Sunday Fulham Stuff (13/01/19)...

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Burnley 2-1 Fulham

Fulham defender Joe Bryan diverted Burnley's equaliser past Sergio Rico with an outstretched left leg

Sean Dyche conceded good fortune was on Burnley's side after two Fulham own goals in three minutes saw the Clarets claim victory at Turf Moor, without registering a single shot on target.

"We have had a bit of luck today with the own goals but we haven't had much this season," admitted manager Dyche.

A stunning Andre Schurrle volley had seen the visitors take the lead after two minutes before defenders Joe Bryan and Denis Odoi both diverted the ball into their own net.

Jeff Hendrick was the provider for both goals, with the Republic of Ireland international's drilled cross cannoning in off Bryan's left leg for the equaliser.

And a clipped cross into the Fulham box from the left, saw Odoi head past Sergio Rico.

It is the first time since August 2003 that a team has scored two goals in the Premier League without a shot on target and Burnley have also become the fifth team to win a match in the competition without registering a single shot on target after Crystal Palace, Watford, Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

Cottagers boss Claudio Ranieri introduced Luciano Vietto off the bench in the second half, and the striker came closest to finding the equaliser with two good chances.

He was denied first by James Tarkowski on the line before Clarets captain Tom Heaton produced a fine save.

A third consecutive league win sees Burnley move up to 15th in the table, while a tenth defeat on the road means Fulham remain in 19th.

Burnley recover after early setback

Victory for Sean Dyche's men saw Burnley become the first side since Crystal Palace beat Watford in March 2017, to claim three Premier League points without a shot on target.

However, Schurrle's sensational strike saw them make the worst possible start as they struggled to find any rhythm for the opening 15 minutes.

Hendrick, who was one of four players to retain his place in the starting line-up from last weekend's FA Cup victory over Barnsley, was Burnley's biggest threat.

As the home side began to impose themselves on the game, the midfielder had three shots - albeit all off target.

And when the equaliser eventually came, it was Hendrick who reacted quickest at the back post to collect a Dwight McNeil cross and his low centre ricocheted in off the helpless Bryan.

And the winner came after Hendrick switched sides and lifted a ball into the Fulham box from the left, and Odoi was equally as helpless as he nodded the ball into his own net.

In dreadful conditions, with rain and wind swirling round Turf Moor, Burnley also had the game's best defender with Tarkowski making six clearances, the most in the game, in front of the watching England manager Gareth Southgate, and perhaps his best moment came when he kept out Vietto's fierce effort on his own goalline with Heaton beaten.

Fulham's defensive frailties exposed

While the scoreline was harsh on Fulham, who created the better chances and saw more of the ball, particularly in the second half when they had 71% of the possession, Ranieri will be most concerned with his side's defending.

The Cottagers play with three centre-halves and two wing-backs, but the five-man defence lost possession 94 times between them at Turf Moor.

Having taken the lead, Fulham defenders were caught dawdling on the ball twice, as Maxime Le Marchand and Tim Ream both conceded possession in dangerous areas as Burnley were gaining a foothold in the game.

The Clarets let both opportunities slip from their grasp but the warning signs were there for the visitors.

Two own goals in quick succession showed signs of inexperience and uncertainty at the heart of the worst defence in the Premier League - the Cottagers have conceded 49 goals - and Ranieri may look to shore up his back line in this transfer window with a relegation battle looming.

Man of the match - Dwight McNeil (Burnley)

'Football is fantastic' - what they said

Burnley manager Sean Dyche told Match of the Day: "I am very pleased, a lot of hard work has gone into that from the players. Not just physically.

"Some of our performances have been OK but details kill you at this level. Big moments make a difference, as we saw today. James Tarkowski makes a brilliant block on the line and today it stayed out.

"A lot has been asked of us this season, we have come out of a real sticky first half of the season.

"We are not interested in selling any of our players. I believe in all of them."

Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri on Sky Sports: "Football is fantastic. We deserved more but that's football.

"They had three chances and scored two own goals. We are alive, we never give up and we continue to fight.

"I am satisfied with our performance. We knew it would be a battle, they won so they are right and we are wrong."

Fulham's away woes continue - the stats

    Burnley have collected nine points from their last three Premier League games (P3 W3 D0 L0), one more than they managed from their previous 13 matches in the competition (P13 W2 D2 L9).
    Fulham's 14 points after their opening 22 matches is their lowest tally at this stage of a season in the club's history (converting three points for a win).
    Fulham are the first side to score at least two own goals in the first half of a Premier League match since Everton did so against Southampton back in April 2014.
    Fulham, who are yet to win away (P12 W0 D2 L10), are the first side in the Premier League to fail to win any of their opening 12 opening matches on the road in the competition since both Leicester (13) and Burnley (17) during the 2016-17 campaign.
    Andre Schurrle's opener against Burnley (01:49) is the quickest goal by a Fulham player in the Premier League since Clint Dempsey scored against Norwich City back in March 2012 (01:46).

What's next?

Burnley travel to Watford on Saturday, 19 January (15:00 GMT), while Fulham host Tottenham in a London derby on Sunday, 20 January (16:00).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46766857

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Manager Reaction

Claudio Ranieri believes Fulham deserved more from their trip to Turf Moor, and insisted his side will keep fighting for their Premier League survival.

The Whites had the better of the play and chances, but zero luck as two quickfire own goals earned Burnley a come from behind win after André Schürrle had emphatically smashed his team in front.

Asked if he thought Fulham should have taken at least a point from the match, Ranieri replied: "Good question.

"We scored very, very early, a great goal. And suddenly, they scored twice with two own goals. This period is very strange.

"We played well, we deserved minimum a draw. But that's football. I'm satisfied with the performance, not the result.

"Second half we played much better. We moved the ball quickly, found good solutions on the flanks for crosses, but we shot at goal only twice or three times, and one time they saved on the line.

