grew with Derby struggling to escape their half.

The Rams relied on brief breaks to alleviate the pressure but their compact defensive display frustrated Fulham.

Cairney curled wide with four minutes left and the Cottagers now need to break stubborn Derby down in London.



https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018/0511/962921-jerome-soars-to-give-derby-slim-play-off-advantage/

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Ryan Sessegnon struggles on the periphery as Fulham starlet kept locked down in play-off loss at Derby

The 17-year-old is one of European football's most in-demand youngsters but had little impact at Pride Park

Ryan Sessegnon has taken the Championship by storm this season.

The 17-year-old starlet has been one of the competition's standout stars, shining for Fulham and becoming an increasingly decisive presence for the Cottagers since moving to a role on the left side of their attack.

Handed more freedom to express himself by Slavisa Jovanovic, Sessegnon has bagged 15 goals and secured a host of accolades; he nabbed five awards at the EFL awards, including Championship Player of the Year, beating out Wolves' outstanding playmaker Ruben Neves.

Additionally, Sessegnon - an England Under-21 international - took his spot on the PFA shortlist for Young Player of the Year, as voted by his peers; it was the first time in the history of the award that a youngster outside the top flight had been shortlisted.

It is already a matter of time before he leaves Fulham to go onto better things. Tottenham Hotspur have been keeping tabs for some time, and interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and both Manchester clubs has grown.


A difficult night for Ryan Sessegnon (Image: REUTERS)

Moreover, in recent months, foreign scouts have been frequent visitors to west London; the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and RB Leipzig keen to cast their eye over the Roehampton youngster; Paris Saint-Germain also, eyeing a potential left-side linkup between Sessegnon and £200million superstar Neymar.

All will have been interested in his latest outing, arguably his biggest game in club football so far: the first leg of Fulham's play-off semi final against Derby County.

That pair, plus Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, seek to get through three more matches after a gruelling 46-match campaign, to claim a spot in next year's Premier League, and a £170million promotion jackpot.


Sessegnon couldn't add sharpness to Fulham's pretty passing (Image: Getty Images Europe)

As Fulham looked to mark down their defeat to Birmingham last weekend - the end of a 23 match unbeaten run - as little more than an aberration, they typically dominated possession in the East Midlands.

But Sessegnon, who has added a razor-shape edge to their passing game for much of the campaign, was largely anonymous against a resilient Rams defence.


Andre Wisdom did well against Sessegnon (Image: REUTERS)

The youngster got little change out of Andre Wisdom down the Fulham left, the ex-Liverpool defender's ability to match speed with speed and smart reading of the game blunting his ability to drop the shoulder and hit the byline.

Much of Sessegnon's success this term hasn't been in raiding to the byline however; rather, on numerous occasions, it has been his nous in central areas which has served him so well, finding space in and around the 18 yard box, getting on the end of things.

But Gary Rowett's Derby are well-drilled defensively, and bar one seventh minute effort - where a wayward right-footed effort fizzed wide after he'd drifted into an inside right channel - he barely had a look at the whites of Scott Carson's eyes.

Andre Wisdom did well against Sessegnon (Image: REUTERS)

The youngster got little change out of Andre Wisdom down the Fulham left, the ex-Liverpool defender's ability to match speed with speed and smart reading of the game blunting his ability to drop the shoulder and hit the byline.

Much of Sessegnon's success this term hasn't been in raiding to the byline however; rather, on numerous occasions, it has been his nous in central areas which has served him so well, finding space in and around the 18 yard box, getting on the end of things.

But Gary Rowett's Derby are well-drilled defensively, and bar one seventh minute effort - where a wayward right-footed effort fizzed wide after he'd drifted into an inside right channel - he barely had a look at the whites of Scott Carson's eyes.

He may be one of the best young stars in the European game, and the comparisons to Gareth Bale - certainly in the way he moves with the ball and the way he enjoys drifting in from the left side - aren't without their merits.

But this was a reminder that he is still young, and still has quite some way to go.

However, Derby know that if they aren't wary of the talent he possesses on Monday night, then he still has the power to swing this semi-final back in Fulham's favour.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/ryan-sessegnon-struggles-periphery-fulham-12521790

[WhiteJC]

A Rally Call
by Lydia on May 11, 2018

Play-off games and Fulham don't seem to mix very well, do they? It was frustrating tonight at Pride Park. Derby did not in any way out-play us, but they did what they needed to do in order to have a slender advantage ahead of the second leg tie at Craven Cottage in a few days' time. Once again Fulham dominated possession but only forced Derby keeper Scott Carson into a handful of saves while Kevin McDonald came the closest to scoring when his thunderous effort crashed off the cross bar.

