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Sunday Fulham Stuff (27/05/18)...

Started by WhiteJC, May 27, 2018, 06:36:48 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Everyone's making the same joke about John Terry and Chelsea after Fulham beat Aston Villa in the play-off final



There are few things in football that can unite fans as much as seeing John Terry sad.

Remember, this is the man who stepped up to take the winning penalty in the 2008 Champions League final – and missed; this is the man who arranged to be subbed off in the 26th minute and have everyone do a lap of honour for him in his final game for Chelsea.

Most recently, the Guardian are among sources who reported the former England captain wanted a clause to avoid playing his old side Chelsea in the Premier League were Aston Villa to win promotion this season.

Luckily for him, he need not worry about suffering such a heart-wrenching ordeal as Fulham beat Terry's Villa side 1-0 in today's Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Predictably, everyone is now making the precise same joke about it as the trolls pile on to the 37-year-old over his outlandish and overly sentimental request...




http://www.caughtoffside.com/2018/05/26/john-terry-trolled-over-chelsea-clause-as-aston-villa-lose-to-fulham/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham head back to Premier League after Cairney strike sinks wasteful Villa

LONDON: Fulham are back in the Premier League after a lone 20th-minute goal from match of the match and captain Tom Cairney defeated Aston Villa in the promotion play-off at Wembley.

Villa were left to rue missed opportunities as they prepare for a third consecutive season in England's second tier.

Scotland international Cairney gave Fulham the lead from the first real chance of the game, converting an assist from Ryan Sessegnon.

The latter went close to doubling the lead on the half-hour mark after Aboubakar Kamara's cross from the right deflected off John Terry but he headed straight at the Villa goalkeeper.

The second-half saw more urgency from Steve Bruce's Villa but Grealish missed two opportunities and they could not even take advantage agter Fulham's Denis Odoi was sent off for a second yellow card.

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http://keirradnedge.com/2018/05/26/fulham-head-back-to-premier-league-after-cairney-strike-sinks-villa/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 1 Aston Villa 0 - Wembley heartache for Steve Bruce and his team

Full time from Wembley after Aston Villa lose to Fulham

Aston Villa suffered Wembley heartache in the most crushing of circumstances as they were beaten by Fulham in the play-off final.

Tom Cairney - a man Steve Bruce once let go when he was manager of Hull City - scored the only goal of the game that proved to be the difference.

But the richest and most important game in world football had so much more.

A sending off for Denis Odoi, crunching challenges that could have warranted further dismissals. penalty appeals at either end, and an almight battle from start to finish.

This was a game both sides were desperate not to lose but after 90 minutes of gripping, fast-paced action it was Fulham who progressed to the Premier League with Villa left wondering what might have been.

What if Jack Grealish had scored one of his two wonderful opportunities?

What if Steve Bruce had set up more attack-minded in the first-half rather than trying to contain Fulham?

What if Robert Snodgrass has tested the goalkeeper with a free-kick in the last minute?

All ifs, buts and maybes now, of course, as the real question is how to Villa recover from this - a fourth successive final defeat at Wembley.

The FA Cup and League Cup no-shows were painful but this latest setback was the toughest to take and arguably the most damaging.

What happens to this group of players next season as Villa face another season in the Championship?

Loanees Robert Snodgrass, Lewis Grabban and Sam Johnstone will head back to their parents clubs and are unlikely to return.

John Terry's future is now uncertain, and both Grealish and James Chester will be the subject of increased interest from the top-flight.

There was a clear game-plan that Villa tried to stick to early on but it just didn't work.

Fulham dominated possession and quickly wore down the ageing claret and blue legs, taking the lead in the 23rd-minute.

Stefan Johansen fired a diagonal ball into Ryan Sessegnon and he skipped past Conor Hourihane's challenge.

The flying winger then ripped Villa's defence apart, slotting a pass in between Alan Hutton and John Terry for Cairney to run onto.

Fulham's top performer timed his run perfectly before opening up his body and sliding past Sam Johnstone.

It was a cruel blow that silenced those who had travelled down from Birmingham and there was to be no recovery,

Slavisa Jokanovic's talented side continued to dominate thereafter as Villa relied too heavily on Grealish to make an impact.

The Villa man carried the ball out of dangerous areas, won fouls all over the pitch, but just didn't have enough creative support around him.

By the midway point of the first-half he had been up-ended five times and Ryan Fredericks was seriously lucky to avoid a sending-off when he appeared to stamp on his shin close to the dugout.

Grealish rolled around in pain, Bruce and his assistants questioned the officials but no punishment was issued.

It was almost double-trouble soon after when Terry diverted a cross into Sessegnon's path at the back-post but the teenager headed straight into Johnstone's hands.

Villa's first sight at goal quickly followed.

A well-worked free-kick from Robert Snodgrasss found Grealish but his half-volley flew over the crossbar.

By half-time Villa were reeling.

They looked distinctly average against a fired-up Fulham side who stuck to their principles of playing attractive, attacking football.

Whether they had the guts and guile to grind out the victory was the only question, but a professional performance after the break proved they had.

Villa had chances to make a difference.

Adomah crossed for Grealish who looked certain to score but the ball cannoned off his shoulder rather than his head and then over the bar.

Then Villa's main man went on a weaving run but his close-range effort was deflected off Tim Ream allowing Marcus Bettinelli to save.

After Villa had a penalty appeal turned down, despite Odoi appearing to handle in the box, Grealish was lucky to stay on the pitch himself.

He crunched into Cairney - clearly frustrated from being kicked from pillar to post himself - creating a melee between both sets of players.

Referee Anthony Taylor decided that it was only a yellow card and Grealish survived,

Ironically it was a challenge on Grealish that then saw Odoi dismissed for a second yellow.

That was supposed to make life easier for Villa but they just couldn't make the man advantage count.

Josh Onomah, Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan were all introduced to spark further life into the trailing side but they couldn't turn things around.

Snodgrass had a free-kick late on that he sent wide and Hogan headed off-target, too.

Grealish also had another penalty appeal as he was bundled over but it was given.

When the final whistle was blown, the pain and realisation kicked in.

Grealish dropped to his knees, Terry looked to be holding back the tears and Bruce cut a lonely forlon figure on the sidelines.

Another year in the Championship now beckons.

TEAMS:

Villa (4-5-1) Johnstone, Elmohamady (Onomah, 77) Chester, Terry, Hutton, Snodgrass, Hourihane (Hogan, 82) Jedinak. Adomah, Grealish, Grabban (Kodjia, 77) Subs: Bunn, Bree, Whelan, Bjarnason.