"I think that episode changed the music."

When it was put to him that his side were beaten by a Burnley outfit that failed to muster a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes, Ranieri said: "I know but what can we do? They shoot at goal. They didn't find the goal but touched my players, and that's it.

"There are good moments and bad moments. For us this is a bad moment but we never give up. We continue to believe that in the end we will be safe."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/january/12/manager-reaction

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"I heard he's not happy" – Manager speaks about desire to sign Fulham player

Besiktas manager Senol Gunes has spoken to the media at his team's winter training camp in Antalya.

Gunes has given his thoughts about former Besiktas goalkeeper Fabri following claims the Istanbul club are interested in signing the Fulham outcast.

Speaking to the Turkish media as covered by Fotomac the Besiktas coach said: "I heard he's not happy in England. He has a good character. I was upset when he left the club, but I will be very happy if he returns to the club. This is up to our president, he will decide what to do."

Last week there were claims the Super Lig side had reached an agreement with the Fulham goalkeeper, but they needed to convince the Premier League side over the length of the loan deal.

Besiktas reportedly wanted to take him for 18 months whilst the West London club are only prepared to loan him for 6 months.

However, the Turkish club's pursuit of Fabri was this week put in doubt when the club's vice president confirmed their interest in the Spaniard but explained a deal would be difficult due to the foreign quotas in Turkey.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/manager-says-wants-reunion-fulham-player-says-hes-not-happy-craven-cottage/

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Burnley 2-1 Fulham: Own goals from Joe Bryan and Denis Odoi leave Cottagers in deep trouble after Andre Schurrle scored early stunner at Turf Moor

    Burnley beat Premier League relegation rivals Fulham on Saturday to go seven points above their opponents
    Fulham were ahead inside the opening two minutes thanks to a stunning goal from midfielder Andre Schurrle
    Own goals from Joe Bryan and Denis Odoi turned the game in Burnley's favour before half time at Turf Moor
    Hosts Burnley did not have a single shot on target against Fulham, who are now five points from safety

Claudio Ranieri issued instructions that no-one seemed to hear as the rain hammered in from the Pennines and plastered his face. It felt like a signature afternoon. A very real sense is emerging that Fulham, with Huddersfield, are now fighting a cause which is beyond them.

It says everything for the state Ranieiri's side are in that they managed to concede twice without their opponents landing a single shot on target in the game: the first time that has happened in the Premier League in the 15 years since such records have been kept.

The two own-goals in three minutes which swung it lent an air of black comedy to the plight, though few were laughing. It was a bleak afternoon, written through with mistakes from both sides. Fulham's just happened to have graver consequences. Their defence is the weakest in the division and the own goals revealed why: desperate, uncoordinated attempts to shut the door on opponents offered time and space to shoot.

Joe Bryan was the first unfortunate - still recovering from a scruffy attempt to thwart James Tarkowski which Sean Dyche said should have been a penalty, when he stuck out a leg and diverted in Jeff Hendrick's unchallenged shot from the right.

Then, more of the same from Denis Odoi. The enterprising Hendrick and Ashley Barnes had exchanged passes down the left when Barnes sent in the shot which the Belgian defender conspired to convert with a glancing header.

It was 'unbelievable', according to Ranieiri, who has won two out of ten since he was brought in to rescue Fulham. Yet luck did not really come into it. Random catastrophes occur when opponents are given such free rein to overrun a midfield as Burnley were in the first half. The Ivorian Jean Michael Seri fought his corner for Fulham in his combative way, though there was little evidence in Ranieri's ranks that the team had a containment strategy in them.

Burnley remained creditably unflustered in the aftermath of Schurrle's strike. 'We stayed calm and grew into the game,' reflected Dyche. They also ncountered a Fulham rear-guard so depleted of confidence that the mere process of playing out from it was fraught with danger in the 18 minutes they held the lead. Maxime le Marchand and Tim Ream were both caught in possession, though Chris Wood could not capitalise. Fulham didn't seem to believe that a first win on opposition soil since last April was within them.

In the torrid past five months, Fulham have wrung every ounce out of Ryan Sessegnon, their crown jewel, who has played at left-back, left-wing, right-wing and striker. It's been a lot to ask of an 18-year-old in his first year in the top flight. He struggled to make an impression on the left of a three-man front line and did not reappear after the break.

'He wasn't tired,' Ranieri said. 'I changed to find the solution with one striker and a winger. He is a good boy but the battle [needs] experience.'

Ranieri did manage to inject some life into his side, whose second-half showing was far better than the first. They shipped the ball faster and used the full space of the pitch. The Argentine Luciano Vietto appeared in Sessegnon's place and posed a threat. A Vietto half-volley which Tarkowski cleared from the line was a hugely significant moment.

'This episode changed the music,' lamented Ranieri. 'It was a fantastic block which is another step towards what we are good at,' Dyche said of Tarkowski's intervention.


Schurrle controlled a long ball with his first touch before sending a fine volley towards the Burnley goal at Turf Moor


Fulham No 14 Schurrle watched on as his spectacular effort whistled towards the top corner of the Burnley net on Saturday


Schurrle was congratulated by Fulham team-mates Ryan Sessegnon and Aleksandar Mitrovic after opening the scoring

Calum Chambers had also sent a bullet header against the crossbar, though it was all to no avail. Burnley, who have been imbued with more of their old do-or-die mentality in the course of three consecutive Premier League wins, managed the game out. They applied themselves to the small details. 'All the bits which at the start of the season we weren't getting right,' as Dyche put it.

Their bright spot was 19-year-old left winger Dwight McNeil, who provided more evidence of his physical strength and sweet left foot before the on-looking England under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd. 'He is learning, improving, a very good young player,' said Dyche.

The Burnley contingent taunted the visitors with a song about relegation as the minutes ticked down. 'What we can do?' reflected Ranieri, manager of the only side in both the Premier League and Football League yet to win away this season. 'We never give up, we continue to believe that at the end we will be safe.'