I see a lot of negativity online, and to be frankly honest, it surprises me. This was not a repeat of last weekend's dreadful display at Birmingham. While the first half was was disappointing, it wasn't the horrendous performance that many would have you believe. It was a soft goal to concede as Matt Target, who rarely puts a foot wrong, was weak when Cameron Jerome was powerful. The second half, on the other hand, was attack v defence with Fulham throwing as much as possible forward. We were very unfortunate not to score, and I highly doubt that Derby will keep us out for another 90, especially not at Craven Cottage.

There are things that I am disappointed in, mainly when it comes to Tom Cairney. His light jogs backwards when he lost the ball is really my second of three criticisms of tonight, the first being how we conceded the goal as I have already covered. Cairney needs to find the intensity that has been an important part of our play for the past two seasons. He has the ability to be our heartbeat, but he has to want it.

My only other criticism is the short corners. Don't get me wrong, I can understand why we did that for some of them as we rarely score from corners so it perhaps seemed like a better way to get the ball into the box, but every time in the second half was a bit much. Derby have a lot of big, powerful defenders and midfielders, so perhaps Slav thought that they would win every ball in there straight from a corner, but when it wasn't working, I don't get why we kept going with it. Other than that, however, I am feeling positive. It's one-nil at half time, a score line that can be overturned.

I'm frustrated at the negativity going around though. In an incredible season, people have been gushing over Fulham yet two bad results and suddenly the bottom has fallen out of some people's world. The team has given us something special this year, so let's not destroy them when things aren't going our way.

This is a rally call. Think about what has gone on this season. Think about the times when we have played beautiful football and the times when we have had to dig deep to get results. Think of the last-minute goals of Norwood and Mitrovic, and the wonder tackles of Tim Ream to ensure we got over the line. Take all the emotion and put it into something positive and then get to the Cottage on Monday night and get the boys over the line.

Still one game from Wembley.

#COYW



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/05/a-rally-call/

[WhiteJC]

Jerome heads Derby in front
by Dan on May 11, 2018

If Fulham are to reached the promised land of the Premier League, they'll have to make history. The Whites have never won a play-off fixture and haven't been back to Wembley since the 1975 FA Cup final heartbreak at the hands of West Ham – and a frustrating evening at Pride Park suggested that Slavisa Jokanovic's side hadn't fully recovered from the shock of their 23 match unbeaten run ending at the same time as their automatic promotion hopes against Birmingham City last weekend.

Fulham began this tie against Gary Rowett's men as the bookmakers favourites to return to the top flight, despite their unenviable record in the play-offs. They were similarly fancied last season – and a bitty tie bore a certain resemblance to the night at the Madjeski Stadium last May when the Whites' hopes were extinguished by a workmanlike Reading side. Derby were well-drilled and efficient, becoming the first Championship side since Sunderland in December to stop Fulham from scoring, with Cameron Jerome's bullet first half header giving the Rams the slenderest of leads to take into the second leg at Craven Cottage on Monday.

Despite Jerome's header being Derby's single shot on target, they were good value for a victory that based around blunting Fulham's fluent football as well as Jokanovic's key performances. Curtis Davies was inspired at the heart of the home defence, chaperoning Aleksandar Mitrovic throughout, with Tom Huddlestone spraying the ball around superbly in midfield. The veteran's perceptive pass freed Craig Forsyth down the left and the defender's lofted cross was perfect for Jerome to attack at the far post, where Matt Targett stood little chance of competing. The striker, a rumoured summer transfer target for Jokanovic, headed emphatically past a beaten Marcus Bettinelli to score his fifth goal in four games since being brought back into the side by Rowett.

The goal sent the Pride Park faithful into overdrive and Jerome and the lively Tom Lawrence posed real problems for a strangely lethargic Fulham, who struggled for a foothold in the contest. With Mitrovic effectively marked out of most of the proceedings, the visitors lacked a focal point in attack. Ryan Sessegnon struggled to get on the ball, smashing two shots wide of goal off his weaker foot either side of half time, whilst the recalled Floyd Ayite flattered to deceive on the opposing flank.

Jokanovic's side gradually cranked up the pressure after the break. Kevin McDonald almost produced another peach of a long-range effort from nowhere, smacking a shot against the crossbar with Scott Carson well beaten after surging onto a clever Mitrovic lay-off. Ayite almost sneaked in after a flowing passing move and then spurned the best chance of the match, laid on by a superb searching ball from Stefan Johansen, when he spooned a shot over the bar with just the goalkeeper to beat. Cairney saw one effort from the edge of the box brilliantly beaten away by Carson and sent another curler agonisingly wide.

Derby almost stole a second on the break as the first leg reached a gripping denouement. Substitute Ikechi Anya stooped to connect with a Lawrence cross from the right at the near post but the ball eluded the Scottish international, whilst Denis Odoi found himself in the perfect position to head over his own crossbar with Lawrence and David Nugent well placed in the middle. Jokanovic threw on Neeskens Kebano and Lucas Piazon in search of an equaliser, but the Whites will have to break that seven-match play-off hoodoo on Monday if they are to make a return to the stadium Shahid Khan is close to purchasing.