Fulham (4-3-3-) - Bettinelli, Fredericks (Christie, 82) Ream, Odoi, Targett, McDonald, Cairney, Johansen, Kamara, Mitrovic, Sessegnon. Subs: Button, Fonte, Ayite, Piazon,

STAR MAN: Grealish



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-1-aston-villa-0-14711055


WhiteJC

 
Aston Villa 0-1 Fulham: Tom Cairney fires Cottagers into Premier League

Fulham are back in the Premier League after Tom Cairney's goal helped them see off Aston Villa 1-0 in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Cairney struck midway through the first half in a fierce-tempered occasion on Saturday, with the Cottagers having to see through the final 20 minutes with 10 men following Denis Odoi's dismissal.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side, who lost in the semi-finals last year, return to the top flight for the first time in four years, landing an estimated £170m windfall in the process, while Steve Bruce will have to wait for a record fifth promotion to the Premier League.

Team news

Fulham were unchanged from the second leg of their semi-final victory over Derby, while Aston Villa made just one change as Ahmed Elmohamady came back in at right-back for James Bree.

The pattern of the game was set from the off as Fulham dominated possession and Aston Villa sat deep to absorb pressure, but with just 23 minutes on the clock, the side in white managed to find their way through.

Ryan Sessegnon came in from the left flank and caused problems, slipping a fine ball between Alan Hutton and John Terry to find the run in behind of Cairney, who showed superb composure as he rolled the ball past Sam Johnstone.

Fulham had the lead but were maybe a little lucky not to be down to 10 men six minutes later. As Ryan Fredericks and Jack Grealish tussled for the ball, the Villa man went to ground and the Fulham defender appeared to stamp on his opponent. Nothing, however, was given by the referee.

Grealish came out of the incident unscathed and could easily have given Villa the equaliser with their biggest opening of the game shortly after the break. Albert Adomah cut inside and curled an inviting ball right into the heart of the Fulham area for his team-mate, but Grealish could not get a clean head on the ball under pressure from Marcus Bettinelli and his effort curled over the bar.
Player ratings

Aston Villa: Johnstone (6), Elmohamady (6), Chester (6), Terry (6), Hutton (5), Snodgrass (5), Hourihane (6), Jedinak (6), Adomah (5), Grealish (8), Grabban (5)

Subs: Hogan (n/a), Onamah (n/a), Kodjia (n/a)

Fulham: Bettinelli (7), Fredericks (7), Odoi (4), Ream (8), Targett (6), McDonald (7), Cairney (8), Johansen (7), Kamara (6), Sessegnon (7), Mitrovic (6)

Subs: Norwood (n/a), Kalas (n/a), Christie (n/a)

Man of the match: Tom Cairney

A red card seemed inevitable with so many rough challenges and it came with 20 minutes to go.

A rash high boot from Odoi, who scored the winner in the semi-final against Derby, caught Grealish - who could have been sent off earlier for a wild lunge on Cairney - leaving the referee no choice but to show him a second yellow card.

For Villa, 36 years to the day since their European Cup triumph, there would be no promotion to celebrate.

They will play in the Championship next season for the third-consecutive campaign.

Post-match stats


    Fulham have won promotion via the play-offs for the first time, in their fourth play-off campaign.

    Fulham have won a match at Wembley for the first time, losing on their only other visit there in the 1975 FA Cup final (0-2 v West Ham).

    Since 1988-89, the side finishing third in the second tier has gained promotion via the play-offs more times than any other position (11/30 - 37%).

    Fulham will play in the Premier League for the first time since their relegation in 2014 under Felix Magath.

    This was the sixth successive season in which at least one side failed to score in a Championship play-off final.

    Aston Villa have now lost five of their last six games at Wembley (W1), conceding 12 goals in the process.

Man of the match - Tom Cairney
It's an obvious thing to say but goals do win games and Cairney showed unbelievable composure with the way he took his in the first half. It was a match filled with incidents but in the end, the Scotsman's finish was the difference between promotion and devastation.

The managers
Steve Bruce: "We didn't do enough in the first half. We were too deep and too respectful and didn't do enough with or without the ball to create any real pressure on Fulham. Whether it was the occasion or the heat, who knows? But we just didn't do enough.

"But there were big decisions that went against us too. [Fredericks] for me should have had a red card early on, it was right in front of the referee and the fourth official. No one wants to see a spectacle ruined but when it's deliberate as that he deserves one."

Slavisa Jokanovic: "We showed with our style that we can be one of the best Championship teams. Then we were solid, organised and fighting altogether for the clean sheet in that last 20 minutes. The team stuck together and showed great fight.

"It's a really important victory for us and I think we deserve it after the last couple of years. It's not easy playing at Wembley with some many young players and under such pressure, especially when Villa had so much experience. But we showed the quality and desire to be successful."



http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-fulham/389284

WhiteJC

 
Aston Villa 0-1 Fulham: Cottagers promoted to the Premier League as Tom Cairney fires 10 men up

The Cottagers return to the top flight after a four year absence after beating the Villans at Wembley

Poor old Prince William – talk about always the best man but never the groom.

A week after his part in the supporting cast at Harry and Meg's wedding, the Duke of Cambridge watched his beloved Aston Villa pipped in the £170 million promotion shoot-out.

Skipper Tom Cairney's beautifully-executed goal fired 10-man Fulham back into the Premier League after a four-year absence.

As the most watchable team in the Championship for the last two years, and their mixture of silk and steel in the moment of truth, Slavisa Jokanovic's men deserved their keys to the treasure chest.

Jokanovic held his nerve spectacularly on the run-in to guide Watford through the loft hatch in 2015. Mysteriously, he was jilted by the Hornets, ostensibly over failure to agree terms to extend his short-term contract.


Tom Cairney of Fulham lifts the trophy (Image: Clive Mason)

(Image: AFP)

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

(Image: AFP)


Better late than never, Jokanovic will now get the chance to coach a team in the penthouse.

And on only their second appearance at Wembley, 15,279 days after their first – the 1975 FA Cup final defeat by West Ham – this time there was only joy instead of Alan Taylor awaiting them.

But for Villa, there was only heartbreak on the 36th anniversary of the club's finest hour - winning the European Cup.

Manager Steve Bruce, who somehow kept going through the unimaginable grief of losing both his parents in the space of three months, deserved a moment of solace through the pain.

But on the final whistle he stood alone in his technical area, barely able to comprehend the latest cruel hand fate had dealt him.


(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

(Image: Getty Images Europe)


All Villa's experience and streetwise know-how was not enough on the day, and former England captain John Terry's 34th appearance at Wembley for club and country will almost certainly be his swansong.

At the richest game in club football – financially, it knocks the Champions League final into a cocked hat - the first goal was always likely to be critical.

And after 22 minutes of tedious shadow boxing, with temperatures nudging 95 degrees on the pitch, Fulham's breakthrough was supplied by their two most valuable assets.

Ryan Sessegnon's deft turn and incisive pass cut Villa open through their inside left channel and Fulham skipper Cairney, whose run into the box had not been tracked, steered his left-foot shot calmly beyond Sam Johnstone.