The game was played in very wet conditions in Lancashire where the rain fell heavily over Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6584803/Burnley-2-1-Fulham-goals-leave-Cottagers-deep-trouble.html

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Burnley 2 Fulham 1: Bryan and Odoi own goals sink Ranieri's men

Joe Bryan and Denis Odoi were the unfortunate men to put through their own net as Fulham fell to a 2-1 Premier League defeat at Burnley.

Burnley benefitted from two own goals in quick succession to seal a vital 2-1 victory over fellow Premier League strugglers Fulham at Turf Moor on Saturday.

For the second time in as many league outings, the Clarets fought back from behind against a relegation rival to earn all three points, having done so at Huddersfield Town 10 days previously.

Andre Schurrle's sensational volley stunned the home crowd inside two minutes but the game was turned on its head midway through the first half as Sean Dyche's men enjoyed two large slices of fortune, in a contest in which they failed to register a single shot on target.

Jeff Hendrick was involved in both goals, seeing his blasted effort deflect in off Joe Bryan and three minutes later it was his chipped cross which Denis Odoi nodded beyond Sergio Rico.

The second period failed to deliver the same entertainment but Burnley's fourth straight win across all competitions lifts them to 15th, three points clear of the drop zone, while Claudio Ranieri's side are second-bottom and five points from safety.

Fulham had failed to score in six of their last nine Premier League away games but they were ahead after 109 seconds here thanks to a moment of supreme quality.

Odoi lofted a ball down the right channel, where Schurrle produced a sublime first touch before volleying it over Tom Heaton and in off the crossbar.

Burnley mustered an impressive response, however, Chris Wood heading against the post before the unwitting Bryan and Odoi each put through their own net within the space of three minutes.

The drama continued apace, Calum Chambers crashing a header against the bar in the 26th minute before James Tarkowski pulled off an excellent goal-line clearance to deny Luciano Vietto early in the second period.

The half-time substitute saw a fierce drive parried by Heaton with 15 minutes remaining but despite fierce late pressure, Fulham could not force a precious leveller as the hosts held on grimly.

What does it mean? Fulham's away-day woes continue

The Cottagers are the only team in the division yet to win on their travels. Ranieri must turn those fortunes around if they are to avoid dropping straight back to the Championship.

Hendrick stakes his claim

The Irishman has been in and out of Dyche's XI, and likely would not have started had either Robbie Brady or Johann Gudmundsson been available. But he played a key part in both goals and was a real force driving at Fulham's backline from central positions, particularly in the first half.

Bryan and Odoi sum up Fulham's plight

The two defenders could do little about the own goals, but Ranieri's men never looked stable at the back and their 49 goals conceded is the highest in the league - six more than second-worst Burnley.

What's next?

Burnley will hope to continue their winning run at Watford next Saturday, while Fulham face a London derby with high-flying Tottenham at Craven Cottage a day later.



Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/burnley-2-fulham-1-bryan-and-odoi-own-goals-sink-ranieris-men#OLjHM3P3h51eHXVb.99

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Burnley fight back to beat Fulham without a shot on target

When your luck's out, it's out. Relegation-haunted Fulham must have thought they were in with a chance when they got off to a dream start at Turf Moor with a sensational goal after two minutes, only for two own goals in quick succession to put Burnley in control before Claudio Ranieri even had a chance to speak to his players about protecting their lead.

Burnley were therefore able to climb the table without finding the net or even having a shot on target, though that does not necessarily mean Fulham were victims of any cruel misfortune. Sean Dyche's team reacted positively to going behind at such an early stage and spent most of the first half pressuring the Fulham goal. It was only the identity of the scorers that was harsh on a side looking for their first away win of the season.

A home player might have claimed a goal when Chris Wood beat Sergio Rico to a Phil Bardsley cross but slapped his header against an upright. Fulham were not clearing their lines particularly well and, when Dwight McNeil's cross from the left ran through to Jeff Hendrick on the right, the midfielder's driven ball across goal was diverted over the line by Joe Bryan's knee.

That only encouraged Burnley to keep going forward and, though the second own goal had some comedy value when Denis Odoi seemed to appear from nowhere to head Hendrick's cross past a startled Rico, it was the home side's passing and movement that led to Hendrick finding space in the area after starting the move 30 yards out.

"You need a bit of luck now and again," Dyche said. "I was really pleased with the calmness we showed after going a goal down, we've won our last two games by coming from behind and that feels like a big step forward."

Burnley were well on top at that point and Fulham were looking at familiar failings, which had not been the case in the second minute when André Schürrle opened the scoring with a goal of the highest class. There appeared no particular danger when Odoi launched a long ball into the Burnley box from 10 yards behind the halfway line but Schürrle's immaculate first touch created the scoring opportunity and left Ben Mee a mere spectator. Extending his right leg to cushion the ball as it fell from the sky, Schürrle had it under control in an instant, letting it bounce once before whacking a dipping shot over and beyond Tom Heaton.

It was quite a start, though one the travelling supporters at the cricket ground end probably suspected might not last. At least Fulham revived somewhat in the second half, enjoying more of the game and almost finding an equaliser when James Tarkowski had to clear Luciano Vietto's shot off the line.

Tom Cairney made a difference when he came on and Burnley had to put in their share of last-ditch defending, with Heaton producing a diving save to keep out a Vietto effort from the edge of the area.

At times Fulham overstretched themselves, sending too many men forward and inviting their opponents to strike on the counter, though Burnley are too one-paced to be effective on the break.

What they are good at once again, after appearing to lose the habit in the first half of the season, is dogged defending. Mee and Tarkowski safely saw out the game, earning Burnley a third successive league win and leaving Fulham to ponder what might have been.