DERBY COUNTY (3-4-2-1): Carson; Forsyth, Davies, Keogh; Huddlestone, Johnson, Wisdom, Weimann (Hanson 90); Lawrence, Vydra (Anya 68); Jerome (Nugent 68). Subs (not used): Roos, Pearce, Ledley, Palmer.

BOOKED: Weimann, Johnson.

GOAL: Jerome (34).

FULHAM (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, Targett, Odoi, Ream; McDonald, Johansen (Norwood 88), Cairney; Ayite (Piazon 76), R. Sessegnon (Kebano 76). Subs (not used): Button, Christie, Kalas, Kamara.

BOOKED: Johansen.

REFEREE: Roger East (Wiltshire).

ATTENDANCE: 27,163.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/05/jerome-heads-derby-in-front/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss positive despite first-leg defeat

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic remained positive after seeing his side lose 1-0 at Derby County in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final.

Having gone 23 games unbeaten and finished third, Fulham have now lost their last two games.

It was also the first time the Whites had failed to score since January.

But Jokanovic said: "It's not a bad result, it's not the result we deserve, but it's part of football.

"We dominated and they scored after one cross and Jerome scored a fantastic goal.

"We cannot be frustrated, we must be in some way confident having showed the quality and a great mentality.

"What we want to do is change the story and win the game on Monday."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/not-a-bad-result-fulham-boss-positive-despite-first-leg-defeat-at-derby

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Players Rated And Slated In Their Defeat Against Derby County: Ream Gets 8/10

Fulham, once a decent side in Premier League circuit, had years of despair when they were demoted to the Championship back in 2014. However, they emerged significantly under Slaviša Jokanović last season when a late resurgence earned them the final playoff spot but failed to return to the top tier.

They, however, improved furthermore this term and despite missing out on an automatic promotion spot narrowly, the Cottagers are upbeat and determined to make their Premier League dream a reality. They travelled to Pride Park tonight to encounter Derby County in the semifinal first leg tie and were expecting a tough challenge from the fellow promotion aspirants.

The game, as expected, offered a close contest but the hosts had the last laugh as Cameron Jerome's first-half header sealed the deal and earned a massive win prior to the return leg tie at Craven Cottage.

Below are the Fulham players rated in their disappointing defeat against Derby County.

Marcus Bettinelli: 6

Had a nervy outing with a few troublesome occasions but could have done little to deny Cameron Jerome's thumping header that earned Derby County the all-important goal of the game.

Ryan Fredericks: 6

His cross for Ayate was sublime, but the wingman failed to direct his header on target which could have earned the Cottagers an early lead. Kept on making overlap runs but should have done better defensively, particularly against Tom Lawrence who was a threat all throughout.

Denis Odoi: 7.5

Conceded a freekick needlessly in early minutes but his timely blocks, challenges, and interceptions refrained the visitors from conceding m0re at Pride Park.

Tim Ream: 8

Failed to contain in-form Jerome during his first-half goal but was solid otherwise as he made some vital tackles and interceptions to avoid further damage.

Matt Targett: 6.5

The Southampton loanee made some impressive forward runs, whipped in a few crosses but failed to find anyone inside the box on most occasions due to the Rams defensive composure.

Stefan Johansen: 6

Had a quiet first half but stepped up after the break and created a few chances from behind with his long balls and through passes. Was replaced by Oliver Norwood in closing minutes of the game.

Kevin McDonald: 6.5

Improved his game after the break and came within a whisker of the equalizer as his stunning strike from 25 yards out rattled the woodwork.

Tom Cairney: 7

Worked tirelessly in midfield, combined with fellow attackers, troubled the Rams with his dribbling and shooting traits but failed to break their defensive resilience.

Floyd Ayite: 5

Wasted a couple of glorious opportunities, particularly after the break when he skied his volley with only custodian Scott Carson to beat. His nightmarish evening came to an end when he was replaced by Lucas Piazon late in the game.

Ryan Sessegnon: 5.5

The highly-rated left-back has mostly been utilized on the wing and started the game brightly with an early opportunity. He, however, failed to cause enough menace otherwise and despite a few smart link-up movements, Sessegnon could not offer much in Fulham's attacking third and was replaced by Neeskens Kebano with 15 minutes remaining.

Aleksandar Mitrovic: 6

The in-form Newcastle United loanee was well-contained by Derby defence. Had some decent hold-up play early on and also saw his effort denied by Scott Carson in goal.
Substitutes

Neeskens Kebano: 5

Replaced Sessegnon but made no difference to the outcome despite some decent movements.

Lucas Piazon: 5

Was introduced in place of Ayite but failed to alter the fate of the game and made little impact in the final 20 minutes of the game.

Oliver Norwood: NA

Played too little to warrant a rating.



http://the4thofficial.net/2018/05/fulham-players-rated-slated-defeat-derby-county-ream-gets-810/