The only Villa player to get a kick in the opening half-hour was England Under-21 international Jack Grealish. He was kicked off the park – and in one instance, Ryan Fredericks was lucky to stay on the pitch.


(Image: Getty Images Europe)

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)


Right in front of the dugouts, Fredericks appeared to be guilty of trampling without due care and attention at best, and a cynical stamp at worst, on Grealish. The Fulham defender was fortunate that referee Anthony Taylor neither saw any malice nor had the option of VAR interference.

Alan Hutton's robust challenge on Aboubakar Kamara was also best viewed with the curtains drawn and from behnd the sofa, but Villa struggled to get a foot in where it really mattered.

It took them 39 minutes to register a meaningful shot, although they were not far away from an equaliser when Grealish blazed over from a tight angle from a clever Robert Snodgrass free-kick.

Villa's best player should have done better with a close-range header, under pressure from Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli, five mintues after the restart.


(Image: Getty Images Europe)

(Image: Getty Images Europe)


And Grealish, embarking on a mazy solo run, was only denied one of the the great Wembley goals by Marcus Bettinelli's last-ditch intervention, although his enthusiasm ran away with him with a poor challenge on Cairney, which deserved at least Taylor's sanction of a yellow card.

Then Fulham were reduced to 10 men for the last 20 minutes, Denis Odoi taking the walk of shame for a reckless challenge on the irrepressible Grealish. If Odoi's first booking was harsh, he could have few complaints about the sequel.

With the egg timer down to the last few grains of sand, Grealish looked unlucky to be denied a penalty as he tumbled under Matt Targett's untidy escort.

But this was Fulham's day, and for Villa the financial pruning required for a third season below stairs could be painful.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-centre/aston-villa-fulham-playoff-result-12600235

WhiteJC

 
Newcastle United's Mitrovic leads Fulham back to the EPL

After going on loan from Newcastle United in January, Aleksandar Mitrovic has led Fulham to promotion.

Fulham FC defeated Aston Villa today to win the EFL Playoff final, returning them to the Premier League for the first time since 2013. Newcastle United's Aleksandar Mitrovic was a key player in this match and over the last few months to push the Cottagers back to the top flight of English soccer.

In the 1-0 Fulham victory over Aston Villa, Mitrovic started at striker and played the full match. He drew two fouls and fired three total shots. Tom Cairney, a former Newcastle United target, buried the lone goal.

Mitro, a massive fan favorite of Toon Army, scored 12 goals and tallied an assist for Fulham after going on loan in January. He was struggling for match time at Newcastle, thought to be because he didn't follow Rafa Benitez's instructions. Arriving back in the Championship, he helped put Fulham on his back and push them to the top of the table.

Since departing Tyneside, there has been speculation on his long-term future. He is a powerful, passionate player, but Rafa prefers a striker to follow his orders and do more than simply crash towards the goal. Fulham seems to be interested and Mitrovic doesn't appear opposed to extending his stay in London.

Newcastle United will need to find a club willing to pay his rumored price tag of 15 to 20 million. If Fulham or another side is comfortable with that price, I would be shocked if the Magpies didn't move him. They could also wait until after this summer's World Cup to see if his value rises. He is in the Serbian squad and scored six goals for them in qualifying. If he has a stellar showing on the global stage, his value could continue to climb.



https://newcastletoons.com/2018/05/26/newcastle-uniteds-mitrovic-leads-fulham-back-epl/


WhiteJC

 
Fulham returning to English Premier League after four years away

Fulham secured a return to the Premier League after four years away and a windfall of at least $300 million by beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the promotion playoff final on Saturday (Sunday NZT).

Tom Cairney netted probably the most lucrative goal he'll ever score by calmly sidefooting home a finish in the 23rd minute at Wembley Stadium, ensuring Fulham joined Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff in getting promoted from the League Championship.

Villa, seeking to get back in the top flight after a two-year absence, dominated the second half - and Fulham's players bid to defend their lead was made even harder when defender Denis Odoi was sent off in the 70th minute for a second yellow card.

They succeeded, and will play in the Premier League for the first time since relegation in 2014 ended 13 straight seasons in the world's wealthiest and most-watched division.

By winning the sport's richest single game, Fulham guaranteed future additional revenue of at least 160 million pounds ($308 million) from prize money and broadcast deals, according to the sports business group of accountancy firm Deloitte.

That figure could rise to in excess of 280 million pounds ($538 million) if the club from southwest London survives its first season back in the Premier League.

Fulham finished third in the regular season, making it the highest placed of the four teams that entered the playoffs. It is owned by Shahid Khan, who recently placed an offer to buy Wembley for about 600 million pounds ($1.15 billion).

Ryan Sessegnon set up the goal for Cairney with a pinpoint through-ball, continuing his influential role for Fulham this season and especially in the playoffs. The 19-year-old left-sided player is widely regarded as one of the most talented youngsters in the English game and he will be able to test himself on the country's highest stage next season.

- AP



http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/football/104244774/

WhiteJC


Aston Villa miss out on promotion, fall 1-0 to Fulham in play-off final

The Claret and Blues came up short Saturday at Wembley Stadium, falling 1-0 to Fulham and failing to return to the Premier League.

Aston Villa will play at least one more season in the Championship.

One defensive lapse at the back in the first half was the key moment, as Alan Hutton got caught for Ryan Sessegnon to play Tom Cairney through, giving Fulham the only goal in a 1-0 decision at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Villa were admittedly second-best in the first half, but they weren't out of it at the break — while Fulham had much of the ball, they only created one or two clear-cut chances, and entered half-time with the lead after a good, but not overwhelming display. The Claret and Blues sat back and absorbed pressure, a decision that Steve Bruce will now likely be criticized for by Villa supporters.

A first-half flash point came after Fulham's goal, when Ryan Fredricks stamped on Jack Grealish right in front of the fourth official, but got away with it. Instead of being reduced to 10 men, the Cottagers were able to continue on.

Villa came out of the second half with guns blazing and finally got their attack going throughout the last 45 minutes of the match. The best chance probably came around the hour mark, when Grealish dribbled past three defenders but hit his shot straight at Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli, who really wasn't tested much all match.

In truth, Grealish could've been sent off a few minutes later for a rash challenge he received a yellow for, but referee Anthony Taylor finally sent a player off around 70 minutes, when Dennis Odoi was shown red for a second yellow-card offense. Villa had no fewer than four half-penalty shouts denied by the referee over the course of the 90 minutes, but none were overwhelmingly convincing.

Steve Bruce threw on attacking power in the final 20 minutes, chasing the match with Jonathan Kodjia, Josh Onomah and Scott Hogan coming on for Ahmed Elmohamady, Mile Jedinak and Conor Hourihane, respectively, but the Claret and Blues couldn't find a breakthrough and the goal to force extra time.