"It's football, what can you do?" Ranieri said. "I was quite pleased with the performance but not the result. We deserved a draw but ended up with two own goals and a shot cleared off the line. It was very strange."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jan/12/burnley-fulham-premier-league-match-report

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Burnley 2-1 Fulham: Joe Bryan, Denis Odoi own goals cancel out Andre Schurrle stunner
Report and highlights as Andre Schurrle's goal of the season contender is overshadowed by two own goals

Two quick-fire own goals saw Burnley narrowly beat Fulham 2-1 as Sean Dyche's side registered their third Premier League win in a row.

Andre Schurrle broke the deadlock after two minutes with a brilliant half-volley, but Burnley levelled through a Joe Bryan own goal which deflected off his left leg (20).

Two minutes later and Fulham fired into their own net again as Denis Odoi headed past his team-mate Sergio Rico with what proved to be the decisive goal, despite Fulham's efforts to rally back in the second half of a game where Burnley failed to register a shot on target.

Burnley's third successive Premier League win means they move further away from the relegation zone into 15th. Fulham, meanwhile, are five points off safety in 19th as the pressure continues to mount on Claudio Ranieri.

Player ratings

Burnley: Heaton (6), Bardsley (6), Mee (6), Tarkowski (7), Taylor (6), Hendrick (8), Westwood (6), Cork (6), McNeil (7), Barnes (7), Wood (7)

Subs: Vokes (N/A)

Fulham: Rico (6), Christie (6), Odoi (6), Ream (6), Bryan (6), Le Marchand (5), Seri (5), Chambers (6), R Sessegnon (5), Schurrle (6), Mitrovic (5)

Subs: Vietto (7), Cairney (7), Kebano (6)

Man of the match: Jeff Hendrick

Fulham got off to a fast start with Schurrle putting the visitors in front after two minutes with a goal of the season contender. He took down Odoi's pinpoint long ball in the penalty box before smashing his brilliant dipping half-volley past Tom Heaton in off the crossbar.

hris Wood threatened an equaliser when his header came off the bar in the 18th minute, and Sean Dyche's side did go on to level moments later. A driven cross from Jeff Hendrick ricocheted off Ryan Sessegnon before deflecting off the unfortunate Bryan into the net.

And it got even worse for Fulham when Odoi nodded in another Hendrick cross in the 23rd minute. Ranieri's men almost instantly responded with two good chances as Calum Chambers directed a bullet header off the woodwork before Sessegnon nodded his free effort narrowly over.

Team news

Johann Gudmundsson was not in the squad and was replaced by Jeff Hendrick in the starting XI.

Calum Chambers and Jean-Michael Seri came in for Tom Cairney and Ibrahima Cisse.

Luciano Vietto was introduced for Sessegnon at half-time and he so nearly had Fulham level. His low shot got the better of Heaton but it was spectacularly cleared off the line by James Tarkowski.

In a less eventful second half at a wet and windy Turf Moor, Fulham came closest to equalising with twenty minutes left. A dangerous ball into the box from Vietto took a wicked deflection off Charlie Taylor, who nearly turned the ball in, but it drifted narrowly wide of Rico's right post.

Fulham continued to put the pressure on with Vietto driving a vicious strike on goal in the 75th minute, but the shot was well parried by Heaton as the hosts held on for a valuable victory.

Opta stats

    Burnley have collected nine points from their last three Premier League games (P3 W3 D0 L0), one more than they managed from their previous 13 matches in the competition (P13 W2 D2 L9).

    Fulham's 14 points after their opening 22 matches is their lowest-ever tally at this stage of a season in the club's history (converting three points/win).
    Burnley have become the first Premier League side to score at least two goals in a match without having a single shot on target since the start of the 2003/04 campaign.
    Fulham are the first side to score at least two own-goals in the first half of a Premier League match since Everton did so against Southampton back in April 2014.
    Fulham, who are yet to win away (P12 W0 D2 L10), are the first side in the Premier League to fail to win any of their opening 12 opening matches on the road in the competition since both Leicester (13) and Burnley (17) during the 2016-17 campaign.
    Since August 2003, Burnley have become just the fifth team in the Premier League to win a match in the competition without registering a single shot on target after Crystal Palace, Watford, Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
    André Schürrle's opener against Burnley (01:49) is the quickest goal by a Fulham player in the Premier League since Clint Dempsey scored netted against Norwich City back in March 2012 (01:46).

The managers

Sean Dyche: "It was really tough conditions today for both teams. We both tried to handle it. I thought the game was probably summed up from our point of view with a fine bit of defending from James Tarkowski.

"He put in a fantastic block on the line and it reminds ourselves of some of the good qualities we have. I mean that sincerely.

"It's not just about the players and the ability but it's about the detail and I thought that was a tremendous bit of defending. That's worth a goal for me and in the end that wins us the match."

Claudio Ranieri: "It's unbelievable - football is fantastic. I think we deserved more than the draw but as for the football we scored early and played well.

"They had three chances and scored two own goals. It's unbelievable. We can draw the match in the first half but we hit the crossbar.

"In the second half they save on the line. It's a bad moment but we are alive. We never give up. We continue to fight."

Man of the Match - Jeff Hendrick

Hendrick put in a composed performance on the right flank of Burnley's midfield and was responsible for causing both of Fulham's own goals.

On both occasions, he was the player responsible for breaking open the Fulham defence and played in two dangerous crosses which Bryan and Odoi found themselves turning into their own net.

What's next?

Burnley travel to Hertfordshire to take on Watford on January 19. Fulham, meanwhile, host London rivals Tottenham on Super Sunday.



https://www.skysports.com/football/burnley-vs-fulham/report/390968

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Burnley vs Fulham: Houdini Clarets come back against Cottagers without having a single shot on target

Burnley 2-1 Fulham: Two own-goals from Fulham cancelled out Andre Schurrle's second minute strike

Burnley profited from two Fulham own-goals in quick succession as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Turf Moor, despite not registering a shot on target.