On the balance of the season, Fulham have been rewarded. The Cottagers were clearly one of the three best teams in this division and their league position next season will dictate that. Villa were, as difficult as it is to swallow, a clear fourth-best this season.

We now enter the offseason, and this one could be the most important in the club's history. Tony Xia's gamble on achieving promotion by the end of this season didn't come off, and the club could be in serious trouble with Financial Fair Play regulations next campaign. It's almost certain that Lewis Grabban, Robert Snodgrass, John Terry and Sam Johnstone have all appeared in a Villa shirt for the final time, and Alan Hutton's contract is also up this summer. Combine that with likely Premier League interest surrounding Jack Grealish and the need to generate profit this summer to avoid FFP penalties, and the Villa team that takes the pitch next in August will look very different from the one that was out at Wembley today.



https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2018/5/26/17398522/championship-play-off-final-fulham-1-villa-0

WhiteJC

 
Fulham secure the richest prize in world football as they beat Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final
Aston Villa 0 Fulham 1





Fulham stormed back into the Premier League, as Tom Cairney's Wembley winner shattered Aston Villa hearts in a nail-biting Championship play-off final.

Slavica Jokanovic's Fulham secured the £200m windfall up for grabs in the richest game in world football, as they rocked Villa on to the back foot with a fine first half display and then clung on to secure a famous victory.

Amid several second half flash points, Denis Odoi was shown a red card for Fulham after a reckless challenge on Villa's Jack Grealish, but the man advantage was not enough to give Steve Bruce's side a route back into the game.

Redundancies for key staff and cost cutting are now likely to be on the agenda at Villa after their Wembley failure, while Fulham can fund the rebuilding of their Craven Cottage home with the cash that will roll in from their Premier League elevation.

Those stark facts highlight just how important this game was for both sides, with the agony etched onto the faces of Villa players as they failed to hide their agony at the final whistle a painful end to what has been a tough season for Bruce, who has mourned the death of both of his parents in the last few months.

There was to be no fairy tale ending for Villa and they only had themselves to blame after a poor first half showing handed Fulham all the incentive they needed to push for the win.

John Terry (below) has been the king pin of the Villa defence over the course of this season, but he veteran centre-back was exposed as the highly-rated Ryan Sessegnon picked out a perfect pass to send Cairney in on goal after 23 minutes.

He has time to think about the gravity of his moment to shine on the Wembley stage, but held his nerve to slide the ball past Villa keeper Sam Johnstone to give this Play-Off final its opening goal.

In what was Fulham's first Wembley appearance in 43 years, supporters of the London club duly toasted the goal as if it was a game clincher, yet Villa have warning that they would not surrender without a fight as they battled back in the final 10 minutes of the first half.

While a Villa side that featured the silky talents of Ireland midfielder Conor Hourihane and the impish skills of Jack Grealish, who famously turned down the chance to play for Ireland, failed to catch fire amid a deflated first half display, they had a chance to draw level five minutes before the break.

Grealish found space in the box as he was picked up by a cleverly worked Robert Snodgrass free-kick, with the youngster fluffing his lines on the big Wembley stage as he blasted the ball over the bar from the angle.

Fulham were fortunate to reach half-time with all eleven players still on the field after Ryan Fredericks stamped on Grealish in full view of the match officials, yet Villa's grievances over that decision were tempered by the lack of quality they had served up in the first half.

Lacking a focal point in their team with Ireland striker Scott Hogan left on the bench, Villa's attempts to grind out a win against a more energetic and youthful Fulham side had come up horribly in what was a limp first half display from Steve Bruce's side.

Grealish had another chance to draw his side level as he challenged Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli to a 50th minutes cross, as Villa started the second half with more intensity and intent than they showed before the break.

There was no doubting who Villa's dangerman was and Grealish showed his class again with a brilliant mazy run on the hour mark that ended with a fine save from Bettinelli.

Tempers frayed as Grealish ploughed into Cairney with a feisty challenge that could have resulted in a red card for the young playmaker, yet it was Fulham who went down to ten men when Odoi was shown a second yellow card for a wild challenge on Grealish.

Ten-man Fulham had a great chance second the decisive second goal when Aleksandar Mitrovic blasted over the bar with the goal at his mercy after 74 minutes, with the tension in this game reaching boiling point as the game entered its final quarter.

The prize at stake in this game was worth so much more than just promotion to the Premier League, with the cash windfall that it brings with it meaning so much to the future of both clubs.

"After we missed out on promotion last season, a lot of people wrote us off. We got a lot of stick. But football won today," declared match winner Cairney.

"I've been playing the whole season not fully fit. My knee still hurts not, but my manager said he needed me so I just played. I'll need the summer to rest and get fit."

As ever, the ramification from the Championship play-off final will rumble on for many years to come and for Fulham, the glory is all theirs.



https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fulham-secure-the-richest-prize-in-world-football-as-they-beat-aston-villa-in-the-championship-playoff-final-36949391.html


WhiteJC

 
Hammers miss out on £13m pay day

West Ham missed out on a £1m promotion bonus as Fulham beat Aston Villa in the Championship Final, the result means Villa are less likely to fork the £12m valuation the Hammers previously put on their player.

Villa lost 1-0 at Wembley today despite Hammer Robert Snodgrass playing for the full 90 minutes. Snodgrass is now expected to report for pre-season training at West Ham following the end of his season-long loan with the Midlands club who failed at the last hurdle.

Manuel Pellegrini will have a look at Scottish winger before making a final decision whether he will remain in the squad, be sold or be shipped out on loan again.

The win for Fulham also makes unlikely that previous Hammers targets Ryan Fredericks, Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic will be available now. Each were scouted when David Moyes was in charge.

The good news is we see the return of a much loved London Derby including an awayday to Craven Cottage by the river.



http://www.claretandhugh.info/hammers-miss-out-on-13m-pay-day/

WhiteJC

 
Cairney carries Fulham to Premier League

Agony for Aston Villa as they miss out in Wembley showdown.



Fulham are back in the big time after winning a thrilling Sky Bet Championship play-off final against Aston Villa, with Tom Cairney ending their four-year Premier League absence in a pulsating encounter.

Saturday may be the day of the Champions League final but the financial implications of the second-tier showpiece – worth at least £160million of additional revenue to the victor – dwarfs the Kiev showpiece.

Fulham were favourites with the bookmakers – and perhaps the neutrals – on their first trip to Wembley since 1975, and emerged 1-0 winners against Steve Bruce's Aston Villa after clinging onto Cairney's first-half strike.


Fulham's Tom Cairney celebrates promotion (Barrington Coombs/EMPICS).

Denis Odoi's sending off 20 minutes from time led to a jittery end for Slavisa Jokanovic's Whites, but they dug deep to secure the biggest financial prize in world football on a day to cherish.

The decisive blow came midway through the first half as Fulham offered a glimpse of the football that has earned so many plaudits this term, with 18-year-old Ryan Sessegnon superbly threading through Cairney to fire home.

Villa looked ripe for the taking as skipper John Terry struggled but Bruce, a man who knows a thing or two about promotion, got them firing in the second half.

Jack Grealish was a constant thorn in the side and saw a mazy run ended by a fine stop, before being taken down by a clumsy Odoi challenge that led to a second yellow card and an anxious conclusion.

Yet Fulham showed grit to match their skill to win and leave Villa, on the 36th anniversary of their European Cup triumph, facing another season in the Championship – and the financial ramifications that brings.

The Cottagers, by contrast, could earn £280million in extra revenue if they survive next season in the top flight after winning at the ground owner Shahid Khan hopes to buy.

Villa fan Prince William was among the 85,243 in attendance on a baking Wembley day, where intensity from the stands translated onto the pitch.

Villa worked hard during the opening stages as Robert Snodgrass found Albert Adomah and Conor Hourihane saw a half-hearted penalty appeal ignored.

But Fulham managed to contain Villa and burst into life two minutes after Aboubakar Kamara's deft touch and looped effort went over the bar.


Ryan Sessegnon played his part for Fulham (Barrington Coombs/EMPICS).

Teen sensation Sessegnon showed awareness and a maturity that belied his years to thread through Cairney, whose low first-time finish beat Sam Johnstone.

Kamara and Sessegnon had attempts either side of a break in play after Ryan Fredericks trod on Grealish, whose quick feet lead to a booking for Odoi as half-time approached.

The boyhood Villa fan fired over when the resulting free-kick when it was quickly taken.

Sessegnon headed over before the break as Villa's defence struggled, but Bruce's men started the second half on the front foot as Hourihane charge down a Fredericks clearance to get the claret and blue hordes on their feet.

Grealish raced to head just over with the goal gaping before Hourihane's cross-shot threatened, but Fulham were looking dangerous on the break and Aleksandar Mitrovic nodded wide.

Grealish looked Villa's biggest threat and came close to drawing his side level in the 60th minute, jinking inside and out on a run before Marcus Bettinelli denied the attacking midfielder.

The 22-year-old and the Villa fans were incandescent when handball appeals against Odoi were ignored – anger that bubbled over as he launched into an overzealous challenge on Cairney that led to a booking and on-field commotion.

Kevin McDonald and Kamara had penalty appeals overlooked either side of Stefan Johansen flashing over 20 minutes from time.

Odoi missed the ball and instead wiped out Grealish, collecting a second booking to leave Fulham a man light.

Mitrovic saw a close-range effort blocked as tensions mounted, with substitute Oliver Norwood flying into a superb challenge to deny Hourihane.

Fulham were running out of energy as the clock wound down, with Snodgrass and Scott Hogan having attempts before a late Grealish penalty claim and the welcome sound of the full-time whistle.



http://sport.bt.com/football/cairney-carries-fulham-to-premier-league-S11364274471689

WhiteJC

 
Fulham promoted after 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in Championship Playoff final

Ten-man Fulham were able to hold onto a 1-0 win thanks to a Tom Cairney strike in the first half.



Reuters/CARL RECINE

The Premier League awaits Fulham for the first time since the 2013-14 season as they beat Aston Villa in a heated encounter at Wembley.

Villa were left to rue some missed chances, with Jack Grealish particularly guilty.

Fulham executed a perfect tactical plan in the first half as they nullified Villa and dominated possession. Ryan Sessegnon threaded the needle superbly for Tom Cairney to score the only goal of the game on 23 minutes.

However, Steve Bruce sent his team out with renewed vigour in the second half and they dominated proceedings from there.

Denis Odoi was then sent off for a second yellow on 70 minutes after he fouled Grealish – but the London side could hold on for a crucial victory.

First half key


Reuters/CARL RECINE

Often in these high-pressure games, the winner can be determined from who starts the brightest.

In this game, Jokanovic was able to get his tactics spot on as his possession game suffocated Bruce's boys in the first half.

Mitrovic lead the line superbly while Cairney, Johansen, and Sessegnon continued to torment the Villa defence.

For Villa, these early struggles left them without any momentum and they struggled to create any real opportunities during the first period.

Missed chances for Villa

While the first half belonged to Fulham, the second most certainly was dominated by the Villains.

Bruce must have put a rocket up his team as their intensity rose considerably and their creativity increased tenfold.

Grealish perhaps had the best opportunities but he could not get past Bertinelli in the Fulham goal.

The red-card for Fulham left them with a lot to do and a Villa onslaught seemed inevitable, but to the credit of the Cottagers, they rarely looked troubled during the final 20 minutes of the game.

Fulham edged the game in most areas, with more shots, shots on target, corners, and possession. For Villa, this will feel like a missed opportunity.

What they said

Tom Cairney
"A lot of people gave us a bit of stick but football won today, football won. It's been a hard season for me, I've been playing all season not fully fit. I've had to miss a lot of training sessions to get through games, the manager said he needed me so I've played."

Ryan Sessegnon
"It's been a fantastic season and to top it off for promotion, there's nothing better than that."

Aleksandar Mitrovic
"Unbelievable, a dream come true. We have brought this club back to where it should be and we're very proud. I'm so tired right now, like never in my life, I swear. I can't feel my legs."



https://realsport101.com/news/sports/football/fulham-promoted-after-1-0-victory-over-aston-villa-in-championship-playoff-final/


WhiteJC

 
Tom Cairney The Hero As Fulham Are Promoted Back To The Premier League



Fulham were promoted to the Premier League after a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Wembley.

Tom Cairney scored the only goal of the game in the first half, slotting the ball into the far corner after a terrific assist from Ryan Sessegnon. Slavisa Jokanovic's men had Denis Odoi sent off in the 70th minute, but they held on to secure a return to the top flight after a four-year absence.

The pattern of the match was set early on, with Fulham looking to get on the ball and dominate possession while Villa focused on keeping a compact defensive shape. Kevin McDonald dropped between centre-halves Tim Ream and Odoi to allow Fulham's full-backs to push forward, and Cairney and Stefan Johansen created clever angles for passes into midfield.

Villa struggled to mount any meaningful attacks before the opener, with Albert Adomah – usually their chief counter-attacking outlet – forced to spend most of his time tracking the surging runs of Fulham right-back Ryan Fredericks. Jack Grealish showcased his ball-carrying ability by drawing fouls from a host of opponents, but Villa were overly reliant on the 22-year-old and lone striker Lewis Grabban was left isolated at the top of the pitch.

Fulham, conversely, were fluid and fluent, knocking the ball around confidently and regaining it quickly when possession was ceded. They had their reward midway through the opening period when Sessegnon drifted infield and slid a tremendous pass through to Cairney, who coolly side-footed the ball past Sam Johnstone to give the Cottagers the lead. Alan Hutton was caught too high and John Terry was guilty of ball-watching, but the teenage Sessegnon showed brilliant composure and awareness to pick out his captain.