Andre Schurrle's wonderful early strike was cancelled out in the 20th minute when Jeff Hendrick's effort went in off Joe Bryan.

And three minutes later it was Denis Odoi who inadvertently beating Sergio Rico, heading in after Hendrick crossed.

Calum Chambers headed against the Burnley bar soon after and Fulham substitute Luciano Vietto was denied after the break by James Tarkowski and Tom Heaton - two players hoping to impress England boss Gareth Southgate, who was watching from the stands.

But Burnley held on to record their third consecutive Premier League victory, further easing their relegation fears, while second-bottom Fulham, who have won only one of their last nine league games, are now five points from safety.

In wet and windy conditions, the Clarets were left stunned in the second minute as Schurrle fired Fulham into the lead.

Odoi lofted a long pass towards the hosts' box and Schurrle brought the ball down expertly with one touch of his right foot before cracking a superb shot past Heaton with another.

Burnley looked rattled at first as they tried to hit back but soon started to find some rhythm and Chris Wood went close to equalising in the 18th minute when he headed against the outside of a post from a Phil Bardsley cross.

Soon after they were level as the ball went from Dwight McNeil to Hendrick, the Republic of Ireland international struck and his effort was diverted in by Bryan.

And moments later Fulham were cursing their luck again after Hendrick's cross was headed into his own net by Odoi.

The action then quickly switched to the other end, where Chambers headed against the crossbar and Ryan Sessegnon nodded over.

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri brought Vietto on for Sessegnon at the interval and the substitute almost got on the scoresheet six minutes into the second half, his shot kept out by a great goal-line block from Tarkowski.

Wood then sent a strike off-target before Vietto saw his drive parried by Heaton in the 75th minute.

Cyrus Christie also brought a save out of Heaton in the final 10 minutes and Chambers then fired over as Fulham's efforts to salvage something fell short.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/burnley-vs-fulham-live-score-goals-results-table-highlights-tv-stream-replay-a8724961.html

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Unlucky Fulham somehow lose at Burnley

Burnley 2 Fulham 1

Burnley profited from two Fulham own goals in quick succession as they came from behind to win at Turf Moor, despite not registering a shot on target.

Andre Schurrle's wonderful early strike was cancelled out in the 20th minute when Jeff Hendrick's effort went in off Joe Bryan.

And three minutes later it was Denis Odoi who inadvertently beating Sergio Rico, heading in after Hendrick crossed.

Calum Chambers headed against the Burnley bar soon after and Fulham substitute Luciano Vietto was denied after the break by James Tarkowski and Tom Heaton – two players hoping to impress England boss Gareth Southgate, who was watching from the stands.

But Burnley held on to record their third consecutive Premier League victory, further easing their relegation fears, while second-bottom Fulham, who have won only one of their last nine league games, are now five points from safety.

In wet and windy conditions, the Clarets were left stunned in the second minute as Schurrle fired Fulham into the lead.

Odoi lofted a long pass towards the hosts' box and Schurrle brought the ball down expertly with one touch of his right foot before cracking a superb shot past Heaton with another.

Burnley looked rattled at first as they tried to hit back but soon started to find some rhythm and Chris Wood went close to equalising in the 18th minute when he headed against the outside of a post from a Phil Bardsley cross.

Soon after they were level as the ball went from Dwight McNeil to Hendrick, the Republic of Ireland international struck and his effort was diverted in by Bryan.

And moments later Fulham were cursing their luck again after Hendrick's cross was headed into his own net by Odoi.

The action then quickly switched to the other end, where Chambers headed against the crossbar and Ryan Sessegnon nodded over.

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri brought Vietto on for Sessegnon at the interval and the substitute almost got on the scoresheet six minutes into the second half, his shot kept out by a great goal-line block from Tarkowski.

Wood then sent a strike off-target before Vietto saw his drive parried by Heaton in the 75th minute.

Cyrus Christie also brought a save out of Heaton in the final 10 minutes and Chambers then fired over as Fulham's efforts to salvage something fell short.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/unlucky-fulham-somehow-lose-at-burnley

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Burnley beat error-prone Fulham despite managing no shots on target

This was a Fulham defeat to bemuse even Opta's finest minds. In 15 years of keeping records, the statistics provider could find no previous example of a team conceding two goals against opponents who had failed to manage a single shot on target.

The Premier League's leakiest defence endured perhaps their most hapless afternoon yet of a traumatic season. Fulham scored all three goals – unfortunately, two went into their own net.

"This period is very strange," said Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri. He was referring to the three-minute first-half spell in which Joe Bryan and Denis Odoi both scored own goals, although he could just as easily have been discussing the club's entire season. A quick return to the Championship is inevitable unless Ranieri finds a way to hide his team's self-destruct button.

The Italian coach must have found the defeat particularly galling given the quality of the goal with which his team opened the scoring in the first two minutes, courtesy of a breathtaking piece of skill from Andre Schurrle.

The winger's career has suffered a few setbacks since he crossed for Mario Gotze to score the winner for Germany against Argentina in the World Cup final five years ago, but his class is as apparent as ever.

He showed that with the way he controlled Odoi's long pass with the outside of the right boot, let it bounce and then struck an unstoppable dipping shot in off the bar.

That was the sublime. What followed was largely ridiculous. Goodness knows what Gareth Southgate, the watching England manager, made of it. Burnley just about kept their heads when Fulham were losing theirs, and were rewarded with a third straight Premier League victory, keeping them clear of a relegation zone in which Fulham are deeply embedded.

Sean Dyche's side were helped by the fact that Fulham defended like strangers.

Burnley equalised as Jeff Hendrick's angled shot was diverted into his own net by Bryan, who had just escaped a penalty appeal for dragging over James Tarkowski as they challenged for Dwight McNeil's cross from the left.

If anything, Odoi's own goal was even more comical, panicking as Hendrick tried to cut a cross back from the left and sending a perfectly angled header into the corner of his own net. A replay on the big screen was met with a gale of laughter from the home fans.