Steve Bruce's side improved in the final 15 minutes of the first half, albeit without creating many clear-cut chances. Their best opportunity came when Grealish fired the ball over the bar after being picked out by Robert Snodgrass' chipped free-kick, but that was one of only two shots Villa registered before the interval.

They made a brighter start to the second period, showing far greater intent both in and out of possession. Robert Snodgrass headed a difficult chance over and Grealish, under pressure from Marcus Bettinelli, did the same after a dangerous run in behind the Fulham backline. The Cottagers struggled to deal with several crosses into the box, with the lively Adomah becoming increasingly involved on the left flank.

Jokanovic's men decided to take a leaf out of their opponents' book soon after, Aleksandar Mitrovic escaping the attention of John Terry and flashing a header wide from the centre of the box. That was a let-off for Villa, who again pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Grealish fed Grabban but the striker took too long to sort his feet out and could not get a clean shot away, before Grealish tested Bettinelli after a superb run through the middle of the pitch.

Villa, roared on by their supporters behind the goal they were attacking, continued to pile on the pressure, but Fulham were able to take some of the sting of proceedings when Grealish was booked for a reckless tackle on Cairney. Johansen should have done better after being found by Sessegnon, before a powerful run from Kamara brought about hopeful appeals for a Fulham penalty.

Referee Anthony Taylor was right not to take any action – Hutton did not touch the Frenchman – and he made another correct decision seconds later when Odoi was shown a second yellow card for a wild foul on Grealish.

Despite their numerical disadvantage the next opportunity fell Fulham's way, Mitrovic lashing a shot over from Fredericks' driven cross. The classy Cairney was at the heart of the Londoners' efforts to keep possession whenever possible, but they gradually sunk deeper as the clock ticked closer to 90.

Substitute Jonathan Kodjia put himself about at the other end but Villa struggled to turn possession into open-play chances, with one of their better opportunities coming when Snodgrass curled a free-kick wide of the post. Scott Hogan failed to get a meaningful connection on Adomah's cross before Grealish went down in the box under pressure from Ream, but Fulham held on to earn themselves a place in next season's Premier League.



https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/tom-cairney-the-hero-as-fulham-are-promoted-back-to-the-premier-league

WhiteJC

 
Ryan Sessegnon proves he can handle the pressure after making his mark at Wembley with assist that has taken Fulham to the Premier League

    Ryan Sessegnon delivered on the biggest stage as Fulham won at Wembley
    He showed he could live with the pressure after assisting Fulham's winning goal
    At just 18 he's had a prolific year and attracted the interest of many big clubs

He washed his own kit in one charming moment and in the short space of another he took Aston Villa to the cleaners. For good measure, he might just have smeared a handful of mud into Tottenham's transfer plans as well.

A time will inevitably come when Ryan Sessegnon cannot keep up with the escalating expectations thrown his way, but for now it truly is a case of so far, so, so good.

Not that this was his best game. Far from it. It wasn't Sheffield United away and a Tuesday night hat-trick. And it wasn't Derby at home in the play-off semi-final second leg, when he scored one and made another to set up this £170million game of snakes and ladders.


Ryan Sessegnon stepped up to deliver a game-winning, promotion-clinching assist for Fulham

In fact there was only one moment that gave validation to the ranting and raving. But it was the strength of the moment and the scale of the match, given he made the gut-punching contribution of the richest game in football.

Big game player? It was a big game and he was the player who set up its single defining act when he made the goal for Tom Cairney 23 minutes in.

The context was there, so now consider the content. Stefan Johansen got the move going with what was a lashed pass across the field from just inside Villa's half. It came at a horrible height and a horrible pace – not a great pass, all told.

But Sessegnon met it coming the other way, cutting in from the left flank and taking a touch to control. He evaded a wild lunge at speed from Conor Hourihane, caught sight of Tom Cairney on the right and pulled off a quite exceptional delivery.


Sessegnon did not have his best game but a moment of brilliance put in Tom Cairney to score


The 18-year-old was involved in all three goals that Fulham scored in their three play-off games


Sessegnon placed it right to find the space between John Terry and Alan Hutton; he paced it even better to meet the run of Cairney. An excellent finish, for sure, but one that was only possible because of the brilliance of the assist. Touch, awareness, execution, speed of foot, speed of thought – a lovely little package wrapped into one flurry.

With it, the statistics and the hype can just keep ticking. Of Fulham's three goals in the play-offs, Sessegnon was involved in all three. That's a nice look.

But crunching the numbers into such a small scale undersells him – 16 league goals this season. Eight assists. So, he has been immense, good with the data and a flying colours pass on the eye test - a scorer from wide positions, a regular provider, a frequent wrecking ball with his speed, a wonderful attacker. At barely 18, he has so much to offer beyond the obvious.

Take the fifth minute as an example. He tracked back and played a fine tackle on Robert Snodgrass. Later in the match he switched from the left flank to the right and then back again – a tactical weapon.


He has demonstrated he can live with the pressure and promotion could help Fulham keep him


Tottenham had shown interest but promotion means he will likely stay at Fulham next year


Of course, in these moments it is possible to eulogise too much. The whole tale told on Tuesday by the club's CEO, Alistair Mackintosh, is a case in point.

If anyone hasn't heard it by now, it goes along the lines that Sessegnon had a doping test after a night game and by the time he was done everyone had left, including the kit man. Sessegnon took his kit home, washed it and ironed it before returning it.

Nice, obviously. Over-played in its use as an antidote to football's rotten culture of greed and self-interest? That too.

But he is a fine player, a very fine player, and one born two years after John Terry made his debut. With any luck, he will keep getting better for a while yet.

Tottenham already want him and they would have had him quite easily had this game gone south. For 170 million reasons, and a few more besides, Fulham can be glad it did not.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5775147/Sessegnon-proves-handle-pressure-assist-takes-Fulham-Premier-League.html#ixzz5GgYZ8vRf
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WhiteJC

 
Fulham back in Premier League with playoff win over Villa

LONDON (Reuters) - Fulham returned to the Premier League after a four-year absence as Tom Cairney scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in the Championship playoff final at Wembley on Saturday, the richest game in world football.

Cairney's first-half goal was decisive as Fulham, owned by U.S. billionaire Shahid Khan, held on to their narrow lead despite having defender Denis Odoi sent off after 70 minutes as tempers began to fray on a sultry afternoon.

The win secures the west London club a windfall of at least 160 million pounds ($212.91 million) as they look forward to joining Championship title winners Wolverhampton Wanderers and second-placed Cardiff City in the top flight next season.

Fulham, who failed to claim automatic promotion when losing to Birmingham City on the final day of the regular season as they finished third in the table, celebrated with their joyous fans as they sealed a lucrative place among the elite.

"After we missed out on promotion (in the playoffs) last season, a lot of people wrote us off. We got a lot of stick. But football won today. Football was the winner," Cairney said.

With the stakes so high it was no surprise that the match was a frenetic affair in the opening stages.

Fulham, whose style of play under Serbian manager Slavisa Jokanovic earned plaudits this season, were the first to settle and scored from the game's first piece of quality football.

Teenager Ryan Sessegnon received the ball midway inside Villa's half, evaded a tackle, and turned to play a through ball that Cairney calmly slotted past keeper Sam Johnstone.

VILLA RESPOND

Villa, led by former England and Chelsea defender John Terry, were dreadful in the first half but they revived after the break.

Jack Grealish suddenly got involved in the game and he forced a save from goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli after a superb slaloming dribble through the Fulham defence.

Villa also had a penalty appeal turned down but Grealish was lucky to escape a red card with a reckless tackle on Cairney.

Odoi's clumsy attempt to win the ball off Grealish earned him a second yellow card and left Fulham to survive the last 20 minutes and five minutes of stoppage time with 10 men.

Villa threw everything forward in the nail-biting closing stages but Fulham held on without too many alarms.

Defeat ended Villa manager Steve Bruce's hopes of a record fifth promotion to England's top flight.

According to the Deloitte Sports Business Group, the playoff winners are guaranteed 160 million pounds, potentially rising to 280 million if they avoid relegation next season.

Fulham will earn 95 million pounds next term, as part of the Premier League's huge broadcasting rights deal, and up to 75 million pounds in parachute payments in 2019-20 and 2020-21 should they fail to stay up.



https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-england-ful-ava/fulham-back-in-premier-league-with-playoff-win-over-villa-idUKKCN1IR0NM?rpc=401&;


WhiteJC

 
Southampton: Targett and Fulham gain Premier League promotion

Matt Targett and Fulham triumphed in Saturday's Championship play-off final at Wembley with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

The Left-Back – on loan at Craven Cottage from Southampton since January – played his part in the game over the 90 minutes and the Cottagers would run out deserving winners overall.

Tom Cairney's goal after 23 minutes was enough to see Fulham win despite a late red card for defender Denis Odoi, and they will join Wolves and Cardiff as opponents for Southampton in the Premier League next season.

This game was in fact his second appearance at the national stadium this campaign after featuring for the Saints in their 5-2 defeat to Spurs back in December.

He has enjoyed a successful season in London and will surely be interested in a permanent move away from St Mary's after experiencing his first sustained burst of first-team football.

The £160m in extra revenue that promotion provides Fulham will give them the opportunity to strengthen their squad over the summer transfer window, and could see them make an offer for Targett after his highly successful spell.

He is a player of Premier League quality after some impressive showings for Saints, and he often grabbed any opportunities that came his way with both hands.

However, he is second-choice behind England international Ryan Bertrand and may feel that he needs to move to further his career. After representing his country at u21s level, Targett could even push himself into the reckoning for the senior team with regular Premier League game-time.

He could even be joined by fellow academy graduates Harrison Reed and Sam McQueen in leaving St Mary's before the start of 2018/19.

It is also possible that Ryan Bertrand may move on from Southampton this window, so Targett may be recalled and take up a bigger role ahead of next season.



https://saintsmarching.com/2018/05/26/southampton-targett-fulham-gain-premier-league-promotion/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham must look beyond Premier League survival as bright new era beckons for Slavisa Jokanoic's men

After a four-year exile Fulham are back in the Premier League. What comes next should hold no fear for them.

Under Slavisa Jokanovic the Cottagers have been perhaps the best footballing side in the division at their peak, which they hit so often during the stunning 23-game unbeaten run that took them from mid-table to the cusp of the playoffs.

Had it not been for the hangover from last season's defeat to Reading in the play-off semi-finals, which dogged Jokanovic's men for most of the autumn months, they probably would not have needed to go about their promotion push the hard way.

This victory at least gave Fulham fans a day out at Wembley, something they had been waiting 45 years for. Some might be happy to wait another half-a-lifetime to avoid the nerves that came with Villa's second half assault.


Style and substance: Jokanovic's men clinched Premier League promotion playing brilliant football (REUTERS)

Defeat was a doomsday scenario for Fulham. Had Villa beaten them to promotion the Cottagers would have found themselves carrion for Premier League vultures.

Tom Cairney, courted by West Ham and Newcastle, had acknowledged as much in two separate interviews with Standard Sport during the season. Before the trip to Birmingham on the final day of the regular season, when Fulham blew their chance at automatic promotion, the captain said: "It is now or never because we've got some good players and a few teams might be after them in the summer.

"To keep this team together, we need to do it [get promoted] now. I just think we are attracting a lot of attention and so are our players."

That much has been achieved, and it is highly likely that the core of this team will take the field in the Premier League in August. Ryan Fredericks will need to put pen to paper on an extension and the Cottagers will need to hold firm in the face of what could be silly money from European suitors for Ryan Sessegnon. But the club have always been confident that if they go up they will take this squad with them.

Similarly it seems likely that key loanees Matt Targett and Aleksandar Mitrovic, unwanted by Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez and available at £20million despite his exploits since January, will be retained.

The question then becomes how these players cope with the Premier League. For proof that Jokanovic's men ought to have no difficulty with the step up to the top flight you need look no further than Cairney's brilliant opener.


Patient build-up: Cairney's opener was straight out of the top drawer (AFP/Getty Images)

Fulham patiently moved the Villa defence to where they wanted them before the ball was flashed forward swiftly into Sessegnon's feet. The moment the 18-year-old turned Cairney made his move, slipping behind Alan Hutton to collect a perfectly-placed through ball.

A composed finish from the Cottagers' skipper put the finishing touch on a superb goal, but the sort of strike Fulham have scored on numerous occasions throughout the second half of this season. This was no moment of inspiration - just a side playing at their level.

That Hutton and John Terry, both of whom have more Premier League games to their name that the entirety of this Fulham team combined, should offer an indication as to the quality that cut through the Villa backline. It was the sort of move that would be too much for many a top flight side.

There is certainly room for improvement in this Fulham side. Jokanovic never quite found the third man to play alongside Sessegnon and Mitrovic: Aboubakar Kamara adds an element of chaos and his lung-busting run with 20 minutes to go nearly won a penalty but Fredericks came under a torrent of pressure without a right winger ahead of him who would offer him any protection.

Denis Odoi's red card could have earned himself an infamous place in Fulham history had Villa taken their chances and it was not the first time in recent weeks that the 29-year-old, who in mitigation was pressed into an unfamiliar centre-back role midway through the campaign, has looked the player most likely to cost his side.

With at least £160million filling their coffers next season there should be. There is no need for an overhaul to make this side Premier League-worthy.