"That second goal was a strange one," Dyche admitted. "Everyone needs the rub of luck and today we had that with the second goal. Overall I'm pleased with the win.

"That's three straight wins and that's difficult in the Premier League. Two of them have been from one goal down so that's good for the mentality, good for the points and good for the table, of course."



https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/01/12/burnley-beat-error-prone-fulham-despite-having-no-shots-target/

[WhiteJC]

 
Burnley 2-1 Fulham

I'm guessing most of you watched most of that so no need to go over the gory details.  This time we'll do some bullet points:

    It was always going to be hard and ultimately that's probably a par result.  The damage was done well before today
    But there was still a chance.  In the first half Fulham played like a team with no idea what to do.  The panicked football was an eyesore and the team looked thoroughly incoherent.  So often the only players with space were Bryan and Christie and I don't think that can be allowed to continue
    In the second half Cairney came on and the team focused on maintaining possession.  Cairney and Seri (90+ touches and 70+ passes – more like it!) started to run the game and Fulham potentially deserved something from the game, but again too many moves saw Christie as a key man at a key moment and he couldn't take advantage of that.   We all remember Damien Duff on the right edge of the area, don't we?  It's not a fair comparison but that's life.
    It's unfortunate in a way.  Burnley were on top for a short time and scored through two own goals during that, whereas Fulham had the upper hand for most of the second half and nothing quite went their way.   The much maligned Vietto deserved a goal for a well taken volley which was scrambled off the line, for instance.
    Absent a miracle it's quite hard to see a recovery now.   Other suspects are getting their act together and a string of wins will be needed.  There's actually a reasonable argument for selling some players during the window rather than buying them, building for next season and dodging a financial apocalypse.  Nobody would ever do that of course and probably quite rightly but you'd question the wisdom of lobbing another £50m at this given the probabilities and the difference said players might be expected to make anyway.  I mean, put Cahill in the middle of that and maybe you survive those goalmouth scrambles, but maybe you don't.
    The chance to change things around was when the club changed managers but I don't know that they got that right, and now we have a team that once played good possession football playing a strange hybrid formation that seems to nullify the strengths of its best players while emphasising some of the more limited players.  I mean it's encouraging to see players like Vietto given a run out because clearly the man has talent and you want that to shine through because if you get talented players firing you go places, but somewhere there has to be more doesn't there?  Somehow there has to be more.   And there isn't.



https://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2019/01/12/burnley-2-1-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

 
Burnley beat Fulham

We fell behind today in only the second minute of the game but were in front midway through the half and went on to win the game 2-1 with all three goals scored by Fulham players.

A full report will follow.



http://www.uptheclarets.com/burnley-beat-fulham

[WhiteJC]

Cottage Talk Full Time: Fulham's Devastating Loss To Burnley
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

In this episode, we shared our "initial reactions" to Fulham's 2-1 loss to Burnley, and we discussed the reality of the situation that Fulham are in after this match. This was one of the hardest episodes of Cottage Talk to record. Co-host Yannis Tjanetis and Russ Goldman bring up the hard decisions coming up for Fulham Football Club.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/1/12/18179952/cottage-talk-full-time-fulhams-devastating-loss-to-burnley

[WhiteJC]

 
Claudio Ranieri says Fulham will not give up after latest defeat to Burnley

Claudio Ranieri says Fulham will not "give up" after two own goals in their 2-1 defeat to Burnley left them five points off Premier League safety.

Andre Schurrle's second-minute screamer was quickly cancelled out by two unfortunate own goals from Joe Bryan and Denis Odoi as Fulham slipped to their 14th defeat of the Premier League season.

It was a game where Burnley failed to register a single shot on target and the result leaves Fulham in a precarious position ahead of a crunch clash against London rivals Tottenham on Super Sunday next weekend.

But Ranieri insists his side will continue to fight as they look to elevate themselves out of the relegation zone.

"It's unbelievable. Football is fantastic," he told Sky Sports.

"I think we deserved more than the draw but as for the football we scored early and played well.

"They had three chances and scored two own goals. It's unbelievable. We can draw the match in the first half but we hit the crossbar. In the second half they save on the line. It's a bad moment but we are alive.

"We never give up. We continue to fight."

Although Fulham have now registered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League - with a shock 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Oldham in between - Ranieri says he was happy with how his team played on a wet and windy afternoon at Turf Moor.

He added: "I am satisfied from the performance. We played well and in the second half the match was in our hands but it wasn't enough.

"We knew it was a battle but that is football. They won. They are right we are wrong but we will never give up.

"We know we wanted to win but now we are strong and we want to react quickly."



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11605858/claudio-ranieri-says-fulham-will-not-give-up-after-latest-defeat-to-burnley

[WhiteJC]

 
Claudio Ranieri at a loss for words as self-destructive Fulham fall to 'strange' defeat at Burnley

Two own goals in quick succession overshadow Schurrle's wondergoal as Fulham's search for a first away win continues

Perhaps this will be the ignominy after the ecstasy for Claudio Ranieri.

No Premier League-winning manager has ever been demoted from the division, but while the Italian inherited a Leicester City team tipped for the drop and turned them into champions, his Fulham contrived to make a different sort of history to render relegation more likely.

They became the first side since the division's records began to concede twice to a team who failed to register a shot on target.

"What we can do?" asked Ranieri rhetorically, deserted by the fates that once seemed on his side. "It's unbelievable."

If it made Burnley's third straight win fluky, Fulham were symbolically self-destructive, luckless and hapless as they scored two own goals in three minutes. While the visiting fans chorused that Burnley were going "down with the Fulham," winning a six-pointer puts them seven ahead of relegation rivals.



https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/claudio-ranieri-at-a-loss-for-words-as-self-destructive-fulham-fall-to-strange-defeat-at-burnley-1.812436

[WhiteJC]

Burnley 2, Fulham 1
Own Goals Galore

If you want to find a more Fulhamish statistic that would best describe this season, all you need to do is find it on one tweet.