If Fulham want to look for a marker as to what they can achieve in the top flight they would do worse than to note what was achieved by Swansea on their arrival in the Premier League, or indeed what Bournemouth's proactive brand of football has brought them in recent years.

Those sides firmly debunked the idea that keeping it tight at the back is the best way to survive after promotion and you cannot imagine a manager like Jokanovic abandoning his principles, not with a cadre of exceptional talent at his disposal.

They may not have got to display all that against Villa, who were admirable in defeat and have a Premier League talent of their own in Jack Grealish, but Saturday was about getting the job done. That they did, and they can look forward to a bright new era knowing they could make a real impression on English football in the coming months.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-must-look-beyond-premier-league-survival-as-bright-new-era-beckons-for-slavisa-jokanoics-men-a3849081.html

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 'deserved' promotion to the Premier League says Slavisa Jokanovic

Fulham beat Aston Villa 1-0 in the final, just a year after losing in the semi-final

Slavisa Jokanovic said that his Fulham team "deserved" to be promoted into the Premier League after completing their impressive season with a complete performance at Wembley in today's play-off final.

Fulham beat Aston Villa 1-0 in the final, having lost the semi-final last year, and Jokanovic spoke with a powerful sense of vindication following all his hard since leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv to join Fulham two and a half years ago.

Fulham played good football in the first half before defending well in the second half, but Jokanovic said promotion was about more than just today, it was about years of hard work and good performance.

"We didn't just suffer in the second half, it's about the last three years," Jokanovic said. "It's not easy coming to this place, trying to play with the style we have followed for the last few years. But we have shown with this style we are one of the best Championship teams. And, at the end, we can be solid, organised, and fight together for a clean sheet."

Fulham's style and inexperience were doubted but Jokanovic delighted in proving the doubters wrong here today now that his team have been promoted. "This was really important for us, we deserved it," he said. "This team has shown many important things. It's not easy to play at Wembley, under much pressure, with many young players, some 18 year olds, but we showed personality and a desire to be successful."

There have been some tough moments over the years but all that hard work paid off today.

"I must be satisfied, this is our project, Fulham is my club, my staff, and it's our way of trying to get promoted. In the first year it was about not getting relegated, in the second year we built the team, we didn't get the opportunity to play here at Wembley, but this year we improved a bit more and it was important ot come back from the start of the season, which we didn't start well. We had a great January transfer window, we brought in two or three really important players."

okanovic also thanked American owner Shahid Khan for his leadership over the last few years. "Mr Khan is a great owner, a great man and a brilliant mind," he said ."He has many important businesses, I don't need to teach him anything, he is clever enough, as he has shown 100 times in his life."



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/championship-playoff-final-fulham-premier-league-epl-efl-slavisa-jokanovic-a8370981.html


WhiteJC

 
Fulham must show Premier League ambition, says Slavisa Jokanovic

Slavisa Jokanovic has called on Fulham to show ambition as they prepare for a return to the Premier League.

Tom Cairney's goal was enough to help them see off Aston Villa in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final on Saturday at Wembley, meaning Fulham will return to the top flight for the first time in four years.

"I know what is ahead of us," Jokanovic said following his team's triumph. "The Premier League is the best and most competitive league in the world and we must be clever and show the ambition of the Premier League team.

"I'm personally very satisfied because this Fulham was the project of my club and staff. The first year we were fighting not to be relegated and in the second year we started to build the team. We were unlucky last season not to have the opportunity [to play at Wembley].

"This season we didn't start well then we had a great January where we brought in three really important players who gave us an important push.

"[Aleksandar] Mitrovic made an important impact but [Matt] Targett has too. He gave us the opportunity to push Ryan Sessegnon further forward and now he's our top scorer."

Fulham dominated the first half at Wembley but had to see out the final stages with 10 men of a feisty encounter after Denis Odoi picked up a second yellow card.

Jokanovic was proud of the resolve his side showed to hold off Villa's onslaught.

"We showed with our style that we can be one of the best Championship teams," he said. "Then we were solid, organised and fighting altogether for the clean sheet in that last 20 minutes. The team stuck together and showed great fight.

"It's a really important victory for us and I think we deserve it after the last couple of years. It's not easy playing at Wembley with some many young players and under such pressure, especially when Villa had so much experience. But we showed the quality and desire to be successful."

Jokanovic also singled out match-winner Cairney after his goal fired Fulham to promotion. The club captain has had opportunities to leave the Cottagers but could now play for them in the Premier League next season.

"The last two years he has been fantastic," said Jokanovic. "He was crucial today and is the captain of the team. He showed the quality and personality to help bring the team into the Premier League. He's important for us and he will be there."



http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11386506/fulham-must-show-premier-league-ambition-says-slavisa-jokanovic

WhiteJC

 
This time there's no taking it away from Slavisa Jokanovic, he's going to be a Premier League manager

The Serb won his second promotion to the Premier League, and this time he's staying put

This time, Slavisa Jokanovic will get his chance.

Promotion with Watford was sweet but his departure before getting to take charge of a Premier League game was bitter. This time, however, Jokanovic won't be clearing out the office of a top-flight manager during the warm summer days, instead he'll be preparing for life in the dugout of the world's richest football league.

Fulham's promotion owes so much to many factors but Jokanovic's influence has been enormous. He picked up a club threatened with relegation to the third tier, struggling with the hangover of having dropped out of the top flight and – to use the Serb's own words – a little depressed.

This time, Slavisa Jokanovic will get his chance.

Promotion with Watford was sweet but his departure before getting to take charge of a Premier League game was bitter. This time, however, Jokanovic won't be clearing out the office of a top-flight manager during the warm summer days, instead he'll be preparing for life in the dugout of the world's richest football league.

Fulham's promotion owes so much to many factors but Jokanovic's influence has been enormous. He picked up a club threatened with relegation to the third tier, struggling with the hangover of having dropped out of the top flight and – to use the Serb's own words – a little depressed.

On the day, the fan favourite flew around the field from centre-forward playing the only way he knows – harrying, chasing, haranguing – as Fulham outplayed Aston Villa and closed out the game even with ten men.

At Wembley, in playoff finals, the season that has gone before means nothing. Unless, that is, you are a team like Fulham. The Cottagers played the best football all year and it was clear in their performance against Villa just how settled they were, how comfortable in possession and how dangerous on the ball.

Steve Bruce probably had the stronger XI but Jokanovic had the better team, coached into a superior unit and boasting a couple of outrageously talented individuals. Ryan Sessegnon's pass and Tom Cairney's subsequent finish crystallised that element of Fulham. But genius doesn't flourish without structure to put it in a position to succeed. Jokanovic has done an outstanding job for Fulham and his reward won't be stolen away from him this time.

It's been a long time coming, but he is a Premier League manager at last.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-slavisa-jokanovic-championship-playoff-final-promotion-aston-villa-a8370926.html