Yeah, it was that bad of a night, and it truly encapsulated everything that is wrong with Fulham this 2018/19 season, even when they do their very best.

Because believe me, Fulham tried! You just need André Schürrle's wonder strike in just the second minute to show that this side were bringing it from the start. There was organization in defense and Burnley couldn't get anything going at all. But all that lasted a good 10 minutes.

Before you know it, Burnley's midfield might as well as be as creative as Arsenal's as Calum Chambers and Jean Michael Seri struggled mightily to close them down cleanly all half. From there the likes of Ashley Westwood, Dwight McNeil and Jeff Hendrick were completely bossing things in the final third and Fulham's defenders couldn't do much to stop it. In particular, a cross that came in to Chris Wood was failed to get cleared by Sergio Rico and the shot went off the post instead. It was a warning sign all match as to what was to come.

Surely enough, a McNeill cross in the box led to a potential foul by Joe Bryan on Ashley Barnes inside the six-yard box. However, played continued and Hendrick put a ball in that only led to Bryan sending it into his own net to make it 1-0. Next, it was McNeill's turn to whip in a ball in which Denis Odoi somehow couldn't head away from his own net. Now, it was 2-1 without a single Burnley player making much of an effort to hit Rico's gloves. It was downright inconsolable! And with Alfie Mawson being out for another month due to another knee injury, this is the lot Claudio Ranieri has no other choice but the ones already out there to pick from.

From there Burnley were constantly on the front foot thanks to an 8-3 total shots advantage as Fulham constantly couldn't string any passes together. Plenty of that was that their clearance attempts were some of the worse you will find in England's top flight all evening and were constantly pinned in the final third as result. If it wasn't for a Calum Chambers header that was struck so hard, it might as well have broken the crossbar in half, Burnley were by far and away the most dominant side. By the end of the half, Fulham's pass completion percentage of 71% is just such a shocking contrast to what was expected of them under Slavisa Jokanovic, yet this is now what is expected under such a conservative system employed by Ranieri.

The second half was a little bit better but once again it started with a halftime substitution. I personally felt like Ryan Sessegnon had a solid game and had the potential to create some things if he had more time to show his worth. Instead, Ranieri thought it was a good idea to bring on public enemy number one Luciano Vietto. The Argentinian forward almost gave the manager his reward thanks to a shot attempt that was surely going to tie things up after a Aleksander Mitrovic header was perfectly weighted towards him inside the penalty area. Instead, Vietto's shot was wonderfully cleared off the line by Ben Mee.

On the whole, some of Fulham's crosses were the best Fulham were executing all game, but not enough of those crosses were capitalized perfectly for this so called vaunted attack to rise to the occasion and get anything from this contest. I thought Schürrle had one of his better games, but once again, Ranieri thought it was best to take him off for another FA Cup failure in Neeskens Kebano. Personally, I would have benched someone like Seri or Chambers and put threw the whole kitchen sink until I got my two goals to take the lead. I also wouldn't have had Aboubakar Kamara not in the 18-man squad as he has been proven to be too valuable since Ranieri has arrived. While Kebano did try to show some pace to get behind Burnley's defense, his end product was simply not good enough and his runs would always take him wide instead of inside the penalty area. It was just an inevitability for the score to stay the same as the final whistle blew.

And there went any opportunity for Fulham to make up some lost ground. Simply put, they will have to find a way to claim some points in the table against the big six teams. Otherwise, they will have to claim somewhere in the neighborhood of 24 points in 11 games in order to maintain their Premier League safety. Because for each passing game, Fulham are running out of time to turn their sanity and this season around.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/1/12/18179916/burnley-2-fulham-1

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Vice Chairman Tony Khan Tells Fan 'Go to Hell' After Loss

BURNLEY, England (AP) Fulham vice chairman Tony Khan told a fan to ''go to hell'' in a tweet after the 2-1 loss to Burnley left the London club with only one win in nine English Premier League games on Saturday.

Burnley profited from two own-goals in quick succession to come from behind and leave Fulham five points from safety.

Khan tried to assuage concerns of fans by promising ''multiple signings to improve the squad'' in the January transfer window while stressing on Twitter: ''It's on our players now to fight, finish & win.''

The son of American owner Shad Khan reacted angrily to a supporter responding: ''Leave my club please.''

Tony Khan, who is director of football operations at Fulham, replied : ''Never. I'll die at this club. Go to hell.''

Responding to criticism over the tone of his tweet, Khan complained the fan was among those who ''give no credit when things go well, including giving me stick immediately after promotion.''

Fulham might be making an instant return to the second tier after this latest setback.

Andre Schurrle's early opener for Fulham was cancelled out in the 20th minute when Jeff Hendrick's effort went in off Joe Bryan.

Three minutes later, Denis Odoi inadvertently beat Sergio Rico, heading in after Hendrick crossed.

Calum Chambers headed against the Burnley bar soon after and Fulham substitute Luciano Vietto was denied after the break by James Tarkowski and Tom Heaton - two players hoping to impress England boss Gareth Southgate, who was watching from the stands.

Burnley held on to record a third consecutive league victory, further easing its relegation fears.

Fulham remained second to last.



https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/01/12/tony-khan-fulham-burnley-hell-watch

[WhiteJC]

 
MATCH ANALYSIS: Burnley 2 Fulham 1

SEAN Dyche said in the build-up to this game that every Premier League point is precious, and there will none more so than the three the Clarets earned in this comeback win over Fulham.

Burnley were behind inside two minutes to Andre Schurrle's classy volley but a quickfire own goal double put the home side in front before the break.

And the Clarets held on after the break to record a fourth successive win, a third in the league, and move three points clear of the bottom three.

The first half was full of end to end action while the second, played in the worse of the driving rain and swirling wind, failed to match it.

But Burnley will care little. This was a game they needed to win and they did.

It's points not performances that matter when you're in a relegation scrap and the Clarets now have nine from nine in their last three matches.

The day didn't start well for Burnley. They were behind inside two minutes. A long ball forward by Denis Odoi bypassed the Clarets back four and Andre Schurrle, in far too much space as he floated between Charlie Taylor and Ben Mee, expertly brought the pass down and finished superbly past Tom Heaton.

It was a strike of the highest order but the German was afforded too much space by a static Burnley backline.

Dyche's men sought a response. Ashley Barnes capitalised on some uncertain Fulham defending only to be halted by the recovering Maxime Le Marchand while Jeff Hendrick saw a shot blocked and then sliced the rebound horribly wide.

Chris Wood came the width of the post away from an equaliser when his close range header clipped the upright from Phil Bardsley's centre.

The pressure finally told and two goals in the space of three minutes turned the game around, with Hendrick playing a part in both.

First, the Irishman drove in a shot which cannoned off Joe Bryan and into the net following Dwight McNeil's deep cross.

And then, three minutes later, the midfielder exchanged passes with Ashley Barnes, galloped into the box and his reverse cross flew off the unfortunate Denis Odoi and into the far corner.

The game was being played at a frantic pace with both sides dangerous on the attack.

Fulham responded to the blow of falling behind and Calum Chambers headed against the bar before Ryan Sessegnon failed to keep his header down from inside the penalty area.

But Burnley had a measure of control with McNeil a threat on the left and Bardsley getting forward well from right back as they preserved their lead to the interval.

Fulham brought on Luciano Vietto at half time and the sub almost made an immediate impact. He met Aleksandar Mitrovic's knockdown with a low shot that looked destined for the net but for the brilliant intervention of James Tarkowski on the line to deflect the ball to safety.

It was the visitors who were enjoying more of the ball with Burnley, aware of what three points would mean, sitting in.

Vietto extended Heaton with a driven effort that the home keeper palmed to safety while the Clarets, who threatened sporadically, survived more than one scramble inside their own box.

But you never sensed panic in the Burnley ranks. They held their shape well, pressed when required and managed the game to good effect.

A Fulham goal never looked likely in a drab second half and so it proved, with the Clarets securing a priceless victory.



https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/burnley_fc/news/17354039.match-analysis-burnley-2-fulham-1/

[WhiteJC]

 
'I'll die at this club... go to hell': Son of Fulham owner launches incredible attack on fan after being told to leave Premier League strugglers

    Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan has hit out at a supporter on Twitter
    Son of owner Shahid Khan reacted angrily when told to leave the club
    Claudio Ranieri's side suffered their 14th loss of the season at Burnley

The son of Fulham owner Shahid Khan told a supporter to 'go to hell' and insisted he will 'die at this club' after being told to leave.

The Premier League strugglers suffered a 14th loss of the season of on Saturday, surrendering a second minute lead in defeat at Burnley to leave them five points adrift of safety.

With tensions rising within the fanbase, vice-chairman Tony Khan reacted angrily on Twitter after trying to ease fears of relegation back to the Championship.


Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan told a supporter to 'go to hell' on Twitter on Saturday

Having promised not to surrender and claimed there will be 'multiple signings' this month, one fan replied: 'Leave my club please'.

Khan, also the co-owner of NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars, wrote back: 'Never. I'll die at this club. Go to hell.'

The 36-year-old had initially tweeted: 'Thank you to all @FulhamFC supporters, especially those at Turf Moor today.

'To squad, staff + supporters, some people are waving the white flag and saying we should surrender, people said the same when we were 6 & 4 points behind the past 2 seasons; we closed the gap both times.

'Our squad has great moments, but they've shown their abilities more often than they've gotten the points we need. But we can close this gap.

'As with last January we'll make multiple signings to improve the squad, but it's on our players now to fight, finish & win. Come on Fulham!'

Claudio Ranieri's side had taken an early lead through Andre Schurrle but contrived to lose at Turf Moor without conceding a single shot on target.

Own goals from Joe Bryan and Denis Odoi led Burnley to a third successive league win to ease their own relegation fears.





https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6585199/Son-Fulham-owner-vice-chairman-tells-fan-hell.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham to sign former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel

Fulham & Ryan Babel

Fulham are signing former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel this January.

That's according to leading Dutch newspaper Telegraaf.

Telegraaf confirmed the Babel to Fulham deal on Saturday night, revealing the 32-year-old will move to Craven Cottage on a six month loan deal.

Babel is due to have his medical at Fulham on Tuesday before the deal goes through.

Babel is joining Fulham from Turkish side Besiktas.

Ryan Babel & Liverpool

Babel joined the Reds in 2007 from Ajax.

Liverpool paid 14 million pounds for the midfielder however by 2011 he'd left Anfield.

Overall he scored 22 goals in 146 games for Liverpool.

Babel left Liverpool to join Hoffenheim.

Babel's Besiktas record

Ryan Babel has been at Besiktas since 2017.

His contract in Turkey expires at the end of the season.

This season Babel has scored four goals and grabbed one assist for Besiktas in 12 league matches.

Is Babel what Fulham need?

Many Fulham fans may instantly question the Babel deal.

Doesn't Claudio Ranieri already have enough attacking wide players on his books in west London?

If Babel is arriving, why did Fulham sign Andre Schurrle in the summer?

Luciano Vietto and Ryan Sessegnon also operate in wide areas for the Cottagers.

Instead of signing Babel, shouldn't Fulham be looking to bring in a new defender this January?

After a 2-1 defeat at Burnley on Saturday, Fulham are second bottom of the Premier League with 14 points from 22 games.

Fulham have the worst defensive record in the division having conceded 49 goals already.



https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/fulham-to-sign-former-liverpool-winger-ryan-babel/